For the first time since 1992, the Dawson County High School varsity girls' basketball team is one of the final eight teams remaining in the state tournament.
The Lady Tigers played in the third round of the tournament in three consecutive years from 1990-92.
The Lady Tigers played Decatur High School at home yesterday. Scores were not available as of press time.
The Lady Bulldogs were the Region 6-AAA runners-up to St. Pius and feature an outstanding guard in Jordan Dillard. Dillard will play at Villanova next season.
Coached by Bill Roberts, the Lady Bulldogs came into the game with a 23-7 record.
Dawson County reached the Elite Eight with an exciting 58-50 win over North Oconee Friday evening in Bogart.
The Lady Tigers trailed, 14-7, after one quarter of play. The game changed just before halftime with Dawson trailing, 25-24. Senior guard Hannah Porter got fouled on a three-point attempt. Porter converted all three free throws to give the Lady Tigers a 27-25 halftime lead.
Dawson County never trailed again in the ballgame.
The Lady Tigers outscored North Oconee 36-20 in the second and third quarters.
"Our press started to get to them in the second quarter," said Head Coach Steve Sweat.
Sophomore sensation Sheyenne Seabolt had a huge game. She scored 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Hannah Porter and Carly Gilreath also scored in double digits with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Ashley Parker added nine points with eight rebounds, Kacie Bearden had five points, Kenna Seitz scored four, Karlie Bearden had two points and Allie Costley scored one point in the win.
"I am so happy for these girls," said Sweat. "They have worked really hard for this. I think we had most of Dawsonville in Bogart, Ga. tonight. The crowd was great. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us."
Earlier in the week the Lady Tigers defeated Blessed Trinity, 68-54, in the first round of the state playoffs. That game was played in Dawsonville.
The Lady Titans scored the first basket to start the game before Dawson County went on a 10-0 run to take a 10-2 lead. Blessed Trinity couldn't handle the Lady Tiger pressure and continued to turn the ball over, giving up easy shots.
Sweat's team held a 28-14 halftime lead and didn't look back. The veteran coach was able to clear his bench in the fourth quarter.
"The girls were very excited to win and advance to the next round," Sweat said.
Seabolt led all scorers with 18 points and Gilreath added 17 points in the win.
Also scoring for Dawson County were Kacie Bearden with eight points, Seitz and Parker with seven points each, Costley scored six, Madison Shope added two, and Whitney Glover, Hannah Porter and Haley Burgess had one point each.
Going into last night's game the Lady Tigers had a 25-5 overall record.