DAWSONVILLE — Despite not hitting a 3-pointer for the first time all season, Class 3A No. 2-ranked Dawson County still managed to pull away for a 57-39 win over Greater Atlanta Christian Tuesday night in a huge Region 7-3A battle.
The Tigers (18-2, 8-0 Region 7-3A) now lead the region by two games over North Hall (15-6, 6-2) and 2 1/2 games over GAC (12-6, 5-2) after Tuesday’s action.
Eli Burruss recorded a double-double for Dawson County, which also won its eighth straight game, with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jasper Gibson added 14 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds, Mason Barnes had 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Campbell Reed chipped in 10 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds for the Tigers.
Dawson County next will play host to Class 4A power Denmark on Friday in a non-region showdown.
LUMPKIN COUNTY 64,
EAST HALL 54
Lumpkin County snapped a four-game losing streak with a come-from-behind victory Tuesday night in a Region 7-3A game on the road.
The Indians (7-12, 3-5 Region 7-3A) trailed 38-31 at the half but held East Hall, which dropped its fifth straight game, to just 16 total points in the second half.
East Hall (5-12, 1-7 Region 7-3A) scored the first two points of the third quarter to lead 40-31 but Lumpkin answered with a 13-0 run to grab the lead for good. The Indians would extend it to 50-44 heading into the fourth quarter.
Lumpkin County was led by Peyton Polk with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Jacob Cumbie added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Gus Faulkner, Chandler Pulley, and Brian Cunane all chipped in 9 points apiece for the Indians.
Lumpkin County is back in action at home on Friday in region play against Fannin County.
East Hall travels to Cherokee Bluff on Friday.
CHESTATEE 67,
FLOWERY BRANCH 60
Chestatee kept pace in Region 7-4A with a road win over the Falcons Tuesday night.
The War Eagles (9-11, 4-4 Region 7-4A) snapped a four-game losing streak behind 25 points, including seven 3-pointers, from Brenton Nicholson. Kyle Bowmar poured in 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and Jonah Bull added 10 points for the War Eagles. Ethan Popham had 8 points and 11 rebounds.
Chestatee opened the game with an 18-6 run and led 36-23 at halftime. The War Eagles increased the lead to 53-35 heading into the fourth quarter before Flowery Branch (0-19, 0-9) used a 25-14 fourth quarter to make the game interesting late.
The Falcons were led by 18 points from Trevor Gurske. Trey Shaw and Judson Burney had 14 points each for Flowery Branch.
LOGANVILLE 51,
JOHNSON 44
The Knights could not hold an early lead as the Red Devils rallied in the second half to take a Region 8-5A victory.
Johnson (4-15, 0-5 Region 8-5A) led 12-8 after the first quarter but fell behind 25-23 by halftime. The Knights stayed close until a Loganville run pushed its lead to 42-32 heading into the final period.
Buddah Johnson paced the Knights with 11 points.
Johnson next will play host to Clarke Central on Friday in a region contest.
NORTH HALL 60,
FANNIN COUNTY 32
Clark Howell scored 12 points and Ty Smith had 10 to lead the Trojans over Fannin County on the road Tuesday.
The Trojans (15-6, 6-2 Region 7-3A) took a 14-9 lead after the first quarter and upped it to 30-16 at the half. North Hall extended its lead by the end of the third quarter, 51-27.
Cole Ellis added 9 points in the win.
North Hall travels to Greater Atlanta on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
TALLULAH FALLS 71,
COMMERCE 38
Ian McConnell led Commerce with 10 points and Creed Dunbar added 8 in the road loss to Tallulah Falls on Tuesday.
Commerce (11-8) travels to Towns County on Friday.
PUTNAM COUNTY 71,
BANKS COUNTY 64
Despite Carl Cleveland's 30-point performance, the Leopards (16-3, 7-1 Region 8-2A) dropped their first Region 8-2A game at Putnam County on Tuesday.
Cleveland turned in another double-double night with 30 points and 12 rebounds.
Putnam outscored Banks 48-40 in the second half to rally for the win.
Pierce Martin added 11 points, and Sawyer Pace and Clay Gosnell chipped in 8 each.
The Leopards will play Rabun County at home on Friday.
MARIST 46,
WHITE COUNTY 30
The Warriors (9-11, 2-6 Region 7-4A) struggled on offense in the loss to Marist at home on Tuesday.
Silas Mulligan led White County will 11 points. Jadon Yeh tossed in 9 points, and Cooper Turner added 6.
The Warriors play West Hall at home on Friday.
AREA SCOREBOARD JAN. 14
Putnam County 71, Banks County 64
Chestatee 67, Flowery Branch 60
Buford 66, Clarke Central 52
Tallulah Falls 71, Commerce 38
East Jackson 87, Franklin County 78
Dawson County 57, Greater Atlanta Christian 39
Loganville 51, Johnson 44
Lanier 63, Gainesville 59
Lumpkin County 64, East Hall 54
Marist 46, White County 30
Monroe Area 50, Jackson County 41
North Hall 60, Fannin County 32
Oglethorpe County 63, Rabun County 60
Prince Avenue 56, Lakeview Academy 50
Towns County 77, Hebron Christian 58
Union County 64, Elbert County 52
