Thursday March 28th, 2024 6:13PM
5:31PM ( 42 minutes ago ) News Alert

(VIDEO) Playoff basketball: Worth turns in career performance to lead Lady Falcons back into semifinals

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

FLOWERY BRANCH — Just when they needed it most, Flowery Branch senior Taniyah Worth turned in perhaps the best game of her career Tuesday night in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state playoffs.

The Alabama-signee poured in 34 points to go with 12 rebounds and 6 assists as the Lady Falcons rallied in the second half to take down Dutchtown 70-56 and advance to their second straight state semifinal berth.

Worth kept the season alive for Flowery Branch (25-6), pouring in 20 of the Lady Falcons' 28 first half points as the Branch hung in against the Lady Bulldogs, who stormed out of the gates,  leading by as many as eight points in the first half.

"That was probably one of the best games of her career and we needed it," Flowery Branch coach Courtney Newton-Gonzalez said. "(Dutchtown) is a great team, and they had a great first half. Taniyah just had a great game offensively, defensively, just keeping us going."

"I was just trying to do whatever I could to help the team," Worth said. "We're a very close group so I think that helps us. This is our last season so we're just trying to do whatever it takes."

Dutchtown (23-6) led most of the way in the first half but the Lady Falcons chipped away and eventually pulled within 31-28 by intermission.

Newton-Gonzalez said all they talked about at halftime was settling down and getting back to their game plan.

It worked. Flowery Branch exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 23-7 in the period to grab a 51-38 lead. They would hold off several late surges by Dutchtown but never again relinquished the lead.

"We just told them to settle down and play our game," Newton-Gonzalez said. "I'm just so proud of them and how they battled back. They came out with a fire and hunger in the third quarter that you have to have this time of year."

Ashlee Locke added 10 points and 7 rebounds for Flowery Branch. Lexi Sengkhammee had 10 points; Jenna Sutton chipped in 8 points, and Ashley Woodroffe had 6 points for the Lady Falcons.

Now, they will take on Region 1-AAAAA champion Harris County in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Saturday at Fort Valley State. Harris County held off Carrollton 45-43 in its quarterfinal matchup.

It is the second consecutive trip to the Final Four for the Lady Falcons, who had never advanced past the quarterfinals until last season.

"This is huge for our pogram to go back-to-back to the Final Four," Newton-Gonzalez said. "Hopefully we can take that next step."

Flowery Branch lost to Southwest DeKalb in last year's semifinals. A win on Saturday would give them their first-ever state championship game berth.

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