Rickell Crutcher provided Hixson a spark to begin postseason play.
The Lady Wildcats senior was stellar in the second half of Tuesday's 41-29 home victory over Central in a District 6-AA play-in game. Crutcher scored 13 of her game-high 16 points, grabbed eight of her 10 rebounds and made three of her four 3-pointers all in the second half to help her team improve to 7-10 overall.
Hixson outscored Central, 10-2, in the third quarter and Anna Johnston added 10 points. Central was led by freshman Akiera Range's 10 points.
The Lady Wildcats will travel to face Red Bank in a quarterfinal matchup at 6 p.m. Thursday.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Region 7-AAAA at Heritage
Heritage 64, Central-Carroll 18: The Lady Generals (15-7) had little trouble advancing to the semifinal round and clinching a state playoff berth as Brooke Matherly had a game-high 20 points, followed by Dayonna Perryman with 14 and Gracie Murray with 10. Heritage will face Pickens Thursday at 7 at Northwest Whitfield.
The Region 6-A third-place and championship games were postponed Tuesday at Armuchee due to weather conditions. Trion will face Armuchee in the girls' title game at 7.
The Region 7-AA tournament at Chattooga was also postponed Tuesday. The schedule will resume with semifinals today, with third-place and championship games moving to Thursday.
Monday games
Region 6-AAA tournament at Sonoraville
LaFayette 58, North Murray 47: Mykeria Johnson scored eight of her 15 points in the final quarter as LaFayette (12-8) outscored North Murray 22-10 to advance to the quarterfinal round, where the Lady Ramblers will meet Ringgold Wednesday at 7:30. LaTyah Barber also scored 15 for the winners, with Savanna Hall adding 11, while Tenley Gladson and Ava Robinette led North Murray (7-18) with 18 and 13 points, respectively.
Adairsville 59, Murray County 56: The Lady Indians (9-10) were eliminated despite Ella Dotson's game-high 25 points.
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Boyd Buchanan 78, First Baptist Academy 48: The Buccaneers used a 26-8 advantage in the second quarter to win their Division II-A East Region quarterfinal matchup at home. Caden Johnson scored 17 points and had six steals while Ace Bailey scored 17 points. Boyd Buchanan (15-8) was also led by Jacob Shockley and John Craw, who each had 11 points while Luke Stum had seven assists.
Notre Dame 60, Concord Christian 45: The Fighting Irish improved to 18-7 overall as they jumped ahead early at home in the Division II-A East Region quarterfinals.
Baylor 70, CCS 26: The Red Raiders scored 26 points in the second quarter in which six different players hit multiple field goal attempts. Baylor was led by guards Troy Boynton and Al Peciulis who combined for all 24 points in the first half. CCS freshman Boo Carter finished with 12 points.
Region 7-AAAA tournament at Heritage
Heritage 68, Ridgeland 64: Heritage (15-8) eliminated pesky Ridgeland at Heritage as Caden Snyder led three players in double figures with 14 points. Cade Kiniry added 13, Kaden Swope 12 and Carson Palmer and Mitchell Kennedy eight each. Kennedy had six of his points in the third quarter when Heritage took control with a 14-17 advantage, with Swope also scoring six and Snyder five. Judd Anders and Chase Hickman led Ridgeland with 18 and 13 points, respectively.
Region 6-AAA tournament at Sonoraville
Ringgold 64, Coahulla Creek 59: The Tigers (4-20) continued their surprising late-season surge with their third consecutive win and will face Catoosa County rival Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in Thursday's quarterfinal round at 7:30. O'Reilly Matthews scored 24 points and Brevin Massengale 20 to lead Ringgold. The two combined for 14 points in the 2nd quarter when the Tigers took control with a 17-6 advantage, then added 13 more in the final stanza to seal the upset win. Will Locke topped Coahulla Creek (9-13) with 24 points.
North Murray 69, Rockmart 57: The Mountaineers (11-12) earned a quarterfinal berth as JaN'yious Ross continued his hot shooting with 23 points, followed by Ty Kendrick with 15 (eight in the final quarter), Seth Griffin with 11 and Michael McDade with 10. North Murray will face county rival Murray County Thursday at 6.