The Tiftarea Lady Panthers secured a decisive victory against the Valwood Lady Valiants, winning 39-15 on January 13, 2026. The game, held at Tiftarea’s home court in Chula, showcased a solid performance from the Lady Panthers, who established an early lead and maintained control throughout.
Despite facing an inconsistent offensive night, Tiftarea’s defense proved formidable, limiting Valwood to a mere five points in the first half. The Lady Panthers now hold a record of 6-9 overall and are 2-0 in AAA District 3 play. Head coach Tay Mallory emphasized the importance of a consistent approach, regardless of the opponent’s record.
“Champions don’t change the way they play just because of who’s out there,” Mallory stated. He encouraged his players to focus on their own performance rather than being distracted by the opposing team’s record. “We just always make sure we keep the same mentality, whether it’s a team that’s undefeated or one whose record isn’t what they want it to be.”
From the outset, the Lady Panthers displayed their intent, quickly jumping to a 5-0 lead within the first two minutes of the game. While the offense fluctuated, the defensive pressure was relentless. Freshman Olivia Brundage emerged as a standout player, disrupting Valwood’s offensive flow. Mallory praised her defensive skills, noting her maturity and ability to read opponents’ tendencies.
“Her defensive prowess and awareness is the maturity of a 12th grader,” Mallory remarked. “She knows where to be and when a player is going to make a move. If a player does it once, Olivia will recognize it the next time.”
Tiftarea’s defense restricted Valwood to only one free throw in the first quarter, allowing the Lady Panthers to build a commanding 13-1 lead. Valwood struggled offensively in the second quarter, managing to score their first field goal with under two minutes remaining in the half. By halftime, Tiftarea had extended their lead to 22-5.
The second half began with Valwood attempting to close the gap, scoring first. However, the Lady Panthers quickly responded, finishing the third quarter with an 8-0 run to take a commanding 31-8 advantage. Sophomore McKenna Grace Graham added to the lead with a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter, pushing the score to 37-9 before the Lady Valiants managed to score again.
With their solid play, the Lady Panthers demonstrated the ability to control the game. The final score reflected their dominance, with Valwood scoring only six points in the final four minutes, leading to a final tally of 39-15.
Looking ahead, Coach Mallory acknowledges the importance of maintaining focus on each game. “We want to try to get to the big game, but we’re taking it one game at a time. I try to keep the girls focused on the moment,” he explained.
In this game, both junior Kate Coogle and senior Kate Phillips contributed significantly, each scoring in double figures. Coogle finished with 12 points, while Phillips added 11 points.
The Lady Panthers will aim to continue their winning streak as they prepare to face Deerfield Windsor on January 16, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at their home court. The team’s performance against Valwood indicates a strong potential for the remainder of the season as they pursue their championship goals.
