JEFFERSON — Daniel Parker was the difference in Jefferson's 75-46 win over Adairsville in the first round of the Class 3A tournament on Friday at home.
Parker led the Dragons' 10-o run to open the second half and scored 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter.
The Dragons pesky defense and potent offense outscored Adairsville 31-11 in the quarter to basically put the game in the history books after just 24 minutes, 67-36.
Jefferson coach Kevin Morris was pleased with his team's first-round performance.
"We were up 15 at halftime and I told them you're wearing on them," he said. "I didn't realize we were going to come out and go 10-0."
Morris had seven players in the scoring column, including three in double figures. Kam Robinson added 13 points and Jacob Radaker scored 12. Owen Parker chipped in 9 points.
"It's just a credit to our kids," Morris said. "And how hard they play and how well they've bought into what we're trying to do."
The Dragons will host the winner of Pierce County/Peach County game next week.
"We're worried more about us than we are anybody else," Morris said. "If we continue to do what we do and do it at the rate and pace that we're doing it now, I think we'll be OK."
SANDY CREEK 66,
CHESTATEE 50
The War Eagles didn't go quietly against the third-ranked Patriots in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs on the road.
Chestatee battle back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to cut the Patriots lead to 7 points with four minutes to go in the game.
Kyle Bowmar hit two 3-pointers, while Ethan Popham sank one in the run by the War Eagles.
But couldn't get any closer as the Patriots responded and pushed the lead to 16 by the end of the game.
Sandy Creek's 6-foo-7 five-star recruit Jabari Smith scored 27 points -- 16 in the first half -- to lead the Patriots.
Chestatee sharp-shooter Brenton Nicholson to 13 points and Jonah Bull finished with 10.
BANKS COUNTY 71,
WASHINGTON 45
It's no longer breaking news when Carl Cleveland turns in a double-double performance. The senior forward has recorded so many in his career at Banks County even the record books are running out of space.
It was no different on Friday night in the Leopards' blowout win over Washington in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs in Homer. Cleveland scored 36 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out four assists to lead the Leopards into the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
After a lackluster first quarter, trailing 14-12, the Leopards outscored Washington 59-31. They held Washington to eight points in the second quarter and 8 points in the fourth quarter.
Banks (23-4) will play No. 8 Butler next week at home.
GEORGA MILITARY 77,
TOWNS COUNTY 57
It wasn't the ending the Indians wanted on their home floor in the first round of the Class A-Public tournament on Friday.
Towns County finishes the season 18-9.
