HOMER — The Banks County boys and girls and the Rabun County girls team all advanced to the Region 8-AA finals after taking wins Thursday night in the semifinal round at the Banks County gym. The Monticello boys will join the Leopards in the finals.
The finals are slated to begin 7 p.m. at Banks County with the Rabun County and Banks County girls up first. The boys final between Banks County and Monticello is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
The Class AA sixth-ranked Lady Leopards knocked off the fifth-ranked Lady Wildcats two weeks ago for their only region loss.
The fourth-ranked Banks County boys come into the finals riding an 18-game winning streak and beat the ninth-ranked Purple Hurricanes twice during the regular season.
BANKS COUNTY BOYS 52,
ELBERT COUNTY 45
The Leopards (21-4) ran their win streak to 18 straight after the win over the Blue Devils.
Kahmal Wiley poured in 26 points to go with 12 rebounds, five steals, two assists, and a block to lead Banks County. Dylan Orr added 11 rebounds, two steals, two assists, and four blocks while Carl Cleveland added six points, eight rebounds, two steals, and four assists for the Leopards. Darius Bonds had five points, five assists, and two steals.
Banks County coach Mike Cleveland said the streak should not be a distraction as they move into the state tournament.
"I don't think its added pressure," Cleveland said. "We try to focus on the next (game). Monticello is a very good team, well-coached. I expect another battle (in the finals)."
Banks County will play for its first region title since falling to East Hall in the 2015 Region 7-AAA finals. Monticello was the Region 4-AA runner-up in 2016.
RABUN COUNTY GIRLS 85,
ELBERT COUNTY 52
Georgia Stockton led four players in double figure scoring as the top-seeded Lady Wildcats routed the Lady Blue Devils to advance to the finals.
Stockton finished with 17 points, four assists, and five steals for Rabun County (24-2). Brooke Henricks added 15 points, seven rebounds, and five steals, Savanna Scott had 12 points and six rebounds, Laken Stiles 10 points and five steals, and Hallie Reeves nine points, five rebounds, and four steals for the Lady Wildcats.
Rabun County coach DeeDee Dillard said they are playing well at the right time as they try to repeat as region champions.
"We are playing pretty well; however, we are still learning from each game, win or lose," Dillard said. "They are hungry for a region championship. Having the No. 1 seed definitely helps heading into the state playoffs."
Rabun County will take on No. 2 seed Banks County at 7 p.m. on Friday for the region title.
BANKS COUNTY GIRLS 57
PUTNAM COUNTY 46
The Lady Leopards opened the action with a over the Lady Eagles to move into the title game.
The game was tight throughout with Banks Countyn holding leads of 16-13 after the first quarter and 33-26 at halftime. Putnam County pulled within 47-44 by the end of the third quarter but the Lady Leopards held Putnam County to just two fourth quarter points to pull away for the victory.
MONTICELLO BOYS 91
PUTNAM COUNTY 72
The Purple Hurricanes battled back from a halftime deficit to advance to the championship game.
Monticello led 21-15 after the first quarter but Putnam County outscored the Hurricanes 28-20 in the second quarter to grab a 43-41 lead at halftime. Monticello exploded in the second half.
The Hurricanes unleased a third quarter barrage outscoring the Eagles 31-18 to lead 72-61 heading into the fourth quarter. They blew the game open over the final eight minutes with a 19-11 run.
