Veterans girls take down Baldwin for Region 2-AAAA title

FORSYTH -- Baldwin was giving defending region tournament champion Veterans a quality battle.

But as is the case often with Veterans, that changed abruptly.

Baldwin had momentum going into halftime, and Veterans obliterated that by holding the Braves scoreless until the 1:42 mark of the third quarter en route to a 61-36 win Friday night in the GHSA Region 2-AAAA Tournament girls championship.

Baldwin struggled in the second quarter for a while, but Veterans didn't pull away. The Braves had the lead momentarily and suddenly trailed by six before Akirah Robinson's five points in the final seconds pulled them within 28-27 at halftime.

The momentum didn't leave the locker room.

Veterans scored on every other possession to start the third and opened the lead to 16 before Baldwin finally scored with 1:42 left. The Warhawks continued the onslaught and led 50-30 after three.

THREE WHO MATTERED

Kya Cochran: The Veterans point guard was the No. 2 scorer on a balanced night with 10 points, adding a couple of 3-pointers and dazzling her teammates with a putback inside late in the third quarter.

Courtney Butts: She had 10 points and was aggressive in keeping the Braves alive in the first half.

Morgan Riley: She had only six points but was tough on defense in the third quarter with two blocks and a rebound as Veterans took control.

TURNING POINT

If halftime can be a turning point, it was. Despite free-throw struggles, Baldwin was hanging with the Warhawks through the first half. But Veterans held Baldwin to one shot, and the Braves missed some quite makeable shots. The Warhawks found a groove in transition and from the perimeter to put it away.

WORTH MENTIONING

Balance in the third: Seven different players scored for Veterans in the third quarter as the Warhawks put the game away.

Also blowouts: Veterans beat Baldwin 62-40 and 44-35 in the first two meetings.

ALSO FRIDAY NIGHT

Howard, coming off a good three-plus quarters outing against Veterans, got a huge game from Erica Moore to edge West Laurens 43-38 in the consolation game. Moore, a highly recruited senior, scored 18 points while Brittany Reeves added 14. Calmela Mack topped West Laurens, which scored in single digits in three quarters, with 12.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Both teams are at home in the first round of the GHSA Tournament next week.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 9:52 PM with the headline "Veterans girls take down Baldwin for Region 2-AAAA title ."