Boyd Buchanan's boys' basketball team could have laid down early in the season and given up hope. Or even lost faith.
However, with a warrior mentality the Buccaneers fought back from devastation and adversity to make the most of their season which ended one win away from a third straight trip to the Division II-A state tournament Tuesday.
Lakeway Christian sophomore guard Shajai Jackson was electric, scoring his team's first 11 points on the way to a game-high 28 points to lead his team to a 46-42 region quarterfinals road victory.
Boyd Buchanan (15-12) fought through tragedy as several players lost family members and loved ones this past year, and the team fought through a tough 5-8 start in which star point guard Caden Johnson was also lost to injury.
"I am really proud of this team," Boyd Buchanan coach Josh Templeton said. "One game doesn't take away the resilience those guys have and how tough they were this season. They stuck together when things were crashing down around them and they pushed through together."
Fight was shown again by Templeton's group Tuesday as Lakeway Christian led 44-34 with 2:50 left to play in regulation.
A 7-0 run was started as Johnson made a right baseline jumper which was followed by two free throws by Ryan Lopez. Senior guard Carter Wamack then drilled a 3-pointer with 47 seconds left to make it a one score game.
"Carter stepped up huge for us," Templeton said. "He has been a glue guy on our team and has had a great career here. I hate to see it end for our six seniors. I love those guys so much and we will miss them."
Boyd Buchanan defenders forced a key turnover seconds later and Lopez battled on the ground for a huge offensive rebound to give his team a chance to tie or win the game with 30 seconds left to play.
The late push fell just short as two jump balls off baseline inbounds plays led to Lakeway Christian (18-7) getting possession and putting the final touches on the win. Jackson provided a Steph Curry-like performance making five 3-pointers and draining tough pull-up shots all night.
Junior Jacob Shockley was stellar scoring 18 points for the Bucs.
> Baylor 62, Chattanooga Christian 24: The Red Raiders exploded for 24 points in the third quarter as Al Peciulis, Cam Sparks and Zane Restelli sparked the visitors out of the halftime break. Baylor's defense locked down after allowing 13 points in the first quarter. Peciulis led all with 17 points while Nyziah Whaley added 12 points in the victory.
Region 7-AAAA tournament at Northwest Whitfield
> Northwest Whitfield 76, Ridgeland 51: The Bruins (22-3) reached the semifinals and secured a state playoff berth as Peyton Baker scored a game-high 32 points, with Will Anderson adding 14. Judd Anderson led Ridgeland with 15 points.
> Pickens 62, Heritage 46: Luke Rogers had 17 points and Kadyn Hampton 16 to lead Pickens into the semifinals. Kaleb Gallman and Ty Loveless led Heritage with 18 and 13 points, respectively.
> Southeast Whitfield 54, Cedartown 50: Cal Rich had a game-high 22 points to lead the 12-14 Raiders into the semifinals, with Matthew Brock adding 13.
> Region 6-AAA tournament at LaFayette
Ringgold 60, Coahulla Creek 49
> Region 7-AA tournament quarterfinals at Chattooga
Coosa 58, Gordon Central 37
GIRLS RESULTS
> Region 5-AAAAAA tournament quarterfinals at Alexander
Dalton 59, South Paulding 23
> Region 7-AA tournament quarterfinals at Chattooga
Model 41, Dade County 35
> Region 6-A tournament championship at Armuchee
Mt. Zion 50, Trion 45
BASEBALL
> Northwest Whitfield 12, LaFayette 2: Keaton McQuaig was 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored while also earning the pitching win with zero earned runs in five innings. Fischer Lloyd had two hits, three runs scored and an RBI, with Austin Cooley adding two RBIs for the 1-1 Bruins. Kadin Smith had two hits for the Ramblers.
> Trion 3, Dade County 0: Brandon Dover allowed one hit and struck out 10 in five innings while also going 2-for-3 with two runs scored for the 1-0 Bulldogs, who also received a two-run double from Nate Willingham.
> Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 13, Southeast Whitfield 0: Donnie Brown and Dylan Blankenship combined for a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and Will Carroll was 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for the 1-0 Warriors.