BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — Union County stayed perfect in Region 8-2A with an 81-71 win over Athens Academy at home on Friday.
The eighth-ranked Panthers (14-2, 2-0 Region 8-2A) outscored the Spartans (11-3, 0-1 Region 8-2A) 48-36 in the second and third quarters to open up a 65-48 lead.
Athens Academy chipped away in the final period, but Union County would hit 13-of-18 free throws to hold on for the win. The Panthers were 23-of-31 from the line for the game (74 percent), while the Spartans hit 15-of-18 free throws.
Houston Henry did most of the damage from the line, going 13-of-18 as part of his game-high 20 points for Union County. Jude Ellis had 18 points and Cade Dockery 15 for the Panthers. Jaxon Totherow and Hayden Hughes each had 10 points for Union County.
Kymel Williams led Athens Academy with 19 points. Justen Goudelock and Isaac Rorey each had 17 points for the Spartans.
The Panthers, who ran their win streak to 9 straight, will travel to Banks County on Tuesday in a showdown for first place in the region.
NORTH OCONEE 56,
CHEROKEE BLUFF 44
In a battle of top 10 teams in Class 4A, the Titans shut down a potent Bears offense in a Region 8-4A crossover game.
Second-ranked North Oconee (13-3, 2-1 Region 8-4A South) held 10th-ranked Cherokee Bluff (11-5, 3-1 Region 8-4A North) to just 14 first-half points while building a 25-14 lead.
The Bears chipped away in the third quarter behind Logan Holmes and got within 38-29 heading into the fourth quarter. But the Titans were able to pull away down the stretch to end Bluff’s 9-game win streak.
Holmes finished with a game-high 20 points, 17 coming in the second half, to lead Bluff. Boston Kersh added 14 points. The North Oconee defense held Bryce Horton, Tyler Underwood, and Cooper Glover -- all of whom had career-highs on Tuesday -- to just 4 total points for the game.
Justin Payne paced North Oconee with 17 points. Justin Wise had 14 for the Titans.
Bluff will be back in action on Tuesday, traveling to Chestatee in a key subregion matchup.
MADISON COUNTY 73,
EAST HALL 70
The Vikings pushed the sixth-ranked Red Raiders down to the wire before falling in the final 30 seconds.
Madison County (13-4, 2-1 Region 8-4A South) led 17-14 after the first quarter, and that would prove to be the difference as the two teams played to a standstill over the final three quarters. The Red Raiders led 35-32 at halftime and took a 53-50 lead into the fourth quarter.
It was the third loss for East Hall (8-5, 3-1 Region 8-4A North) to a top 10 team in final moments or overtime this season.
Mason Smith led Madison County with 32 points.
Jamarcus Harrison paced East Hall with 29 points, with Chris Alford scoring 13. Chasen Jones had 12 points, Braydon Langston had 9 & Khalil Goss 7 for the Vikings.
East Hall will be back on Saturday in another key region game against East Forsyth at Valhalla.
BUFORD 81,
MOUNTAIN VIEW 66
Chase James Robinson scored his last 1,000th career point to help lead the Wolves to a Region 8-7A-opening win at The Buford Arena on Friday.
Robinson, who finished with 15 points, hit the mark on a third-quarter free throw after a made basket. Brennan Wansley led the Wolves (12-3, 1-0 Region 8-7A) with 19 points. Jackson Houston also had 15 points for Buford.
Mountain View (8-6, 0-1 Region 8-7A) was led by Bronson Blair and Jahmel Bruce with 21 points apiece.
The Wolves next will travel to Mill Creek on Tuesday in another key region contest.
CEDAR SHOALS 79,
EAST FORSYTH 71
The Broncos could not hold on to a first-half lead as the Jaguars rallied for the win in Athens.
East Forsyth (5-11, 3-1 Region 8-4A North) led 27-21 after the first quarter as Louie Koulouvaris and Britian West combined for 15 points. But Cedar Shoals (6-6, 0-3 Region 8-4A South) tied at 41 by halftime
The Jaguars outscored the Broncos 22-8 in the third quarter and then held off East Forsyth in the fourth quarter.
Koulouvaris finished with a game-high 21 to lead East Forsyth. Hunter Holbrook had 16 points and West 11 for the Broncos.
Cedar Shoals got balanced scoring as Daniel Hollis, DeWan Foote, and Devin Hubbard all scored 12 points. Robert Mack had 10 for the Jaguars.
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 73,
NORTH GEORGIA 70
Tyler Cavarretta made a defensive stop and nailed the front end of two free throws to help secure the road win for Maranatha Christian Academy on Friday in Cumming.
The Eagles (4-5) got 33 points from Terrell Grant to lead the way. Bode Fisher had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Naizir Sims added 10 points for Maranatha. Cavarretta finished with 8 points.
Moses Angle led the Tribe with a game-high 28 points. Kirk Dotson added 20 points.
Maranatha next will travel to War Hill Christian School on Thursday.
SECKINGER 75,
CHESTATEE 70
Colton Wilbanks scored 37 points to lead the War Eagles in the loss to No. 7 Seckinger on Friday at home.
Jordan Harris and Josh Bull added 11 each.
