Lanierland girls: Chestatee-Bluff will battle for tournament crown

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LANIERLAND  SCHEDULE, Saturday, Dec. 21 at Gainesville High School 

SEVENTH PLACE
(9) West Hall vs. (6) Flowery Branch (girls), 9 a.m.
(8) West Hall vs. (7) Chestatee (boys), 10:30 a.m.

FIFTH PLACE
(4) Gainesville vs. (2) North Hall (girls), noon
(4) Flowery Branch vs. (3) North Hall (boys), 1:30 p.m.

THIRD PLACE 
(7) East Hall vs. (1) Lakeview (girls), 3 p.m.
(5) Lakeview vs. (2) Gainesville (boys), 4:30 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
(5) Cherokee Bluff vs. (3) Chestatee (girls), 6 p.m. (AM 550/FM 102.9 WDUN)
(6) East Hall vs. (1) Cherokee Bluff (boys), 7:30 p.m. (AM 550/FM 102.9 WDUN)

CHEROKEE BLUFF LADY BEARS
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Kassie Scott, 2nd season
-- REGION: 8-3A
-- CURRENT 2024-25 RECORD: 8-3, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 5
-- RETURNING STARTERS: Jr. G Claire Carlson (15.7 ppg, 5.6 reb, 2.3 ast, 3.4 defl, 2.9 stl, 1.0 blk), So. G Bristol Kersh (13.1 ppg, 3.8 reb, 5.5 ast, 4.4 defl, 4.4 stl,), Sr. F Brooklyn Phillips (5.6 ppg, 3.2 reb, 1.9 stl), So. F Emery Jones (4.9 ppg, 5.1 reb, 1.9 defl, 1.1 stl, 1.1 blk), Jr. C Halle Wilson (5.7 ppg, 5.1 reb), Jr. F Audrey Graham
-- SEASON RECAP: The Lady Bears used a fast start to beat Gainesville 72-42 in the opening round and advance to the semifinals. The Lady Bears used a 16-2 run in the first quarter to jump out to a 25-9 lead. They led by 25 at the half. Bristol Kersh scored 17 points and Claire Carlson 15 to lead the way on the offensive end. Brooklyn Phillips added 13 points and Emery Jones 10 for Cherokee Bluff. Now, they will get the defending champs, Lakeview Academy, with a chance to move into the finals.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: The Lady Bears knocked off defending Lanierland and GIAA Class 3A state champion Lakeview Academy 46-43 in the semifinals, outscoring the Lady Lions 8-2 over the final three minutes. They will play for their first-ever Lanierland title against Chestatee on Saturday at Gainesville. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. Cherokee Bluff led at halftime, but the Lions opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 27-25 lead. Bluff rallied back to take a 34-29 advantage into the fourth quarter. But Lakeview responded again, with Taliah Gaither scoring seven points to push the Lions back in front, 41-38. However, the Lady Bears rallied back again, taking a 42-41 lead late on an Audrey Graham basket and never relinquished the lead again. Bristol Kersh finished with a game-high 28 points to lead Cherokee Bluff. Gaither led Lakeview with 17 points. Lakeview will play East Hall for third place on Saturday. Game time is 3 p.m.

CHESTATEE LADY WAR EAGLES
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Sutton Shirley, 7th season
-- REGION: 6-3A
-- CURRENT 2024-25 RECORD: 5-4, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 3
-- RETURNING STARTERS: Sr. G Addison Boyd (3 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4 rpg), Sr. G Caroline Bull (14 ppg, 3 spg), Sr. F Payton Cable (12 ppg, 8 rpg), Jr. G Blakely Boyd (9 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Jr. F Jamya Weaver (6.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Fr. Ali Jae Bull (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 4.5 apg)
-- SEASON RECAP: The Lady War Eagles used a 16-0 run to open the game and then cruised to an opening round, 65-24 win over Flowery Branch. In the opening barrage, Chestatee got 3-pointers from Caroline Bull (two), Blakely Boyd, and Addison Boyd while also forcing five Branch turnovers. Chestatee built leads as big as 19 points in the first quarter and would take a 36-12 lead into halftime. The Lady War Eagles hit 6 treys in the first half while also forcing 13 Branch turnovers. All 9 Chestatee players scored, led by 14 from Caroline Bull, who hit four 3-pointers for the game. Ali Jae Bull added 11, Jamya Weaver had 9, and Blakely Boyd and Lexie Moss each had 8 points for the Lady War Eagles. Chestatee moved on to take on East Hall in Friday’s semifinals.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: Chestatee held the Vikings to 6 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half and rode its highly efficient offense to break open a close game en route to a 62-20 win over East Hall. The Lady War Eagles will play Cherokee Bluff in the Lanierland Championship on Saturday at Gainesville. Game time is 6 p.m. After a slow start, Chestatee took a 30-22 halftime lead. The Lady War Eagles settled in and began handling East Hall's pressure defense. Caroline Bull's 3-pointer gave them their first lead. They extended it to 23-16 on two Cable baskets and a 3-pointer from Boyd, who hit four 3-pointers in the first half. Caroline Bull and Ali Jae Bull each scored 14 points each. Payton Cable added 11, and Blakley Boyd had 10. Terriah Watkins led the Lady Vikings with 14. East Hall will play Lakeview for third place on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.

EAST HALL LADY VIKINGS
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Brad Cochran, 2nd season
-- REGION: Region 8-3A
-- CURRENT 2023-24 RECORD: 6-3, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 7
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Kaylana Curry (14 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 4 spg), Sr. Terriah Watkins (15 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 spg), Sr. G Amari Burce (4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 spg, 2 apg), Jr. Haley Barton (7 ppg, 3 rpg), So. Tanaja Harrison, So. Carlessia Jones, So. C Maliyah Butler, 
-- SEASON RECAP: The Lady Vikings used a late-game 10-0 run, fueled by three consecutive steals, to pull away for a harder-than-it-appeared 68-57 win over North Hall in the opening round. The Lady Vikings also opened the strong, jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead and then used a 9-2 run over the final 65 seconds of the first quarter to take a 19-10 lead. They never trailed. Amari Burce finished with 22 points and Kaylana Curry had 21 to pace East Hall. Tanajia Harrison added 9 for the Lady Vikings. They will take on Chestatee in the semifinals.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: Chestatee held the Vikings to 6 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half and rode its highly efficient offense to break open a close game en route to a 62-20 win over East Hall. The Lady War Eagles will play Cherokee Bluff in the Lanierland Championship on Saturday at Gainesville. Game time is 6 p.m. After a slow start, Chestatee took a 30-22 halftime lead. The Lady War Eagles settled in and began handling East Hall's pressure defense. Caroline Bull's 3-pointer gave them their first lead. They extended it to 23-16 on two Cable baskets and a 3-pointer from Boyd, who hit four 3-pointers in the first half. Caroline Bull and Ali Jae Bull each scored 14 points each. Payton Cable added 11, and Blakley Boyd had 10. Terriah Watkins led the Lady Vikings with 14. East Hall will play Lakeview for third place on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.

FLOWERY BRANCH LADY FALCONS
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Courtney Newton, 10th season
-- REGION: 8-4A
-- CURRENT 2023-24 RECORD: 2-11, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 6
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G/F Jess Tamplin (18.9 ppg  4rpg), Jr. G Kinley Hawkins (6.1 ppg 5.3 rpg), Jr. F Kelsey Inman, Sr. G Maddison Pitchford 
-- SEASON RECAP: Chestatee, 65-24, outgunned a young Lady Falcons squad in the opening round. Branch has now lost five straight games and will take on North Hall in the consolation bracket, looking to stay out of the last-place game on Saturday. Jess Tamplin paced Flowery Branch with 8 points against Chestatee. Kinley Hawkins added 7 points for the Lady Falcons.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: Lauren Hemmer scored 16 points to lead the North Hall girls past Flowery Branch, 55-22, Friday in the consolation round of Lanierland at North Hall. The Lady Trojans held Flowery Branch to seven first-half points en route to a 31-7 lead at halftime and upped the lead 46-9 in the third quarter. Athena Vachtsevanos added 10 points, while Allie Holden had nine. Kelsey Inman led the Lady Falcons with 15. North Hall will play Gainesville on Saturday in the fifth-place game. Tip-off is set for noon at Gainesville. Meanwhile, Flowery Branch will play West Hall in the seventh-place game at 9 a.m. at Gainesville. 

GAINESVILLE LADY RED ELEPHANTS
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Vanessa White, 3rd season
-- REGION: 7-5A
-- CURRENT 2023-24 RECORD: 6-4, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Julia Payne (13 ppg, 8 rpg, 4 spg, 2 apg), Fr. G Shailyn Jones (9 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 spg), Fr. G Damaria Colburn (9 ppg, 3 apg, 3 rpg, 3 spg), Fr. G Jaucelyn Smith (9 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 spg), So. F/P Jaylah Mintz (8 ppg, 10 rpg), Sr. F Mattie White (6 ppg, 5 rpg), Jr. F/P Branae Shiloh (missed 2023-24 with ACL injury)
-- SEASON RECAP: The Lady Red Elephants came in allowing just 42.77 ppg on the season but ran into an explosive Cherokee Bluff offense in a 72-42 loss in the opener. They will now take on West Hall in the consolation bracket, looking to stay out of the last-place game. Damaria Colburn led the Lady Red Elephants against Bluff with 14 points. Jaucelyn Smith scored 10.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: Shailyn Jones scored 17 points to lead Gainesville to a 62-20 win over West Hall in the consolation round of the Lanierland Tournament. The Lady Red Elephants (7-4) raced out to a 34-5 halftime lead. Jayla Mintz scored 12 for Gainesville, and Damaria Colburn added 9. Cayla Radich led West Hall (3-7) with 9 points. The Lady Spartans will take on Flowery Branch in the seventh-place game at 9 a.m. at Gainesville. The Lady Red Elephants will play North Hall (5-5) on Saturday at noon at Gainesville in the fifth-place game.

JOHNSON LADY KNIGHTS
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jared Hodge, 7th season
-- REGION: Region 6-3A
-- CURRENT 2024-25 RECORD: 0-8, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 8
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. G Emily Hernandez (8.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg), So. Harbor Landers (9.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg), Sr. P Karina Ordonez
-- SEASON RECAP: It's been another rebuilding year for the Lady Knights, who graduated 4 starters from last year’s team that won just three games. Only 2 players return -- Hernandez and Ordonez -- with any varsity experience. They were beaten by West Hall in the play-in game earlier this month and did not make the tournament field this season.

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY LADY LIONS
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Ken Huffman, 2nd season
-- REGION: GIAA AAAA/AAA District 4
-- CURRENT 2024-25 RECORD: 7-2, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. F Taliah Gaither (19.6 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3 bpg), Jr. G Emyrie Combs (18 ppg, 7 apg, 4 spg), So. G Taylor Clark (12.0 ppg, 6.0 spg, 4.0 rpg), Sr. G Dynesty Putman (2023-24 stats: 11 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg)
-- SEASON RECAP: The defending champion Lady Lions scored the first 18 points of the game en route to a 59-22 win over West Hall. Lakeview's size and speed were too much for the Lady Spartans, as the defense recorded eight blocks and 10 steals in the first half alone. Eleven Lakeview players also scored in the game, led by Taylor Clark and AC Mitchell with 9 points each. Jadeah Marshall added 8 points and 9 blocked shots. They will take on an equally red-hot Cherokee Bluff team in the semifinals in what could be the best overall game of the day.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: The Lady Bears knocked off defending Lanierland and GIAA Class 3A state champion Lakeview Academy 46-43 in the semifinals, outscoring the Lady Lions 8-2 over the final three minutes. They will play for their first-ever Lanierland title against Chestatee on Saturday at Gainesville. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. Cherokee Bluff led at halftime, but the Lions opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 27-25 lead. Bluff rallied back to take a 34-29 advantage into the fourth quarter. But Lakeview responded again, with Taliah Gaither scoring seven points to push the Lions back in front, 41-38. However, the Lady Bears rallied back again, taking a 42-41 lead late on an Audrey Graham basket and never relinquished the lead again. Bristol Kersh finished with a game-high 28 points to lead Cherokee Bluff. Gaither led Lakeview with 17 points. Lakeview will play East Hall for third place on Saturday. Game time is 3 p.m.

NORTH HALL LADY TROJANS
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Anna Claire Atha, 1st season
-- REGION: 6-3A
-- CURRENT 2024-25 RECORD: 4-5, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. G Martha Vachstevanos (injury), So. P Zara Gosse (injury), Sr. G Athena Vachtsevanos (23.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.8 apg), Sr. P Sibley Fountain (7.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, North Oconee transfer), Jr. G Lauren Hemmer (5.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.8 apg), Fr. G Camille Nix (5.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.8 apg), Fr. G Allie Holden (5.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.2 charges taken per game), 
-- SEASON RECAP: The Lady Trojans trailed just 58-52 with six minutes left but could not get any closer in an eventual 68-57 loss to East Hall in the opening round. Athena Vachstevanos poured in 28 points, including 16 straight in the second quarter, for North Hall. Lauren Hemmer had 15 for the Lady Trojans. They will take on Flowery Branch in the consolation bracket.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: Lauren Hemmer scored 16 points to lead the North Hall girls past Flowery Branch, 55-22, Friday in the consolation round of Lanierland at North Hall. The Lady Trojans held Flowery Branch to seven first-half points en route to a 31-7 lead at halftime and upped the lead 46-9 in the third quarter. Athena Vachtsevanos added 10 points, while Allie Holden had nine. Kelsey Inman led the Lady Falcons with 15. North Hall will play Gainesville on Saturday in the fifth-place game. Tip-off is set for noon at Gainesville. Meanwhile, Flowery Branch will play West Hall in the seventh-place game at 9 a.m. at Gainesville. 

WEST HALL LADY SPARTANS
-- COACH/YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jacob Selman, 3rd season
-- REGION: 8-3A
-- CURRENT 2024-25 RECORD: 3-6, FULL SCHEDULE HERE
-- LANIERLAND SEEDING: No. 9
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Cayla Radich (5.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg), Sr. F Kihanna Rich (3.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 spg), Fr. G Zy Farmer (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.7 spg), Fr. G Peyton Morrow 7.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Fr. F Nyliveyah Harris (4.8 rpg)
-- SEASON RECAP: A young Lady Spartans team, with three starting freshmen and 13 freshmen players on the roster, was overwhelmed by an experienced Lakeview Academy that is the defending champions, in a 59-22 loss in the opening round. They fell behind 18-0 to start the game and never recovered. Olivia Harvey led West Hall with 10 points. They will take on Gainesville in the consolation bracket.
-- SECOND ROUND RECAP: Shailyn Jones scored 17 points to lead Gainesville to a 62-20 win over West Hall in the consolation round of the Lanierland Tournament. The Lady Red Elephants (7-4) raced out to a 34-5 halftime lead. Jayla Mintz scored 12 for Gainesville, and Damaria Colburn added 9. Cayla Radich led West Hall (3-7) with 9 points. The Lady Spartans will take on Flowery Branch in the seventh-place game at 9 a.m. at Gainesville. The Lady Red Elephants will play North Hall (5-5) on Saturday at noon at Gainesville in the fifth-place game.

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