GAINESVILLE – Luke Chism poured in 23 points to lead Dawson County past Lumpkin County 86-53 in the semifinals of the Region 7-3A tournament at North Hall.
The first 8 minutes resembled a bout between two rivals with the Tigers finally clawing to the lead at the end,18-15.
"I was a little frustrated with our start," Dawson coach Chad Pittman said. "I didn't feel like we came out with a lot of energy and intensity, especially on the defensive end. If we play good defense, it leads to transition and we really play well in transition."
The Tigers hit the up-tempo button in the second quarter pushing the lead up to 17 points by the half, but the lack of intensity showed its head again in the third.
"If we can control the team and get stops, we are really good," Pittman said. "I was pretty frustrated with that."
The Tigers calmed the coach's nerves a bit in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 30 points by the end of the game.
Jasper Gibson hit for 12 points and Campbell Reed and Eli Burruss chipped in 10 each.
Jake Granger scored 13 points and Peyton Polk had 12 to lead the Indians.
Saturday's championship game will pit two of the top-3 teams in the state against each when both Dawson and GAC fight for the title. The No. 3-ranked Tigers will play No. 1-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian Saturday at North Hall. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
"It'll be a challenge," Pittman said. "But, it'll be a great opportunity for us, so we are looking forward to that. We will obviously have to bring a little more than what we did today."
GREATER ATLANTA 99
EAST HALL 48
It was a game for one quarter.
The Vikings (12-14) applied the brakes in the second quarter and GAC (22-4) pressed the gas pedal to the floor to blow out East Hall in the semifinals of the Region 7-3A tournament at North Hall Friday night.
After an impressive first quarter explosion to the lead 21-17, the Vikings game plan shifted to a slower pace. That's when turnovers began to rack up for the Vikings.
On five straight possessions, the Vikings lost the ball and the Spartans cashed those miscues into the buckets. The Spartans mounted a 31-2 run and erupted for 41 points in the third quarter. In total, GAC outscored the Vikings 72-17 in 16 minutes of play.
Spartan senior guard Hunter McIntosh was the catalyst in the eruption, scoring 9 points in the second quarter and 23 points in the third quarter, including five straight 3-pointers. He finished the night with a game-high 34 points.
Cam Cheeks led the Vikings with 11 points.
East Hall will play Lumpkin County in the consolation game Saturday at North Hall. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
GAC is set to play Dawson County for the region championship on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at North Hall.
Brandon Warner contributed to this article.
