Lady Panthers pull away to defeat Valwood
Published 11:51 am Tuesday, February 11, 2025
- Becky Taylor/The Tifton Gazette Tiftarea's Lexi Connell absorbs a Valwood foul during Monday's first half.
CHULA — Tiftarea Academy’s Lady Panthers picked up their fourth win of the 2024-25 basketball season Monday night and advanced to the GIAA District 3-3A tournament proper after a 36-23 win over Valwood.
The Lady Panthers were to take on No. 1 Terrell Academy Tuesday in the district tournament.
Tiftarea took command in the third period after breaking an 11-11 halftime tie. They held Valwood without any points for 8:30 overall during a 17-0 run that extended back into the second frame.
Free throws were a major part of the rally. Kate Coogle went 6-of-8 from the stripe during the third and Makenna Grace Graham and Maci Shoultz each made both of their attempts. Shoultz capped the run with a three-pointer at 2:47 to make it 26-11.
Valwood cut the lead to 10 points three times in the fourth, but the Lady Panthers had an answer to each. Graham had a basket and Coogle kept making free throws.
Becky Taylor/The Tifton Gazette
Kate Coogle gets the steal from Valwood and heads to the basket for the Lady Panthers.
Carolyn Griner put back in an offensive rebound with 1:53 remaining, but Valwood never had a chance to intentionally foul. After a free shot by Lexi Connell, Coogle more than iced the game with a turnaround jumper at 1:03.
The sides were even in the first half. Madi Shoultz and Connell stake Tiftarea to an early 4-0 lead but Bryce Carter and Griner tied it before Connell’s free throw made it 5-4 going into the second.
Coogle and Connell provided the Lady Panthers’ points in the second.
Tiftarea was led by Coogle with 16 points and Connell at 6. Griner scored 8 for Valwood.
This was the Lady Panthers’ third win against Valwood this season.
