Indians Fall In Elite 8
The Vidalia High School Indians boys basketball team fell in the Elite 8 to Northeast of Macon on Tuesday of last week at home. For the VHS boys it was just their second loss of the season as they finished with a record of 27-2.
It was a big first quarter from the Raiders of Northeast that was the deciding factor in continued from page
this contest. The Raiders jumped out to a 4-0 lead and were up 8-0 with just over six minutes remaining in the first as their speed on defense was causing problems for VHS.
Siricco Jones finally got a three-pointer to fall to get the Indians on the board, but Northeast added a basket to make it 10-3. Ty Dalley made it 10-5, but with four minutes on the clock, it was 14-5 as VHS was struggling early in this contest.
Jacaree Washington made a strong move in the lane, but the Raiders added a three and were on top 22-7 with one minute left in the first. Jayon Coleman hit a three for VHS, but at the end of the first Northeast was on top 27-10 over the Indians.
At the start of the second, Jacobi Washington hit a three-pointer for VHS, and then Jordan Powell hit a pull up from 12 feet to close it to 27-15. Cori Mincey added a basket for VHS, but with 3:48 left in the half they went on a run and led 35-17.
They added a buzzer beater at the end of the half to give them a 40-17 lead over VHS at the end of the first half.
In the third Dalley added a three to make it 42-22, but they continued to answer. Dalley found the mark again from deep, as did Powell to close it to 46-28 with just over three minutes in the third. Bryson Whited made it 48-30 and Dalley made it 48-32. But at the end of the third, it was 51-32 with the Raiders out in front. With just over six minutes to play, the Indians were down 53-36. Powell closed it to 56-41 with a three, but with just 2:26 to play VHS was trailing 58-44 after a three by Whited. Mincey and Dalley added basket to cut it to 60-49, but that was as close as VHS could get it. VHS never gave up as Whited added another three-pointer, but Northeast took the win, 67-53 over the Indians. The loss ended the season for VHS in the Elite 8. Dalley led VHS with 20 points, Powell added 11, and Whited scored 8 in the loss. VHS Head Coach Tommy Dalley said, “They got going and we just weren’t able to contain them. We gave it our all, but they hit free throws when they needed to in the second half. We challenged our guys at halftime, and to their credit they came out and gutted it out in the second half. Couldn’t be prouder of this group with their first Region Championship in seven years, just a great group of guys.” Northeast moved on to the Final 4 where they lost to Westside of Augusta, 73-55. Westside of Augusta and Butler will play for the State Championship on Thursday of this week in Macon.
