Dawson girls finish third in Raider Classic

The Dawson Co. Lady Tigers proved they might just be worth that top-10 ranking over the Thanksgiving holiday, going 2-1 to finish third in the Raider Classic Thanksgiving Tournament at North Forsyth High in Cumming.

Dawson Co. (3-3) defeated Class 4A’s Madison Co., 69-55, on the opening day of the tournament Saturday, Nov. 23, to earn a place in the winner’s bracket beginning this week.

The Lady Tigers had plenty of trouble with Cherokee from Class 7A in the second round, but a lot of teams have had problems with the Lady Warriors, who went to the state semifinals last season as the Region 4-7A champion. Dawson fell in that game, 61-26, Monday, Nov. 25, setting up a game with Class 7A’s Brookwood in the third-place game.

The Lady Tigers were able to bounce back quickly from the disappointing loss and earn an impressive win, 69-60, to secure third-place and even their season record to 3-3.

Freshman Kirklyn Porter led the Lady Tigers with 17 points, including a pair of 3-pointers at the end of the third quarter to give Dawson a 13-point lead.

Senior Marlie Townley scored 14, junior Mariah Benson put up 13, and sophomore Maddie Anglin scored 12.

Senior point guard Sophia D’Oliveira, who committed to play Division-I basketball for Liberty University last week, scored nine points.

Sophomore Avery Herring rounded out the scoring for Dawson Co. with four points in the win.

Up next for the Lady Tigers is a home game against Fannin Co. (4-0) on Tuesday, Dec.3, to open play in Region 7-AAA.

Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.

This season, Dawson Co. returned the majority of last year’s team, which placed second in the region with a 9-3 record. The Lady Tigers went on to reach the quarterfinals of the Class AAA state tournament and finished with an overall record of 22-9.

To read about the Lady Tigers’ win against Madison Co. last Friday, Nov. 23, click here.