JASPER, Ga. — Kylie Watkins hit a jumper with 3 seconds left to lift the White County girls to a thrilling 45-43 win over Lumpkin County on Tuesday in the Region 7-3A tournament.
The win pushed the Lady Warriors (19-7) into the state tournament beginning next week. They will take on the Pickens-West Hall winner in the semifinals on Thursday at Lumpkin County.
Watkins's game-winner was part of her team-high 20 points, 8 in the fourth quarter, and capped a huge comeback from a 33-23 deficit at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Emma Lightsey had 14 points for White County.
Averie Jones paced Lumpkin County (9-17) with a game-high 28 points.
DAWSON COUNTY 36,
GILMER 30
The Lady Tigers used an 11-0 to erase a 25-21 deficit en route to a win and berth in the state playoffs on Tuesday in the Region 7-3A tournament.
Dawson County trailed 25-21 but exploded for the big run as part of a 15-5 spurt to close out the game.
Kindra Coker finished with 12 points, all on 3-pointers, and Anna Ayers scored all 9 of her points in the decisive fourth quarter, including hitting 4-of-6 free throws down the stretch.
GAINESVILLE 43,
SHILOH 32
The Lady Red Elephants beat the Lady Generals for the third time this season and advanced to the Region 8-6A semifinals and a spot in the Class 6A state tournament.
Gainesville (8-16) opened the game with a 14-5 run and then was able to hold off several runs by the Lady Generals. Shiloh pulled within 23-19 by halftime, but Gainesville used a 13-9 third quarter to run out to a 36-28 lead.
Mattie White and Julia Payne each scored 10 points to lead Gainesville. Drea Maddox had 9 points for the Lady Red Elephants.
Gainesville will take on top-seeded and undefeated North Forsyth in the semifinals.
RABUN COUNTY 63,
COMMERCE 53
The Lady Wildcats had three players in double-figure scoring as they advanced to the Region 8-A Division championship game on Tuesday.
Lucy Hood knocked down 20 points to go with 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists. Ellie Southards added 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Mili Watts and Addy Beth Owens each had 11 points for Rabun County (20-6).
Watts also had 5 rebounds, and Owens swiped 6 steals. Jacie McCall had 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals for the Lady Wildcats.
(Below is the full schedule of playoff games on Tuesday for teams in the AccessWDUN coverage area:)
BASKETBALL PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD, Tuesday, Feb. 13
REGION 8-6A at Shiloh
Habersham Central 43, Jackson County 29
Gainesville 43, Shiloh 32
REGION 7-3A GIRLS (at Pickens)
White County 45, Lumpkin County 43
Dawson County 36, Gilmer 30
Pickens 74, West Hall 12
REGION 8-2A GIRLS SEMIFINALS (at Banks County)
Union County 65, Athens Academy 46
Banks County 59, Providence Christian 27
REGION 8-A Division 1 SEMIFINALS (at Athens Christian)
Rabun County 63, Commerce 53
REGION 8-A DIVISION 2 (at Washington-Wilkes)
Towns County 44, Aquinas 32
