Basketball: No. 1 Lady Tigers hold off Banks County; Leopards rout Dawson boys <b> (VIDEO) </b>

HOMER -- Despite a big win in the first meeting last month, Class AAA No. 1 Dawson County knew a trip to Banks County would certainly test their undefeated record.<br /> <br /> The Lady Tigers got what they expected but was able to use some defensive trickery in the second half to eventually take a 55-40 win in a key Region 7-AAA battle Friday night.<br /> <br /> Dawson County (21-0, 8-0 Region 7-AAA) led 32-25 at halftime but watched the Lady Leopards (18-4, 6-3) open the third quarter with a 7-0 run, capped by Jody Milford's third 3-pointer of the game, in the first 2:27 to pull them in a 32-32 tie.<br /> <br /> Banks County came out with a pressing defense that gave the Lady Tigers fits forcing three quick turnovers. It was enough for Dawson County coach Steve Sweat to call a timeout and make some changes of his own.<br /> <br /> "We have enough good ball-handlers that I was surprised we were having so many problems but Banks changed up what they have been doing and we didn't adjust very well," Sweat said. <br /> <br /> Dawson County went in and out of its own pressing defense and put the clamps down holding Banks County to just eight points over the final 13:33.<br /> <br /> "We decided to change our defense at that point," Sweat said. "Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. It did this time."<br /> <br /> It wasn't an offensive showcase in any sense. Dawson County was just 6-of-20 on 3-pointers, missed a dozen layups throughout the game, and had 19 turnovers. Banks County was just 4-of-21 on 3-pointers and finished with 22 turnovers and had nine shots blocked.<br /> <br /> After Banks County tied the game, Sheyenne Seabolt and Ashley Parker combined for 11 points to finish the third quarter to help the Lady Tigers push their lead back to 46-36.<br /> <br /> Kaitlyn Duncan opened the fourth quarter with a basket and two free throws to pull Banks County within 46-40 with 6:17 left but Dawson County, behind five points from Haley Burgess, closed out the game with a 9-0 run to seal the win.<br /> <br /> "It's always a tough place to play over here," Sweat said. "That's a good basketball team. Both defenses made it tough."<br /> <br /> The win moved Dawson County within one victory of clinching the top seed in the Region 7-AAA in two weeks.<br /> <br /> "We still need one more. We haven't won anything yet. Every game is tough in this region," Sweat said.<br /> <br /> Banks County came in just one game ahead of Franklin County in the standings. The Lady Lions (13-7, 5-3) were playing host to Fannin County on Friday.<br /> <br /> The No. 2 seed at the end of the regular season will play host to the first round games in the region tournament. The semifinals and finals will be at Franklin County.<br /> <br /> The Lady Tigers used their defensive pressure to jump on Banks County early. They forced four turnovers in the first four minutes to run out to a 13-2 lead by seven points from Burgess.<br /> <br /> Dawson County pushed its lead to 24-10 and then 27-13 after a 3-pointer from Jordan Moore early in the second quarter. The Lady Tigers hit three of their first six 3-point attempts.<br /> <br /> Banks County, however, took a page from the Lady Tigers turning up some defensive heat of its own. The Lady Leopards forced three consecutive turnovers in a 10-0 run to close within 27-23, capped by a steal and layup from Duncan. Milford got the run started with her first of two 3-pointers in the half.<br /> <br /> The Lady Tigers eventually took a 32-25 halftime lead behind Burgess, who had 12 first half points. Duncan matched Burgess with 12 points of her own to keep Banks County within striking distance.<br /> <br /> Burgess finished with a game-high 19 points to pace Dawson County. Seabolt added 15 points and Parker had 13 points and six assists for the Lady Tigers.<br /> <br /> Duncan finished with 18 points to lead Banks County. Milford had nine points on three 3-pointers.<br /> <br /> Dawson County next will play host to Franklin County on Tuesday with a chance to clinch the regular season region title.<br /> <br /> Banks County is off until next Friday when it will travel to Franklin County in what will be a battle for second place in the region.<br /> <br /> <b>Banks County boys 73<br /> Dawson County 38</b><br /> <br /> Banks County (18-4, 7-2 Region 7-AAA) opened the game with a 12-0 run and never looked back in taking the Region 7-AAA win.<br /> <br /> Dawson County (4-17, 1-7) used a 7-2 run to pull within 14-7 midway through the first quarter but the Leopards would go on a 21-3 run late into the second quarter to blow the game open. Banks County took a 37-15 lead into halftime.<br /> <br /> Dawson County had no answer for Banks County senior center Austin Venable, who poured in 18 points and had 10 rebounds in just over two quarters, including 13 in the first half on a series of dunks.<br /> <br /> The Leopards opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run and then closed out the period with a 6-2 run to take a 55-25 lead into the fourth quarter. The third quarter got a little chippy as both teams were called for a combined three technical fouls but no one was ejected.<br /> <br /> Dawson County opened the fourth quarter with a 6-2 run but Banks County's biggest lead was the final score.<br /> <br /> Zac Orr finished with 15 points and had 10 rebounds for the Leopards.<br /> <br /> Dawson County was led by 12 points from Cullen Reed. Coey Watson had seven points for the Tigers.