ROSWELL — Brenton Nicholson scored 14 of his game-high 25 points in two overtime periods to lift Chestatee over White County, 74-72, in the first round of the Region 7-4A tournament at Blessed Trinity.
The old saying "it's hard to beat a team three times" almost came true for the Warriors (12-14, Region 7-4A No. 5 seed) on Monday.
Chestatee (13-13, Region 7-4A No. 4 seed) swept the regular-season games, both close ones, and White County had the right game plan early on, holding War Eagle sharpshooter Nicholson to just 11 points, 9 from 3-point land.
The Warriors led most of the game, at the end of the first 14-11, at the half, 25-22 and at the end of the third period, 40-37, but a nine-point fourth quarter and a 12- point effort from the War Eagles, ended the game in a stalemate, 49-49.
In overtime, White County's Jadon Yeh, who poured in 23 points, and Chestatee's Nicholson took over the show.
The Warriors were up by three points in the first overtime and were at the foul line for two shots. They missed the two freebies and fouled Nicholson launching a 3-pointer with seconds to go, sending him to the foul line. Nicholson nailed all three shots to send the game to double overtime.
It was déjà-vu all over again for the Warriors, leading by four points but couldn't hold off Nicholson and War Eagles late in the period.
Yeh scored 11 points in the two OTs, while Nicholson answered what seem to be score-for-score. The two also combined for 13 free throw makes -- Nicholson with 8 and Yeh with 5.
Jonah Bull's 18 points, 10 combined in overtime and the fourth quarter, was key in the rally as well as Ethan Popham hitting 14 points, all but two in the second and third quarters.
White County's Reece Dockery scored 14 points and Will Sampson netted 12 points.
Chestatee will play Denmark on Thursday at Flowery Branch for a trip to the region title game.
ATHENS ACADEMY 59,
COMMERCE 55
Ian McConnell scored 21 points and Shawn Cunningham added 13 to lead the Tigers in the loss against Athens Academy at home.
The Tigers made a vast improvement from last season's campaign, winning 10 more games and finishing this season with a 12-15 record.
BLESSED TRINITY 65,
FLOWERY BRANCH 24
Blessed Trinity jumped out to a 40-13 lead at the half and never looked back in the blowout win over Flowery Branch in the opening round of the Region 7-4A tournament at Blessed Trinity on Monday.
The loss eliminates the Falcons from the tournament. They end the season 0-25.
Trey Shaw led the Falcons with 7 points and Judson Burney had 6.
MARIST 47,
WEST HALL 39
The Spartans kept it close, but their bid for a playoff berth came to an end with the loss to Marist in the first round of the Region 7-4A tournament at Blessed Trinity on Monday.
West Hall, which was looking for its fourth consecutive trip to the state playoffs, finished the season 6-18.
Sawyer Passmore led the Spartans with 22 points, 12 from the 3-point arc, and Quincy Holcomb chipped in 5 points.
The Spartans trailed at halftime 23-22, but the Eagles outpaced them 24-17 in the second half.
