It was thrilling, to say the least.
Gainesville mounted a second-half comeback to knock off Class 3A's No.6-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans 76-73 Tuesday night at home.
Tija Blackwell 33 points and Tia Shelton had 24 to lead the Lady Red Elephants.
Lauren Teasley added 14 points.
This one was nerve-racking, back-and-forth and up-and-down to the last second.
Here’s how the build-up started: End of first quarter, GAC led 21-18; at halftime, GAC held on to a 35-30 lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Red Elephants cut the lead to one point, 49-48.
Heading into the final 8 minutes, the two teams traded the baskets, but GAC couldn’t hold down Gainesville’s trifecta of Blackwell, Shelton, and Teasley to take the lead and hold on to win.
Gainesville (4-3) plays Southwest Atlanta Christian at Gainesville Middle School on Friday at 6 p.m.
JEFFERSON 73
MONROE AREA 42
DAWSON COUNTY 70
FANNIN COUNTY 44
Kaylee Sticker scored 23 points to lead the Lady Tigers past Fannin County Tuesday night on the road.
The win snapped a two-game losing skid for the Tigers.
“We were able to get off to a better start tonight,” Dawson coach Steve Sweat said. “It was a good night for the Lady Tigers.”
The Lady Tigers led after the first 8 minutes, 16-10 and pushed it up to a 17-point lead, 37-20 at the half.
The second half was much of the same for the Lady Tigers, outscoring Fannin 33-24.
Sophia D'Oliveira tossed in 11, Rachel Swafford scored 7, Shyla Sheffield, Marlie Townley, and Maddie Anglin all scored 6 points each, Ella Siuta, Mariah Benson, and Bella Henson scored 3 each, and Anna Lowe had 2 points.
The Lady Tigers (4-2, 1-0) host Greater Atlanta Christian Friday at 7 p.m.
JOHNSON 30
OGLETHORPE 29
Eva Lesutrs scored a game-high 14 points and almost half of the Johnson Lady Knights’ points to lead them past Oglethorpe Tuesday night on the road.
Jazmyn Gooch chipped in 6 points, Sarah Johnson had 4, Carleigh Odell scored 3, Makala Rucker had 2 and Amy Berry tossed in 1.
Johnson (2-3) will play at Oconee County Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
CHESTATEE 61
DENMARK 37
The Lady War Eagles had 11 players in the scoring column Tuesday night in their first region win over Denmark Tuesday night at home.
Alex Edmonds and Emma Easterwood led the way with 12 points each.
Christina Garcia poured in 10 points, and Nicole Sedwick had 8.
The Lady War Eagles (5-4, 1-0) will travel to Flowery Branch Friday. Tip is 6 p.m.
FLOWERY BRANCH 59
WEST HALL 25
Flowery Branch's defense was too much to handle for West Hall Tuesday night.
The Lady Falcons held West Hall to 8 points in the first, 4 in the second, 7 in the third and 6 in the fourth to take the win.
Caroline Wysocki led the Lady Falcons with 22 points. Ashley Woodroffe scored 18 points and Ashlee Locke had 11.
West Hall's Kinsey Wilson had a team-high 8 points for the Lady Spartans.
The Lady Falcons (3-1,1-0) will host Chestatee Friday. Game time is 7 p.m. West Hall will host Johnson Saturday. Game time is 5 p.m.
