Bulldoggs fall just short in hoops opener

The Winder-Barrow High School boys basketball team made a run at it Tuesday night, but in the end came up 10 points short against visiting Loganville.

The Bulldoggs dropped a 54-44 decision, but were in position to possibly win the game in the second half. Trailing 20-16 at halftime, WBHS overcame an 8-0 run by the Red Devils in the third quarter to pull within three points by the end of the third quarter.

In the game’s final eight minutes, the Bulldoggs tied the game on a 3-pointer by Zay Hester, who finished with a team-high 20 points. The Bulldoggs were never able to regain the lead, however, getting as close as five points with just over a minute to play after a 3-point basket from Aaron Jeswald.

LHS added some late free throws to help the Red Devils emerge with the win.

“It was a very competitive game for three quarters plus,” said WBHS coach David Sokol. “They made some late free throws which helped them seal the win. Overall, we were competitive. It will be a growing process. Eveyone is in the same boat playing some region games early. We have some players who are still getting into the flow after football season.”

Jeswald finished with 12 points for the Bulldoggs and was the only other WBHS player in double figures. Chandon Sullivan added five points while Travis Demeritte and Toddric Barnes both scored three.

“Zay will have to score for us,” Sokol said. “We just have to go back to work and get ready for Friday.”

LHS led 11-7 after the first quarter and continued to hold a four-point cushion at halftime.

In the third quarter, an 8-0 run by WBHS saw the Bulldoggs get within 34-32 with 1:11 left in the period.

Winder-Barrow returns to the court Friday when it travels to Salem.

“They are very big and athletic,” Sokol said. “We’ll do what we can to prepare for them this week in practice starting Wednesday.”

The Bulldoggs will also host Jackson County Saturday at 5:30 p.m.