Warrior Sammi Drawdy, #00, guards Shark Jae Lenox, #3. [ KEN PAULK | THE STAR ]
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Lady Tiger Sharks prevail in region semi-final

ByKen Paulk

Playing each other for the second time in a week, this time in a region semi-final contest, the Port St. Joe girls basketball team defeated Aucilla Christian 70-46 in the Dome on Thursday, February 9. 

Last Friday, the Lady Tiger Sharks knocked off the Warriors 60-39 in the 1A District 4 title matchup in Wewahitchka. 

St. Joe’s two seniors led the Shark attack, with Jae Lenox hitting for 29 points, including five 3-pointers, and serving up five assists along with four steals. 

Lenox scored 17 of her points in the first half as the home team took a 45-25 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Post player and fellow senior Mari Johnson recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 17 points and 15 rebounds. She also led the Sharks in assists and steals, with seven of each. 

Alonah Segree scored eight points, pulled down six boards, and had three steals. Addy Silcox scored seven points and had six rebounds. 

Ty’sShawn Shackleford scored five points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks. Jayla Hills added four points and six rebounds. 

Senior guard Sammi Drawdy led the Warriors with 16 points. 

Ahead 13-10 late in the first period, Johnson scored on three consecutive layups to spark a 9-0 Shark run and end the first quarter with a 22-10 lead. 

During the second quarter, St. Joe went on a 12-0 run before ending the half with three 3-pointers, one by Segree and two by Lenox. 

Although the Warriors started the third period with three Drawdy layups, that would be all of the Aucilla scoring for the quarter as the Sharks hit on the next 14 points to end the period with a comfortable 59-31 lead. 

Although Aucilla outscored St. Joe in the final frame 14-11, the outcome had long been established, and the Sharks celebrated their 70-45 win over the visitors from Monticello. 

The win gave St. Joe a 13-8 record, while the Warriors ended their season at 18-7 after two straight losses to the Sharks. 

Looming next for the region title, and a trip to the Final Four, is Graceville, who crushed Liberty County 64-19 in the other region semi-final game.

The Tigers, 19-4, have defeated St. Joe twice this season: 57-48 on December 1, and 61-42 on January 13. 

Graceville, the higher seed, will host the Sharks on Tuesday, February 14, for the region title and a trip to the Final Four in Lakeland on February 22.