The Dawson County High School varsity boys’ basketball team finished runners-up in last week’s Tiger Tipoff Classic tournament at the high school after picking up a win in the opening round over Landmark Christian Academy.
The team sailed past the War Eagles with a 72–49 win on Nov. 19 and moved into the winner’s bracket to face the Cumberland Christian Academy Patriots on Nov. 20, where they lost in the championship game, 75– 64.
“(We had) way too many unforced turnovers,” said Head Coach Chad Pittman. “A lot of self-inflicted wounds.”
The game opened as an even battle with both teams playing fast and aggressive basketball. After the first period, the score was tied at 21.
During the second it appeared that the Tigers would pull away as seniors Luke Chism and Jasper Gibson began to find success on the outside. It was the only period when Dawson would outscore Cumberland and the Tigers took a 38–31 lead into half-time.
Chism would lead the Tigers in scoring with 25 points on the night.
Cumberland’s Mason Lowe proved unstoppable in the second half as he racked up 21 of his 24 points on the night and drove the Patriots to the buzzer to claim the championship.
It was a stark difference compared to the Nov. 19 game against Landmark Christian Academy when the Tigers, once again led by Chism, outscored the War Eagles in every period.
“We were hoping to open with a fast-paced game,” Pittman said. “They have some good players on film, but this is the first time we have played them.”
Eli Burruss, Campbell Reed and Trey Pruitt all contributed points to the board as the Tigers opened a first period lead 18–12.
Gibson began his run in the second period as he continued to come free on the 3-point line and the Tigers extended their lead to 31–23 at the half.
Chism broke loose in the third period, dropping four buckets and going 4 for 6 at the line to move the game out of reach for the War Eagles.
The team returns to action after the holiday break with a game against the Flowery Branch High School Falcons in Flowery Branch on Nov. 29.