JEFFERSON — Jefferson battled back from a halftime deficit to beat North Oconee 56-45 at The Arena on Tuesday in Region 8-4A action.
With the win, the Dragons (17-4, 10-2 Region 8-4A) clinched the No. 2 seed in Region 8-4A. The Titans (20-5, 8-4 Region 8-4A) will be the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Region 8-4A tournament.
North Oconee raced out to a 13-9 lead after the first quarter and took a 20-16 lead at halftime behind 14 points from Jace Saxton. But the third quarter was the turning point for the Dragons.
But Spencer Darby, Dalen Gales, and Josh Howell carried Jefferson in the second half. The trio combined for 30 points as the Dragons exploded for 19 points in the third quarter to take a 35-32 lead.
They continued the onslaught in the fourth quarter with 21 points to pull away.
For the game, Jefferson rained in 8 3-pointers to just one for the Titans.
Gales paced Jefferson with 14 points, 9 in the second half. Darby added 12 points, all on 3-pointers and all in the second half. JT Fulkrod had 11 points and Howell had 9 points, all in the second half as well.
Saxton finished with a game-high 27 points for North Oconee.
LAKEVIEW 57,
PINECREST 44
Harrison Cooper scored 24 points and Ben Montgomery added 18 to lead the Lions in the win over Pinecrest on the road Tuesday.
Declan Weidner chipped in 12 points in the win. The Lions (14-8, 9-6 Region 6-A) will travel to The Weber School on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.
