The Tigers basketball team dropped a 69-56 decision to Hart County last Thursday in Hartwell. With the loss Dawson ended its season with a 16-9 record.
Head Coach Thad Burgess will also bid farewell to seniors Kaleb Holbrook, Jacob Evans, Levi Wilson, Tyler King, Stephen Johnson and Ethan Brown.
“Our group of seniors have been part of three state playoff teams, and have had more success than any other senior class at Dawson County High School,” Burgess said. “It’s going to be tough to replace them.”
Dawson had qualified for the state playoffs for four consecutive years.
In the first round of the Region 8-AA tournament Dawson defeated East Jackson 61-42 behind Jacob Evan’s 20 point and 13 rebound effort.
The Tigers dominated the game from the opening tip-off to take a 16-4 first quarter lead.
East Jackson fought back in the second quarter to trim the Tigers lead to 25-21 at halftime.
The Tigers pulled away in the third quarter and outscored East Jackson, 20-9, for a commanding 45-30 lead. The Tigers never looked back and cruised to a 19-point win.
Sophomore Tyler Dominy had a big night offensively for his team. He poured in 19 points from his point guard position.
“We handled their pressure, shot the ball well, and out rebounded them 36-10. Our last three games may have been the best we have played all season,” Burgess said.
Also scoring for Dawson were: Levi Wilson - 7 points; Stephen Johnson - 6 points, Gunnar Armstrong - 2 points and Tyler King - 2 points.
On Thursday, Hart County used its quickness and athletic ability to give the Tigers trouble.
Hart dominated on the offensive end of the court. The team scored 20 points in the first quarter and added another 19 points in the second to take a 39-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Dawson fought back in the third quarter behind the shooting of Evans and Dominy to outscore the Bulldogs, 19-8, to trim the lead to 47-39.
Both teams traded baskets in the final quarter.
The Bulldogs eventually pulled away to take the win and move on to the state AA playoffs.
“We fell behind 10-0 and just couldn’t hit some wide open shots,” Burgess said. “We had to play catch up the entire night. Our kids didn’t quit and I’m proud of them for that.
“I was extremely proud of how we finished out the year. Although we will have some rebuilding with the losses, we have a big group of successful young guys that will step right in. We will spend the offseason getting quicker, bigger and continue to work on ball skills. We will be more of a pressing defensive team, and run more of a motion-type of offense to better suit this group. Our basketball program has a bright future the next several years,” he added.
Scoring against Hart were: Jacob Evans - 19 points, Tyler Dominy - 14 points, Jonathan Sanderson - 10 points, Stephen Johnson - 7 points, Levi Wilson - 2 points, Tyler King - 2 points and Will Anglin - 2 points.