Lady Indians Super Season Ends

The 2019-2020 basketball season ended for the Stephens County Lady Indians in Elijay on Friday night.

The Gilmer Lady Cats outscored the Lady Indians 25-13 in the 4th quarter for a 65-56 victory over Stephens County in the 1st round of the AAAA state playoffs.

The Lady Indians trailed by as many as 10 points in the 1st half, but rallied to take a 33-32 lead into halftime.

Stephens County led by as many as 8 points in the 3rd quarter, but Gilmer cut the lead to 3 at the end of the 3rd quarter and finished with the decisive 4th quarter.

The Lady Indians were led by Kiki Howard and NaNa Eades with 17 points each, and Renajah Verdell added 11.

Gilmer was led by Emma Callihan with 24 points, and 14 each from Elly Callihan and Bailey Teague.

Gilmer improves to 18-7 and will now travel to face Luella.

Stephens County closes out on an incredible season. The Lady Indians had just 5 wins last year, but finished this season at 21-7 and first place in the Region-8 regular season.

Coach Laura Baker’s Indians should have a great nucleus returning next year when they move to Region-8 AAA. The Lady Indians had just one senior on this year’s team-Mari McNeal.

Two other Region-8 girls teams advanced in state tournament play as St. Pius defeated Lafayette 63-58, and Oconee County beat Pickens County 67-49. Madison County fell at Northwest Whitfield 52-46.

In AAA, Ringgold downed Hart County 68-53.

In AA, Banks County defeated South Atlanta 56-53, and Rabun County fell to Douglass of Atlanta 44-42.

In 6-A tournament play Sprayberry defeated Habersham Central 63-48.

On the boys side, Region-8 fared well with St. Pius, North Oconee, and Madison County all picking up 1st round wins.

In AAA, both Franklin County and Hart County advanced. The Lions defeated Calhoun 65-63, and the Bulldogs won at Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe 53-31.

In AA, Banks County advanced defeating Washington 71-45.