The end of the line came quicker than Habersham Central had hoped, as the Lady Raiders (14-12) fell in the Sweet 16 at home against Brunswick, 39-35. It took a massive comeback to put Hab in a great position at the end.
Neither team got much going in the first, as Sadie Chambers and Tessa Murdock had the only two field goals near the midway point for Habersham. Brunswick (22-7) had a couple early open buckets to take a slim lead after a 6-0 run. It was not 10-4 after one.
Habersham went about six minutes without a point until a free throw early in the second. Oaklee Jackson hit a pivotal 3-pointer, though Brunswick immediately responded with its own just seconds later. The Lady Pirates held a comfy 22-10 halftime lead, then opened the third with a dagger from downtown.
Down 13, the Lady Raiders showed fight. Murdock had a 3-point play and six straight points overall to help pull Hab Central back within two late in the third. Chambers beat the buzzer with a momentum-grabbing trifecta to make it a 31-29 game heading into the final period.
The final stanza was intense, as Brunswick’s lead was always in jeopardy. Chambers stayed red hot and got the Lady Raiders within a single point with just over two to play. She had 11 in the second half. Habersham had the ball with 10.9 seconds remaining and down three, but couldn’t get a bucket to go.
Chambers led with 13 points, while Murdock had nine, Daytona Underwood six, Paisley Cathey four, and Jackson three. Patrice Mungin led Brunswick with 14.
