There’s only one team still playing ball across Northeast Georgia…and that honor belongs to the Dawson County Tigers. The boys play against Hart County in Savannah on Saturday, with the chance to punch a ticket to the GHSA 3A State Title game.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

The Tigers gelled fairly quickly this season with new transfers Luke Chism, Jasper Gibson, Ahmad Kamara, and Eli Burruss. Chad Pittman’s team peaked at the perfect time, and now have 11 straight wins dating back to January 3.

Despite dropping both region games against #1-ranked GAC, the defending state champs, the Tigers showed how third time is a charm with a crushing blow in the Region 7-AAA Championship game win over the Spartans. The first two rounds of the state playoffs had the Tigers on cruise control, outscoring opponents by 56 total points. That changed in a quarterfinals win over Cinderella-story Franklin County, who held a large lead on multiple occasions before Dawson stormed back for the win. The Tigers are in the Final Four for the first time in school history.

RECORD: 27-4
REGION: Regular Season Runner-Up & Tournament Champions!
RND 1: W 58-27 vs Ringgold
SWEET 16: W 62-40 vs #3 Westminster
ELITE 8: W 60-58 vs At-Large Franklin Co

FINAL FOUR PREVIEW

Dawson (27-4) has won 11 straight, and take on Hart County, a #3-seed team who also is having a bit of a Cinderella run, winning two road playoff games. The Tigers average 72 points per contest against just 52 allowed. That’s as great as it gets with balance on a team. Luke Chism (19.5 pts, 9.0 reb) and Jasper Gibson (19.0 pts, 5.0 ast) lead the attack.

Hart County (23-7) has only recently gotten hot, winning four straight including three playoff games and the consolation 8-AAA game to claim the third seed. The Bulldogs average just over 60 points per game, while allowing about 54. The #4-ranked Hart County team is led by sophomore Shone Webb and senior Rex McCord.