HOMER — East Jackson gave the Banks County girls their best upset special. It wasn't enough, however, as the Class 2A third-ranked Lady Leopards used a 24-2 fourth quarter to pull away for a 50-24 win in the semifinals of the Region 8-2A Tournament at the Banks County gym.
East Jackson (11-15) matched Banks County (22-3) basket for basket in the first quarter as they finished tied at 7 and then took a surprising 12-11 lead into halftime. The Lady Leopards still could not shake the Lady Eagles as they headed to the fourth quarter clinging to a slim 26-22 lead.
But the Banks County defense went to work over the final eight minutes. The Lady Leopards held East Jackson to no field goals and just a pair of Yasmine Clark free throws.
Kyleigh Murphy and Addison Hoard took over over on the offensive end, combining for 15 points -- 11 from Murphy, who finished with 19 points -- as they blew the game open.
Hoard had 14 points, 12 in the second half, for Banks County.
Clark finished with 9 points while Destiny Rakestraw led the Lady Eagles with 10 points.
The win puts Banks County into the finals against Athens Academy on Thursday at Banks County.
East Jackson will take on Union County in the third place game.
ATHENS ACADEMY 49,
UNION COUNTY 36
Athens Academy held Union County to just 12 second half points while rallying for the win in the semifinals.
The Lady Spartans trailed 24-22 at the half but shut down the Lady Panthers offense while Lily Tilman exploded on the offensive end.
The senior scored all 16 of her points in the second half, 10 coming in the fourth quarter as the Lady Spartans (18-5) pulled away late.
Union County (14-12) trailed 14-9 after the first quarter but behind Ariel McCarter and Corrine Hill, the Lady Panthers used a 15-8 second quarter to take the halftime lead. Athens Academy outscored Union 10-6 in the third for a 32-30 lead and blew it open in the fourth, outscoring the Lady Panthers 17-6.
India Sheats scored 10 points for Athens Academy.
McCarter finished with 15 points and Hill had 12 for Union County, who will play the Banks County-East Jackson loser in the third-place game on Thursday at Banks County.
Athens Academy will take on the Banks County-East Jackson winner in the championship game on Thursday at Banks County.
