FLOWERY BRANCH — Clete Cooper had one of the best games of his career Friday night.
The East Hall senior recorded a double-double with 33 points, including 7 3-pointers, to go with 10 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the Vikings to a 69-53 win over Flowery Branch in Region 8-4A action.
The victory was the second straight for the Vikings (15-5, 4-4 Region 8-4A) and moves them into third place all alone in the standings. Branch (11-10, 3-5 Region 8-4A) dropped into a tie for fifth place with the loss.
C.J. Agborsangaya had 10 and 9 rebounds, Luke Barton contributed 10 points, and Christian Torres had 7 points and 8 rebounds for East Hall in his return to the lineup after missing three games.
East Hall next will play host to Chestatee on Tuesday in region play.
Branch will travel to No. 2 Jefferson on Tuesday in Region 8-4A action.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 70,
WEST HALL 68
The Bears rallied from a third quarter deficit to nip the Spartans in a key Region 7-3A contest in Oakwood.
It was the third straight win for Cherokee Bluff (10-10, 5-5 Region 7-3A) who moved into fourth place in the standings.
It was nip-and-tuck the entire way. The game was tied at 18 after the first quarter and Bluff took a slim 37-36 lead into halftime. The Spartans (5-15, 2-8 Region 7-3A) used an 18-13 third quarter to take a 54-50 lead into the final period.
Owen Jenkins led the Spartans attack in the second half with 20 of his game-high 27 points after intermission.
But Bluff hit three of its 13 3-pointers for the game in the fourth quarter and held on down the stretch for the victory. The Bears also went 11-of-12 from the free throw line.
West Hall had its chances but was just 11-of-21 from the free throw line for the game.
Cade Simmons paced Bluff with 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Logan Holmes had 10 points, Bryce Horton 9, all on 3-pointers, and Carlos Marlowe added 8 for the Bears.
Stephen Clark had 11 points for West Hall. Andrew Malin added 10 points and Calvin Norman 9 points for the Spartans.
Bluff next will play host to White County on Tuesday.
West Hall plays host to rival Johnson on Saturday.
GILMER 49,
LUMPKIN COUNTY 48
The Indians missed a shot at the buzzer to win it in a big Region 7-3A contest in Ellijah.
To even have a shot to win it was remarkable considering Lumpkin County trailed 21-2 in the first half and 26-7 at halftime. The Bobcats took a 34-19 lead into the fourth quarter.
But the Indians caught fire in the final eight minutes. They outscored Gilmer 29-15 in the fourth quarter behind Cal Faulkner and Jones Harris, who combined for 27 points in the period.
But a crucial call in the final minute also loomed large. The Indians had a point taken away due to a scorebook issue.
Faulkner finished with 22 points, 16 in the fourth quarter, to go with 6 rebounds and 4 assists to pace Lumpkin County (7-13, 4-6 Region 7-3A). Harris poured in 18 points, 11 in the fourth, with 6 rebounds and 4 assists as well.
Gilmer (15-6, 6-4 Region 7-3A) was led by Will Kiker with 12 points. Lewis Mulkey added 11 points for the Bobcats.
