ELLIJAY — Lumpkin County secured an automatic berth in the Class 3A state tournament with a 70-60, come-from-behind road win over Gilmer on Wednesday.
The game had been delayed twice before because of COVID-19 issues and weather. But the two teams, playing for the potential playoff spot, finally were able to meet. And it was a back-and-forth affair most of the way.
Glmer (14-5, 8-3 Region 7-3A) stormed out to begin, taking a 17-10 lead after the first quarter. But Lumpkin County (19-4, 10-1 Region 7-3A) answered back in the second frame.
The Lady Indians used a 23-10 explosion to take a 33-27 halftime lead and was able to hold off several second half charges by the Lady Bobcats.
Gilmer cut into the lead trailing just 44-39 heading into the fourth quarter but could not catch the Lady Indians.
Avery Jones paced Lumpkin County with 22 points. Lexi Pierce added 15 ponts, Isabel Davenport 14, and Mary Mullinax 12 for the Lady Indians.
Lumpkin County will close out its regular season on Friday with a first place showdown against White County (11-7, 10-1 Region 7-3A) in Cleveland. The winner will take the No. 1 seed into next week's region tournament but both are guaranteed state playoff berths.
BANKS COUNTY 46,
UNION COUNTY 38
Carley Segars scored 15 points to lead Banks County to a win in Region 8-2A action on Wednesday.
The Lady Leopards (15-9, 2-3 Region 8-2A) led just 9-8 after the first quarter and opened up a 23-15 halftime lead. But the Lady Panthers (2-8, 0-4 Region 8-2A) closed the gap to 32-31 heading into the final period. Banks County used a 14-7 fourth quarter to pull away for the win.
Addison Hoard added 10 points and Kamryn Grier 9 points for the Lady Leopards.
Banks County will close out its regular season at home n Friday against Rabun County.
Union County will play host to Elbert County on Friday and travel to Rabun County on Saturday to close the regular season.
