HAHIRA — Tuesday Jan. 14 saw the Tiftarea Academy basketball teams not only rebound from a tough previous night, but excel in sweeping Valwood on the road.

The Panthers took a 67-63 overtime triumph, with the Lady Panthers winning their second game of the season in blowout fashion, 51-17.

It was an incredible evening for Elijah Smith. The Panther point guard scored nearly half their total — 33 — which included a third quarter that saw him bucket every single one of Tiftarea’s 15 points.

The game seesawed back and forth, sometimes wildly. The Valitns were up 17-11 at the end of a quarter, but had to dig out of a 53-44 hole midway through the fourth frame to force overtime.

Chase Helfer had two drives in the last 45 seconds for Valwood to get them to the extra session, with Richard Hunter draining a three-pointer. Tiftarea went 4-for-6 from the free throw line in the final 41 seconds, but could not sink either with 20 ticks on the clock, setting up Helfer’s tying basket.

In OT, Valwood scored first, but Whit Jordan squared it at 61 on a jump shot. J.R. Walker’s offensive rebound gave the Panthers the lead at 63-62. The Panthers built it to 67-62 before Valwood responded with a single free throw. A desperation heave fell short as time expired.

It was anyone’s game early. Walker, Jordan and Smith built an early 11-7 lead, but Valwood ended the first on a 10-0 run.

The Valiants were up 22-15 three minutes into the second, but were caught at 23 on free shots by Fletcher Walker. Valwood had a narrow 25-23 advantage at the break.

In the third, it was the Elijah Smith show. He scored on fast breaks, offensive rebounds, from beyond the arc, on steals and on jump shots. His free throw with 25 seconds remaining allowed the Panthers a 38-35 lead going into the fourth.

Beyond Smith’s 33, J.R. Walker scored 12 points. Jordan added 7 and Andrew Connell had 6.

LADY PANTHERS 51, VALWOOD 17

Valwood scored first. They scored rarely after that.

Madi Shoultz and Kate Phillips both outscored the Lady Valiants team as individuals. Each had 18 points.

Short-handed as usual, the Lady Panthers did not substitute until the fourth quarter. They were never winded in between, playing the passing lanes to perfection to come up with multiple turnovers.

Shoultz hit three treys in the first quarter alone, six for the game. Phillips scored on a fast break at 3:10 to go ahead 8-2. Valwood closed to 8-4 before Lexi Connell scored on an inbounds pass. That was the last time the score was close.

Up 13-4 at the start of the second period, Tiftarea netted the first 11 points. Phillips had six of those points and assisted Kate Coogle on a jumper. Makenna Grace Graham joined Shoultz in making a three. Free throws by Phillips made it a rout at halftime, 31-13.

Tiftarea outscored their hosts, 20-4, over the last 14 minutes. the fourth quarter was shortened to six for the mercy rule.

After a hot start to the second quarter, the Lady Panthers were quick out of the gate in the third. Valwood didn’t score until the last second, with Tiftarea racking up 18 points before then.

Phillips and Shoultz each scored 18 points, with Graham at 7 and Connell and Coogle scoring four points apiece.

Tiftarea plays at Deerfield-Windsor Friday with a rare Saturday contest at Sherwood Christian. They also have a road contest at Terrell Academy Jan. 21.