MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County girls basketball team had no trouble recuperating from the long bus trip to Warner Robins on Friday, easily defeating Houston County’s girls 60-46.

But the Packers were unable to hold on to a lead that was as big as 10 points in the first quarter and dropped a key Region 1-AAAAA game to the Bears 68-65.

Packers coach Kirven Davis did not have individual scoring totals when contacted shortly after the game, but said “We seemed to lack focus. We made too many mental mistakes. I don’t know if it was the long bus ride or what.”

The third quarter was the turning point, Davis said.

“We just didn’t play well in the third quarter,” said Davis, whose team falls to 11-9 overall and 4-4 in the Region 1-AAAAA standings.

“We just didn’t shoot the ball well.”

Houston County’s boys move into second place in the region with a 4-3 record.

The Packers must regroup, as they play host to Lowndes at 8:30 tonight at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium. The Vikings are 3-4 in the region.

Also on Friday, Tift County defeated Valdosta 49-42. The Blue Devils, who travel to Coffee tonight, are 7-0 in the region.

The Lady Packers had three girls in double-figures, including Nicolle Thomas, who had a career-high 21 points.

Colquitt’s girls are now 5-3 in the region with games remaining against Lowndes at home tonight and at Coffee next Tuesday.

The victory raised their overall record to 14-7 and was their second of the season over the Lady Bears. Colquitt also won 48-45 in Moultrie.

Houston’s girls fall to 3-4 in the region.

The Lady Packers blew the game open in the second quarter when they outscored the Lady Bears 21-4.

Colquitt cruised from there despite losing starters Nikki Hudson and Taquella Coates to injuries for stetches of the second half.

Dorothy Strong, who scored six points, was ill and playing sparingly in the second half.

“We really played hard, played up,” said Lady Packers coach Joe Parker. “We were busy and active and really pushed the ball.

“We kept a check on their shooters and kept their big girls off the glass.”

Senior Ashley Stafford did not start, but came off the bench to score 14 points.

“Her intensity was incredible,” Parker said.

Coates had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, despite turning an ankle late in the first half.

But it was Thomas who controlled the game. She had 21 points and was 8-for-10 from the field, including four 3-pointers.

The 5-foot-11 freshman guard’s previous best game was a 16-point effort against Vidalia in the Great Southern Shootout in Macon last month.

Jessica Lemus had four points and five rebounds and Hudson had three points.

The Lady Packers helped their cause by hitting 10-of-14 from the free throw line.

Colquitt’s girls will try to avenge a 47-45 loss to Lowndes in Valdosta when the two teams meet tonight.

The Vikettes are 6-1 in the region.

Also on Friday, Tift County’s girls raised their region record to 5-2 with a 46-31 victory over Valdsosta.

The Lady Wildcats fall to 0-8 in the region.