CONYERS, Ga. — Flowery Branch could not hold a big halftime lead as the Falcons lost to Heritage-Conyers 56-49 in the Region 8-5A play-in game on Friday.
The loss ended the season for the Falcons (5-21).
Branch led just 15-14 after the first quarter but used a 14-2 second quarter to take a 29-16 lead into halftime. But the Patriots did not go away.
Heritage outscored the Falcons 22-11 in the third quarter to close within 40-38 heading into the fourth quarter. The Patriots pulled away over the final 8 minutes using an 18-9 run.
Jordan Hayes led Flowery Branch with 15 points. Ryan Comlin added 14 for the Falcons.
Kirk Seeley paced Heritage with 17 points. Donuvyn Gates had 15 for the Patriots.
TOWNS COUNTY 55,
WASHINGTON-WILKES 47
Despite being without a key starter, the Indians closed out their regular season in a solid fashion on the road.
Towns County (18-5, 13-1 Region 8-A Division 2) already had wrapped up the top seed in next week’s region tournament.
It was a tight game in the first half, with the score tied at 12 at the end of the first quarter. The Indians led 29-28 at halftime.
But Towns came out strong in the third quarter, building a seven-point lead while holding Wilkes to just 6 points in the third quarter. The Indians pushed their lead to as many as 12 in the fourth quarter and hung on down the stretch.
Zane Floyd paced the Indians with 20 points. Gage Rogers had 12 points, and Kade McConnell had 11 points for Towns County.
The Indians get a first-round bye in the tournament, which will be held at Warren County. They will get the Washington-Wilkes/Lincoln County winner on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. at Warren County.
PREP BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD, Friday, Feb. 9
Athens Christian 70, Commerce 51*
Wesleyan 73, Dawson County 53*
Shiloh 73, Gainesville 26*
Habersham Central 67, Jackson County 48*
Lumpkin County 64, White County 50*
Towns County 55, Washington-Wilkes 47*
Pickens 80, West Hall 24*
