The Dawson County Tigers win streak came to an end when they met East Hall for the third time this year.

The team was coming off what was their sixth consecutive win during the first round of the Region 7-AAA tournament over Union County.

The Tigers lost to the Vikings in the second round, 76-62 on Feb. 10.

Earlier in the season, Dawson County lost by one on the road to the Vikings and then got a win over East Hall at home. The third game of the series decided who would go to the region tourney championship game on Feb. 11.

The loss sent the Tigers to the consolation game against rivals Lumpkin County who they had beat in the two previous meetings this season. Dawson County lost to the Indians 74-65 at Union County.

"At the end of the day, we just didn't play outstanding either day," said Head Coach Chad Pittman about the two tournament losses.

"Friday we didn't shoot good," Pittman said. "We were 3-for-19 on threes and that's been our forte all year."

The losses leave the Tigers as the No. 4 seed in the region and bring the team's record to 14-13 overall and 7-5 (7-AAA).

The win over Union in the first round did put Dawson into the state tournament where they will face Pace Academy in the first round on Feb. 18.

"We did achieve one of our goals in getting to state," Pittman said.

The Tigers cruised to a 63-49 final over Union on Feb. 7.

The Panthers kept the game close early despite Ryan Gallenkamp hitting two 3-pointers and grabbing three rebounds all in the first quarter.

The teams were tied at 11 after one.

Several turnovers by the Tigers kept it close in the second period.

Campbell Reed had a beautiful bounce pass inside for an assist on Gallenkamp's bucket.

Cullen Reed drove to pick up the basket and one from the line before Union called for a time out in the second.

The Tigers had a thin 1-point lead at 21-20 during the break.

Out of half, Cullen Reed hit a three on the right side and Coey Watson drove for two to begin the separation.

Three turnovers later, Gallenkamp would work his way into the middle for 2 points and Jeremiah Crumley added a three from the top.

The Tigers extended the lead to 10 points after three periods and kept it going from there.

Just before and after a timeout with 5:53 to play Crumley drained another three and then put in two from the line.

Reed fed Gallenkamp who had a turnaround shot for 2 points down low with under 4 minutes to play.

In the East Hall matchup, the Tigers didn't shoot the way they have throughout the last several games and the Vikings came out highly motivated after the loss on the road to Dawson.

The Vikings went on to defeat Greater Atlanta Christian in the championship game on Feb. 11.

"We cut the lead to nine twice, but couldn't take the next step," Pittman said.

Against East Hall, Reed led all scorers with 27 points and Crumley had 17.

The Vikings outscored the Tigers 18-6 in the first quarter and although Dawson has had much success coming from behind this year, the team was not able to ever overtake East Hall.

At the half the Tigers were down 41-24.

In the third period, Reed hit a jumper and Gallenkamp added two after a timeout.

Kane Pelfrey added a basket on his own rebound and Reed scored on back-to-back possessions.

Watson picked up his fourth foul while still in the third, despite protests throughout the gymnasium. He would foul out with around three minutes to play.

After a pair of baskets from the Vikings, Crumley scored on the next two possessions and cut it to 61-50 before a timeout with 4:54 remaining.

Dawson turnovers hurt the effort on the next three trips down court and a Mahki Brown dunk for East Hall added to the frustration as the Vikings pulled away.

In the consolation game of the tournament, Lumpkin County shot exceptionally well on their way to their first win over the Tigers this year.

"They were 22-for-27 from the free throw line and had 10 threes," Pittman said. "You have to have somebody step up in the playoffs to step up to the next level. They made shots. They played well."
Dawson held a 17-14 lead after one quarter.

Things looked promising when Gallenkamp opened with a 3-pointer from the lower left side and then Cronan added his own from the same spot on the following offensive possession.

Crumley drained one from the opposite side and also scored down low off a Watson feed.

Region player of the year Zach Pulley hit a three at the buzzer of the first quarter in what would be a pattern of made shots for the Indians.

Out of the half, Crumley hit a three to regain the lead, but Pulley answered on the other end.

After three periods, Lumpkin had pulled out to a 7-point lead, 50-43.

Crumley had 23 points, followed by Cronan with 15 and Reed with 11.

Down the stretch, Crumley made two 3-pointers and the Tigers fouled, but the Indians were excellent from the line.

"I am proud of how we ended the season," Pittman said. "We played our best basketball. Maybe we ran out of steam. It is poor timing to not have our best games."

The Tigers now have the week to prepare for Pace Academy who boasts a starting lineup that includes the nation's top prospect Wendell Carter, Jr. who has committed to play for Duke next year.

"We have a tall task, no pun intended," Pittman said. "It'll be a tough go on Saturday, but we have a week to prepare."

Dawson County will travel to Pace Academy (21-8, 16-1) to play at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the first round of Class AAA state tournament.