Lady Rebels score 52-36 win in Sweet 16
Becca Ledford owned the lane in the third quarter as the Fannin County Lady Rebels defeated the Washington County Lady Golden Hawks 52-36 to advance to the Elite Eight in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) AA Girls State Basketball Championships.
Ledford scored nine third quarter points, Reagan York hit from behind the arch and was 3-for-4 from the free throw line, and Ava Queen hit a three as the Lady Rebels outscored the visitors 18-13 in the third eight minutes last Friday, February 25, in Blue Ridge.
This set the stage for Fannin’s victory as Ellie Cook scored four fourth quarter points, Courtney Davis pounded away at the Lady Hawks’ basket defense and scored three points, Ledford added another three and Reigan O’Neal and York had two apiece.
But it was the Fannin ladies’ defense and tenacious rebounding that brought the game home, the Lady Rebels holding the visitors to a mere four points in the last eight minutes.
Fannin outscored the Lady Hawks 32-17 in the second half, a big difference from the opening two periods.
Washington County opened the game with a full court press, and the Lady Rebels couldn’t seem to buy a basket in the early going.
Then, Cook hit for two points and swished a long three on the Lady Rebels’ next trip down the court, giving Fannin a 5-0 lead with three-and-a-half minutes gone in the game.
The Lady Hawks struck back with five quick points of their own to tie the score at 5-5 within a minute.
It was a battle between the Lady Hawks and Davis for another minute and some change. Davis drove the lane and was fouled, hitting the second of two free throws to put Fannin up 6-5. After Washington County took the lead at 8-6, Davis drained a three to give the Lady Rebels a 9-8 lead.
With the clock ticking well under a minute, the visitors went ahead 10-9 and added a free throw to go ahead 11-9 at the buzzer.
The Lady Rebels reversed that advantage in the second quarter by outscoring their opponents 11-8.
Trailing 12-9 with two minutes gone, York grabbed a rebound and scored two points on a perfect put back.
The Lady Hawks added another free throw before Ledford drove the lane and tied the score at 13-13.
The visitors went up 15-13, then it was Davis’ turn to take the ball to the hoop, and the game was tied again.
York stepped up and put Fannin ahead 17-15. Another tie and Davis again pounded the ball inside on Washington’s defense to put the Lady Rebels ahead 19-17 with 2:23 to go in the half. Davis picked up a free throw the next time down the court when she was fouled driving inside. Fannin held on for a 20-19 halftime lead.
Washington County scored the first second half points to go ahead 21-20, but it was the last time the Lady Hawks would lead as the Lady Rebel offensive show began.
Ledford put Fannin County ahead 22-21, and York bumped that up to 25-21 with a long three pointer.
Ledford pounded away at the inside, scoring six straight points to give Fannin a 31-24 lead halfway through the period. York hit a free throw, then Queen stepped to the head of the arch for a long three to give Fannin a ten-point, 34-24 lead.
Washington County cut the margin to 34-28, then York hit both ends of a one-and-one to give Fannin a 36-28 advantage.
Fannin’s final points of the period came when Ledford again out foxed the Lady Hawks’ defense in the paint. The Lady Rebels led 38-32 going into the last eight minutes.
Cook stepped up and swished a three to put Fannin up 41-32. Davis took the ball home down the lane, and Fannin was ahead 43-32. After a score by the visitors, it was Ledford’s turn again, and the Lady Rebels continued to be in command 45-34. Cook hit a free throw and O’Neal added two points as the Lady Rebels’ lead climbed to 14 at 48-34.
But, it had been a ball attacking defense that had paved the way as Davis, Cook, O’Neal, Ledford, Queen, York and Jenna Young were all over their opponents on both ends of the court.
Davis and York would add the Lady Rebels’ final points in the 52-36 victory.
Ledford led Fannin’s scoring with 14 followed by Davis and York with 12 points each.
The win earned the Lady Rebels a spot in the Elite Eight shootout against Josey High School March 1.
FCHS 9 11 18 14 - 52
JHS 11 8 13 14 - 36
Lady Rebel summary:
Points: Ledford 14, Davis 12, York 12, Cook 9, Queen 3, O’Neal 2.
Free throws: Davis 3-8, Cook 1-2, Ledford 2-6, York 5-7.