DAWSONVILLE — Cherokee Bluff’s Timber Gaither was the difference in overtime.
The freshman point guard’s six points and two steals in the extra period helped the Lady Bears (13-13) to a 53-48 win over Lumpkin County (17-8) Tuesday night in the first round of the Region 7-3A tournament.
The win secured the Lady Bears their first-ever Class 3A state playoff berth. They’ll face No. 1 seed Greater Atlanta Christian Friday in the semifinals at North Hall. Game time set for 7 p.m.
“Timber hitting those free throws in overtime and getting those two steals in a row in overtime was huge for us,” Cherokee Bluff coach Lindsay Justice said.
Gaither finished the night with a game-high 22 points, 12 from the 3-point line. Madi Phillips scored 19 points, 13 of which came in the third period.
Isabel Davenport scored 17 points and MacKenzie Pulley chipped in 14 to lead the Lady Indians in scoring.
Lumpkin trailed by 12 points with 6:28 to go in the third quarter and seemed to be out it, but Davenport, Clara White and McKenzie Caldwell carried the Lady Indians on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 43 with 16 seconds left in the game.
“We knew they had such good shooters on their team and I knew 11 points (lead) was not enough,” Cherokee Bluff coach Lindsay Justice said. “I told them that in the fourth quarter. We got messed up a little bit with our defensive rotation, they started pressing and we turned the ball over – that's what happens against a good team. But, man, I’m proud. I knew if we could get a stop with 16 seconds left that we could do it in overtime.”
In overtime, Pulley hit a 3-pointer that pushed the Lady Indians ahead for the first time, 46-44, with 2:40 left, but Gaither and Phillips stopped Lumpkin’s momentum, going on a 9-0 spurt to take a 53-46 lead with 13 seconds left.
"We’ve bought ourselves three more games today and that’s what our goal was,” Justice said. “We’re going to enjoy this win, for now, then we’ll worry about GAC tomorrow.."
NORTH HALL 52
EAST HALL 44
It was your typical North Hall versus East Hall game – back and forth.
The Lady Trojans (17-8) were 9-for-12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to milk the clock, knocking off East Hall (9-17) and advancing to the semifinals of the region tournament Friday night at home. The win also sends North Hall to the Class 3A state playoffs.
Ansley Smallwood scored 13 points and Grace Hollifield had 11 to pace the Lady Trojans.
Ivey Shadburn scored 13 points, 9 from the 3-point line, to lead the East Hall.
“It’s that in-county rivalry,” North Hall coach Kristi House said. “It’s been that way for years and years. We’ve been in the same region a lot, so it’s always back and forth. It’s a battle every time.”
The Vikings controlled the opening period, thanks to Ivey Shadburn’s 7 points, taking a 16-13 lead at the end of one. In the second, both teams struggled offensively, ending the half with East Hall up 23-20.
Late in the third quarter, North Hall took a 33-31 lead off a Hollifield bucket and an Ansleigh Ferguson free throw. East Hall’s Maggie Griffin tied the game 33-33 late, but North Hall would end the quarter on a 6-0 run, taking a 36-33 lead.
The final 8 minutes were slow going for both. East Hall’s Alexis Burce tied the game at 41 with 5:20 left. North Hall then outpaced the Lady Vikings 10-3 in the final 4 minutes.
“We hit some foul shots down the stretch and that was big,” House said. “I’m proud of our kids for doing that. We’re excited to be going back home to play Friday. It’s going to be an awesome experience and hopefully, we can win a few more ballgames.”
DAWSON COUNTY 64
FANNIN COUNTY 61
Dawson County survived a hard-charging Fannin County team Tuesday night in the first round of the region tournament at home.
The Lady Tigers (19-7) advance to play North Hall in the semifinals of the tournament at North Hall on Friday at 4 p.m.
Maddie Anglin and Kaylee Sticker combined to hit four straight foul shots to ice the game in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.
Sticker led the Lady Tigers with 23 points, while Anglin hit for 14 and Marlie Townley chipped in 9 points.
"The girls held on tonight," Dawson coach Steve Sweat said. "Thankfully, we hit some free throws real close to the end to keep the three-point lead. The way they were making 3-pointers, a three-point lead didn't feel good. Our girls did what they had to do at the end to win the game."
Fannin County had three players in double digits. Maleah Stepp led the Lady Rebels with 16 points, Becca Ledford scored 15 points and Abby Ledford dropped 14 points.
"We've had some real good battles against North Hall and I think whoever plays the best Friday night, is going to win," Sweat said.
