DAWSONVILLE — Greater Atlanta Christian won both the boys and girls Region 7-AAA basketball tournament titles on Saturday in Dawsonville.
The GAC boys pushed past Dawson County for a 71-52 victory, while East Hall's girls fell to GAC 46-28. Meanwhile, the North Hall girls edged Dawson County 63-62 for the No. 3 seed for the upcoming state tournament, and the East Hall boys defeated North Hall 60-44 to finish third.
GAC BOYS 71
DAWSON COUNTY 52
The Spartans jumped out to a 26-11 first quarter lead and never looked back en route to the 7-AAA tournament crown on Saturday. Greater Atlanta led 42-22 at the half.
Cullen Reed scored 20 points to pace the Tigers, who finished as the No. 2 seed for the start of next week's state tournament. Jeremiah Crumley also scored 13, while Ryan Gallenkamp added 9.
Yet Dawson could not contain Hunter McIntosh, as the GAC star put up a game-high 30 points, including 14 in the first quarter to spark the Spartans fast start. Ben Sheppard added 12 points
GAC sank seven 3-pointers as a team and hit on 14 of 19 free throw attempts.
Cullen Reed sank four of Dawson's five treys, and the Tigers hit on 13 of 15 free throws.
The Tigers will play host to the Monroe Area boys in the first round of the state playoffs next week.
GAC GIRLS 46
EAST HALL 28
The Lady Vikings drained six 3-pointers but could not manufacture enough offense to stay with the Lady Spartans, as they finished with the No. 2 seed in the 7-AAA tournament on Saturday.
Carly Winters tied for the game-high with 10 points, while Jenny Lopez added 7 points and Maggie Griffin 6.
GAC countered with 10 from Taylor Sutton and 9 from Jessica Carothers. Mary Matha Turner also scored 8.
The Lady Spartans took a 9-3 lead after the first quarter and stretched that advantage to 22-12 at the half.
East Hall will play host to the Hart County girls in next week's first round state playoff game.
EAST HALL BOYS 60,
NORTH HALL 44
The Vikings scored 25 second quarter points to take a 38-22 halftime advantage they refused to yield en route to Region 7-AAA's No. 3 seed on Saturday.
Jayvion Rucker paced East Hall with 10 points, while Luke Holtzclaw added 9 in the win. Kylan Curry also chipped in with 7 points, as eight different Vikings scored.
East Hall sank just two 3-pointers during the contest and was 9 of 17 from the free throw line.
Cole Brooks put up a game-high 14 points for the Trojans, while Luke Gunter added 7 points.
The Trojans will travel to face Hart County in the first round of the state playoffs next week. North Hall will travel to face Morgan County.
NORTH HALL GIRLS 63,
DAWSON COUNTY 62
The Lady Trojans overtook the Lady Tigers in the fourth quarter and held on for the 1-point win on Saturday to finish with the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAA.
Dawson County led 49-45 after the third quarter, only to watch the Lady Trojans outscore the hosts 18-13 over the final eight minutes.
Maci Gillespie played a key role in the strong finish, scoring seven of her 13 points in the fourth quarter, including going 5 of 7 from the free throw line. Grace Hollifield added six of her 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Camilla Howell paced North Hall with a game-high 19 points, while Anseigh Ferguson added 16.
Kaylee Sticker led Dawson County with 18 points, while Abi Chatham had 12 and Calli Watson scored 11.
The Lady Tigers will travel to face Region 8-AAA champ Franklin County in the first round of state next week. Meanwhile, the Lady Trojans will travel to face Morgan County in the first round.
