15 local basketball programs punched tickets to the state tournament. Here are the first round matchups and details for the teams that made their season goals a reality. [Alpha Order]
BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS
The Leopards fell in an overtime thriller in the opening round to Callaway, 86-83. Carl Cleveland dropped a career-high 55 points as Banks County (19-10) battled back from down 31-20. Cleveland also hauled in 14 rebounds for another double-double.
DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
The Tigers used ten scorers to cruise past Ringgold in the first round, winning 58-27 to advance to the Sweet 16! Luke Chism had 11 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds to go with four steals. He joined the elite and rare 2,000-point club in the win. Jasper Gibson led the way for Dawson (25-4) with 19 points, as Eli Burruss had 7 points. The Tigers face Westminster at home on Thursday in the Sweet 16.
JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
The Lady Dragons advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 53-40 win over Cedar Grove. Jefferson (24-3) was led by Natalia Bolden and Livi Blackstock, who both scored 17 points. The girls travel to GAC for the Sweet 16 matchup this coming week.
JEFFERSON DRAGONS
The Dragons (17-11) dropped a 53-50 heartbreaker to Westminster in the opening round, ending their season.
LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
Jake Granger, Matt Seabolt, and company battled hard, but fell to 1-seed North Murray, 61-40 in the opening round. The Indians (8-21) end their season.
RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
Rabun County (6-22) dropped a tight, 50-47 decision at Bremen in the opening round, ending their season.
