ATHENS, Ga. — Jackson County stayed unbeaten and tied for first place in Region 8-5A after knocking off Clarke Central 39-31 on Friday.
The Lady Panthers (7-3, 2-0 Region 8-5A) won their fifth straight game using a tenacious defensive effort. They held the Lady Gladiators (2-5, 0-2 Region 8-5A) to 10-points or less in every quarter.
Jackson County opened the game with an 11-6 first quarter and led 21-12 late in the second quarter. Clarke Central rallied with a 9-0 run into the third quarter to tie the game at 21.
But the Lady Panthers closed the final 3 minutes of the third quarter with a 12-4 run. They eventually led 39-31 with under 20 seconds left to put the game away.
Jackson County next will play host to Habersham Central on Tuesday in another key region contest.
CHESTATEE 63,
GAC 49
The Lady War Eagles picked up their first region win of the season at home on Friday.
Sisters Caroline Bull (18 points) and Ali Jae Bull (14 points) led the way for Chestatee (4-4, 1-2 Region 6-3A). Blakely Boyd had added 12 points and Payton Cable had 10 for the Lady War Eagles.
Chestatee is off until the Lanierland opener on Thursday.
ALCOVY 56
HABERSHAM CENTRAL 39
The Lady Raiders dropped into second place in Region 8-5A after falling to Alcovy on Friday on the road.
The Lady Raiders (2-5, 1-1 Region 8-5A) started strong, opening the game with a 9-7 run and led 14-13 midway through the second. But Alcovy (5-6, 2-0 Region 8-5A) used an 8-2 run to close out the half for a 21-16 lead and never trailed again.
The Lady Tigers blew it open with a 20-10 third quarter. The Lady Raiders could not get closer than 10 the rest of the way.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 54,
FRANKLIN COUNTY 40
Bristol Kersh and Claire Carlson outscored the Lady Lions by themselves as the Lady Bears won their second straight game.
Kersh had a huge game, pouring in 21 points, pulling down 5 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and swiping 6 steals on defense.
Carlson also had a monster game with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals for Bluff (6-3).
The Class 3A 6th-rated (PSR) Lady Bears next will play host to Gilmer on Saturday as part of the NGR Showcase.
GAINESVILLE, 44
LANIER 49
The Lady Red Elephants dropped their second straight Region 7-5A game and third straight overall on Friday on the road.
Shailyn Jones scored 15 points to lead Gainesville (6-3, 2-2 Region 7-5A). Jaucelyn Smith and Julia Payne each had 10 points for the Lady Red Elephants.
Gainesville is off until taking on Cherokee Bluff in the first round of the Lanierland Tournament on Thursday.
PICKENS 53,
NORTH HALL 46
The Lady Trojans pushed the No. 1- rated Dragonettes to the wire but a rough third quarter was the difference.
Pickens led just 10-8 but North Hall exploded with a 16-8 second run to take a 24-16 lead into the break.
But the Dragonettes (7-0, 3-0 Region 6-3A)responded with a huge 24-9 third quarter to reclaim the lead for good. The Lady Trojans played them even in the fourth quarter but never retake the lead.
North Hall (4-4, 1-2 Region 6-3A) is off until Thursday when it takes on East Hall in the opening round of the Lanierland Tournament.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY 53,
RABUN COUNTY 42
The Lady Wildcats had three players in double figures but it wasn't enough as they dropped their Region 8-A Division 1 opener on the road.
Chloe Erlewine had 13 points and 9 rebounds to pace Rabun County (4-3, 0-1 Region 8-A D1). Addy Beth Owens had 12 points, 5 steals and 4 rebounds, and Jacie McCall pulled down 11 rebounds to go with 4 steals. Adelyn Thompson added 8 points and 4 rebounds for the Lady Wildcats.
LANIER CHRISTIAN 49,
JOHNSON FERRY 30
The Lady Lightning improved to 7-3, and 1-0 in the region with a win on Friday.
Senior Ellie Roberts led LCA with 15 points and fellow senior Emma Flowers chipped in with 8 points. Freshman Maple Pittman and sophomore Adelyn Gough added 7 points apiece for the Lady Lightning.
LCA will play host to Westminster on Monday.
