The Lady Tigers kicked off their 2025 basketball season in powerful fashion last Saturday afternoon, rolling past the Portal Lady Panthers with a commanding 62–33 victory. While the final margin shows Swainsboro firmly in control, the early stages of the matchup were far more competitive.
Portal managed to hang around through the first quarter and into the early moments of the second, keeping the score close as both teams worked to shake off opening-night jitters and rediscover their rhythm. But once the Lady Tigers settled into their transition game and tightened up their execution, the momentum shifted sharply. Swainsboro applied heavy defensive pressure, turned stops into scoring opportunities, and began pulling away in dominant fashion, offering a clear glimpse of their potential for the 2025 campaign.
After the win, Head Coach Alexandria Walden shared her thoughts on her team’s performance. “The season opener was a true battleground, physical, aggressive, and fast-paced girls’ basketball from start to finish,” Walden said. “You could tell both teams were still working their way back into the rhythm of transition play. We had a few hiccups in the second quarter, but we regrouped and controlled the second half in full Lady Tiger domination.”
Despite the strong start, Walden emphasized that the team still has plenty of areas to refine. She pointed to missed layups, free throws, and unnecessary turnovers as key points of improvement as the season progresses. With a complex set of offensive looks to master, she noted that smoother execution will come as players grow more confident in their spacing and reads.
On the defensive end, however, the Lady Tigers wasted no time setting the tone. Their pressure in the first and third quarters overwhelmed Portal’s ball handlers and created repeated scoring opportunities. “Defensively, we were absolutely the queens of the court,” Walden said. “The girls were unstoppable on defense in the first and third quarters. From here, we can only get better.”
Freshman McKinley Walden made a statement in her high school debut, delivering an explosive all-around performance with 18 points, 11 steals, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. Senior KK Murphy joined her with a double-double of her own, finishing with 17 points, 10 steals, and 7 rebounds in a dominant showing on both ends. Additional scoring came from sophomores Kali Brown with 9 points and Kimiya Freeman with 8, while senior Millie Kingsberry also added 8 points. Senior Jalaya Freeman contributed 2 points to round out the offense.
Looking ahead, the Lady Tigers will quickly be tested again. They host Treutlen on Friday, December 5, with tip-off set for 6 PM. Treutlen features quick and sharp-shooting guards, particularly dangerous from the three-point line, making perimeter discipline crucial. On Saturday, December 6, Swainsboro will face Jenkins out of Savannah at 4 PM, a team known for its height, speed, and outside shooting. Walden noted that beating teams like Treutlen and Jenkins will require a complete, unified effort for all four quarters, strong communication, and execution on both ends of the court.
“Overall, we welcome the challenge and the adversity. They’re only going to make us better,” Walden said.
With a statement win to open the 2025 season and plenty of upside still ahead, the Lady Tigers are poised for an exciting and competitive year on the hardwood.
