COAL MOUNTAIN, Ga. — Gabbie Gliatta poured in 23 points, 15 in the first half, to lead North Forsyth to a 70-53 win over North Gwinnett on Tuesday in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs.
The Lady Raiders (28-0) opened the game with a 21-9 run on the strength of four 3-pointers in the first quarter. They were able to maintain a double-digit lead most of the rest of the way and 35-24 at the break. North Forsyth took a 56-43 lead into the fourth.
Sophia Parks had 14 points and London Weaver had 10 for North Forsyth.
Caroline Beavin led North Gwinnett (18-11) with 17 points.
North Forsyth will take on the Archer-Campbell winner on Friday in the second round at home.
BUFORD 83,
CHAPEL HILL 36
The Lady Wolves held the Lady panthers to 7 points or less in three of the four quarters en route to the win in the first round of the Class 6A tournament.
Behind a balanced offense where seven different players scored, Buford (24-2) built a 24-7 lead after the first quarter. The Lady Wolves took a 47-22 lead into halftime and led 67-29 heading into the fourth.
Overall, 12 different players scored for Buford, led by 17 from E’miah Fields.
Malia Haney led Chapel Hill (8-19) with a game-high 21 points.
Buford will take on the Colquitt County-Etowah winner in the second round at The Buford Arena.
JEFFERSON 53,
EAST HALL 35
The ninth-seeded Lady Dragons held the Lady Vikings to just 5 fourth quarter points to pull away for a Class 3A first round win in a battle of Region 8-3A teams.
It was the fourth win over East Hall (14-13) by Jefferson (22-5) on the season.
It was a close game for three quarters with Jefferson leading just 10-8 after the opening frame and taking a 22-14 lead in the break. But the Lady Vikings used a 16-12 third quarter, powered by 13 points from Kaylana Curry, to pull within 34-30 heading into the fourth.
But Jefferson’s Michel Robbins and Delaney Dewitt combined for 13 of their 22 combined points in the fourth.
Robbins and Dewitt both had 11 points to pace Jefferson. Emeri Billings scored 9 for the Lady Dragons.
Curry finished with 18 points but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter for East Hall.
WHITE COUNTY 74,
BAINBRIDGE 34
The 10th-seeded Lady Warriors used a tenacious defensive effort to roll to a first round win in Class 3A at home.
White County (22-7) held the Lady Bearcats (15-13) to less than 10 points in three of the four quarters. The Lady Warriors exploded out of the gate, jumping out to a 27-5 lead after the opening period. They led 50-14 at halftime.
Bainbridge almost doubled its score in the third quarter but still trailed 66-27 heading into the fourth.
Kylie Watkins led White County with 18 points. Aslyn Burkett added 17 points and Kalyn Watkins had 10 for the Lady Warriors.
White County moves into the Sweet 16 and will take on the Baldwin-Adairsville winner on Friday. The Lady Warriors would be at home if Adairsville is able to pull the upset.
EAST FORSYTH 69,
UNION GROVE 67
The Lady Broncos built a big first quarter lead and then held on in the final minute to advance in the Class 4A tournament at home.
East Forsyth (12-17) built big early 25-8 lead on the strength of five 3-pointers in the quarter, including three from Haily Hiddema. They led 37-20 at halftime.
But the Lady Wolverines exploded in the second half. They outscored East Forsyth 23-9 in the third quarter to pull within 46-43.
But the Lady Broncos were able to hang on hitting 11-of-15 free throws in the fourth quarter. Ayla Heard was 6-of-8 from the line in the final period and finished with 21 points, including 11-of-14 overall at the line.
Hiddema poured in 17 points, including five 3-pointers, and Addison Rouse had 13 for East Forsyth.
RABUN COUNTY 48,
ARMUCHEE 47
Adelyn Thompson hit a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left to life the Lady Wildcats to a thrilling road win in the first round of the Class A D1 tournament.
Rabun County (13-12) came in as the 23rd seed but took control of the game early, leading 18-11 at the half. But the Lady Indians (20-8) stormed back in the second half, taking the lead late in the fourth quarter.
Thompson finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals for Rabun County.
Addy Beth Owens had 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists and Madison Houck added 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists for the Lady Wildcats. Chloe Erlewine chipped in with 5 points and 6 rebounds and Jacie McCall pulled down a team-high 8 rebounds for Rabun County.
The Lady Wildcats next will travel to Worth County on Friday in the second round.
NW WHITFIELD 51,
DAWSON COUNTY 38
Turnovers plagued the Lady Tigers all night in a frustrating loss on the road in the Class 3A tournament.
Dawson County finished with 26 turnovers for the game, yet trailed by two points, 34-32, with 6 minutes left in the game. But with a chance to tie or take the lead, the Lady Tigers turned the ball and NW Whitfield converted that into a 3-pointer for a 37-32 lead and Dawson County never got closer the rest of the way.
Eva Bishop had 18 points for Dawson County.
The Lady Bruins had three players in double figure scoring, led by Sloan Pender with 19 points. Miah Triana had 15 points and Lindsey Harris 10 points for NW Whitfield.
RIVER RIDGE 81,
GAINESVILLE 35
The No. 1-ranked Lady Knights dominated the Lady Red Elephants in the opening round of the Class 6A tournament.
River Ridge (27-1) never trailed and stormed out to a 24-6 lead after the first quarter, led by standouts Kayla Cleveland and Makayla Roberson, who combined for three 3-pointers and 13 points in the period.
The Lady Knights continued their onslaught, outscoring Gainesville (14-12) 32-11 in the second for a 56-17 halftime lead. The Lady Red Elephants scored just 2 points on a Julia Payne basket in the third as they fell behind 69-19.
Roberson finished with 18 points and Cleveland had 16 to pace River Ridge.
Payne led Gainesville with 14 points in her final game. Jaucelyn Smithadded 10 points for the Lady Red Elephants.
(See below for the scores of the first round games on Tuesday.)
GHSA 1st ROUND GIRLS PLAYOFF SCORES, Tuesday Feb. 18
Class 6A
Buford 83, Chapel Hill 36
North Forsyth 70, North Gwinnett 53
Class 5A
River Ridge 81, Gainesville 35
Veterans 54, Jackson County 45
Class 4A
East Forsyth 69, Union Grove 67
Class 3A
Jefferson 53, East Hall 35
NW Whitfield 51, Dawson County 38
White County 74, Bainbridge 34
Class 2A
Union County 48, Coahulla Creek 42
Class A Division 1
Banks County 71, Oglethorpe County 36
Rabun County 48, Armuchee 47
GHSA 1st ROUND BOYS PLAYOFF SCORES, Tuesday Feb. 18
Class 6A
Buford 78, Carrollton 56
Class 2A
Union County 87, Pierce County 61
