Indian Boys Move Into “Sweet 16”

The Stephens County Indians, behind tenacious full court pressure and the deadly three-point shooting of senior NuNu Walker, rolled to an impressive 74-38 win over Heritage of Catoosa in the 1st round of the AAAA Boys State Basketball playoffs at the Currahee Arena on Saturday night.

The Indians trailed 13-11 at the end of the 1st quarter but held the Generals scoreless until the last minute of the half and led 32-17 at halftime.

Heritage scored the first 6 points of the third quarter to cut the Indians lead to 9, but Stephens County went on a 24-4 run and closed out the third quarter with a commanding 29-point lead.

Walker led the Indians in scoring with 24 points that included 5-three pointers, 4 of which came in the third quarter.

No other Indian was in double figures, but AJ Curry, Malik Feaster, and Montavious Thornton all scored nine points, and Ty Nails and Deundra Singleton added eight apiece in the balanced attack.

With the win, the Indians advance to the round of 16 when they will be on the road at undefeated and 28-0 Upson-Lee in Thomaston, Georgia on Thursday night. Upson-Lee defeated North Clayton 74-50 Saturday night.

In other State Playoff games involving Region-8 AAAA teams, St. Pius advanced defeating Ridgeland 81-50, but North Oconee fell to Lafayette, and Madison County lost at NW Whitfield. Franklin County and Hart County also lost their opening round games in the opening round of the AAA state playoffs.
In Girls’ State Playoff action, Region 8-AAAA teams Jefferson, North Oconee, and Madison County all advanced. In other girls’ state playoff games involving area teams Franklin County lost by one to Ringgold, but Hart County and Rabun County won to advance in their respective brackets.