MT. AIRY, Ga. — Habersham Central could not hold onto a first quarter lead as No. 2-ranked Shiloh rallied for a 77-59 win in both teams’ Region 8-6A openers.
The loss for the Raiders (11-3, 0-1 Region 8-6A) snapped an 11-game win streak. Habersham Central jumped out to a 21-16 lead after the opening frame as Justus Gober and Jalen Davis combined for 15 points.
But Shiloh (10-3, 1-0 Region 8-6A) rallied to take a 33-32 lead by halftime on the strength of five 3-pointers in the quarter. The Generals extended the lead in the third, outscoring Haberersham 25-15 to run out to a 58-47 lead. They blew it open in the fourth holding the Raiders to just 12 points.
Tylis Jordan led the Generals with 16 points. Hady Diane had 11 points for Shiloh.
Josiah McCurry paced Habersham with 15 points. Brannon Gaines had 10 points, Judge Wilbanks 9 points, and Gober finished with 8 points for the Raiders. Davis and Enzo Combs each had 7 points for Habersham.
JACKSON COUNTY 60,
APALACHEE 54
The Panthers snapped a two-game losing streak with a big win at home to open Region 8-6A play.
EJ Heath had 18 and 7 rebounds to lead Jackson County. RJ Knapp added 13 points and 5 rebounds, Brice Rogers had 9 points and 7 rebounds, and Jacob Lee chipped in with 8 points for the Panthers (6-7, 1-0 Region 8-6A).
Jackson County next will travel to North Forysth on Friday in Region 8-6A action.
NORTH FORSYTH 73,
LANIER 67
The Raiders snapped a five-game losing streak in getting just their second road win of the season for a strong opening to Region 8-6A as well.
North Forsyth (4-10, 1-0 Region 8-6A) had five players in double figures, led by Michael Akinrinmade's 21 points. Brogen Casey added 16 points, Brayden Turner and Zach Alvarez each had 11 points, and Ty Womack scored 10 for the Raiders.
North Forsyth next will play host to Jackson County on Friday with both having a chance to move to the top of the early region standings.
