AUGUSTA, Ga. — Chestatee lives and dies by the 3-point shot.
Cross Creek found out the hard way just how much as the Lady War Eagles hit 13 3-pointers in a stunning 69-45 win over the Lady Razorbacks on the road in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Caroline Bull set the pace, hitting seven treys for her 21 points to lead four players in double figures. Addison Boyd (16 points) and Blakely Boyd (13 points) both hit three 3-pointers as part of the onslaught from long range.
The victory for Chestatee (20-8) was also a record-setter for the program. The seniors set a new program record for career wins in the playoffs. They’ve also never lost in the first round and have 20 or more wins in every season.
“They are winners, and they’ve done a great job of leading these less experienced teammates through the adversity this season,” Chestatee coach Sutton Shirley said. “I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”
Chestatee ran out to an 18-10 lead after the first quarter but blew it open in the second, hitting six 3-pointers in the period while building a 44-26 halftime lead over the 15th-seeded Lady Razorbacks (17-11). The Lady War Eagles never let Cross Creek back in the game, taking a 55-36 lead into the fourth quarter and then outscoring the Lady Razorbacks 14-9 down the stretch.
Freshman Ali Jae Bull was a force on both ends, posting a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Payton Cable pulled down 12 boards, and Addison Boyd added eight rebounds and five assists for the Lady War Eagles.
Chestatee will have another daunting road trip in the second round, heading to No. 2-seed Heritage-Catoosa on Friday.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 71,
NORTH CLAYTON 45
Junior Claire Carlson had a near quadruple-double to lead the Lady Bears to a dominating opening-round win in Class 3A at home.
Carlson poured in 25 points to go with 10 assists, 10 steals, and eight rebounds. She had 13 in the fourth quarter as they blew the game open in the second half.
The first quarter was tight as Bluff (21-8) led just 16-12. But the Lady Bears held North Clayton (15-12) to just 5 points in the second while taking a 28-17 lead into the break.
The Lady Eagles stayed within striking distance in the third quarter but Bluff used a 20-9 run to close out the game.
Bristol Kersh had 16 points for Cherokee Bluff.
The fourth-seeded Lady Bears will play host to No. 13 seed Dougherty in the second round.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL 38,
NORTHSIDE-WARNER ROBINS 27
The Lady Raiders used a 14-5 second quarter to blow open a close game and then held on for the win in the second half in a Class 5A first-round game in Mount Airy.
Habersham Central (12-11) led just 6-4 after the opening period but would run out to a 20-9 halftime lead. The Lady Eagles (11-17) closed within 29-19 heading into the fourth quarter but could not get any closer.
Sadie Chambers had 14 points to lead Habersham Central. Daytona Underwood added 11 points and Tess Murdock 9 for the Lady Raiders.
Next up in the second round, Habersham Central will play host to the Brunswick-South Paulding winner on Friday.
PREP BASKETBALL 1st ROUND GIRLS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE, Feb. 19
CLASS 5A
Habersham Central 38, Northside-Warner Robins 27
CLASS 3A
Cherokee Bluff 71, North Clayton 45
Chestatee 69, Cross Creek 45
