Indians Advance to Region Semi-Final and State Playoffs

Jet Black scored 25 points and Nuri Winters added 20 to lead Stephens County to a 70-65 win over rival Franklin County Monday night in the first round of the region-8 AAA tournament at Monroe Area High School.

The Indians made seven 3-pointers in the first half and took a 40-30 lead into halftime. Stephens County would extend the lead to 15 points in the 2nd half, but the Lions roared back and cut the lead to four at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Lions, behind 27 points from Bentley Huff, cut the lead to one late in the game, but Black, Javin Gordon, and Semaji Walker made 8 of 10 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Zykemion Durham added three 3-pointers and 11 points for the Indians with all coming in the first half.

Mylan Roebuck had 18 points and DJ Appleby had 12 points for the Lions who finished the season with an overall record of 12-13.

The Indians improve to 10-14 and advance to the region semi-final Wednesday night when they face the top seed Hebron Christian at Currahee Arena at 8 PM. Airtime on WNEG will be 7:45 P.M.

The Indians also earn a spot in the AAA state playoffs next week.

Earlier in the day the Stephens County Lady Indians suffered a heartbreaking loss falling to Franklin County 57-56.

Franklin County’s Ta’Kiyah Merritt’s rebound and putback tied the score with 3 seconds remaining and her free throw sealed the Lady Lions victory.

The Lady Indians, behind torrid shooting behind the 3-point line, led throughout the contest and took a 16-point lead into the 4th quarter.

Franklin County rallied back behind a pressure defense and an attacking offense led by Takiaha Winkfield with 29 points and Emiyah Strange with 15.

Fayeth Ivester was outstanding for the Lady Indians knocking down seven 3-pointers and scoring 25 points. Carson Stowe added three 3-pointers and 11 points for the Lady Indians who finished the season with an overall record of 4-21.

It was the final game for the Indians lone senior A’Niya Mayweather who added 8 points in the game and great inside play throughout the season.

The Lady Lions advance to the region semi-final and will face top-seeded Hebron Christian at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday at Currahee Arena.

The Hart County girls also advanced on Monday night with a 56-28 win over Monroe Area and will face Oconee County at 3:30 P.M. on Wednesday and the Monroe Area boys advanced with a 70-46 win over Oconee County and will face Hart County at 5 P.M. on Wednesday at Currahee Arena.