By Jeff Devine
Dale County High School opened area play Tuesday night with a hard-fought 62–56 victory over Ashford. The Warriors were led by a strong performance by Junior Smith.
Smith led all scorers, accounting for half of the team’s total points for the night with 31 points, and he also dominated the paint with over 20 rebounds, providing the Warriors with a strong inside presence throughout the game. Jayden McGhee provided key support with 18 points, while Jermany Wells added nine points to help Dale County secure the area-opening win.
Ashford stayed within striking distance, thanks to the team’s balanced scoring. Tyler Austin led the Yellowjackets with 15 points, while Zay Johnson and JJ Reese each finished with 12 points.
With the win, the Warriors start area play on a high note as they look to carry the momentum forward.
