ATHENS — No. 1 seed Clarke Central held Johnson to just 19 points through the final three quarters in an 80-33 rout in the first round of the Region 8-5A tournament at home.
Kyle Cowen scored 22 points to lead the Gladiators.
Johnson was led by Wade Pearce with 12 points, and Jackson Vandiver had 8.
Clarke Central jumped out to a 27-14 lead after the first eight minutes, then turned the pressure up on defense, holding the Knights to five, eight and six points in the final 24 minutes.
Johnson finishes the season 3-17.
