The Gatewood girls’ basketball team opened the 2024 portion of its season with a 41-35 loss at home on Jan. 3 to First Presbyterian Day (FPD), out of Macon.
Despite the loss, Gatewood head coach Jordan Walters said she was proud of the way her team played against a higher-ranked opponent.
“That was a game against a 4A school; we’re 2A, and they’re well-coached, 11-and-1 so far,” Walters pointed out, adding she remained very proud of her players’ effort. “Nobody wants to lose, but that was a great loss to take because I feel like our girls got way better today.”
Two days later the team traveled to face Briarwood Academy, where the hometown Lady Bucs prevailed 55-31, handing Gatewood its biggest loss so far this season.
“Our starting five battled it out for most of the ballgame. They have two bigs that are very good ball players, and from the get-go, I thought the refs did impact the game,” Walters said of the visit to Warrenton. “But we did not play well enough to win either way. We have got to do a better job on the road of getting ready in that mindset. So that when we arrive at their gym it’s go time, just like it is at a home ball game.”
Home favored the Gatewood girls Saturday afternoon as they got back on the winning track in Eatonton with a commanding 60-14 decision over Georgia Military College (GMC), out of nearby Milledgeville.
Senior London Darden was top scorer for Gatewood against GMC, putting up 17 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Maddie Capps was second with 11 points, and fellow freshman Lauren Paxson contributed 10 to the total.
“So, after our loss last night (to Briarwood), I challenged the girls to just come back this morning and have a new mindset, be fresh and ready to go, and not let things carry over after mistakes … and I thought they did a very good job,” Walters said following the win.
“Saturday games are always rough, just with the fact it’s a Saturday, they’re not in their routine, and I thought they did a very good job today showing up and just handling business from the get-go.”
The Lady Gators face another busy schedule this week, playing Jan. 9 (after press time) at home versus Augusta Prep Day, then playing three times in three days Jan. 11-13, visiting Thomas Jefferson Academy and Windsor Academy before hosting Westfield School at 3:30 p.m. in Eatonton this Saturday.