By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

GUYTON — Three nights after suffering their worst offensive output of the season, South Effingham’s girls were back to their norm against Effingham County on Friday night.

The Mustangs (6-3, 1-1 Region 2-AAAAAA) scored in transition during a big opening run and defeated the visiting Rebels, 46-15.

“I’m proud of the girls,” SEHS coach Alexus Parker said. “This was an important game to them, a rivalry game, so it’s always good to get a win against your rival on your homecourt.”

And Parker was happy to see some shots fall after being held to a season-low 22 points — nearly 31 points under the team average — in a loss to Richmond Hill on Dec.7.

“With Richmond Hill, it was both teams (struggling offensively),” Parker said. “It was 10-10 at halftime. We were playing good defense. We just weren’t hitting shots.”

But what a difference 72 hours can make.

Against ECHS, four Mustangs scored during a 20-2 spurt to begin the game. Kay’mar Griffin made three 3-pointers and all 11 of her points during the nine-minute binge that decided the game.

Sophomore Elena Hairston, held scoreless against Richmond Hill, finished with a season-high 14 points against the Rebels. Laney Dobbs added 10 points.

SEHS made seven 3-pointers.

Trailing 20-2, ECHS had a mini 6-2 run to make it 22-8, but the Mustangs matched it in the final four minutes of the half to boost the lead back to 18, 28-10.

The Rebels (1-4, 0-2 Region 2-AAAAAA) didn’t threaten the rest of the way and made their only field goal of the second half with 10 seconds to play.

“We got stagnant a little bit, but we stayed consistent and stayed together and it showed,” Parker said.

Freshman Kyjana Jordan led ECHS with seven points.

South Effingham will return to action Tuesday at 6 p.m. at home against Statesboro. The Rebels will host Brunswick on Tuesday, also at 6 p.m.