By Chad W. Smith
The eighth ranked Dodge County Squaws basketball team improved their record to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the sub region with three wins last week. The Squaws defeated Toombs County on Tuesday, December 8 by a score of 49-20 in Lyons. Dodge defeated Bleckley County 67-66 on Friday, December 11 and then defeated Swainsboro, 62-29 on Saturday, December 12 at home
On Tuesday, the Squaws were slow to get things started, as the game was tied 8-8 after one quarter. Tahitia Butler led the quarter with four points. Dodge picked things up the second quarter as they outscored the Lady Bulldogs 16-1 to lead 24-9 at the half. Yaleisa Burns led with five points in the quarter. The Squaws pulled away even more in the third quarter as they outscored Toombs 19-4 to extend their lead to 43-13 after three quarters. Kadayasha Jones led in the quarter with six points. Jaye Hilliard, Rachel Taylor and Kadejah Carson each scored two points each in the final quarter as Dodge defeated Toombs, 49-20.
Final scoring for the Squaws against Toombs County was: Yaleisa Burns, 11 points; Kemiya Harrell, nine points; Kadayasha Jones, eight points; Michelle Mitchell, five points; Jaye Hilliard, four points; Tahitia Butler, four points; Nisha Walker, three points; Kadejah Carson, two points; Rachel Taylor, two points.
The Squaws hosted their rivals from Bleckley County on Friday. The Squaws and Lady Royals played to a 9-9 tie after one quarter. Yaleisa Burns led Dodge with four points in the quarter. Dodge outscored Bleckley 16-15 in the second quarter and led 25-24 at the half. Kadayasha Jones led with six points in the quarter. The Squaws led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter before the Lady Royals closed out the quarter by outscoring Dodge 5-2 to cut the lead to 47-37 to end the quarter. Nisha Walker led Dodge with six points in the quarter. Bleckley outscored Dodge 29-20 in the final quarter but the Squaws held on to a 67-66 win as Jones hit a free throw with 7.5 left to give the Squaws a 67-63 lead. The Lady Royals hit a three pointer at the buzzer to make the final score 67-66. Walker again led the Squaws as she scored eight points in the final quarter.
Final scoring for Dodge against Bleckley was: Nisha Walker, 21 points; Tahitia Butler, 16 points; KaDayasha Jones, 15 points; Yaleisa Burns, six points; Staci Ross, five points.
On Saturday, the Squaws hosted Swainsboro and led 16-13 after one quarter. Nisha Walker led with five points in the quarter. Walker and KaDayasha Jones each had two points in the second quarter to help the Squaws hold on to a 22-18 lead at the half. Dodge outscored the Lady Tigers 21-9 in the third quarter to take a commanding 43-27 lead after three quarters. Tahitia Butler led with six points in the quarter. In the final quarter, the Squaws extended their lead to 62-29 by outscoring Swainsboro 19-2. Butler again led with five points in the quarter.
Final scoring for Dodge against Swainsboro was: Tahitia Butler, 15 points; Nisha Walker, 14 points; KaDayasha Jones, 11 points; Michelle Mitchell, six points; Staci Ross, five points; Jaye Hilliard, five points; Yaleisa Burns, two points; Kadejah Carson, two points.
The Squaws are scheduled to host Jones County on Friday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m. and will travel to Screven County on Saturday, December 19 to play Appling County at 4:00 p.m. in a tournament.
