On the surface, the 2020-21 high school basketball season was a lost one for the Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Lady Warriors. Dewayne Watkins would argue otherwise.
The winless Lady Warriors of last season are now unbeaten, their latest conquest a 44-22 defensive masterpiece win over previously unbeaten Catoosa County rival Ringgold on Friday as the Lady Tigers visited Jerry Jones Gymnasium.
LFO freshman Christen Collins had 10 points to lead the offense on a night when points were hard to get, which was just fine for Coach Watkins after his team improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in GHSA Region 6-AAA.
"We just play hard and adjust to what the offense is trying to do," Watkins said. "We are athletic, and we have several key players who are solid on both ends of the floor.
"Last year we understood the challenges we were facing - COVID, major injuries to key players among other things. But a lot of young players received valuable playing time, and that depth should be the X factor this season. This is a great group of young ladies. They work hard and they are competitive."
LFO held Ringgold (6-1, 2-1) to two points in the second quarter and led 20-10 at halftime. The Lady Warriors, with Zoey Gray-Martin scoring six of her eight points, broke it open in the third quarter with a 17-8 advantage. Sophomore Gray-Martin's post play, Watkins said, was a big reason for the defensive success.
"She stepped up big on both ends of the floor tonight, and Star Alexander did a good job in the post as well," he said. "Ringgold is well coached and a rivalry game, and I hate to say it, but it is just another win. We are just trying to get better each game and we have very big goals for this season."
Angel Simmons added nine points for LFO, while Rachel Lopez led Ringgold with 10 points.
LaFayette 32, Rockmart 22: Mykeria Johnson had 15 points, nine rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocked shots in the win for the Lady Ramblers (3-1, 2-1 Region 6-AAA).
Trion 41, Armuchee 35: The Lady Bulldogs improved to 4-0 and 2-0 in Region 6-A public as Kinzleigh Turner and Ransley Lawrence had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Sonoraville 41, Coahulla Creek 40: Kayleigh Kelley scored 11 points and Dena Smith nine to lead the Lady Phoenix (4-3, 1-1 Region 6-AAA) to the victory. Shea Poe paced Coahulla Creek (3-3, 1-2) with 13 points, with Brinkley Reed adding 12.
Notre Dame 52, Grace Academy 10: The Lady Fighting Irish used a 20-0 advantage in the second quarter and a balanced scoring attack to lead a runaway win in which Maliyah Maples led all with 10 points, making a pair of 3-pointers.
Bradley Central 67, Ooltewah 29: Bradley Central's Karsee Weber scored 19 points during a first half in which she made four 3-pointers, while teammate Hannah Jones scored a game-high 22. Ooltewah, which trailed 18-10 after the first quarter, was led by senior Jordan McCullough's 11 points.
Lookout Valley 38, CSLA 6: Skye Eddington made 10 field goals on her way to a starring 21-point performance.
Hixson 60, Red Bank 26: Anna Johnson was strong in the paint and finished with 13 points for the winning Lady Wildcats. Red Bank's Taya Guye led all with 15 points.
Boyd Buchanan 47, Silverdale Baptist 41: A stellar second quarter of defense helped lift the Lady Buccaneers to victory at home. The Lady Bucs' Jalisa Sanders scored a game-high 14 points, while Silverdale's Tori Gibson finished with 12.
BOYS
Heritage 57, Cedartown 52: The Generals (3-3) moved to 2-0 in GHSA Region 7-AAAA as Kaleb Gallman scored a game-high 20 points, with Ty Loveless adding 12 and Bryce Travillion 10.
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 72, Ringgold 68 (OT): Brent Bowman led the Warriors (6-0, 2-0 Region 6-AAA) to the win with 23 points, with Jamichael Davis adding 20. The two combined for 10 points in the extra period, with Davis going 6-for-6 from the foul line. Brevin Massengale topped Ringgold with 20, including 12 in the fourth quarter as the Tigers forced overtime. O'Reilly Matthews and Cooper Sexton added 13 points each for Ringgold.
Coahulla Creek 49, Sonoraville 45: Lucas Mulkey scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half, and Mario Edwards added 15 points in the victory for the Colts (4-1, 2-1 Region 6-AAA).
Armuchee 62, Trion 42: Jase Mason led Trion (1-3, 1-2 Region 6-A public) with 15 points, with Malik Drinic topping Armuchee with 19.
Soddy-Daisy 54, Rhea County 33: Point guard Zack Ryans, a 6-foot-8 senior, scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to lead the Trojans to the home win.
St. Andrew's-Sewanee 47, Lookout Valley 25: The Yellow Jackets received 16 points from Jackson Marsh, but they were not able to keep up with Sewanee.
Bradley Central 57, Ooltewah 39: The Bears played stout defense while Aiden McClary finished with 12 points and eight rebounds for the winners. Deleon Petty led the Owls with 12 points in defeat.
Red Bank 72, Hixson 61: Reco Trimble scored 13 of his 23 points for the Lions in their breakout 27-point second quarter. Hixson's Kaden Herman led all with 27 points and made a trio of 3-pointers. Kendrick Lloyd scored 16 for Red Bank (5-1, 3-0 District 6-3A).
Notre Dame 51, Grace Academy 32: Cole McCormick, Tim Vaughn and DJ Brown led the Fighting Irish to victory. Grace's Mason Long led all with 12 points.
Silverdale Baptist 60, Boyd Buchanan 57: Brett Wright scored 22 points to lead the Seahawks to a thrilling road victory. Jacob Shockley was sharp for Boyd Buchanan with 20 points.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young. Contact them at sports@timesfreepress.com.