GAINESVILLE — Cherokee Bluff held on for dear life Tuesday night in the Region 7-3A opener against rival North Hall.
The Lady Bears (3-3, 1-0 Region 7-3A) opened the game on fire, going up 27-13, but North Hall (5-2, 0-1 Region 7-3A) rallied back to go toe-to-toe through the next three quarters before Bluff landed the final punch in a 61-59 win at Lynn Cottrell Gym.
Bluff freshman power forward Taliah Gaither was the star of the show, scoring a game-high 19 points. She led a trio of double-digit scorers. Emilee Scott had 14 points, while Finley Millwood hit for 10 points.
After the Lady Bears' first-quarter flurry, North Hall held Cherokee Bluff to just four points to go into the half down just four points, 31-27. The second half was much of the same for both teams as they traded baskets, but the Lady Trojans could never gain enough momentum to pull away.
Kristina Peach led the Lady Trojans with 16 points. Kate Swanson chipped in eight points.
GAINESVILLE 49,
FORSYTH CENTRAL 27
The Lady Red Elephants' defensive effort was on point in the win over Region 6-7A foe Forsyth Central on Tuesday.
Gainesville held the Lady Bulldogs under 10 points in each quarter to pull away.
KeKe Jones and Zaria Williams led Gainesville (5-4, 1-1 Region 6-7A) eight scorers with 15 and 13 points respectively.
EAST HALL 27,
BANKS COUNTY 22
Maleah Harrison scored more than half of the Lady Vikings (4-2) points in the win over Banks County on Tuesday at Valhalla.
Harrison hit for 18 points in the win.
HOLY INNOCENTS 56,
BUFORD 44
Class A-Private No. 1 Holy Innocents (8-0) stormed past Class 6A third-ranked Buford (6-2) on Tuesday at Buford Arena.
Ava Grace Watson led the Lady Wolves with 18 points, Tamori Plantin had 12, and Tatum Ozment chipped in 10.
