Jeff Hart

Six times Dawson County had the ball in its hand with a chance to pull off the biggest upset in Class AA Thursday night during region tournament week. Six times fifth-ranked East Hall dodged the bullet.

Class AA 10th-ranked North Oconee trailed just once against Banks County en route to a 53-41 win in the quarterfinals of the Region 8-AA girls tournament Thursday at East Hall High School.

Rabun County used a 26-3 run in the first quarter to take control against Hart County and then cruised to a 75-42 win over the Lady Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the Region 8-AA girls tournament Thursday at East Hall High School.

Union County overcame a terrible start to beat Jackson County 34-29 Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Region 8-AA girls tournament at the East Hall gym.

After losing by nearly 30 points to East Hall in the season finale just five days earlier, Union County was hoping its Region 8-AA quarterfinal game against the Vikings Wednesday with a shot at a state playoff berth would give them a chance at redemption.

Jefferson boys basketball coach Boling Dubose told his team someday their lack of free throw shooting would cost them dearly.

In the end, it was the little things that made the difference in Rabun County

Dawson County advanced to the Class AA state tournament for the fifth time in six years after dispatching Elbert County 57-44 Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Region 8-AA boys tournament at the East Hall gym.

The Johnson girls fell to Stephens County 52-44 in double overtime in the first round of the Region 8-AAA tournament Tuesday night at the Stephens County gym.

Austin Montgomery poured in 29 points to lead Lakeview Academy to a 67-57 win over host George Walton Academy Tuesday night in the opening round of the Region 8-A tournament.