TIGER — Connor McKay slammed home a dunk off a dish from Gus Hood with 3.5 seconds to go to lift Rabun County to a thrilling 68-66 win over Banks County in the Region 8-2A semifinals on Thursday at the Rabun County gym.
The Wildcats (21-5) led by seven in the fourth before Banks County (8-19) stormed back tie the game at 66 with 15 seconds to go. The Leopards had one last chance but missed a full court shot at the buzzer.
Despite a pair of blowout losses to Rabun County during the regular season, Banks County played the Wildcats tough throughout. The Leopards led 17-16 and trailed just 30-25 at halftime. Rabun County took a 49-42 lead in the fourth quarter before Banks County nearly staged the come-from-behind, upset win.
The win for Rabun County, its eighth-straight, ties the program-record for most win in a season.
UNION COUNTY 68
ELBERT COUNTY 66
Union County ended a 21-year drought with its win in the semifinals.
The Panthers (12-12) knocked off Elbert County the defending region champs to advance to their first Region 8-2A title game since 2001.
It was the third straight win for Union Cuunty and the fourth in the last five games coming down the stretch.
Landon Kight hit a go-ahead basket with :25 left then stole a pass on the Blue Devils (6-18) next possession.
Lake Hughes hit a pair of free throws with 6 seconds left to seal the victory.
Elbert County will play Banks County in the third-place on Friday.
