TIFTON — Region got off to a rough start for Tift County basketball teams Saturay night. Lowndes proved to be a very tough customer, resulting in a sweep.

Lowndes got off to quick starts in both contests, winning the boys contest by a 53-37 score. The Vikettes were victorious in the girls game, 52-28.

Kaden Lawson gave the Blue Devils a quick 2-0 lead on a drive to the basket, but Lowndes clamped down after that.

The first quarter was one of defensive power for both teams denying the other at the rim. Lawson and Cordell Nelson had two big block attempts for the Devils and Kam Jackson doing the same for Lowndes.

Isaiah Camon had five quick points as the Vikings established a 10-2 lead. J.J. Lamar free throws at 1:04 mean Tift trailed 13-4 at the end of the quarter.

Jackson scored eight in the second quarter as Lowndes led by as much as 15, 26-11. Tift came to 11, 26-15, with Lamar and Lawson scoring in the final 30 seconds.

Tift kept Lowndes on their toes in the third, being in striking distance for most of the frame. Nelson had a big dunk and jumper and Quay Bell scored directly on an inbounds pass.

Lamar remained hot from outside, with a three in the third and one in the fourth from the top of the key. Jackson delivered another jumper for the Vikes and they kept their distance at the free throw line in the fourth.

Haven McMiller and Jarvis Howard scored later in the fourth, Howard’s points being his first on the varsity this season.

Lamar had 15 for the Blue Devils, who are now 8-4. Jackson scored 20 and Kaiden Brown had 11.

VIKETTES 52, TIFT 28

The Lady Devils and Lowndes played on even terms after the half, but the damage was done in the first 16 minutes.

Following the break, Tift got going on free throws by McKenzie Brewton and a jumper by Jimmya Cushion. Amiya Jordan also hit both from the line.

In the fourth, the Lady Devils warmed up even more, Nadia Kennedy finding the net from distance. Jazlin Martinez and Cushion also hit treys in the period. Cushion had five points in the fourth and Amiya Jordan had four, with Jordan’s second hoop coming on a steal.

Lowndes jumped out to a quick 17-2 start for the game. Ary Thomas had much of that hot streak, with nine points in 6:30 of play. The Vikettes mixed that offense with outstanding work on the boards for second-chance shots and limiting Tift on its end.

The Vikettes cooled off some in the second from the floor, but keep the defense strong, taking a 31-7 halftime lead.

Tift did good work on recent 1,000-point scorer Kaci Demps, but three Vikettes scored in double figures: Ary Thomas with 12, and Kayla Jackson and Bry Thomas at 10 each.

Cushion netted 7 for Tift with Jordan at 6.

Tift teams are back home Tuesday for non-region games against Veterans. Friday, they travel to Camden County with special mid-afternoon home games against Richmond Hill Saturday. With Richmond Hill being nearly to Savannah, opening tip for varsity girls will be at 2 p.m.