DAWSONVILLE — For a half, it looked as if the Dawson County boys were on track to repeat last year's offensive performance that led to a first-round Class 3A state tournament exit.
But this year's Tigers (21-7, Region 7-3A No. 1 seed) didn't let history repeat itself.
The Tigers held North Murray (12-15, Region 6-3A No. 4 seed) to 10 second-half points to rally past the Mountaineers, 56-35, in the first round of the Class 3A state tournament at the Ford Phillips Center.
"I was really proud of how we guarded in the second half," Dawson County coach Todd Cottrell said. "Our guys did a really good job of communicating in the second half than they did in the first. We forced them into some tough shots, and we got some rebounds."
Max Tierney turned in the double-double performance, sinking 19 points and pulling 13 rebounds. Tierney's 10 points, five rebounds and a steal in the third quarter propelled the Tigers to the lead at the end of the quarter, 38-32.
"Max has had a phenomenal month," Cottrell said. "Hopefully, he'll keep it going. He played well in the region tournament and was outstanding tonight."
It definitely was a tale of two halves, with the Tigers opening uncharacteristically stone-cold on offense. They trailed 11-9 after the first eight minutes and allowed the Mountaineers to sprint out to a 10-0 run and a 17-9 lead off a Ty Kendrick basketball with 6:20 left in the second quarter. They were down 25-22.
"North Murray is an exceptional team, extremely well-coached and make you work," Cottrell said. "They make you work really on defense, and we took some questionable shots."
Jake Craft's 3-pointer to open the second half ignited the Tigers' run in the third quarter and tied the game, 25-25. Tierney and Jaden Gibson pushed the run to 8-0 and a 30-25 advantage with 6:25 left.
Tierney scored the Tigers' final eight points of the third to take a 38-32 lead and set up an explosive final eight minutes.
Craft scored the first six points of the fourth quarter, Joakeim Celestin added a bucket, Craft stopped and popped a 3-pointer to convert a North Murray turnover, and Celestin scored again on a layup off a steal stun the Mountaineers and go up 51-35 with 3:05 to go.
"We played a really good second half," Cottrell said. "I was proud of our guys in the second half. I'm proud of how our guys responded."
Craft finished with 14 points, while Gibson added 11, and Celestin chipped in 9 points.
Dawson County will play the winner of Salem/Oconee County either on Friday or Saturday.
