The Raiders found themselves trailing through much of a Friday night home game against Central Gwinnett. However, a stellar third quarter and a fourth quarter spurt got #10-ranked Habersham Central (12-6; 5-2 in 8-AAAAAA) a 68-66 win over the Black Knights (5-14; 1-7).

Osmar Garcia’s 22 points led the Raiders, who have won 3 in a row. Habersham featured 4 players in double figures, and had contributions from 6 guys putting points on the board.

It was hardly easy though. The Raiders came out struggling to get shots to fall in the first, and fell behind 15-12. Garcia had 6 points in the quarter, but Hab Central trailed by 3 going into the second. The Raiders were outscored 19-18 in the second, but had some electrifying plays including a putback dunk by Malachi Dooley off a 3-point miss. Garcia also had a trifecta and another bucket in succession, and Mekhi Mawdesley hit a triple of his own while Bryce Pittman had a 3-point play. Still, Habersham trailed 34-30 at the break.

In the third, Garcia, who had some brilliant passes mixed in, found Brannon Gaines for a go-ahead bucket with 2:15 to go. Mawdesley hit a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 49-44, and the Raiders held a 49-46 lead going into the final 8 minutes. Habersham couldn’t ask for a better start in the opening 2 minutes of the fourth, as the boys went on a quick 9-0 run to seemingly put the game away at 58-46. Pittman nailed a clean 3-pointer to force a timeout. Central Gwinnett battled back in the closing minutes with some deep shots, including a triple at the horn to pull the score to 68-66.

Garcia had 22 points, while Dooley had 13, Mawdesley 12, Pittman 11, Gaines 8, and Cole Gary 2.

INSIDER: PLAY OF THE GAME & PLAYERS OF THE GAME