BETHLEHEM — Gainesville kept pace in Region 8-6A with a big 73-62 road win over Apalachee Friday night.
The Red Elephants (15-8, 7-1 Region 8-6A) sit just one-half game back of Lanier (15-6, 7-0 Region 8-6A) after the Longhorns held off Dacula 71-66 Friday night. The two teams will close out the regular season on Feb. 1 in Gainesville.
Rafael Rubel was the catalyst for Gainesville against Apalachee. The junior guard started strong and finished stronger pouring in 9 first-quarter points as the Red Elephants led 21-13 after the opening frame and then 41-28 at halftime. Rubel had 10 in the final period after the Wildcats (9-14, 2-6 Region 8-6A) cut it to 52-46 by the end of the third quarter.
Brent Kelly added 15 points and Datavious Buffington scored all 8 of his points in the second half to help hold off the Wildcats comeback attempts.
Jamonte Wallace led Apalachee with 18 points. AJ Millbrooks added 15 for the Wildcats.
BANKS COUNTY 63
ELBERT COUNTY 51
Carl Cleveland scored another double-double performance en route to an upset win over Region 8-2A leader Elbert County Friday night at home.
Cleveland scored 22 points and ripped down 10 boards. He also dished out five assists and blocked five shots.
The win keeps Banks in the race for the No. 2 seed in the region. Right now, Social Circle holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Banks. The Leopards are scheduled to play Social Circle Friday.
Pierce Martin scored 19 points and Wes Ledford tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Banks County (14-8, 9-2) travels to Oglethorpe Saturday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
DAWSON COUNTY 78
LUMPKIN COUNTY 39
Luke Chism poured in 16 points and Tate Adkins had 13 to lead Dawson County past Lumpkin Friday night in Dahlonega.
Jake Granger scored 11 points to lead the Indians and Matt Seabolt had 10.
Bryson Broadway turned in 12 points, Campbell Red had 10 and Trey Pruitt scored 7 for the Tigers.
Dawson (19-4, 9-2) hosts Cherokee Bluff Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Lumpkin (6-17, 2-9) will play Gilmer at home Saturday. Tip is 7:30 p.m.
GREATER ATLANTA 96
CHEROKEE BLUFF 68
Cherokee Bluff had a hard time stopping GAC’S Ben Sheppard in a loss on the road Friday night.
Sheppard scored 39 points to lead the Spartans - 32 of those in the first half.
Griffin Neville scored 26 points to pace the Bears. Corey Thomas had 11.
Cherokee Bluff (14-9, 5-5) travels to Dawson County Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
