ALJ girls unable to overcome early deficit against J.F. Shields

THOMASTON – The A.L. Johnson girls found themselves in too big of a hole early as they fell to J.F. Shields 76-34 in sub-regional play Tuesday night.

The Lady Eagles got a free throw from Tiffany Barber with 3:45 left in the opening quarter for their first points of the game. A Jameia Jones jumper at the 1:49 mark in the opening frame was the first ALJ field goal of the game and left the home team down 18-3. Shields rolled to a 25-3 first quarter and stretched the advantage to 55-9 by half.

The Lady Eagles settled in during the second half, outscoring a mix of Shields starters and reserves to the tune of 25-21 in the closing 16 minutes of play.

Jones led ALJ with 13 points, five rebounds and four steals. Barber had 12 points and six rebounds. Akayla McGhee, who scored four points, had 11 rebounds to lead her team. Ja’Lani Mair finished with four points and seven boards.

Eighth grader Ti’Ajah McCreary had 27 points to lead JFS while freshman Mar’quaja Brown scored 22 points. Freshman Shamya Johnson had eight points and 19 rebounds for Shields.

The loss ends the ALJ season at 11-6. Shields advances to the South Regional in Dothan to face Brantley.