BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — Hayden Hughes and Jude Ells may have combined for 41 points, but Eli Underwood was the king of the paint.
The 6-foot-4 senior post ripped down 18 rebounds, blocked a shot, swiped two steals and chipped in 12 points to help pace the top-seeded Union County boys basketball team to a 77-59 win over Athens Academy in the Region 8-2A semifinals.
The win lifts the Panthers (19-8) to the Region 8-2A championship against Providence Christian at home on Friday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
In a back-and-forth first half, the Panthers found themselves in a dogfight. Union held on to a single-digit lead for most of the half, ending with the largest lead of five points, 33-28 at the break.
In the second half, Union County started to take control when Houston Henry hit Underwood for an easy lay-up to go up 43-33 with 4:23 to go.
Athen Academy's Westbrook Adams, who finished with 21 points, tried to ignite a Spartan run when he scored with 4:12 to go to close the gap, 63-57. But Union County responded with a 14-2 run to seal the game.
Hughes ended the night with 22 points, including a record-setting six 3-pointers. Ellis had 19 points, and Cade Dockery finished with 10.
In the other Region 8-2A semifinal game, Banks County fell to Providence Christian 92-75.
Banks County will play Athens Academy in the consolation game at 6 p.m. on Friday in Blairsville.
