MT. AIRY, Ga. — Julia Payne hit six 3-pointers and finished with 18 points to lead the Gainesville girls to a 48-42 road win over Habersham Central on Friday in their Region 8-6A opener.
The win leaves Gainesville (12-0, 1-0 Region 8-6A) as just one of two unbeaten teams left in the region. North Forsyth improved to 9-5, 2-0 in the region with a big win over Jackson County on Friday.
Payne hit four treys in the second quarter for 12 of the Lady Red Elephants’ 14 points in the period. She added two more in the third as part of an 18-8 run that blew the game open.
It was a nip-and-tuck game the entire first half as Gainesville led just 8-7 after the opening frame and 22-20 at halftime. But the third quarter explosion pushed the Lady Red Elephants lead to 42-28 heading into the fourth quarter.
Habersham Central (9-4, 1-1 Region 8-6A) staged a big comeback outscoring Gainesville 14-8 in the final quarter but could not get closer than the final score.
Kyia Barrett paced Habersham Central with 18 points. Gabby Santiago had 8 points, all in the second half, and McKenzie Chitwood added 7 for the Lady Raiders.
Caloni Young had 13 points for Gainesville. Kedria Young add 12 -- 10 in the second half and 6 of the Lady Red Elephants' 8 fourth quarter points to help keep the Lady Raiders at bay. Keke Jones had 5 points for Gainesville.
The loss pushed the Lady Raiders into third place in the region standings. They will be off until traveling to Apalachee next Friday in another region contest.
Gainesville next will play host to Apalachee on Tuesday.
GAINESVILLE BOYS 82,
HABERSHAM CENTRAL 69
The Red Elephants used a 21-11 fourth quarter run to pull away for a big Region 8-6A opening win on the road.
Gainesville (7-5, 1-0 Region 8-6A) has now won five straight, including sweeping through the Lanierland Tournament last week.
Ellis Pitts, who had 10 points in the game, and Juilus Jackson, who had 7 points overall, poured in 13 combined points in the period as the Red Elephants extended a slim 61-58 lead after the third quarter.
The Raiders (10-4, 0-2 Region 8-6A) jumped out to a 21-17 advantage after the first quarter but Gainesville rallied to take a 41-39 lead into the break behind 12 points from Octavion Demory.
Charlie Resiman scored 10 in each half to pace the Red Elephants with 20 points. Cade Simmons added 17 points and Isaiah Rico had 9 for Gainesville.
Enzo Combs paced Habersham Central with 19 points but was held to 5 in the second half. Brannon Gaines poured in 15 points and Josiah McCurry had 13 points for the Raiders.
