JEFFERSON, Ga. — Class 3A second-ranked Jefferson was pushed to the limit Tuesday night, but a stellar fourth-quarter defense kept the Lady Dragons atop the Region 8-3A standings.
Jefferson outscored Oconee County 16-3 over the final 8 minutes to rally for a 39-33 win at The Arena in a first-place battle.
Jefferson coach Greg Brown said his team did not let the rough start bother them.
“First, credit Oconee County for playing really hard all night,” he said. “But I’m really proud of my team for hanging in there and never quitting. We battled all night and found a way to get it done in the fourth quarter.”
The Lady Dragons (17-4, 7-0 Region 8-3A) overcame their offensive struggles in the first half, scoring a season-low 10 points, and managed just a single SaraGrace Worley free throw in the second quarter. They trailed 20-10 at the break.
But they turned things around in a big way in the second half, fueled by Emeri Billings and Skyler Brady. The guard duo poured in all 24 of their combined points in the second half.
Jefferson cut into the lead in the third with 5 points from Billings, four from Delaney Dewitt, and 3 from Brady to trail just 30-23 heading into the fourth.
But Brady scored 10 of her 13 in the final period to spark the comeback.
Julie Azeltine paced Oconee County (16-6, 5-2 Region 8-3A) with 17 points. Burt, was held to just 3 points in the second half, and their only points, on a 3-pointer, in the fourth.
Jefferson will next travel to the Monroe Area on Friday.
DAWSON COUNTY 45,
WHITE COUNTY 39
The Lady Tigers continued their strong play of late, knocking off the Class 3A No. 5-ranked Lady Warriors at the White County gym on Tuesday.
It was the fourth straight win for Dawson County (14-7, 7-3 Region 6-3A), who trailed the Lady Warriors 13-8 after the first quarter. But the Lady Tigers rallied to tie the game at 27 by halftime and then took a 36-31 lead into the fourth quarter.
Dawson County was able to hold several off charges by the Lady Warriors (16-5, 8-2 Region 6-3A) down the stretch.
Maddie Suita and Ava Roberson had 13 points apiece to lead Dawson County.
The Lady Tigers’ defense held White County to only four 3-pointers for the game while hitting eight treys of their own.
Kylie Watkins paced White County with 18 points. Emma Lightsey had 10 points for the Lady Warriors.
White County, whose 5-game win streak was snapped, travels to Chestatee on Wednesday in another big Region 6-3A contest.
CHESTATEE 78,
JOHNSON 14
The Lady War Eagles kept pace with Dawson County for third place in Region 6-3A with a dominant win over the Lady Knights on Tuesday.
Caroline Bull set a school record in a game with 10 steals to go with 13 points, and Jamya Weaver had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds for Chestatee (15-6, 7-3 Region 6-3A).
Payton Cable led the way for the Lady War Eagles with 14 points. Addison Boyd had 12 points, and Ali Jae Bull had 9 points, 4 assists, and 5 steals for Chestatee.
The Lady War Eagles will next play host to Class 3A fifth-ranked White County on Wednesday.
NORTH FORSYTH 66,
SOUTH FORSYTH 46
A strong third quarter propelled the Class 6A 2nd-ranked Lady Raiders to stay perfect on the season Tuesday night in Region 6-6A action.
The win also clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Region 6-6A tournament for North Forsyth (23-0, 12-0 Region 6-6A).
London Weaver had 19 points to lead the scoring. Emma Rose and Gabbie Gliatta each had 13 points for the Lady Raiders.
North Forsyth will play host to Forsyth Central on Friday.
NORTH HALL 57,
LUMPKIN COUNTY 54
The Lady Trojans got balanced scoring to offset a huge game by the Lady Indians’ Maddie Lee to get a Region 6-3A win on the road.
North Hall (7-14, 3-7 Region 6-3A) got 14 points from Sibley Fountain, 13 points from Lauren Hemmer, and 10 from Camille Nix as the Lady Trojans took an early lead and then were able to hold over the final three quarters.
They needed all that as the leading scorer, Athena Vachtsevanos, scored just 6 points, none in the second half, as she was in foul trouble for much of the game.
Lee, meanwhile, did all she could to bring the Lady Indians back from an early 16-11 deficit. North Hall extended its lead to 26-18 by halftime, but Lee scored 17 of her game-high 29 points in the second half.
Lumpkin trimmed the lead to 39-36 heading into the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback.
Alayna Lindley had 9 points for Lumpkin County.
RABUN COUNTY 52,
COMMERCE 33
The Lady Tigers snapped their two-game losing streak with a big road win in Region 8-A D1.
Rabun County (11-9, 3-6 Region 8-A D1) got a double-double from Chloe Erlewine. The senior forward scored 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, and had 4 steals.
Meanwhile, sophomore Adelyn Thompson poured in a game-high 22 points and dished out 4 assists to lead the Lady Wildcats.
Rabun County next will play host to Class A D1 10th-ranked Banks County on Friday.
ROSWELL 41,
GAINESVILLE 22
The Lady Red Elephants were held to just seven total points in the second and third quarters in a Region 7-5A loss on the road.
Despite a rough second quarter, Gainesville (12-9, 5-5 Region 7-5A) trailed just 17-15 to the Lady Hornets (11-11, 6-3 Region 7-5A) at halftime. But Roswell blew it open, outscoring the Lady Red Elephants 9-2 in the third quarter and 15-3 in the fourth.
Damiria Colburn led Gainesville with 10 points.
Alex Gonda and Eve Buckley had 10 points apiece for Roswell.
EAST HALL 62,
MONROE AREA 18
Kaylana Curry scored 22 points, including her 1,000th career point, in leading the Lady Vikings to a Region 8-3A win.
Haley Barton added 18 points and six 3-pointers, and Terriah Watkins posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 70,
WEST HALL 22
Bristol Kersh scored 23 points, and Claire Carlson had 12 to lead the Lady Bears past West Hall on Tuesday.
Halle Wilson added 10, Audrey Graham had eight, and Ella Brooks had six.
