In a must-win game, the Greene County girls basketball team defeated Towns County on Tuesday night.
The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Indians 54-41 in the first round of the region tournament, earning them a spot in the semifinals. For the third consecutive year, they also qualified for the Class A Division II playoffs.
“I’m extremely proud,” Greene County head coach Steven Hopper said after the game. “It was a team win.”
In December, Greene County narrowly defeated Towns County 54-52 at home. The Lady Tigers played the Lady Indians last month in Hiawassee and left with a 67-27 loss, so they wanted revenge with the playoffs on the line.
Despite losing by 40 in the last meeting, Greene County didn’t back down and led 18-16 at the half. The Lady Tigers defended well and limited Towns County guard Ava Thompson to four points in the opening half.
In the third quarter, Greene County ramped up its defensive pressure, forcing Towns County to make mistakes. Shameria Mitchell, Jessaria Porter, and Ja’neyce Hall also made some timely shots for the Lady Tigers.
Hopper’s squad entered the fourth quarter with a six-point lead, but the deficit felt like much more.
While Thompson hit a pair of triples, the Lady Indians tried to get the ball inside to All-Region post player Kaleigh Beaver.
However, Greene County switched up its defensive game plan, limiting Beaver in the paint.
Hopper acknowledged that a change in his team’s defensive strategy led to it dominating the second half.
“It was a two-point game at the half, but we played well in the third and started to pull away from them, and we outscored them in the fourth,” he said. “We extended our 2-3 zone out onto their shooters. We’re the biggest team in the region, so we had all types of size to match up with when they tried to get to the basket.”
Hopper explained that his girls were the ones who wanted to switch up the defensive game plan.
“They made the adjustment to extend the 2-3 zone out to cover their shooters on the perimeter so they wouldn’t get tired defending them,” Hopper said. “I told them if they wanted to do it, then let’s do it, and it worked.”
The Lady Tigers also shined on offense and outscored Towns County 21-12 in the fourth. Dajah Hobes hit two 3-pointers, while Mitchell and Porter did a thorough job of getting to the basket and hitting free throws.
“We were very patient with our offense in the fourth quarter,” Hopper added. “I’ve got to give it to the girls.”
Porter led with 16 points, followed by Mitchell and Hull, each adding 10. Hobes totaled nine points in the win.
Greene County hopes to keep its winning streak alive later this week and is eyeing the region championship. The Lady Tigers (5-15) will face top-seed Washington-Wilkes this Thursday at Towns County.