Two defending state champions, Upperman from Tennessee and Lumpkin County from Georgia, went head-to-head in a quarterfinal match Thursday night, and the Tennessee squad came out on top as the Bees from Baxter beat the Indians 60-45 to advance to the tourney semifinals on Friday.
Upperman put some distance between them and their opponent in the third quarter after a nip-and-buck battle throughout the first two periods. Upperman led by only a 31-29 margin at intermission. But they owned the third quarter, outscoring Lumpkin 18-5 to take control.
Jayla Cobb turned in a nifty effort for the winners, scoring 24 points, dishing out eight assists and coming up with seven steals. Taylor Dolente scored 15 and Abigail Johnson netted 14.
Lumpkin County’s Averie Jones was the game’s top scorer with 25 as she had four 3-pointers and hit 10-of-14 shots from the floor. Lexi Pierce added nine points.
The Indians will play in the 3 p.m. game Friday.
LUMPKIN COUNTY (45): Brooks 2-2 0-0 4, Averie Jones 10-14 1-1 25, Pierce 3-6 2-2 9, Mullinax 2-11 0-0 5, Jackson 1-4 0-0 2. TOTALS: 18-37 3-3 45.
UPPERMAN (60): Mullins 2-4 2-3 7, Stiles 0-1 0-0 0, Taylor Dolente 6-8 0-1 15, Jayla Cobb 8-13 7-7 24, Abigail Johnson 7-8 0-0 14.
3-Point Goals: LC—6 (Jones 4, Pierce, Mullinax). UHS—5 (Dolente 3, Mullins, Cobb).
| Scores by Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumpkin County | 18 | 11 | 5 | 11 – 45 |
| Upperman | 16 | 15 | 18 | 11 – 60 |
