WINDER, Ga. — The Flowery Branch girl used a 21-5 first-quarter run to take control and then cruised to a 59-39 win over Winder-Barrow in the first round of the Region 8-5A Tournament on Monday.
The win pushed the Lady Falcons (15-11) into Wednesday’s semifinals at Winder-Barrow High School and secured a berth in the upcoming state tournament.
After the big opening, Branch extended its lead to 34-14 by halftime and led 52-28 heading into the fourth quarter.
Jess Tamplin paced the Lady Falcons with 19 points, 15 in the first half. Bella Brick added 15 points, and Amyia Scott had 13 for Branch.
Trinity Maxey and Alana Daniels each had 17 for the Lady Bulldoggs (6-20).
JEFFERSON BOYS 62,
FLOWERY BRANCH 60
Jaden Butts converted a three-point play in the waning seconds to lift the Dragons to a thrilling win in the first round of the Region 8-5A Tournament on Monday.
The win moved the Dragons (9-16) into Wednesday’s semifinals and secured a berth in the upcoming state tournament.
Jefferson trailed by two with just 12 seconds left as the Falcons (15-10) had staged a second-half rally behind Jeremiah Ware, Jayden Gudz, and Tyleek Worth to take the lead.
The Dragons opened the game with a 20-12 run to take the lead and led 33-27 at halftime. Flowery Branch used a 14-9 third quarter to close within 42-41 and took the lead late in the fourth quarter. But the Falcons could not hang on.
Butts finished with 10 points, 8 in the fourth quarter, for Jefferson. Drew Williamson paced the Dragons with 14 points, and Tra Harrison had 13.
Ware led Branch with 22 points. Gudz and Worth each added 12 for the Falcons.
