A year after getting swept by the Screven County Lady Gamecocks, the Effingham County Lady Rebels basketball team returned the favor.

The Lady Rebels jumped out quickly and never trailed in a 40-28 victory Friday night over the Lady Gamecocks. Effingham won the first meeting of the year 50-46.

“It gives us a little bit of confidence,” Lady Rebels coach Nate Hayes said, noting last season’s sweep at the hands of the Lady Gamecocks, who reached the Class AA final four. “It kinda gives us a little boost.

“The two games we’ve lost, we’ve lost to pretty good teams (Groves and Glynn Academy). This was a little shot in the arm.”

The Lady Rebels (4-2) scored the first eight points of the game and led 12-4 at the end of the first quarter. They stretched the lead to 14 points at halftime.

Kyana Barber led the way with 11 points and Sierra Goldwire added 10 points. Shaniqua Goldwire had six points and 15 rebounds.

“She’s doing an excellent job on the boards,” Hayes said.

Whitney Roberson had six points, Marie Fogle added three and Skky Bean and Jasmine Wallace each had two points.

The Lady Rebels will take part in a tournament Thursday and Friday in Columbia, S.C. They open play Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against Hartsville (S.C.) High School.