With 20 local teams making the playoffs, 13 were alive for the Sweet 16. Then just 7 for the Elite 8. Here are the results from this round. Lumpkin and Rabun’s girls both advanced, while Tallulah Falls girls and Jefferson boys fell all on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, Jefferson fell by one and Commerce girls won in OT to join in the Final Four action.

FULL BRACKETS

GIRLS

#1 Lumpkin County Lady Indians 49, #1 Cross Creek 37

The Lady Indians are back in the Final Four for a second straight season after a convincing 49-37 win over Cross Creek on the road. Averie Jones had 11 points (3 3-pointers) in the third quarter to push Lumpkin out in front after they trailed by 2 at the break. This was the revenge win as Lumpkin fell to Cross Creek in the Final Four at home last year on a buzzer-beater. This was a #1-versus-#2. Jones had over 25 points in the win, as Lumpkin moves on.

#2 Pickens 51, #1 Jefferson Lady Dragons 50

The Lady Dragons were denied their Final Four ticket with an exhilarating 51-50 loss against Pickens. Jefferson held the lead in every quarter going into the fourth, but Pickens stormed back to claim the win.

#1 Rabun County Lady Wildcats 73, #2 Chattooga 34

Rabun County moves on to the Final Four with a big 73-34 win over Chattooga. Sophie Woodard had 25 points, Gracie Deetz added 22, and Carley Haban had 10. The game was never close, as it was 26-11 after one, 36-20 at the break, and 61-30 after the third.

#3 Galloway 55, #1 Tallulah Falls Lady Indians 43

The Lady Indians dropped a 55-43 game against #5-ranked Galloway. TFS led throughout most of the first half, going up by as many as 8 points before a 19-2 run in the third proved to be too much to overcome. Denika Lightbourne had 21 points and Veronaye Charlton had 13 in the loss, which ends Tallulah Falls’ season.

#2 Commerce Lady Tigers 37, #3 Pelham 34

The Lady Tigers won an overtime thriller, 37-34, to advance to a second straight Final Four!

BOYS

#1 Westover 63, #1 Jefferson Dragons 55

Jefferson dropped a 63-55 final against Westover to end their season in the quarterfinals, as they trailed 21-10 after one and 37-19 at the break. A big third quarter pulled them back into the game, and the Dragons did outscore Westover 36-26 in the second half. Kadin Bailey had 12 points, while Riley Holliman, Dalen Gales, and JT Fulkrod all had 11 points each.

#1 Manchester 64, #2 Towns County Indians 45

The run ends for the defending state champion Towns County Indians, who fell 64-45 in the Elite 8.