Win: Rebels advance to Elite 8
Kolton Kaylor, Hudson Ethington and Keaton Watkins turned in double digit offensive performances to lead the Fannin County Rebels to a Sweet 16 playoff win, advancing the team to the Elite Eight.
The Rebels traveled into South Georgia to take on the Dublin High School Fighting Irish Saturday and came home with an impressive 74-53 win over their hosts.
Fannin boasts a 20-9 season record going into Elite Eight competition tonight, Wednesday, February 26, against Business Engineering and Science Tech (BEST). The Rebels will host the game starting at 6 p.m. in the FCHS gym.
First quarter action saw a slow start for the Rebels as their hosts sat atop a two-point, 13-11 lead at the buzzer. Four points from Watkins and three from Jack Sparks set the tone for Fannin.
Cannon Holloway stepped up in the second eight minutes with eight points, to lead a balanced 25 point second quarter for Fannin County. On the other end of the floor, the Rebels defense took charge, holding the Fighting Irish to 10 points.
The Rebels sat atop a comfortable 36-23 lead at halftime.
Fannin County did not let up when the second half starter, Kaylor scoring 11 points in a 22 point, eight minute span. Defense continued to rule for Fannin, holding Dublin to 12 third quarter points.
The end of the third saw the Rebels with a 23 point, 58-35 lead.
The final eight minutes returned to the pace of the opening stanza as Fannin tossed in 16 points led by five from Kaylor while Dublin scored 18.
The 74-53 decision vaulted the Rebels into the Elite Eight, marking the first time in school history.
Kaylor’s 11-point, third quarter anchored his 20 point effort. Ethington and Watkins followed with balanced attacks throughout the contest, Ethington scoring 16 and Watkins scoring 14. Adding points to the victory were Sparks and Holloway with eight points each, Matthew Ponton with four points, and Holden Eavenson and Brody Henson with two points apiece