A slow first quarter gave way to an explosive second in which Lumpkin County secured the Kelly King Classic Championship in a 49-32 win over Jefferson Thursday night in Dahlonega. The Lady Indians (13-1; 4-0 in 7-AAA) and Lady Dragons (12-2; 2-1 in 8-AAAA) both were ranked #1 in the state in their respective classifications, and Lumpkin used a 20-4 second quarter run to glide past Jefferson.

Averie Jones’ game-high 18 points led all scorers, as she drained 5 3-pointers in the process. Both teams used only 5 players in point contributions, as Lumpkin’s starters remained in virtually the entire game.

Jefferson took a slim 8-5 lead after one quarter, as Tylia Brown’s 3-pointer was the difference early on. In the first, the sharp-shooting Lady Indians were unable to convert a single bucket from deep. Things changed in the second, as Lumpkin quickly used a 7-0 run, including a key triple by Jones. She had 2 more later in the half, while Mary Mullinax hit from outside as well to push the Lady Indians’ lead up to 23-11.

It was part of a 20-4 second quarter that had Lumpkin up 25-12 going into the break. Another quick run to open the second half got Lumpkin County up 33-14 for a game-high 19-point lead. Jefferson pulled within 12 points in the fourth quarter before Jones had a pair of quick 3-pointers to put to bed any ideas of a comeback.

Jones had a game-high 18 points, while Kate Jackson had 11 and Mullinax 9 for the Lady Indians. Ava Jones and Lexi Pierce had 6 and 5 points, respectively. The Lady Dragons were led by Brown with 10 points. Jyesha Butts and Ellie Kinlaw had 6 apiece, and both Natalia Bolden and Delaney Dewitt had 5 points each.

INSIDER: PLAY OF THE GAME & PLAYERS OF THE GAME