Tigers take one from the Indians on the Court

By: Shelia Mader

It was all Jackson County on the court last week as the young Grand Ridge Lady Indians made the trip across the county to take on the Graceville Lady Tigers in middle school basketball action. Both teams brought plenty of heart, but the more experienced Lady Tigers walked away with a 35-16 victory.

The opening quarter saw Grand Ridge battling hard, trailing just 7-4 and showing that they were ready to compete. But Graceville’s depth began to shine in the second quarter as they pulled away to a 17-6 halftime lead. Coming out of the break, the Tigers found their rhythm and delivered a big third quarter that put the game out of reach.

Still, the Lady Indians showed their fight, never backing down and even outscoring Graceville in the final quarter. Katelyn Franklin once again proved to be the leader for Grand Ridge, pouring in all 16 of the team’s points. Her determination sets the tone for a young squad that is still learning but gaining valuable experience with every game.

For Graceville, it was truly a team effort. Lazaya Sorey paced the Tigers with 12 points, Teresa Brown followed closely with 11, and Jacalyn Cruz added six more to round out the scoring. That balanced attack is a good sign for a Tigers team that has now improved to 2-1 and looks poised for a strong season ahead.

While Graceville celebrated another big win, Grand Ridge’s rebuilding journey is filled with bright spots, led by Franklin’s steady hand and the grit of a team eager to grow. Both squads gave their communities plenty to cheer about, and if this matchup is any indication, Jackson County middle school basketball is in good hands.