Tensions were sky-high in a season-opener between host White County and Habersham Central. The Raiders won 87-57 in a game that was never in doubt, though it got heated so many times it was fair to wonder if it would be completed.

Eli Maye had a career-high 30 points, including 16 in the opening half as Habersham built a comfortable lead and cruised to the finish. Maye nailed back-to-back long-range shots to open the game, and had three triples as part of an 11-0 opening run.

The 3-point heavy Raiders led 27-9 at the end of the first. Blayne Gunter scored nine points to keep White County somewhat in contention, though he was the first player to get ejected as the game got chippy.

With Gunter out, Copper Adam took over the lead scoring role for the Warriors. Ultimately though, the game became a showcase for Maye and Micah Huff, the latter of whom scored 22 points.

White County trailed 41-24 at the break, as they outscored the Raiders 15-14 in the second. When the game got physical early in the third, the Warriors lost another key player in Steffen Doyal. Maye was later forced to leave the game after scoring his 30th point.

Maye and Huff combined for 52 points, and the Raiders scored nine 3-pointers in the blowout win. Sy Ward had 12 points, and Branson Smith added nine.

Lane Stanley had multiple shots from beyond the arc, and led the Warriors in scoring with 13 points. Adam had 10 points including the game’s lone dunk.