HOMER — The Rabun County girls used a 35-7 run over the final 10 minutes to pull away from pesky Social Circle for an 82-52 victory in the quarterfinals of the Region 8-AA tournament Monday night at the Banks County gym.
The win moved the Lady Wildcats (21-5) into the Class AA playoffs.
Before the game-deciding run, it was a tight affair as Social Circle (3-18) was brewing the upset special taking an early 15-14 lead. Rabun answered with an 18-4 run into the second quarter for a 32-19 lead.
But the Lady Redskins did not go away climbing to within 38-37 by halftime with an 18-6 burst.
The Lady Wildcats opened a 45-40 lead early in the third quarter but Social Circle got as close as 47-45.
Rabun County eventually put the game away against the Lady Redskins, who went winless against Region 8-AA teams for the season.
Georgia Stockton had a huge game with 28 points to lead Rabun County. Laken Stiles posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Wildcats.
In other Region 8-AA action on Monday, Rabun County was joined by Elbert County, which beat Monticello 60-51 in the first game of the day. Elbert County will take on No. 1 seed Putnam County in the semifinals at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Eatonton. Rabun County will take on Banks County, which beat Oglethorpe County, in the 4 p.m. semifinals on Thursday.
BANKS COUNTY GIRLS 74,
OGLETHORPE COUNTY 18
The No. 2 seed Lady Leopards had four players score in double figures as they routed the Lady Patriots in the quarterfinals.
Jaycie Bowen led the way for Banks County (21-5) with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Maddie Thomas added 13 points and Amber Williams and Morgan Lyons each had 10 points and 6 rebounds for the Lady Leopards. Kennedy Smith chipped in with 8 points and 5 steals.
The win moved them into the semifinals where they will face No. 3 seed Rabun County at 4 p.m. Thursday in Eatonton.
