JASPER, Ga. — The Dawson County boys basketball team went on a 15-3 run in the fourth quarter to roll past Wesleyan, 42-31, in the first round of the Region 7-3A tournament on Monday at Pickens.
The Tigers (15-11) led wire-to-wire, holding an 8-2 lead at the end of the opening period and a 13-11 advantage in the low-scoring first half.
Wesleyan (11-15) battled back in the third quarter to tie the game 16-16 earlier in the quarter, but Dawson put together a 15-3 run to build a 31-19 lead early in the fourth.
Trey Harvey, who led the Tigers with a game-high 21 points, hit 6-of-7 foul shots to close out a 13-point second-half performance. Caden Reed and Ethan Parker pitched in 12 each.
With the win, the Tigers return to the state playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season. They'll play Gilmer in the semifinals at Lumpkin County High on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m.
LUMPKIN COUNTY 50,
WHITE COUNTY 37
Cal Faulkner scored 28 points to lead the Indians past White County in the first round of the Region 7-3A tournament at Pickens on Monday.
With the win, Lumpkin County (14-12) advances to the Class 3A state tournament for the first time since 2019.
The Indians opened up a 12-11 lead in the first quarter game to a 27-16 halftime advantage using a late half surge.
Lumpkin County continued its assault, opening the third quarter with a pair of 3-pointers to build a 17-point lead with 6:54 to go.
White County (7-19) didn't back down as Tripp Nix rallied the Warriors by hitting two 3-pointers, and Braxton Anderson added a jumper to cut the game to 33-24 with 3:44.
However, Lumpkin County went on a 19-7 run to open the fourth to seal the win.
Nix led the Warriors with 12 points.
The Indians will play Pickens at home on Thursday. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
PICKENS 66,
WEST HALL 36
The Dragons (19-7) rushed out to a 34-18 first-half lead en route to the blowout win over West Hall (6-19) at home on Monday.
Pickens will play Lumpkin County in the semifinals on Thursday in Dahlonega. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
BUFORD 56,
DACULA 51
Jackson Houston scored 14 points, and Kyle Carpenter had 11 to lead the Wolves past Dacula in the semifinals of the Region 8-7A tournament at Central Gwinnett on Monday.
Anderson Shepherd scored 12 points to lead the Wildcats. Jaden Mattison chipped in 11.
Buford will play Mountain View for the Region 8-7A championship on Wednesday at Central Gwinnett. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Mountain View knocked off Collins Hill 61-51 to advance to the title game.
PREP BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD, Monday, Feb. 12
Region 8-7A
No. 2 Mountain View 61, No. 3 Collins Hill 51
No. 1 Buford 56, No. 4 Dacula 51
Region 8-6A
No. 7 Apalachee 47, No. 6 Jackson County 39
Region 8-5A
No. 6 Heritage-Conyers 63, No. 3 Jefferson 61
Region 7-3A
No. 5 Dawson County 42, No. 4 Wesleyan 31
No. 3 Lumpkin County 50, No. 6 White County 37
No. 2 Pickens 66, No. 7 West Hall 36
Region 8A Division 1
No. 5 Tallulah Falls 65, No. 4 Commerce 57
