Trojan fans everywhere have a reason to celebrate this weekend. For the third year in a row, the Lamar County High School girls’ basketball team has won the region tournament. They came in as the second-seeded team, but they were the last team standing Friday night and received the Region 4 A-Division 1 trophy.
Despite losing five seniors from last year’s squad, Coach Adam Ballard’s young team worked hard all year to fill the gaps.
Quarter-Finals vs Towers
Lamar County began the tournament at Putnam County High School, where they faced the Titans of Towers High School. Lamar County won by a score of 59-20 and secured its spot at the semifinal round, where they would have the home-court advantage.
JaZiyah Foster led the team in scoring with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Ashlyn Smith and Ella Bleu Leverett each had 10 points and six rebounds, with Smith adding two assists. Leverett also had two steals. Makayla Watts had nine points, two rebounds, and three assists. Briana Jackson distinguished herself defensively with five rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Ava Bushby collected 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
Semi-Finals vs Monticello
Lamar County played host for the remainder of the tournament. On Thursday, they defeated the Monticello Hurricanes 69-65 in a nail-biter that went into overtime.
JaZiyah Foster had another amazing performance, earning a double-double with 30 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. Ella Bleu Leverett likewise picked up a double-double, scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal. The speedy Makayla Watts made several plays on both sides of the court, picking up 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, and six steals. Janiya Banks contributed to the victory with five points, five rebounds, and two assists. Ashlyn Smith and Bri Jackson each had multiple steals. Senior, Alexia Jackson scored two points, grabbed one rebound, one assist, and a steal.
Finals vs. Putnam County
The Trojans bested the Putnam County War Eagles with a score of 55-53 to win the region championship.
Makayla Watts led the team offensively with 18 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one steal. JaZiyah Foster recorded a double-double, contributing 15 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. Ella Bleu Leverett also secured a double-double, adding 15 points, 13 rebounds, and five steals. Bri Jackson got two points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Kayla Stewart remained cool and collected on the court throughout the game and snagged three rebounds for Lamar County.
Coming Up Tuesday Night: First Round of State Playoffs
Lamar County (22-5) will host the girls of Northeast Raiders (9-13) in the first round of the GHSA Playoffs on Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
On Sunday afternoon, The Georgia High School Association seeded Lamar County as the number 6 team in the playoff bracket. The winner of Tuesday’s matchup will advance to play the winner between Putnam County and Gordon Lee.
Tickets will be available on GoFan. Home-court advantage starts with you—storm the gym!
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
