DALTON, Ga. -- Making the state basketball tournament is a rite of winter for some programs in the state of Georgia. For Southeast Whitfield, Monday's state-berth-clinching win at the Region 7-AAAA tournament was serious cause for celebration.
The Raiders had not advanced beyond the region level in 10 years. But on Monday Noah Ramsey went beast-mode and coach Jim Case's fifth-seeded team led from start to finish in a 64-43 win over fourth-seeded LaFayette.
Ramsey, the Raiders' junior post, scored 13 of his game-high 21 points in the opening period, and his success eventually opened the perimeter for guard Ty Pendley and wing Nathan Ensley, who combined for 30 points in the easier-than-expected win.
"It's awesome to get into the state tournament," said Case, whose team will play top-seeded Heritage in Friday's semifinals after the Generals eliminated Gilmer County, 70-44. "The guys have worked so hard to make it. Tonight we fed the beast, Noah Ramsey, and when teams collapse on him Ty and Nathan are usually open and he kicked it back to them several times.
"This game was won with defense. We've been trying to emphasize defense, and two or three games ago we fixed some mistakes we were making with our rotations and the guys have really bought into it."
Ramsey, an offensive lineman on the Southeast football team that ended a nearly three-decade-long playoff drought this past season, scored all but three of the Raiders' first 16 points with a variety of inside moves, including a pair of short hook shots. He ended his strong first period with a 3-pointer as Southeast built a 21-11 lead after one.
Pendley then took over, scoring 10 consecutive Raiders points in the second period as the lead grew to 13 by halftime. It was at 14 entering the final stanza before consecutive 3-pointers from Pendley and Ensley ended any potential drama.
There was plenty of drama in the early girls' game, when Heritage came from 16 down to get past host Southeast Whitfield, 54-45. The Lady Raiders led 25-16 at the break and had the Lady Generals on the ropes after a hot start to the third quarter. However, led by Jada Hubbard's nine points, Heritage put it all together in the final period to earn a state berth.
"The first five possessions of the second half they hit three 3-pointers, and that's all we talked about at halftime, stopping those shots," said Bryant, whose team will face top-seeded Gilmer County Friday after the Lady Bobcats defeated LaFayette 53-30 on Monday. "We backed out of our pressure and went into a triangle-and-two, which shut down their two outside shooters.
"We also started getting something working offensively, and you could see they got frustrated. Once we got the lead you could sense the girls could feel it."
Hubbard finished with 19 points, followed by Rachel Thomas with 14 and Tori Harvey with 12. Maddie Pearson hit six 3-pointers in leading Southeast with 22 points, Cricket Wyatt adding 12.
In the Heritage boys' easy win, the 23-3 Generals used six early points from region player of the year Jaylon Gaines to jump to a 20-4 lead on Gilmer County and roll on. Hunter Erickson hit four 3-pointers in getting a game-high 19 points, with Tyler Childers adding 11 and Gaines 10.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.