Top-ranked Dawson County is now 27-0 after Saturday night's nail-biting 51-45 win over East Hall to claim the 7-AAA championship at Franklin County in Carnesville

Head Coach Steve Sweat was heard commenting on the "so sweet" victory as he walked off the floor.

"I'm proud of our girls for fighting through a very physical game," he said. "It is tough playing East Hall for the third time this season. I'm very blessed to coach such a great group of young ladies."

This is Dawson County's first region championship since 1991.

It is the first time Dawson County has won 27 games in a season in the school's history.

Dawson County rode the scoring of Sheyenne Seabolt and Karlie Bearden who scored 19 and 14 points respectively in the win.

East Hall (17-10) spread the floor in the first quarter, trying to pull Dawson County out of a zone.

The Lady Vikings Chelsea Dale was on fire. She hit her first three pointers helping East Hall to a 12-7 first quarter lead.

Coach Justin Wheelers' team hit four three's in the quarter.

Coach Sweat adjusted his defense in the second quarter coming out of his zone and moving to a stingy man defense.

The strategy worked allowing East Hall only four points in the quarter and taking a 24-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Dawson County went on an 11-2 run to begin the second quarter.

Seabolt scored eight points in the quarter to lead Dawson County on offense.

Dawson County continued the defensive pressure in the second half and held East Hall to only 7 points in the quarter and a 37-23 lead.

The Lady Vikings refused to quit and came back to cut the lead to 40-35 with 3:18 left in the game.

Ashley Parker scored on two consecutive trips down the floor to move Dawson County back out to a 44-35 advantage. Parker finished with eight points for the evening.

Seabolt converted an old fashioned three-point play with just a minute left to seal the win. It was her only points of the fourth quarter due to foul trouble in a very physical contest.

Dawson converted 11-of-20 free throws for the game.

East Hall connected on 8-of-10 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Also scoring for Dawson County were Katelynn Simpson and Haley Burgess with five points each.

Dawson County advanced to the final round of the 7-AAA region championship with a 72-59 defeat of Franklin County in Carnesville.

Sweat's team held a 27-point lead, 61-34, going into the fourth quarter but saw the Lady Lions score 25-points to make the game interesting.

The Lady Tigers (15-11) surrendered 10 field goals in that quarter.

Franklin lost the consolation game to Banks County 57-51. Franklin County will now play Morgan County in the first round of state, while Banks County will play Jefferson.

With the win, Dawson County will open the Class AAA state tournament against Elbert County today. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.