Jeff Hart

With time winding down, Flowery Branch guard Rashad Tate was supposed to find an open man for a potential game-winning shot Tuesday against Gainesville. As fate would have, he was it. And he came through for the Falcons draining a 3-pointer with three seconds left to give them a thrilling 70-68 win over the Elephants in both teams’ Region 7B-AAA subregion opener.

It won’t make any highlight reels but Gainesville girls basketball coach Manson Hill said he’ll take Tuesday night’s ragged 32-22 win over Flowery Branch at the Flowery Branch gym.

The top four seeds - Gilmer, White County, West Forsyth, and Lumpkin County - all advanced to the semifinals of the winner’s bracket Friday on the opening night of the Area 7-AAA Duals Tournament at West Forsyth High School.

Despite hitting just 13-of-24 from the free throw line Tuesday night against Chestatee, the Class AAA sixth-ranked West Hall boys basketball team made them when it mattered most.

Chestatee used a 25-3 second quarter behind a tenacious defense en route to taking a 40-17 win over West Hall Tuesday in Region 7-AAA girls basketball action.

Flowery Branch went undefeated Saturday to win the annual Hall County Duals at the East Hall gym.

It wasn

The tough schedule to begin the season is finally paying off for the Chestatee girls basketball team. The Lady War Eagles put on their best defensive display of the season Saturday night in taking a 54-30 win over rival North Hall in both teams

Johnson overcame foul trouble and an early deficit to beat Chestatee 67-66 Friday night at the Johnson gym.

Chestatee opened the game with a 17-4 first quarter run and then cruised to an easy win over Johnson in Region 7-AAA girls basketball action.