FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Cherokee Bluff girls trailed most of the game before rallying to beat Oconee County 61-55 in the Region 8-3A Tournament semifinals on Wednesday at the Cherokee Bluff gym.
The Lady Bears advance to Friday night’s final against Jefferson, a 69-33 winner over East Hall in the other semifinal.
In the boys’ championship game, East Hall will face Cherokee Bluff.
Claire Carlson’s 3-pointer lifted the Lady Bears (19-8) their first lead with 2:48 to play, but it was a struggle most of the night on offense.
Cherokee Bluff trailed double-digits in two quarters, including late in the third quarter, casting doubt on the Bears' chances of a comeback. However, a spurt sparked by timely Oconee County (19-7) turnovers and key Bluff baskets in the final eight minutes allowed the Lady Bears to chip away at the Warriors' lead.
Carlson and Bristol Kersh were key in that run. Carlson's hot hand, who finished with a game-high 27 points, had some big shots down the stretch, and Kersh scored nine of her 13 points in the second half to rally ahead.
“That’s what they do,” Cherokee Bluff Coach Kassie Scott said. “Claire and Bristol are built for moments like that under pressure. They handle it. They knocked down free throws when we needed them. That’s just what they do.”
After Carlson’s 3-pointer to give the Lady Bears the lead late, Emery Jones added a bucket, giving the Lady Bears the lead, 55-52. Kersh handled the rest, scoring the final six points to ice the game.
Game 3 was like the previous matchups this season, with Oconee County winning both regular season contents by six and three points.
EAST HALL BOYS 80
MONROE AREA 41
The Vikings (22-4) rolled past Monroe Area despite scoring only two points in the second quarter.
However, East Hall came out of its slump in the third quarter, outscoring the Purple Hurricanes 27-10 to blow open the game.
East Hall led 25-10 after one quarter, but the Vikings scoring just two points in the second quarter, allowed the Purple Hurricanes to cut the Vikings' lead, 27-22, at the half.
“That was a strange second quarter,” East Hall Coach Joe Dix said. “I like how we rebounded (in the second half), but if we only score two points in the second half Friday, we might be down 25.”
Chasen Jones scored 16 points, Bray Langston 15, and Jamarcus Harrison 14 to lead the Vikings.
East Hall was sharp early. Jordan Richerson hit two 3-pointers, Langston scored seven points, and Jones six as the Vikings took a 15-point lead.
After trailing by 15 points in the first quarter, the Purple Hurricanes rallied and had a chance to tie but missed a 3-pointer. Harrison’s basket gave East Hall a 27-22 lead at the half.
CHEROKEE BLUFF BOYS 77,
JEFFERSON 58
The Bears (23-4) used their aggressive on-the-ball defense and hot shooting to jump out to a 26-point lead in the first half. Boston Kersh, who led the Bears with 20 points, scored 18 in the first half.
Cherokee Bluff held the Dragons (17-7) to one point in the first 5:07 of the second quarter. The Bears forced 13 first-half turnovers.
“Chip on our shoulder defensively, and we made a few tweaks defensively,” Cherokee Bluff Coach Josh Travis said. “When you play a team that many times, you know each other pretty well. We had a game plan on defense that our guys bought into.”
It was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Cherokee Bluff won the first game, and Jefferson took the last two meetings.
Trailing 37-12 at the half, the Dragons did not go quietly. They got as close as 61-50 midway through the fourth quarter. Cherokee Bluff, hurt by foul trouble, settled itself in the final three minutes to pull away.
Cooper Glover scored 13 for the Bears, and Connor Robinson with 11. Tyler Underwood and Robinson scored nine points in the second half; all came in key moments to stop Jefferson runs.
JEFFERSON GIRLS 69
EAST HALL 33
Jefferson pulled away in the third quarter on its way to the win. Leading 35-22 at the half, the Lady Dragons outscored East Hall 16-6 in the third quarter to take control.
Skyler Brady scored 11 points to lead Jefferson (18-6). Sarah Grace Worley and Emery Billings added 10 each.
Haley Barton’s 9 points led the Lady Vikings (14-12). Amari Burce and Terriah Watkins scored six points each.
