GAINESVILLE — The Flowery Branch girls and Gainesville boys both opened defense of their Lanierland Tournament titles with convincing first round wins Thursday at the Lakeview Academy gym.
The Lady Falcons were joined in the girls semifinals by West Hall, East Hall, and North Hall. The Red Elephants were joined in the boys semifinals by East Hall, Lakeview Academy, and Flowery Branch.
In the girls action, North Hall knocked off the host Lady Lions to start the tournament with a 53-46 win behind 22 points from Ansleigh Ferguson. North Hall used a 16-2 second quarter to erase an early lead and never trailed again. Lakeview cut it to four points twice in the third quarter and to five points in the final minute of play but could get no closer.
Anna McKendree poured in 19 points to go with six assists to lead West Hall past Chestatee 46-42 in a battle of Region 7-AAAA foes. The Lady Spartans battled back from an early first quarter deficit and then held off a late Chestatee charge.
East Hall got 17 points from Georgia State-signee Carly Winters, including three 3-pointers, as the Lady Vikings used a 15-2 second quarter to grab a lead they would never relinquish against their arch-rivals Gainesville in a 47-38 victory. The two teams traded runs in the first half with Gainesville using a 6-0 spurt to take a 20-14 lead after the first quarter. East Hall answered with its big second quarter and maintained a lead throughout the second half.
Flowery Branch opened the game with a 13-0 run and got balanced scoring from nine different players in a 62-23 win in final girls game of the day. The Lady Falcons led 35-11 at halftime. Jenna Sutton came off the bench to lead the Flowery Branch with 18 points.
On Friday, the tournament will move to Flowery Branch High School. West Hall and East Hall will meet in the first 3 p.m. semifinal while North Hall and Flowery Branch will clash in the 6 p.m. semifinal.
In the boys action, Flowery Branch opened the boys bracket with a 71-22 demolition of North Hall. The Falcons used a 14-1 run to open the game and led 40-13 at halftime. The Trojans managed just two free throws in the third quarter as Flowery Branch cruised to the easy victory.
Lakeview’s Adam Cottrell poured in 20 points to lead the Lions past Chestatee 62-49 . It was a back-and-forth affair much of first half until the Lions pulled away in the second half.
East Hall got 13 points from Jayvion Rucker and DJ Gray as the Vikings used a 22-2 run in the second quarter to erase an early 4-point West Hall advantage. The Vikings pulled away in the second half for an 83-60 win .
Gainesville exploded for a 27-4 run in the first half against Johnson and then rolled to a 107-46 win in the nightcap. Xavier Bledson poured in 19 points to lead 14 Red Elephants' scorers.
On Friday, the tournament will move to Flowery Branch High School. Lakeview Academy and East Hall will meet in the first 4:30 p.m. semifinal while Gainesville and Flowery Branch will clash in the 7:30 p.m. semifinal.
2017 LANIERLAND SCHEDULE
Semifinals and consolation round - Friday at Flowery Branch
9 a.m. - Girls consolation, Chestatee girls vs. Gainesville
10:30 a.m. - Boys consolation, Chestatee vs. West Hall
Noon - Girls consolation, Lakeview Academy vs. Johnson
1:30 p.m. - Boys consolation, North Hall vs. Johnson
3 p.m. - Girls semifinal, West Hall vs. East Hall -- Radio: 1240 AM
4:30 p.m. - Boys semifinal, East Hall vs. Lakeview Academy -- Radio: 1240 AM
6 p.m. - Girls semifinal, North Hall vs. Flowery Branch -- Radio: 550 AM/102.9 FM
7:30 p.m. - Boys semifinal, Gainesville vs. Flowery Branch -- Radio: 550 AM/102.9 FM
Finals and consolation round - Saturday at Flowery Branch
9 a.m. - Girls consolation
10:30 a.m. - Boys consolation
Noon - Girls consolation
1:30 p.m. - Boys consolation
3 p.m. - Girls third place game
4:30 p.m. - Boys third place game
6 p.m. - Girls championship -- Radio: 550 AM/102.9 FM
7:30 p.m. - Boys championship -- Radio: 550 AM/102.9 FM
