OAKWOOD — The White County girls basketball team could not notch its first region title since 1984 on Saturday, falling to Marist 39-24 in the Region 7-AAAA tournament championship game at West Hall High.
Meanwhile, the West Hall boys and girls each finished as No. 3 seeds for the upcoming state tournament, the Spartans defeating White County 64-59 in triple overtime, while the Lady Spartans fended off Chestatee 59-57.
MARIST GIRLS 39,
WHITE COUNTY 24
The Lady Warriors fell behind early and never caught up thanks to some cold shooting and Marist's work on the boards.
White County sank just two field goals the entire first half and were 1 of 6 from the free throw line as they trailed 21-8 at halftime.
The Lady Warriors went on a 10-2 run at the end of the third quarter and into the fourth but could not get closer than 35-22 with 5:43 to play after Jasha Cannon's back-to-back baskets.
Cannon's 8 points led White County. Bentley Cronic also scored 4 points.
Diarra Odin scored a game-high 11 points for Marist. Sarah Skinner added 8 points.
White County will play host to North Oconee next week in the first round of the state tournament.
WEST HALL BOYS 64,
WHITE COUNTY 59 3OT
The Spartans kept hitting buzzer beaters to send the contest into extra frames until they pulled away for the victory inside the final minute of the third overtime on Saturday.
Dre Buffington scored 16 points -- 10 over the three overtimes -- while Jeremiah Prather added 13 and Noah Edmondson 12. Jesse Mallak also chipped in with 9 points.
Austin Harris and Chandler Harris each led the Warriors with 15 points apiece. Clay Dockery also scored 9 and Jay Lepkoske 8.
White County will travel to face Region 8-AAAA champs St. Pius in the first round of the state playoffs.
West Hall travels to take on Jefferson next week in the postseason.
WEST HALL GIRLS 59,
CHESTATEE 57
Anna McKendree poured in 26 points, including 16 in the second half, to help the Lady Spartans cling to the No. 3 seed from 7-AAAA.
Kinsey Wilson also chipped in with 12 points, while Reagan Horton added 10 points for West Hall.
Lindsey Caudell paced Chestatee with 21 points, while Maggie McNair added 14 and Christina Garcia 11.
Chestatee will travel to face Region 8-AAAA champ Jefferson in the first round of the state playoffs, while West Hall will travel to take on Madison County.
