GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Cherokee Bluff drained 15 3-pointers and shook off a slow start to beat Chestatee 76-64 on Tuesday night at the Lynn Cottrell Complex.
The win for the Bears (12-5, 4-1 Region 8-4A North) helped them keep pace with East Hall atop the subregion standings.
Bluff led just 14-7 after the first quarter but took a 30-20 lead into the break. Both teams exploded on the offensive end in the second half.
Colton Wilbanks poured in 31 of his game-high 37 points for Chestatee (4-11, 1-4 Region 8-4A North), but it wasn’t enough to overcome the balanced Bears attack.
Lohan Holmes hit five 3-pointers among his team-high 20 points, with Bryce Horton, Boston Kersh, and Conner Robinson each scoring 12 points. Horton and Robinson each knocked four 3-pointers for the game.
Josh Bull added 9 points for the War Eagles.
EAST HALL 61,
JOHNSON 21
Joe Dix got his 400th career win on Tuesday in the Vikings Region 8-4A North win.
The Vikings (10-5, 5-1 Region 8-4A North) were led by Jamarcus Harrison, Bray Langston, and Khalil Goss with 10 points each. Sebastian Lara added 8 points. Chris Alford had 7 points, and Landon Ausborn 6 points for East Hall.
Jaden Riley led Johnson (0-13, 0-5 Region 8-4A North) with 9 points.
East Hall next will travel to North Hall on Friday in another subregion contest.
NORTH HALL 80,
EAST FORSYTH 75
The Trojans moved into third place in Region 8-4A North, rallying for a huge road win on Tuesday.
North Hall (7-10, 3-2 Region 8-4A North) 33-31 at halftime and 52-51 heading into the fourth quarter. But behind Cole Hulsey, who poured in 17 of his 21 points in the second half, the Trojans outscored the Broncos (5-13, 3-3 Region 8-4A North) 29-23 in the final period to pull out the win.
Matt Ray had 19 points, and Andrew Bales had 12 points for North Hall.
Louis Koulouvaris paced East Forsyth, which has dropped three straight, with 20 points. Tyler Lesch added 15 points, Hunter Holbrook had 14, and Britian West 10 for the Broncos.
BUFORD 78,
MILL CREEK 58
Buford moved into first place all alone in Region 8-7A after taking a road win over the rival Hawks on Tuesday.
The Class 7A seventh-ranked Wolves (13-3, 2-0 Region 8-7A) got 20 points from Chase James Robinson and 19 from Brennan Wansley.
Mill Creek (8-9, 1-1 Region 8-7A) was led by John McIntyre with 18 points. Stephen Jackson added 16 points for the Hawks.
PICKENS 73,
WHITE COUNTY 55
The Dragons opened the game with a 24-7 run and then cruised to a Region 7-3A win over the Warriors on Tuesday.
Pickens (12-5, 3-1 Region 7-3A) pushed its lead to 40-19 by halftime and took a 58-35 lead into the fourth. White County (4-13, 0-4 Region 7-3A) outscored Pickens 20-15 in the final period but could get no closer.
David Boman and Noah Futch each paced White County with 15 points. Braxton Anderson added 8 points for the Warriors.
SCOREBOARD FOR Tuesday, Jan. 9
Buford 78, Mill Creek 58*
Cherokee Bluff 76, Chestatee 64*
East Hall 61, Johnson 21*
Gainesville 66, Apalachee 50*
Jasper County at East Jackson
Jefferson 72, Heritage-Conyers 45*
Lanier at Jackson County*
Loganville 68, Flowery Branch 49*
Lumpkin County at Dawson County* -- (moved to Jan. 10)
North Hall 80, East Forsyth 75*
Peachtree Academy at Lanier Christian Academy*
Pickens 73, White County 55*
Rabun County at Commerce* -- (CANCELED)
Shiloh 70, North Forsyth 45*
Towns County at Swain County (NC) -- (CANCELED)
Union County at Banks County* -- (moved to Jan. 23)
(* -- denotes region contest)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/1/1222208/boys-basketball-scoreboard-1-09-24