BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — The eighth-ranked Union County boys held off Providence Christian, 64-60, to pick up the Region 8-2A opener at home on Tuesday.
The Panthers (13-2, 1-0 Region 8-2A) weathered Providence's 3-point storm in the first half to hold on to a slim 36-35 advantage. The Storm hit nine of their 11 3-pointers in the first half and 18 of their 22 points in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, Jude Ellis and Houston Henry, who combined for 43 points, led the charge in the first half, scoring 12 and 11 points. Ellis ended the night with 22 points, and Henry had 21. Hayden Hughes finished with 10 points.
In the second half, the Panthers outpaced Providence 28-25.
(READ THE CHEROKEE BLUFF-NORTH HALL GAMER HERE)
(GIRLS SCOREBOARD FOR TUESDAY, JAN. 2 HERE)
EAST HALL 89,
CHESTATEE 84
Despite Chestatee's Colton Wilbanks knocking down a game-high 44 points, the Vikings were able to hold off the War Eagles to win at home on Tuesday.
Jamarcus Harrison scored 25 points to lead a trio of Vikings (8-4, 3-1 Region 8-4A North) in double figures. Braydon Langston added 16 points, and Chasen Jones chipped in 14 -- all in the second half.
The Vikings led 48-38 at half time, and 62-54 at the end of the third. Chestatee, behind Wilbanks, outscored East Hall 30-27 in the fourth quarter.
Chris Alford and Khalil Goss added nine points each in the win.
Josh Bull added 18 points for the War Eagles, and Jordan Harris had 10.
WAR HILL CHRISTIAN 69
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 59
Maranatha Christian Academy was off for a week, and it showed. The Eagles dropped a 65-59 home opener of the new year to War Hall on Tuesday night.
MCA was led by Tarrell Grant with 34 points. Bode Fisher added 18 points.
RABUN COUNTY 80,
STEPHENS COUNTY 66
Huey Blalock scored 38 points to lead Rabun County past Stephens County on Tuesday.
Cooper Welch added 12 points and eight boards, Reed Burrell had 11 points and six rebounds, and Jack Hood scored 11 and eight rebounds.
EAST FORSYTH 86,
JOHNSON 33
East Forsyth jumped out to a 25-point lead by halftime en route to the win over Johnson on Tuesday.
Brennan Burns led the Broncos with 16 points, and Tyler Lesch added 13. All 12 Broncos made the scoring column in the win.
Jaiden Riley led the Knights with nine points.
SCOREBOARD FOR Tuesday, Jan. 2
Cherokee Bluff 79, North Hall 73 OT*
East Hall 89, Chestatee 84*
Winder-Barrow 75, Flowery Branch 39*
Eastside 52, Jefferson 50*
East Forsyth 85, Johnson 33*
Union County 64, Providence Christian 60*
Rabun County 80, Stephens County 66
