DAHLONEGA — Lumpkin County snapped a two-game losing streak in Region 7-3A with a big 67-59 home win over Dawson County on Wednesday night.
The Indians (7-12, 4-5 Region 7-3A) also moved into a tie for fourth place with Cherokee Bluff (9-10, 4-5 Region 7-3A) with the victory. Both teams sit just one game behind third-place Gilmer in the standings.
Lumpkin County can keep climbing the standings on Friday. The Indians travel to Ellijah for a huge showdown with the Bobcats (14-6, 5-4 Region 7-3A) and a chance to move into a tie for third-place.
Lumpkin led most of the way holding a 19-16 lead after the first quarter and took a 35-30 advantage into halftime. The Indians led 51-45 going into the fourth quarter and held off several Dawson County runs to hang on for the victory.
Freshman Cal Faulkner continued his solid play with 23 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds to lead the Indians. Senior Jones Harris had 14 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds, and junior Hunter Cooper added 10 points. Preston Cox and Jack Carroll had 6 points and 10 rebounds each for the Indians.
Cade Reed poured in 23 points to lead Dawson County (3-17, 2-7 Region 7-3A).
Dawson County next will play host to East Forsyth on Friday.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 71,
EAST FORSYTH 58
The Bears got tremendous balance with five players in double figures on Wednesday in a crucial Region 7-3A contest for both teams.
The win for Cherokee Bluff (9-10, 4-5 Region 7-3A) was its third in the last four region games and moves the Bears into a tie for fourth place. The loss for the Broncos (7-12, 3-6 Region 7-3A) dropped them into sixth place.
However, East Forsyth opened the game with a 16-14 first quarter. But the Broncos could not hold it. Bluff outscored East Forsyth 17-9 in the second to take a 31-25 halftime lead.
The Bears extended their lead to 45-38 heading into the fourth. They pulled away in the fourth outscoring the Broncos 26-20.
Cade Simmons led Bluff with 14 points. Jhace Justice and Logan Holmes each had 11 points and Justyce Sadler and Carlos Marlowe had 10 points apiece for the Bears. Holmes had three big 3-pointers in the final period for Bluff to help hold off an East Forsyth rally.
Matthew Rouse paced East Forsyth with 18 points, 11 coming in the second half.
