Region 7 Tournament Action

The Region 7 basketball tournament kicked off tonight at Warren County High School. Aquinas and Monticello got the night off to an exciting start with a game that wasn't decided literally until the final second.

Aquinas scored first to start the game. Monticello quickly struck back however and took a lead that they would not easily relinquish. Monticello led at the end of the 1st quarter by a score of 13-9. Aquinas fought off a quick and relentless defense by Monticello as they were able to keep the score within three at the half by a score of 21-18.

Monticello looked like they were going to put the game out of reach in the third quarter as the Hurricanes went up by a score of 40-32 at the end of the third. Aquinas showed they had plenty of fight, however, as they battled back to tie the score at 57 all with less than 20 seconds to go. The Irish were able to stop Monticello on their last possession and bring the ball down the court with one last chance for the win to avoid overtime. With time running out, the Lady Irish found an opening down low and scored with an easy lay-up with the horn sounding just as the ball went through the rim.

Up next: Hancock vs. Twiggs

Region 7 playoff action continued with the first boy's game of the night pitting Hancock against Twiggs County. The Bulldogs of Hancock were vieing for their third win this season against the Cobras from Twiggs.

Just as in the opening game of the night, both teams kept their fans on their feet with plenty to chear about throughout the game. The end of the first saw the Cobras down by four. Twiggs County outscored Hancock by three in the 2nd, however, and the first half ended with Twiggs down by one at 26-25.

The game remained close in the third quarter. Twiggs never let the lead grow to more than four at any point in the period. Twiggs actually took the lead with less than two minutes to go in the third period, but Hancock battled back to reclaim the lead 39-35 at the end of the third.

Both teams saved the bulk of their exciting action for the fourth. With six minutes to go, the score was all tied up at 41-41. The lead went back and forth when, with 1:56 to go in the game, Hancock hit a free throw to take the lead for good. Twiggs had a chance to tie the game with a three pointer with less than 20 seconds, but the shot fell just short and Hancock escaped with the win by a score of 52-49

Warren County Vs. Hancock (Girls)

Tight, close, well-played basketball seems to be the goal of every Region 7 team tonight, and all are sticking to their game plans. The third game of the evening pitted the Lady Devils of Warren County against the Lady Bulldogs of Hancock. This game proved to be just as exciting as the first two.

The first quarter was a defensive struggle. The two teams combined for only 10 points in the entire 1st period. Hancock held a slim 6-4 lead to start the second period. The first half of the second was almost identical to the first period. Both teams played exceptional defense and rebounded well. Neither team was able to put together back-to-back points. With 4:11 to go in the half, Hancock led 9-7.

Both offenses came alive to end the 1st half, however. Warren County held a 5 point lead with time running out when Hancock came back to tie the score at 17-17 as the buzzer sounded to end the half.

Warren County played the Bulldogs tough throughout the second half. In the end, it was the depth and experience for Hancock that meant the difference as Hancock defeated a young Warren County team by a score of 39-33.

Warren County vs. Wilkinson County

The final game of the evening saw the Screaming Devils of Warren County take on the Warriors of Wilkinson County. Many Hancock and Twiggs County fans stuck around for the final game of the evening to see exactly who they would play the next day. The added fans contributed to a high energy atmosphere for the final game of the night.

Warren County seemed to surprise everyone in attendance by jumping out to an early lead in the first quarter. Led by seniors Tommy Seals and C.J. Williams, it looked as if the Devils may surprise the Warriors in the early going. Seals drained two three pointers on his way to 11 first quarter points and Williams added a three pointer of his own plus several rebounds to put Warren County on top early.

The Devil's lead was not to last, however, as Wilco insured that they always had fresh legs on the court by substituting five at a time. Wilkinson took the lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. It was apparent by the end of the first half that the Warrior depth and quickness were going to be too much for the Devils to overcome. Wilkinson never let up through the second half and used a relentless press to win by a final of 82-59.

Saturday Night's Match-ups:

Warren County vs. Monticello (Girls)
Aquinas vs. Hancock (Girls)
Warren County vs. Twiggs (Boys)
Hancock vs. Wilkinson (Boys)

**Not sure of what order they will play, but the first game starts at 4:00.