Just when the Dawson County Lady Tigers varsity basketball team needed a win it got one. Not just any win, but a win over a quality opponent and Region 8-AA foe East Hall.
Allie Costley proved to be the hero for Dawson with a lay-up with 10.3 seconds left to give the Lady Tigers a 42-41 win on Friday.
Lady Viking standout guard Jasmine Jenkins’ 3-pointer at the buzzer was blocked by Morgan Huber and the celebration started for the Lady Tigers.
“It was a great feeling to get our first sub-region win tonight,” said Head Coach Steve Sweat. “This was a sleepless week for me after Tuesday’s loss at Banks [County]. Our players really deserved this win after so many close ballgames this season.”
Dawson trailed at the end of one quarter, 20-14, in a back and forth offensive display.
Lady Tiger Morgan Bennett ignited the comeback after hitting a long 3-pointer just before half-time. The basket cut East Hall’s lead to 4 points, 25-21.
The Lady Tigers went on an offensive spurt in the third quarter to take a 38-34 lead after outscoring Coach Joey Rider’s Lady Vikings, 17-9.
In a very exciting final quarter, the Lady Tigers held a 6-point lead with six minutes remaining. East Hall didn’t quit and took a one point lead on a lay-up by Lady Viking Morgan Jackson, 41-40, with 45 seconds to play.
Dawson almost turned the ball over at half court during its next possession. After a mad scramble for the loose ball, Costley was wide open under the basket for the game-winning shot.
“I hope this helps our girls realize we can win,” Sweat said.
Costley led the Lady Tigers in scoring with 12 points. Carly Gilreath added 9 points, Jessi Phillips and Kenna Seitz each had 6 points, Morgan Huber scored 4, Morgan Bennett contributed 3 points and Kimberly Wallace had 2 points.
Dawson is currently 10-9 overall and 1-5 in the sub-region. East Hall fell to 9-8 and 2-3 in region play.
Tuesday was a different story for the Lady Tigers. Dawson led by as many as 8 points in the first half, but came away with a 63-55 loss at Banks County.
The Lady Leopards outscored Dawson 18-8 in the third quarter to take their first lead at 38-36 as the buzzer sounded.
Lady Tiger Kacie Bearden came alive in the final quarter and hit three, 3-point shots but it wasn’t enough as Banks outscored Dawson 25-19 in the quarter to get the region win.
“We just couldn’t score in the third quarter. It was very disappointing for us to give away a lead and just go cold,” Sweat said.
Scoring for Dawson were: Carly Gilreath-13 points, Allie Costley-11 points, Kacie Bearden-9 points, Kimberly Wallace-6 points, Jessi Phillips-4 points, Morgan Bennett-3 points, Natalie Parker-3 points, Hannah Porter-3 points, Kenna Seitz-2 points and Morgan Huber-1 point.
The Lady Tigers will play at home this Friday against a very good Rabun County team.
Next Tuesday the team will travel to Blairsville for a game with Union County. Both are important region games.
Friday’s game will tip-off at 7 p.m and Tuesday’s game will begin at 6 p.m.