The Gatewood girls basketball team saw its postseason run end in the GIAA Class 2A semifinals last week.
The Lady Gators fell to eventual state champion Brentwood Academy, 44-30, Feb. 26, at Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton. Brentwood went on to defeat Southwest Georgia Academy in the state final.
“I think we played really well defensively, but we just didn’t make a lot of shots that we needed to make,” Gatewood head coach Ferdinand Farley said. “Overall, we really played well — a good 32 minutes of basketball.”
Gatewood held Brentwood to just 10 points in the first quarter, but its own offense managed only three points as shots weren’t falling. The Lady Gators’ luck improved in the second quarter, with players Riley Roberts and Lauren Paxson finding their rhythm, though Gatewood still trailed 22-13 at halftime.
Brentwood limited Gatewood’s guards in the third quarter, carrying a 29-19 lead into the final period. Despite improving their efforts, the Lady Gators just couldn’t overcome the deficits from the first and third quarters.
Brentwood’s sophomore duo of Bailey Barron and Camryn Hancock proved clutch, combining for 21 points, while Callie Jones and Cadence English added nine apiece.
Paxson led Gatewood with 10 points, eight rebounds, and a block in the loss.
Gatewood finished the season with a 20-8 record, a milestone Farley celebrated.
“If you know anything about Gatewood girls basketball, we haven't won 20 games since the 2013–2014 season,” Farley said. “That’s a really big accomplishment for the girls, especially since it was only our second year together.
“We went 12-14 last season, if I’m not mistaken. So, to turn around this season and win 20 games was really exciting, especially for the girls and for the future of Gatewood basketball.”
The Lady Gators will graduate four key contributors — Roberts, Lily Huskins, Ellie McMillian, and Natalie Sills — but Paxson and several underclassmen, including Bela Smith and Avery Hill, will return.
“I really appreciate our older girls, our seniors, for setting the foundation for the future of Gatewood basketball,” Farley said. “One of our biggest goals was to win 20 games this year and at least make it to the championship game. We finished up with one goal, and now we just have to keep stacking good days and keep trying to get better.”