Lady Braves down Lions in opener

(Carrollton, GA) — The Lady Braves varsity basketball team got the regular season started on a high note Saturday with a 41-35 road win at Central High in Carrollton.

The contest was tight throughout with the Lady Braves leading by just two at the half and by just one after three quarters before pulling away late in the game.

A 3-point basket from Sophia Long with 2:46 to play in the fourth quarter put the Heard County girls on top 36-33 and they would not trail again.

Junior Lady Brave Mykhia Echols (Photo: Juliann Carpenter)

Freshman Jayden Boykin led the scoring for the Lady Braves with 10 including some very important points in the last two minutes.

Boykin drained a three with 1:42 to play and was 3-for-4 from the free throw line in the waning moments to seal the season opening victory.

Long and fellow senior Briana Labaff each scored seven in the game while junior Zekylah Boyd scored five.

Hermonie Garza, Mykhia Echols, and Jasmine Owens each tallied four points.

Akins was very pleased with her team for bouncing back on short rest after a tough scrimmage Thursday against Greenville.

“Our game against Greenville two days ago was really rough and physical and we only had one day between games. So to come out here today and not play as well as we can play, and then get into foul trouble but still walk away with the win — I am just super proud of the effort,” said Akins after the game.

“Sophia Long really stepped us a leader at point near the end of the game and Jayden Boykin stepping up as a freshman and making some big shots and free throws was huge,” said the coach.

Akins said the work of the defense was also crucial especially from one of her players that came off the bench.

“Our defense really held up well in the end and Mykhia Echols did a great job in the post area. With Jasmine fouling out, we really needed Mykhia to come in there and give us some good body positioning and some rebounding and she did that — she played really physical.”

The Lady Braves will return to the court for a home game versus Lagrange Tuesday at 6:00 PM in Franklin.