A dominating effort by #3 Banks County in its final home game concluded with a 71-35 win over rivals Rabun County that propelled the Lady Leopards (24-5) into the Final 4.
It was a tightly contested first quarter, as #10 Rabun (14-13) held an early lead courtesy of 3-pointers from Addy Beth Owens and Adelyn Thompson (two). Reese and Ryleigh Murphy each had one for Banks as well in the early going. With under two left in the period, the Lady Leopards went on a run with a three by Reese Murphy and layups by Janakate Gibson, and two by Emmie Chitwood for the 21-13 lead.
Chitwood had the hot hand in the second, and Gibson notched a buzzer-beater to make it a 39-20 game at the break. Chitwood had nine in the first half, with the Murphy girls each posting eight. Thompson had nine for Rabun in the first two quarters.
Banks County continued to pile up the points, and Rabun was held scoreless until less than four minutes to go in the third period. By then, the Lady Leopards held a 25-point advantage. As the teams entered the final stanza, the scoreboard showed Banks County doubled up on Rabun, 52-26.
The fourth was more of the same, as Reese Murphy put on a highlight clinic to continue to ratchet up the lead before the starters were relieved with a couple of minutes to go. The victory was the 21st in a row for Banks County, who advanced to the Final 4 for the second time in three years.
The Lady Leopards were led by Reese Murphy with 20 points, as Ryleigh Murphy added 14, and nine apiece for Chitwood and Maggie Irvin. Ansley Moore and Gibson each had six, Cannon Collier had three, and Marleigh Dale and Maecee Crumley had two apiece.
For Rabun County, Thompson finished with 13 points, including a few triples. Owens closed with seven, Conley Spivey five, Jacie McCall four, and Madison Houck three. Loren Mazarky added two and Jaydynn Cohee had one.
The #2 Leopards take on #3 Model in the A Division-l Semifinals. In the division’s other top-four matchup, #1 Fannin County faces #5 East Laurens. The winners of these games will play for the state title on March 8.
Georgia HS State Brackets – Girls
Georgia HS State Brackets – Boys
