Blue Devils rout Rams in Ashburn

Dec. 23—ASHBURN — 12 points by Davis Byrnes on field goals, 11 points in 3:30 to start the 2nd frame, 10 Blue Devils playing in the 1st quarter alone, 9 total field goals for Worth, 8 1st half points from Tyler Parker, a 7-minute Rams' scoreless drought, a 6-minute 4th quarter for a mercy rule.

Five rested starters playing none of the 4th quarter, a thunderous bench for 4 points from Jaden Nelson, 3 1st period slam dunks, 2 Worth points in the opening eight minutes and one 66-29 victory for the Blue Devils close out the Ronalda Pierce Classic at Turner County High on Friday, Dec. 23.

Tift rebounded on the second night of the tournament following a 48-46 overtime loss to Macon County Dec. 22 and were to take a 5-3 mark into their own McDonald's Invitational starting Dec. 27.

Far from being a hangover from yet another close loss — the three have been by a combined seven points — the Worth game was never in doubt. The Blue Devils had eight points before the Rams had any and the biggest challenge for head coach Tommy Blackshear was getting as many players as many minutes as possible. Thirteen of his 14 men available scored.

Byrnes was the shooting star early on, scoring Tift's first two buckets. It was an eventful period for him, which saw him block a Ram shot and he threw down a thunderous slam dunk on an offensive rebound, though that was disallowed on a goaltending call.

Parker had himself two dunks in the 1st, but not before Will Clark got big air on a steal and stuffed one home, too.

Grant Juster put Worth the scoreboard at 6:35, but that set off Tift instead. They scored 13 straight to end the quarter, then seven more before Worth scored again

The Blue Devils were ahead 21-2 at the quarter, 39-13 at halftime.

As is their wont, Tift played shutdown defense. Their press gave them numerous takeaways and when Worth did get it over the halfcourt line, they were met by a man-on-man set that had no qualms about playing close.

Even out of bounds wasn't safe for Worth. The Rams attempted to inbound a ball in the 2nd quarter, which was immediately slapped out of bounds by Christian Jones. Unfortunately for Worth, the man who attempted that pass was still standing there when Jones' poke flew right back to him, resulting in a turnover.

Seven Blue Devils scored in the 2nd period alone, shooting at a remarkable rate. On the few times Tift did miss, they were well-positioned and easily put the ball back in. Clark and Jones did on back-to-back baskets and McKyler Horne helped his side beat the shot clock with a reverse layup rebound of an air ball miss.

At 5:10 in the 2nd, Tift was ahead 30-4. The bench, already a revolving door, sped up even more after that.

Tift easing up the pressure and letting Worth see players closer to their age (they have eight juniors and sophomores listed on their roster) allowed the Rams to discover their shooting accuracy.

Five of Worth's nine field goals Friday were three-pointers. Juster and J.J. Lamar made two apiece. Lamar also showed skill at the line, sinking both ends of a one-and-one with a second to go in the half.

Byrnes scored six points in the 3rd. Henry Gebhart and Horne made jumpers before the starters had a seat for good.

The youngest Blue Devils took over and didn't miss a beat. Corey Howard knocked down the first two of his three field goals in the 3rd, the big man showing range on the initial one.

With Tift up 53-22 going into the 4th, the clock was shortened two minutes per the mercy rule.

Nelson got a standing ovation from the bench when he scored on an offensive rebound in the 4th. He'd go on to add another basket.

Fred White and Te'Shawn Bryant also bucketed their first points of the evening. Bryant two field goals included a 3-pointer.

Byrnes led the Devils in scoring with 13 points. Parker added 8 points, with Gebhart at 7 and Howard at 6.

Lamar scored 10 for Worth. Juster added 8 points. Worth initially came out for warm-ups in black jersey tops and had to hurriedly change into white tops as Tift was the visiting team for this contest.

MACON COUNTY 48, TIFT 46 (OT)

The Blue Devils had a tough time stopping Derrick Lester. The Macon County Bulldog scored 25 points, over half of their total in Friday's game.

Tift's scoring was much more balanced. Clark scored 9 points, with Kobe Farrie contributing 8 and Jones, 7.