UPDATE: Long County delivered a stunning performance against Worth County, winning 86-37 in the second game of the 10th annual Lee County Roundball Classic held in Leesburg on January 15, 2024. The Blue Tide’s relentless pressure transformed the game, leaving the Rams struggling to keep pace.
Initially, Worth County surged ahead with a quick 6-1 lead, thanks to junior Cully Hendley’s back-to-back 3-pointers. However, that brief moment of hope quickly faded as Long County adjusted and unleashed their full-court pressure. The Blue Tide responded with a dominating 20-6 run, flipping the score to 21-12 by the end of the first quarter.
Long County continued to overpower Worth County, stretching their lead to 46-18 by halftime, fueled by strong plays in the paint and a consistent stream of offensive rebounds. The second half saw the gap widen even further, with Long County maintaining their aggressive approach.
The highlight of the game came late in the third quarter with an electrifying alley-oop dunk, immediately followed by a three-pointer from Jamere Martin. By the end of the quarter, Long County led a staggering 79-24. Although Worth County found some rhythm in the fourth quarter, including long-range efforts from Jamarie Brown and Kuami Wright, it was too late to change the outcome.
Jy’son Mallard led Long County with a remarkable 24 points, followed by Martin with 16, and Jeremy Rollins contributing 12. On the other side, Hendley and Wright each scored 14 points, with Caleb Thomas adding 11.
In an earlier matchup, Cairo narrowly defeated Central Macon 82-75 in overtime, showcasing the competitive spirit of the Classic. While Worth County fell to a 2-5 record this season, the Lee County Roundball Classic continues through Wednesday, providing another opportunity for the Rams to regroup and learn from this tough defeat.
Fans are urged to stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses, with plenty of thrilling basketball action still to come.
