Southeast Bulloch started off strong, but couldn’t finish in a 48-28 loss to Windsor Forest on the second night of the Ladies Night Out tournament hosted by Statesboro High School.
  Cole Robertson finished the game with a team-high 12 points while Osh Hobbs and Sara Howard scored six points each.
  The Lady Yellow Jackets, coming off a disappointing loss to Statesboro High School the night prior, had something to prove against the Lady Knights Tuesday. In a scrimmage match at the beginning of the season, the Lady Knights defeated Southeast Bulloch 50-27.
  SEB assistant head coach Ro Smith said despite the loss, the team made improvements in the second matchup between the two teams.
    “I felt like the energy was so much better from day one when we played them. We told these girls that all we want from them is improvement,” Smith said. “I wanted them to start understanding the difference in playing time and being effective while you’re playing. Of course everyone wants to play, but if you’re not doing anything out there then what’s the point?”
    In the second quarter against Windsor Forest, the Lady Yellow Jackets’ hard work started to come to fruition. Howard scored two consecutive buckets in the paint to give SEB a 14-8 lead with 2:58 left to play in the second quarter.
    The lead, however, would be short lived as the Lady Knights ended the quarter on a 9-0 run to take a 17-14 advantage into halftime.
    In the second half, Windsor Forest outscored SEB 31-14.
    “I think the big difference in the game is when we started to play their game inside of playing ours,” Smith said. “After we broke the press, we would take the first shot instead of being patient and waiting for a better shot. We were rushing and (Windsor Forest) just got hot. You can’t do anything about that.”
    The Lady Yellow Jackets (0-3) are still working on the team’s chemistry. After losing three key players from last year’s squad, this year’s team plans on getting better each game.
    “We’re obviously getting better and I just see a lot of improvement with our teamwork,” Robertson said. “We’ve been working on our offense and driving the ball. We’re just getting used to each other.”
    The Lady Yellow Jackets have a road game scheduled Dec. 1 against Islands. Coach Smith said she expects the team to put their best foot forward and learn from the pair of losses in the Ladies Night Out tournament.
    “We strive for excellence here. Not good, not mediocre but the best we can be,” Smith said. “They are improving on how to play as a team. Everyone’s role is different, but equally important. Whenever we understand that we’ll be flying like Jackets.”

    Horace Holloman may be reached at (912) 489-9408.