BUFORD, Ga. — Buford turned a back-and-forth first-half affair into a runaway in the second en route to a 60-49 win over Pope at Buford Arena on Wednesday.
The Wolves (22-6, Region 8-6A No. 2 seed) advance to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs where they'll travel to Statesboro over the weekend. Time and day to be announced.
For 2 1/2 quarters, the two Class 6A foes battle each other shot for shot as it looked as if the game would go down to the wire.
But after Buford led the entire first quarter and finished up 14-12, the two tightened the top on the pressure cooker.
Pope (21-9, Region 6-6A No. 3 seed) was able to withstand the heat, so was Buford. Pope, however, grabbed a three-point lead with just over two minutes to play in the opening half off a Theron Nixon bucket, 23-20. The Greyhounds took their first lead earlier on a 3-ball from Ryan Luttrell.
The sizzle continued for the final two minutes of play with both coming up empty until Buford's Cam Kelly splashed two free throws to cut the gap, 23-22, and on Buford's next possession, the Wolves found themselves back on top, 24-23 off a Malachi Brown make at the half.
The third quarter was much of the same or at least half of it. That's when the Wolves set sail and pushed through the headwind to stretch a 20-6 run over the next seven minutes to take a 44-29 advantage with seven minutes left in the game.
Pope put together a small 6-2 spurt midway through the fourth to crunch the Wolves' lead to 10 points, 46-36, and was only down nine points late in the fourth, but back-to-back Jaylon Taylor dunks, one a hammer, the other a reserve jam, lifted the Wolves to a 54-38 and lead. Taylor led the Wolves with 14 points -- eight in the final eight minutes. David Burnett added 12 points, and London Williams and Alahn Sumler chipped in eight points.
Will Kuimjian led Pope with 13 points.
TOWNS COUNTY 76,
BOWDON 51
The Class A defending state champions Indians (19-7, Region 8-A No. 2 seed) began their title defense with a statement victory against Bowdon's high-powered offense in the opening round of the Class A-Public tournament in Hiawassee on Wednesday.
The Red Devils (18-9, Region 6-A No. 3 seed) came in averaging almost 80 points per game, which automatically caused concern for coach Brian Hunnicutt. Nevertheless, the Indians nestled in on defense and controlled the pace of the game and dominated the paint.
Collin Crowder poured in a game-high 27 points to lead the Indians, while sophomores Conner Chastain and Zane Floyd hit for 18 and 15 points.
COLLINS HILL 70,
NORTH FORSYTH 56
The second half was not kind for the Raiders, but they still had a chance in the loss to Collins Hill on Wednesday in the first round of the Class 7A state tournament.
North Forsyth (15-12, Region 6-7A No. 3 seed) led, 28-27, at halftime, but Collins Hill (14-10, Region 6-7A No. 2 seed) outscored 45-30 in the second half to fall in their first state tournament appearance in 16 years.
Ethan Davis was the thorn in the Raiders' side in the second half, scoring 21 of his game-high 25 points -- 14 in the final period.
Cole Kirouac led the Raiders with 17 points -- 13 in the second half. Braden Mullis had 15, and Kal-el Delgadillo added 13.
DRUID HILLS 60,
CHESTATEE 43
The War Eagles (10-19, Region 8-4A No. 4 seed) ran into a buzzsaw in the first round of the Class 4A tournament on Wednesday at eighth-ranked Druid Hills (24-4, Region 6-4A No. 1 seed).
The Red Devils jumped out to a 12-4 lead after the first period and led 27-18 at the half. In the second half, Druid Hills outscored Chestatee 33-25 to seal the win.
Austin Bater led the War Eagles with 15 points. Cade Williams turned in seven points, and Peyton Phillips had six.
JEFFERSON 72,
MAYS 48
The Dragons (24-3, Region 8-4A No. 1 seed) jumped on Mays fast in the blowout win in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday at The Arena.
Jefferson sprinted out to a 28-13 lead after the first quarter and led 62-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
Dalen Gales paced the Dragons with 20 points and six rebounds. JT Fulkrod added 16 points and six boards, while Riley Holliman chipped in 13 points and four rebounds.
Jefferson will play host to Westside-Macon, which upset LaGrange on Wednesday. Date and time to be announced.
GREATER ATLANTA 88,
EAST FORSYTH 42
The Broncos' first-ever trip to the Class 3A state tournament ended in a lopsided loss to No. 2 seed GAC on the road Wednesday.
East Forsyth ends the season 11-19.
LOVETT 75,
UNION COUNTY 62
The Panthers' season came to an end with the loss to Lovett in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament on the road Wednesday.
Union County ends the season 12-14
