A top-five marquee billing between Rabun County and Elbert County on a Friday night in Tiger was a great opportunity for the #3-ranked Lady Cats to claim a signature win. Rabun (17-1; 3-0 in 8-A DI) took control of Region 8-A DI with a 55-49 thrilling win over #4 Elbert County (16-4; 3-1) in a rematch of last year’s 2A State Championship game.

This time, Rabun took the win, moving its win streak to 9 in the process. The Lady Cats rolled out to a quick lead on a 9-2 opening run, highlighted by Trea Blalock’s 3-pointer. The senior had 8 points and 2 triples in the first quarter as Rabun held a 19-6 lead.

Both teams traded blows in the second, as Elbert used a 5-0 run to cut into the deficit before Ellie Southards connected from beyond the arc to end the scoring drought. Rabun was quickly up by 13. Southards and Blalock both had 11 first-half points, as the Lady Cats were up 31-18 at the break.

Lucy Hood and Southards both dialed long distance early in the third just moments apart, though Elbert stayed close with several buckets from Aaniyah Allen. The Lady Blue Devils outscored the Lady Cats 14-10 in the third to make it a 41-32 game going into the final period.

From there, it got a little too close for comfort. Rabun’s 9-point lead shrank to just 4 in the closing minute. The Lady Wildcats got big shots from Mili Watts on a dagger 3-pointer, though Elbert answered immediately. Terrace Hester splashed from downtown to make it a 4-point game with 42 seconds to go. Hood iced the game by hitting 7 free throws down the stretch.

Southards finished with 18 points, while Blalock had 13 and Hood 12. Watts closed with 5, and Mary Lovell and Chloe Erwine both had 2 apiece. Both Hester and Allen poured in 15 points apiece, Niya Moon had 14, Brenasia Faust 4, and Jameria Allen 2 for Elbert.