OAKWOOD — The Buford and Flowery Branch girls both rolled into the Region 8-AAAAA finals while the Buford boys needed a buzzer-beater to advance Friday in semifinal action at the Johnson gym.
The Buford and Flowery Branch girls, both ranked in the top five in Class AAAAA, will meet at 4 p.m. Saturday at Johnson for the region championship.
The Buford boys needed a jumper from senior Alex Jones with 1 second left to nip Flowery Branch, 49-47.
The Wolves had led virtually the entire game leading 13-8 after the first quarter and 24-19 at halftime. They extended it to 39-27 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Falcons, however, exploded for 20 points in the final period and tied the game at 47 with 20 seconds left. But Jones provided the dagger to push Buford into the finals. It was the only field goal for Jones in the second half.
Marcus Watson led Buford with 16 points, 11 coming in the second half. Donell Nixon added 14 points, 10 of his coming in the second half, and Jones finished with 11.
Justin Quick led Flowery Branch with 19 points. Myles Janess and Pateshko Lutumba both scored 9 points for the Falcons.
Buford will take on Clarke Central, a 6856 winner over Cedar Shoals, in the finals on Saturday.
FLOWERY BRANCH GIRLS 56,
CEDAR SHOALS 33
Flowery Branch outscored Cedar Shoals 34-9 in the second and third quarters to blow open a close game early.
The game was tied at 10 after the first quarter but the Lady Falcons used their defensive pressure to shake off the slow start. They held the Lady Jaguars to just one second quarter fiel goal for a 21-12 halftime lead. They blew it open with a 23-7 third quarter.
Ashlee Lock poured in seven of her team-high 15 points in the third quarter. Taniyah had six of her 13 in the third as well. Ashley Woodruff scored 10 points for the Lady Falcons.
Laurie Thomas led Ceadr Shaols with 18 points.
BUFORD GIRLS 69,
CLARKE CENTRAL 24
Buford held the Lady Gladiators to no points in the second quarter en route to the lopsided win.
The Lady Wolves led 21-5 after the first quarter but outscored Clarke Central 32-0 in the second period to put the game out of reach by halftime.
Audrey Weiner and Tory Ozment combined for 25 first half points for Buford. Neither played in the second half. Preston Reid added 10 points for the Lady Wolves.
FRIDAY’S REGION 8-AAAAA SEMIFINALS
at Johnson
Buford girls 69, Clarke Central 24
Buford boys 49, Flowery Branch 47
Flowery Branch girls 56, Cedar Shoals 33
Clarke Central boys 68, Cedar Shoals 56
SATURDAY'S REGION 8-AAAAA SCHEDULE
at Johnson
Clarke Central girls vs. Cedar Shoals, 3rd place game, 1 p.m.
Flowery Branch boys vs. Cedar Shoals, 3rd place game, 2:30 p.m.
Flowery Branch girls vs. Buford, championship, 4 p.m.
Buford boys vs. Clarke Central, championship, 5:30 p.m.
