By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
CENTRE – Cherokee County girls basketball coach Richard Barton said he made a joke recently that it takes junior guard/forward Nevaeh Gaidurgis a half to get her groove going.
She played true to form on Tuesday evening against area rival Alexandria.
Gaidurgis scored 12 of her game-high 20 points in the second half, including 10 in the fourth quarter. She also grabbed 11 rebounds in leading the Lady Warriors to a 60-41 victory that locks up the home court advantage in the upcoming Class 4A Area 12 tournament.
“She’s a mismatch, and if we can get her going, she’s a weapon,” Barton said. “We just try to get her to believe that and want the ball in her hands. She works hard on the offensive glass. If you’re not boxing her out and letting her get into position, she’s tough.”
Alexandria was tough for the Lady Warriors (17-2, 5-0) to shake in the early part of the game. Cherokee County jumped out on a 7-1 run before the Lady Cubs came back to make it a 3-point game with 2:45 remaining in the opening quarter. However, the Lady Warriors managed to stretch the lead out to 14-5 by quarter’s end and maintained that 9-point edge at halftime 30-21. It was 40-30 Lady Warriors after three quarters, but Gaidurgis began taking over in the fourth. All 10 of her fourth-quarter points came with less than five minutes remaining.
Ellisan Givens also warmed up in the second half. Eight of her 10 points came in the third and fourth quarters.
“She’s a big piece too. She’s somebody we want the ball in her hands, somebody we trust with it,” Barton said.
Libby Curry contributed seven points for the Lady Warriors. Jolie Alexander added six points. Brooklyn Bruce, Vivian Connell and Deannia Starr each finished with five points.
Charlee Parris led the Lady Cubs with 13 points. Sumira Duncan scored eight points. Landry Patterson and Allyssa Hunt both finished with seven points.
The Lady Warriors will now prepare for the Cherokee County Tournament. They will take on Sand Rock in the tournament semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. at Richard Lindsey Arena in Centre.
