There's only one grand prize left in the Region 7-3A tournament.
A trip to the tournament title game is on the line for three area teams in a tournament that will finish split between two locations.
Perhaps the most anticipated semifinal game is the third meeting between defending region champion, Dawson County boys, a No. 3 seed, against No. 2 seed Cherokee Bluff.
The Tigers had to play their way into the semifinals with a blowout win over Gilmer in Dawsonville on Thursday, 79-41. The Bears, however, earned a first-round bye with the second-place regular-season finish.
Earlier this season, Dawson County beat Bluff at home, and the Bears returned the favor on their home court earlier this month. Now, the two will meet an hour or more away from home in Ellijay at Gilmer High School on Saturday for a berth in the region title game. The game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
In the other boys' semifinal at Gilmer, No. 1 seed White County gets rival North Hall. The Warriors swept the regular-season series, 65-54, 59-45. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
On the girls' side, fans will have to wait for a possible third meeting between No. 1 seed Lumpkin County and No. 2 seed White County. But North Hall and Gilmer could have a say in that potential title showdown.
White County gets No. 3 seed Gilmer, who handled Cherokee Bluff in the first round on Thursday. Gilmer beat the Lady Warriors at home, 66-55, but White County avenged the early January loss in Ellijay, 66-49. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Lumpkin County.
Speaking of Lumpkin County, the Lady Indians will play host to defending region champion, North Hall. Throw in is set for 5:30 p.m. Lumpkin County beat the Lady Trojans big time in the two meetings earlier in the season, 76-31 and 52-18. But North Hall showed determination in a rally from 16 points down to beat Dawson County in overtime on Thursday.
REGION 7-3A SEMIFINALS, Saturday, Feb. 13
GIRLS (at Lumpkin County)
White County vs. Gilmer, 3:30 p.m.
Lumpkin County vs. North Hall, 5:30 p.m.
BOYS (at Gilmer)
Cherokee Bluff vs. Dawson County, 3:30 p.m.
White County vs. North Hall, 5:30 p.m.
REGION 7-3A TOURNAMENT SCOREBOARD, Thursday, Feb. 11
GIRLS
North Hall 55, Dawson County 51
Gilmer 67, Cherokee Bluff 40
BOYS
North Hall 61, Lumpkin County 51
Dawson County 79, Gilmer 41
