BLUE RIDGE - "Devastating" is how Chestatee coach Russ Triaga described it.
"Jubilation" is how Flowery Branch coach Mike Adcock put it following his team's thrilling 64-60 win over Chestatee Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Region 7-AAA Tournament.
With the win the Falcons (13-13) move into the state tournament for a second straight season.
"We had so much adversity this year. No one thought we could get back (to the state tournament)," Adcock said. "It's just a tremendous feeling right now. One of the best wins I've ever been associated with.
"It was a great game and tough no matter who was going to lose. Chestatee is a great team and we were fortunate to come out with a win."
Chestatee, which came into the region tournament as the top seed from the West, finishes its best season ever at 16-9, although in heartbreaking fashion. The loss snapped an 11-game win streak coming into the tournament.
"Everybody in that locker room poured their heart-and-soul into this season and to have it end like this is just devastating. It's the toughest loss I've ever been associated with in all my years in basketball," Triaga said.
"We felt like this was our year to get into the (state) tournament and I feel bad for the seniors that have been here since the beginning when we only one three games. They are a tremendous group and I'm going to miss them."
The War Eagles looked to be in control midway through the third quarter holding a 41-31 lead behind the outside shooting of Charlie Fischer, Jesus Cantu and Corey Black.
But Flowery Branch whittled the lead down to 47-39 heading into the fourth quarter and then Adarius Rogers and Keenan Harris took over.
The inside duo combined for 18 of their 25 fourth-quarter points, primarily on stick backs and helped the Falcons reel off a 12-1 run to take a 56-51 lead,their first since early in the second quarter.
The Falcons held on to the lead hitting 6-of-9 free throws in the final minute. Chestatee managed to cut the lead to 62-60 with 7.5 seconds left after stealing an inbounds pass, but the Falcons' Josh Beale hit two free throws with 6.4 seconds left to ice the game.
Colby Newton led Flowery Branch with 20 points. Rogers finished with 17 and Harris had 10.
Fischer and Cantu led Chestatee with 18 points each. Black finished with 14 but had just three in the second half.
Sunday
May 19th, 2024
5:20AM
