John Bynum
news@dawsonadvertiser.com
When the Lady Vikings tried to stall the game, the Dawson County girls basketball squad held steady in the Region Tournament.
Seventh-seed East Hall (9-16) tried to take the Lady Tigers (23-5) out of their comfort zone by forcing a low-scoring game against the Dawson squad that came into the game scoring 60 points per contest.
The result was a low-scoring affair, but the number-two seed Lady Tigers remained in control to earn a 19-15 victory and secure a spot in the Class AAA State Playoffs.
After grabbing a 12-5 lead, Dawson, which is ranked No. 9 in the state in Class AAA, saw their opponent score just three points in the third quarter.
With a 19-8 lead late in the fourth, the Lady Tigers didnt get rattled by the Lady Vikings attempt to claw their way back, holding on for the victory.
Senior Allie Costley finished with six points to lead Dawson in its lowest offensive output of the season.
Sophomore Sheyenne Seabolt had five points, while Carly Gilreath and Karlie Bearden finished with four points each.
In the Semifinal game of the Region 7-AAA Tournament, Dawson battled sixth-seed Fannin County (8-17) in a game played at North Hall High School.
Gilreath came up huge for the Lady Tigers with a team-high 26 points as Dawson used a 22-8 run in the second quarter to build a 33-16 lead by halftime.
Seabolt had an effective night on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with her 13 points.
Costley and Ashley Parker pulled down six rebounds each, while Karlie Bearden and Kacie Bearden finished with five points apiece for the Dawson squad that went on to take the 56-38 win.
The victory set up a rematch with the No. 1 ranked team in the State in AAA, Buford, in the Region Finals.
Although the Lady Wolves pulled ahead in the early minutes 22-13, Dawson fought back to nearly tie the game, 30-27, at halftime.
With senior guard Hannah Porter hitting five three-pointers to lead the team with 15 points the Lady Tigers trailed just 39-37 with one quarter to play.
But Dawson couldnt pull ahead and saw the Lady Wolves hit late free-throws to escape with a 60-52 win.
Also in double-figures for Dawson were Gilreath with 13 points and Parker with 10 points and seven rebounds.
At press-time the Lady Tigers were set to host Blessed Trinity (6-AAA) Feb. 19 in the first round of the State Playoffs.
Its playoff time for the Dawson County varsity boys basketball squad.
This evening the Tigers will travel to College Park, where they will take on Woodward Academy in the State Tournament.
Dawson head coach Thad Burgess said you never know what could happen when the postseason reaches this point. [Im] proud of our boys for putting themselves in position throughout the year to have the opportunity to go back to the playoffs.
Ranked No. 6 in the state, the War Eagles are from Region 6-AAA and have amassed a 22-5 record on the season.
After the third-seeded Tigers (21-7) earned the right to play in the State Playoffs with a 42-30 win over sixth-seeded White County in the Region Tournament, No. 1 ranked Buford knocked off Dawson 56-30 in the Semifinals.
Then fourth-seeded East Hall held off Dawson 58-42 in the Tournament, the first time this season the Vikings had defeated the Tigers.
Tonights tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Woodward Academy.