FLOWERY BRANCH — It was like a stroll in the park for the fourth-ranked Jefferson girls in the semifinals of the Region 8-4A tournament.
The Lady Dragons stunned the Cedar Shoals exploding to a 32-14 halftime lead en route to a 58-41 blowout on Thursday at Flowery Branch.
Livi Blackstock led Jefferson with 16 points, 9 in the first quarter. Deshona Gaither added 11 points, while Ellie Kinlaw chipped in 10 points.
Jefferson opened the game on an 18-5 run and by halftime had the game well under control. The Lady Dragons added to their lead in the third quarter, 45-22.
Cedar Shoals exploded for 19 fourth-quarter points, while Jefferson scored 13.
The Lady Dragons will play Flowery Branch in the region title game on Saturday. The two split during the regular season winning the first game, 62-50, but falling in the final meeting, 46-40. Game time is set for 5 p.m. and can be heard live on WDUN AM 550.
NORTH OCONEE BOYS 53,
JEFFERSON 44
Neither team has an offensive performance to write home about, but North Oconee's was better in the Region 8-4A semifinal win on Thursday at Flowery Branch.
The two region foes ended the first eight minutes one point apart. The Titans led, 14-13. In the second quarter, North Oconee outpaced the Dragons, 9-6, and in the third quarter, they both scored 10 points. But the Titans remained ahead 33-29.
The Titans extended their lead in the fourth quarter with Jace Saxton scoring eight of his game-high 19 points and pushing North Oconee's lead out of reach.
Kadin Bailey led the Dragons with 14 points, and Josh Howel added 13.
North Oconee will play No. 1 seed Cedar Shoals in the region title game on Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m. Jefferson will play Madison County in the consolation game for third place on Saturday at 3 p.m.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/2/981122/basketball-jefferson-girls-seal-region-8-4a-title-berth-boys-fall-to-noconee