WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsDalton claims sub-region crown; Howard pulls even in 6-AA

Dalton holds off LaFayette to win sub-region title
DALTON, Ga. (WRCB) -- It wasn't easy, but Dalton managed to get the sweetest form of revenge on Tuesday night.

Not only did the Catamounts avenge their only sub-region loss with a 56-49 win over LaFayette, but they also won the outright 7A-AAA championship and the top seed for the upcoming region tournament in the process.

Dalton (18-6, 9-1), who lost at LaFayette 65-57 on the road last month, got 16 first-half points from Alex Bautista to open a 28-17 lead at the break. The Catamounts pushed the lead to as many as 14 points early in the second half, and still held a 12-point advantage with three minutes to play.

In the blink of an eye, Jordan Teems caught fire with eight quick points and the Ramblers (18-4, 8-2) mounted a furious rally to pull within a point at 50-49 with 1:12 to play.

Dalton finally secured with defensive stops on LaFayette's next two possessions. Tre Beck blocked Jarrod Beamon's shot with 33 seconds left, then the Catamounts stripped Teems on a drive to the basket. Dalton converted both turnovers into free throws at the other end to close out the victory.

Dalton's Tristen Harrell led all scorers with 17 points, including 11 in the second half. Beamon had 16 points to lead LaFayette.

The region tournament tips off next week at Murray County. Both teams will receive a first-round bye and need just one win to advance to the state tournament.

Howard rallies past East Ridge to pull even atop 6-AA standings
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- All season East Ridge managed to fend off the traditional powers in District 6-AA.

All that fighting is starting to catch up to the Pioneers.

After suffering their second district loss to Brainerd last week, the Pioneers saw Howard rally from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pick up a 57-53 win on Tuesday night.

The loss drops East Ridge into a three-way tie for first place with both Howard and Tyner. All three teams have three league losses with one left to play.

Eddie Hitchcock led all scorers with 19 points and single-handedly carried the Pioneers with 16 of them in the second half. His 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter gave East Ridge a 48-42 lead with 4:53 to play.

Howard answered with eight straight points, including a Rashad Brummitt jumper that gave the Hustlin' Tigers their first lead of the game at 49-48. Howard wouldn't trail again.

Greg Besley, who had nine points in the first half but just three free throws in the second, had a chance to push the Pioneers back in front with 16 seconds to play. With East Ridge down 54-53, his runner in the lane found the back of the iron and Howard turned the rebound into a pair of free throws at the other end.

The Hustlin' Tigers got a steal and another free throw off the Pioneers' next possession to seal the win.

Brummitt came off the bench to lead the Hustlin' Tigers with 14 points. Anthony Smith and Brandon Walters added 11 apiece.

GPS cruises past rival Baylor, 61-37
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- After surviving an upset bid from Baylor earlier this season, second-ranked Girls Prep made short work of its arch rival in the rematch with a 61-37 win on Tuesday night.

The Bruisers (20-1, 4-1) jumped out to a 17-2 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. GPS led by 16 at the break and pushed the advantage to nearly 30 in the second half.

Tory Kemp led three GPS players in double figures with 17 points. Briana Faris added 14 and Simone Busby chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Amber Howard led Baylor (15-11, 3-3) with 14 points, while Megan Ausdran finished with 13.

Other high school scores from Tuesday night:

Boys Basketball
Ooltewah 71, McMinn County 70
Grace Academy 65, CSAS 60
Walker Valley 53, Rhea County 43
Tyner 65, East Hamilton 58
Hamilton Heights 60, Cleveland 59
Bradley Central 82, Soddy-Daisy 44
Marion County 71, CCS 53
North Cobb Christian 61, McCallie 56
Ridgeland 80, Ringgold 59
Sonoraville 42, Calhoun 41
Dade County 109, Coahulla Creek 62
Murray County 53, Gilmer 48
North Murray 78, Chattooga 60

Girls Basketball
Howard 51, East Ridge 35
McMinn County 50, Ooltewah 49
Walker Valley 42, Rhea County 39
Cleveland 47, Hamilton Heights 29
Bradley Central 64, Soddy-Daisy 26
East Hamilton 46, Tyner 40
Red Bank 54, Hixson 24
Ringgold 45, Ridgeland 38
Sonoraville 51, Calhoun 50
Dalton 65, LaFayette 29
Bremen 39, Trion 23
Dade County 58, Coahulla Creek 19
Gilmer 55, Murray County 32
North Murray 64, Chattooga 58