GAINESVILLE — Ten different players scored, four in double figures, as Gainesville rolled to an easy 76-47 win over struggling Habersham Central Friday night in Region 8-6A action at the Gainesville gym.
The Red Elephants (13-8, 5-1 Region 8-6A) led just 15-8 after the opening frame but used a 21-8 second quarter to pull away for a 36-16 halftime lead. They blew it open in the third quarter.
Rafael Rubel led the way for Gainesville with 15 points. Jordan Williams had 13 points while Walt Dixon and Datavious Buffington had 12 points each for the Red Elephants.
Habersham Central (3-15, 1-4 Region 8-6A) had four players -- Grant Tipton, Dontarius Bailey, Grayson Adams, and Malachi Dooley -- all with 6 points.
Gainesville next will travel to Dacula on Tuesday for a huge region battle while Habersham plays host to Lanier on Tuesday.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 63,
EAST HALL 62
East Hall almost came back Friday night at home.
It was a tale of two halves - Cherokee Bluff won the first and East Hall won the second.
Cherokee Bluff, however, scored enough points in the second quarter to hold on to win its fourth Region 7-3A game and split the season series with the Vikings at Valhalla.
The Bears, behind Griffin Neville, jumped out quickly on East Hall, leading 18 points in the second quarter and by halftime, up 35-21.
Neville led the Bears with 21 points. Bosko Norman had 12 and Corey Thomas chipped in 10.
Jayvion Rucker scored 19 points to lead the Vikings. Rucker also scored his 1,000th career point. TJ Campbell added 17.
The Bears opened the third quarter just as they ended the second – in control. It seemed as if the Bears were well on their way to a blowout win.
Then, Rucker changed gears. The senior sparked the Vikings to close the third quarter strong.
The Rucker spark turned into a fire in the final period with the Vikings erasing the double-digit lead and inching to within one, 63-60 late in the quarter.
East Hall had several opportunities to take the lead late, with Cherokee Bluff missing eight free throws in the final quarter, but shots didn't fall for the Vikings.
East Hall (10-11, 5-4) travels to Fannin County Friday. Game time is 8:30 p.m.
Cherokee Bluff (13-8, 4-4) hosts Fannin County Tuesday. Tip is 7:30 p.m.
DAWSON COUNTY 68
DENMARK 49
In a battle of ranked teams, Dawson County outscored the Class 4A Danes in every quarter in taking an impressive win on the road.
The Tigers (17-4) led just 13-11 after the first quarter and took a slim 28-23 lead into halftime. But they outscored Denmark (15-6) 40-26 in the second half to pull away.
Jasper Gibson continued his torrid scoring pace with 28 points, 19 coming in the pivotal third quarter. He added 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 assists.
Luke Chism poured in 27 points to go with 6 boards and 4 steals or Dawson County.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY 76,
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN 41
Class A Private No. 7-ranked Lakeview Academy remained unbeaten in Region 8-A play after taking an impressive win at home.
Providence (1-20, 0-6 Region 8-A) actually led 14-11 after the first quarter. But the Lions (15-5, 6-0 Region 8-A) used a 31-1 second quarter to grab the lead and take control. They continued the onslaught in the third quarter outscoring the Storm 25-11 for a 67-26 lead heading into the final period.
It was a huge win for the Lions as the region has four teams all within a game of first place with just two weeks left in the regular season.
Adam Cottrell paced Lakeview with 23 points and 7 steals. Holden Cooper had one of his best games of the season with 11 points, 6 steals, and 5 assists for the Lions.
Blake McIntyre had 11 points, 3 steals, and 4 assists and KJ Millwood added 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals for the Lions.
Lakeview next will play on Monday in the BCB MLK Showcase at Peachtree Ridge High School. The Lions will take on Class A Private No. 6 Wesleyan at 1:30 p.m.
WEST HALL 58,
WHITE COUNTY 45
Noah Edmondson scored 21 points to lead West Hall to the Region 7-4A win Friday night on the road.
Sawyer Passmore had 11 and Devon Williams chipped in 10 points.
Austin Harris led the Warriors with 25 points.
West Hall (6-13, 3-5) will travel to Johnson Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
White County (6-16, 1-8) will travel to Chestatee on Tuesday. Tip is 7:30 p.m.
BANKS COUNTY 62,
RABUN COUNTY 51
Banks County had to rally in the second half to knockoff Rabun County on the road and pick up the Region 8-2A win.
Rabun led at half 35-30.
The Leopards opened the second half on a run, outscoring the Wildcats 16-6 to take a 46-41 lead.
Banks outpaced Rabun 15-10 in the final quarter.
Carl Cleveland led the Leopards with 28 points and 9 boards. Wes Ledford had 9 and Noah Rylee had 8.
Banks (12-8, 7-2) will host Monticello Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Rabun (4-14, 3-5) will host Elbert County Tuesday. Tip is 7:30 p.m.
LANIER CHRISTIAN 69
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (WATKINSVILLE) 46
The Lightning outscored Westminster Christian 37-17 in the second and third quarters to erase a slim deficit en route to the big win at home.
Tommy Wandrum led four LCA players in double figures with 14 points. Trevin Last recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, Joseph Edwards had 13 points, Alec Hughes added 9 points and 10 rebounds, and Asher Weiner had 10 points and 8 rebounds for the Lightning.
LUMPKIN COUNTY 49,
FANNIN COUNTY 43
The Indians had three players in double digits to lead them to the Region 7-3A win Friday night at Fannin County.
Jacob Cumbie led the Indians with 12 points. Matt Seabolt tossed in 12 and Granger had 11.
The Indians trailed at half time 29-26 but rallied in the third to take a 39-33 lead.
Gus Faulkner ended the night with 6 points for the Indians. Kyle Trammell had 4 and Payton Polk chipped in 3
The Indians (6-15, 2-7) will host GAC Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
