By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
GAYLESVILLE – The Cherokee County Warriors have been no strangers to playing close basketball games this season. Of their nine games heading into Saturday’s Cherokee Invitational game against Southside at Gaylesville, four have been decided by six points or less. The Warriors lost each of those contests, including one against rival Piedmont in triple overtime.
Cherokee County found itself in another close contest on Saturday, but this time, they found a way to win.
Daniel Neyman hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter which gave the Warriors a one-point lead. That momentum carried into the fourth quarter, which found Cherokee County tied with Southside at 46 at the end of regulation to force overtime.
The Warriors managed to capture the lead in the extra session and hold on for 51-48 victory.
“It turned out to be a huge shot,” Cherokee County coach Caleb Hays said of Neyman’s 3-point buzzer heave. “That’s kind of how basketball goes. It kept us smiling going in instead of at the end of the quarter going in frustrated because they hit a shot. That was a big energy play. I wish I could say I drew it up and had it all planned out.”
The game was tight throughout. The two teams were tied at 9 at the end of the first quarter. Cherokee County managed to hold a one-point advantage at halftime 24-23, and thanks to Neyman’s trey, a 38-37 edge heading into the fourth.
Owen Jacoway led the Warriors with 15 points. Tatum Perry tallied 13 points. Keyshawn Woods tossed in 12 points, and Alex Rogers finished with six points.
Jackson Klein topped Southside with 14 points, including a pair of treys. Drew Clark connected on three 3-pointers and had 13 points. Luke Clark contributed seven points, including two 3-pointers. Carson McGraw finished with five points.
“We knew Southside was going to be a tough team, especially defensively,” Hays said. “We’ve been in those situations all year. We keep talking about how to find a way to win them instead of finding a way to lose them, or do something that hurts us in the long run. Luckily for us we’ve been in enough situations that we’ve learned a lot of lessons. Even though the scoring wasn’t extremely high, the decision making tonight was much, much better than the games where we haven’t had as much success at the end of the game.”
Saks 59, Spring Garden 52
GAYLESVILLE – Jayden Culpepper scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Saks Wildcats to a 59-52 victory over Spring Garden in the Cherokee Invitational at Gaylesville on Saturday.
Damarian Adams added 14 points and Gavin Bellamy tossed in 11 for the Wildcats.
Brady Ruark led the Panthers (2-6) with 13 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Zane Edwards and Erik Rule both added 12 points. Brody Bostick finished with eight points.
Saks took an 18-14 advantage at the end of the first quarter and held a 31-26 edge at halftime. Spring Garden rallied to tie the game at 43 after three quarters, but the Wildcats pulled away late in the fourth for the final.
Cedar Bluff 71, Ohatchee 37
GAYLESVILLE – Shon Gleen tossed in a game-high 21 points to lead the Cedar Bluff Tigers to a 71-37 rout of Ohatchee in the Cherokee Invitational at Gaylesville on Saturday.
Kuper Bradley and Zyrese Wynn both delivered 11 points for the Tigers (10-5). Keondre Wynn scored eight points. Daylen Dobbins finished with six points on a pair of 3-pointers.
Hunter Hughes led the Indians with 11 points. Chris West netted nine points and Coleman Fowler finished with eight points
Cedar Bluff held a 22-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter, then went on a 22-4 run in the second to blow the game open at halftime 44-17. The Tigers took a 61-27 lead into the fourth quarter.
Sand Rock 48, Chattooga (Ga.) 37
GAYLESVILLE – Will Cleere posted 24 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Sand Rock Wildcats past the Chattooga Indians 48-37 in the Cherokee Invitational at Gaylesville on Saturday.
Wyatt Miller managed seven points, six rebounds, an assist and a block. Jonas Browder delivered six points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Elijah Hood had six points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
DJ Etchison topped the Indians with 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Koi Dodd had six points and Brock Cooper finished with five points.
Sand Rock led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter and built a 24-15 edge at halftime. The Wildcats held a 38-23 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
