Dawson Co. falls to Salem in state tournament
Dawson Co. Basketball, Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports, Tigers Basketball February 26, 2021
The Dawson Co. Tigers lost to the Salem Seminoles 64-41 in the second round of the 3A state tournament
Sophomore Jaden Gibson drives the lane.
on Friday night in Dawsonville. Dawson Co. was plagued by shooting woes, as they only hit three 3-pointers in the contest.
Senior Joakeim Celestin finished as the Tiger in double figures, scoring 10 points in the game. Senior Max Tierney was a point away from a double-double, finishing with nine points and 12 rebounds.
Only down 17-11 late in the first quarter, Dawson Co. allowed Salem to go on a 13-0 run that extended into the second quarter.
The Tigers fought back and cut it to 10 in the third quarter, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Dawson Co. finishes the season with a 22-8 record and as Region 7-3A champions.
Second-half defense guides Tigers to second round
Dawson Co. Basketball, Sports, Team FYN Sports, Tigers Basketball February 24, 2021
The Dawson Co. Tigers defeated the North Murray Mountaineers 56-35 on Tuesday night in Dawsonville. Down 25-22 at halftime, Dawson Co. stepped up on the defensive end, holding the Mountaineers to only 10 points in the second half.
Sophomore Jaden Gibson advances the ball up the floor.
Senior Max Tierney led the Tigers in scoring with 19 points and gathered 14 rebounds. Senior Jake Craft scored 14 points, and sophomore Jaden Gibson chipped in 11 points.
Dawson Co. struggled to hit their normal barrage of threes in the first half and trailed 25-22 because of it. To open the second half, Craft made sure things would be different. He hit a 3-pointer to open up an 8-0 run for the Tigers. Tierney scored 10 of his team-high 19 points in the third quarter.
Up six heading into the 4th, Dawson Co. stepped up and put the game away. Craft scored 9 points in the first 4 minutes, and the Tigers outscored North Murray 18-3 in the quarter.
Dawson Co. advances to the second round of the GHSA 3A state basketball tournament and will host the winner of Salem and Oconee Co. on Friday.
Tigers falls to Cherokee Bluff on the road
Dawson Co. Basketball, Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports, Tigers Basketball February 3, 2021
The Dawson Co. Tigers lost to the Cherokee Bluff Bears 76-63 on Tuesday night in Flowery Branch.
Senior Jake Craft drives into the lane.
The Bears applied full court pressure the entire game, forcing Dawson Co. to commit plenty of turnovers.
The Tigers were led in scoring by senior Jake Craft, who finished with 21 points. Sophomore Jaden Gibson added 15 points and 6 assists, and senior Tyler Lane recorded a double-double with exactly 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers finish out the regular season this Friday, as they travel to play at West Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Tigers run past North Hall for region victory
Dawson Co. Basketball, Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports, Tigers Basketball January 29, 2021
The Dawson Co. Tigers defeated the North Hall Trojans 67-50 on Friday night in Dawsonville. Dawson Co. created plenty of easy scores for themselves as they recorded 18 steals as a team.
Senior Jake Craft scored 15 points for the Tigers.
The Tigers were led by senior Joakeim Celestin, who scored 24 points and recorded 5 rebounds and 5 steals. Sophomore Jaden Gibson scored 15 points and had 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. Senior Jake Craft scored 15 points and recorded 4 steals.
The Tigers travel to play at Cherokee Bluff high school on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Craft’s 45 leads Tigers to win over Lumpkin Co.
Dawson Co. Basketball, Sports, Team FYN Sports, Tigers Basketball January 19, 2021
The Dawson Co. Tigers defeated the Lumpkin Co. Indians 96-73 on Tuesday night in Dawsonville. The teams combined for 29 three pointers in the game, with the Tigers hitting 16 of them.
Senior Joakeim Celestin looking to make a play against Lumpkin Co.
Dawson Co. had plenty of players have a big night for them. Senior Jake Craft was the star, scoring 45 points and hitting 7 threes. Senior Joakeim Celestin had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Senior Max Tierney recorded a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Sophomore Jaden Gibson recorded 17 assists, which was 3 assists shy of the Dawson Co. record.
For the Indians, junior Jones Harris led them in scoring with 26 points. Senior Chandler Pulley scored 23 points and hit 7 three pointers. Senior Gus Faulkner also had double digits with 15 points.
Gibson recorded 12 of his 17 assists in the first quarter, helping the Tigers to a 29-20 lead. Celestin scored 17 of his 25 points in the first.
Leading 68-53 at the end of the third, Dawson Co. scored 28 points to seal the game in the 4th.
The Tigers host the Pickens Dragons this Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Tigers fall to Alcovy 57-50 on senior night
Dawson Co. Basketball, Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports, Tigers Basketball December 5, 2020
Dawson Co. struggled to get their offense going early, as they trailed 25-13 at the end of the first quarter. Late in the second quarter, Craft hit three consecutive three-pointers to swing momentum in the Tigers’ favor. They trailed 37-29 at halftime.
Celestin opened up the second half with a dunk that began a 7-2 run to close the gap. The rest of the game remained intense and both teams played with plenty of energy. However, Dawson Co. wasn’t able to narrow the lead. They lost 57-50.
Senior Joakeim Celestin lays the ball up for the Tigers.
It was also senior night for Dawson Co.
The seniors recognized were:
Jake Craft
Joakeim Celestin
Max Tierney
Ty Whitmire
Tyler Lane
Dakohta Sonnichsen
Luke Smith
Dawson Co.’s next game will be Tuesday, as they host White Co. at 7:30 p.m.
New Tigers make statement in first game with Dawson Co.
Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports November 21, 2020
The Dawson Co. Tigers fell to the Creekview Grizzlies 72-70 in the first game of the 2020 Raider Classic Thanksgiving tournament at North Forsyth. Senior Jake Craft scored 32 points in his debut for the team, and fellow senior transfer Joakeim Celestin scored 15 points in his debut.
With three transfers, a new head coach, and no returning starters, this season’s Dawson Co. team looks very different from last season’s Region 7-3A championship team.
Senior Max Tierney rises up for the dunk.
You wouldn’t be able to tell it was the team’s first game together if you watched them play.
New head coach Todd Cottrell’s offense got off to a hot start, scoring 37 points in the first half. They were led by senior transfers Craft and Celestin scored 15 points and nine points. Senior Max Tierney also eight points in the first half, including an emphatic dunk that was a huge momentum swing for the Tigers. Unfortunately, the defensive energy didn’t match the offense, as they trailed 38-37 at halftime.
Both teams stayed hot offensively in the second half. However, it was Creekview that gained control of the momentum and the lead. Down six with eight seconds left in regulation, Craft was fouled on a three-point shot that he hit, which cut the lead to only two points. After the Grizzlies missed their free throw, the Tigers’ three point shot at the buzzer was no good. They lost the game 72-70.
Dawson Co. continues tournament play on Monday at 4 p.m. as they play Heritage Conyers high school.
Dawson Co. falls to Cedar Grove 72-69 in first round
Dawson Co. Basketball, Dawson County High School, Sports, Tigers Basketball February 15, 2020
The Dawson Co. Tigers fell to the Cedar Grove Saints in the first round of the 3A state playoffs on Friday night. The Tigers couldn’t get their shots to fall until the fourth quarter. They scored 38 in the final period, but fell just short.
Jasper Gibson pulling up for a jumpshot.
Jasper Gibson led Dawson Co. with 33 points, Campbell Reed had 13 points, and Mason Barnes had 11 points.
The Tigers started off the game with a 9-2 run, which was capped off with a 3-pointer from Gibson. The score from Gibson gave him 2,000 career points. The Saints fought back and led 12-11 at the end of the period.
The second quarter opened up with the teams trading scores, but the Saints ended the period on a 15-2 run to lead 33-20 at halftime.
Dawson Co. opened the second half strong with an 8-2 run, but Cedar Grove responded well again by finishing the quarter on a 13-3 run. They led 48-31 heading into the final period.
The Tigers outscored the Saints 38-24 in the fourth quarter, but fell just short. They hit five 3-pointers in the period, including one from Reed with one second left. The Tigers tried to steal the inbound on the following play, but had to foul and send the Saints to the line. They missed both free throws, but there wasn’t enough time to get a shot up. The Tigers lost the game 72-69.
Campbell Reed defends a Cedar Grove player.
Coach Eric Herrick was proud of his team’s season as a whole, despite the off night.
“We’ve had some of the highest of highs and tonight was the lowest of lows. Great year. You can’t take a region championship away from them. We had an off night when we couldn’t afford to have an off night.”
The loss ends the Tigers’ incredible season at 25-3. They were undefeated in Region 7-3A and won the region tournament.
Dawson Co. defeats GAC to win Region 7-3A Championship
Dawson Co. Basketball, Sports, Tigers Basketball February 11, 2020
The Dawson Co. Tigers (25-2, 12-0 Region 7-3A) defeated the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans (20-8, 9-3 Region 7-3A) 70-63 in overtime in the Region 7-3A championship on Monday night at East Hall. The Tigers scored the first seven points of overtime and held the lead to secure the win.
The Region 7-3A Co-Players of the Year Campbell Reed and Jasper Gibson had big games for the Tigers. Reed led Dawson Co. with 21 points, and Gibson scored 15. Mason Barnes, another Tiger on the All-Region team, scored 17 points and had eight rebounds, and Eli Burress had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
All-Region team selection Mason Barnes sets up a play against GAC in the Region 7-3A championship.
Dawson Co. used a big first quarter to gain an early lead. They outscored the Spartans 18-6 in the period to take control of the game.
The Tigers had another commanding stretch in the second quarter, this time a 7-0 run. However, GAC ended the half on a 9-0 run to only trail 30-22 at halftime.
The Spartans cut the lead to only three by scoring the first five points of the second half. Dawson Co. responded with an 8-0 run to get the lead back to double digits. GAC had another late run and finished the period on an 8-2 run as the Tigers only led 45-39 heading into the fourth quarter.
GAC scored the first six points of the fourth to tie the game at 45. A Spartan 3-pointer moments later gave them their first lead since 2-0 less than a minute into the game. Dawson Co. was able to regain the lead but lost it again on a pair of GAC free throws with a little over a minute left.
Reed hit a long 3-pointer with 1:06 left in the period to take a one point lead. A pair of free throws from Gibson after a stop on defense gave the Tigers a three point lead with 25 seconds remaining. Eight seconds later, the Spartans were headed to the line for three free throws, after a foul was called on Barnes. After GAC hit all three free throws, the Tigers had a shot to win the game in regulation. Gibson drove baseline and found Reed in the corner. His shot clanked off the side of the rim, and the teams were headed to overtime, tied at 58.
Region 7-3A Co-Player of the Year Campbell Reed drives the lane.
GAC won the tip-off in overtime, but Gibson stole the ball to gain possession for his team. Reed was able to score the first points of overtime after an offensive rebound from senior Brody Howell. On the following possession, Reed found Burress for an easy lay-up to give them a two possession lead. The Tiger defense held the Spartans scoreless for the first 2 minutes of overtime until they hit a free throw. Reed and Burress each scored four points in overtime to lead the Tigers to a second consecutive Region 7-3A championship.
Big third quarter gives Dawson Co. victory over North Hall
Dawson Co. Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 22, 2020
The Dawson Co. Tigers (20-2, 9-0 Region 7-3A) defeated the North Hall Trojans (15-8, 6-4 Region 7-3A) on Tuesday night 68-43. Playing on the road, the Tigers scored the first 11 points of the second half to take a commanding lead that helped them win the game. Jasper Gibson led the Tigers in scoring with 19 points, while Campbell Reed had 16 points, and Mason Barnes scored 10 points.
Jasper Gibson dribbles the ball up the floor.
The first quarter was a competitive one, with both teams trading scores. By the end of it, the Tigers held on to a narrow 11-9 lead.
Dawson Co. started getting things rolling the second quarter. They used a 9-0 run towards the end of the half to take a 31-20 lead into the break.
Brody Howell drives the ball to the basket.
The Tigers dominated the third quarter. They scored the first 11 points of the quarter to extend their lead past 20, and they never looked back. They led 52-30 at the end of the period.
The fourth quarter was more competitive than the previous, but the Tigers still extended their lead and walked away with a 68-43 victory.
The Tigers play again this Friday as they host Lumpkin Co. (8-14, 4-6 Region 7-3A) at 7:30 P.M.
Dawson Co. boys defeat GAC in defensive battle
Dawson Co. Basketball, Team FYN Sports, Tigers Basketball January 14, 2020
The Dawson Co. Tigers (18-2, 8-0 Region 7-3A) defeated the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans (12-6, 5-2 Region 7-3A) 57-39 at home on Tuesday night. The Tigers shrugged off the slow start offensively and scored 39 points in the second half to seal the win.
Four Tigers scored in double digits, with Eli Burress leading the way by scoring 16 points. Jasper Gibson scored 14 points, Mason Barnes scored 12 points, and Campbell Reed had 10 points.
Mason Barnes sizing up the defense.
The first quarter was one of the lowest scoring quarters for the Tigers all season. The Spartans worked hard to deny Gibson the ball, and it slowed the Tigers offense early. Dawson Co. lead 8-6 after the first quarter.
The game remained close and low-scoring in the second quarter. The Tigers finished the period on a 6-0 run to take an 18-12 lead into halftime.
Jasper Gibson driving into the lane.
The Tigers came out of the break scoring much better than the first half. They used a long 14-1 run in the middle of the quarter and lead 32-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
Both offenses were hot in the final period. The Tigers outscored the Spartans 25-19 in the final period and won the game 57-39.
Dawson Co. has another home game this Friday against Denmark at 8:30pm.
Dawson Co. Tigers throttle The King’s Academy 76-39
Dawson Co. Basketball, Dawson County High School, Team FYN Sports, Tigers Basketball December 14, 2019
The Dawson Co. Tigers (9-1, 3-0 Region 7-AAA) picked up right where they left off on Friday night. They defeated The King’s Academy Eagles 76-39 in the final game of the North Georgia High School Showcase on Saturday at Dawson Co. High School. Campbell Reed paced the Tigers’ scoring barrage with 16 points. Mason Barnes also scored 15, and Jasper Gibson scored 12.
Jasper Gibson at the free throw line.
The Tigers outscored the Eagles 15-2 in the first quarter, with the only points scored by the Eagles coming at the free throw line. The final nine points of the period were scored by the Tigers, the final points coming on assist from Jaden Gibson to his brother Jasper.
The second quarter was more even, as the Tigers only won the period 20-18. Scoring came in bunches for both teams, as Dawson Co. led 35-20 at halftime.
Dawson Co. started off the second half strong by scoring the first nine points of the third quarter. After the Eagles hit a 3-pointer, the Tigers went on another run, this time a 12-0 run. They headed into the final period leading 56-25.
The Tigers showed no signs of slowing down. Ty Whitmire scored all eight of his points in the game in the first minutes of the fourth quarter. His personal 8-0 run extended the lead to nearly 40. It stayed right around 40 for the rest of the game, as the Tigers won 76-39.
Mason Barnes looks to make a play.
Dawson Co. will play again next Tuesday at Lumpkin Co. High School at 7:30 P.M.
Tigers use defense to earn 68-36 win against North Hall
Dawson Co. Basketball, Dawson County High School, Team FYN Sports, Tigers Basketball December 14, 2019
The Dawson Co. boys basketball team defeated visiting North Hall 68-36 on Friday, Dec. 13. Jasper Gibson lead the way with 28 points, while Mason Barnes chipped in 17 for the Tigers.
Mason Barnes’ crossover shakes the defender.
The Tigers asserted their dominance on defense in the first quarter. They scored the first five points of the game quickly, while only allowing the Trojans to score five in the quarter. Both teams turned the ball over at a high rate, and the Tigers only managed to take an 11-5 lead at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter is when the Tiger offense got going. Both teams traded baskets to open the quarter, but Dawson Co. broke the game open with a 6-0 run that was followed by a 12-0 run. The second run started with Gibson hitting 3-of-4 free throws after a shooting foul and a technical foul. The run was capped off by Jasper Gibson hitting his brother Jaden Gibson for a 3-pointer late in the quarter. The Tigers took a 34-18 lead into the break.
At halftime, the Dawson Co. Lady Tigers coach Steve Sweat honored Marlie Townley as she collected her 500th career rebound in their win over North Hall.
Jasper Gibson shoots the technical free throw.
The third quarter started off the same way the second ended. The Trojans scored the first points of the half, but Dawson immediately responded with a 10-0 run to extend the lead. Late in the quarter, Jaden Gibson returned the favor by hitting his brother Jasper Gibson for one of his five made 3-pointers on the night. The Tigers led 50-24 by the time the quarter had ended.
The Tigers went on a 12-3 run to start the fourth quarter and seal the game. They also scored the final six points to win the game 68-36.
Dawson County returns to action tomorrow Saturday, Dec. 14, as they host to Clarke Central at 8 p.m.
Huge 4th quarter lifts Dawson County boys to victory over Creekview
Dawson County High School, Team FYN Sports November 23, 2019
The Dawson County boys defeated Creekview 70-59 in the first round of the North Forsyth Tip-off tournament on Saturday. They outscored the Grizzlies 28-11 in the fourth quarter, 13 of which came from Mason Barnes. Barnes had a game-high 23 points, and Jasper Gibson pitched in 17.
Mason Barnes shoots the contested three.
The Tigers came out of the first quarter with a lead, but the game was tight. They lead 18-17 after one. The second quarter was just as close, with the game being tied at 33 heading into halftime. Gibson lead the Tigers with 10 in the first half.
Dawson’s offense struggled in the third quarter, as they only scored nine points. They headed into the final quarter down 48-42.
Jasper Gibson finishes the tough lay-up.
The Tigers opened the quarter on an 8-2 run to tie the game quickly. The teams stayed close for a few minutes by trading scores. Dawson then broke the game open by scoring 15 of the last 18 points to take the victory.
The Dawson County boys will play Cherokee High School in the second round of the tournament on Monday at 5:30 P.M.
Dawson girls finish third in Raider Classic
Lady Tigers Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 28, 2019
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.
Senior point guard Sophia D’Olivira handles the ball for the Lady Tigers.
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.
Tigers defeat Flowery Branch on the road
Dawson County High School, Team FYN Sports November 20, 2019
The Dawson County Tigers boys basketball team headed over to Flowery Branch last night, Nov. 19, and came back to Dawsonville with a 55-36 victory.
The Tigers (2-0) dominated for much of the game on defense. Dawson County held the Falcons (1-3) to single-digit scoring in each of the first three quarters on the way to the nearly 20-point win.
Tigers coach Eric Herrick said it was a “good win” due to the team being without senior swingman Jasper Gibson.
Senior Eli Burruss led the way for the Tigers with a double-double. The 6-foot-5 forward scored 14 points and pulled down a team-high 18 rebounds. Burruss also added two steals for the Tigers in the win.
Junior point guard Mason Barnes scored a team-high 16 points, while adding five assists and three rebounds.
Campbell Reed, senior wing player, put up 13 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals.
Dawson County opened the game on a 20-8 run through the first quarter and never looked back en route to the big victory over the Falcons from Class AAAA.
The Tigers took a 27-12 lead into halftime after both teams struggled to put points on the board in the second quarter.
Flowery Branch tried to mount a comeback in the fourth. Trailing 46-16 at the start of the final frame, the Falcons put up 20 points as Herrick began pulling his starters to get backup players experience on the floor.
But a pair of dunks from junior center Max Tierney in the second half of the fourth put the game away for Dawson County.
The Tigers don’t take the court against until Saturday when the open play in the North Forsyth Thanksgiving Tournament.
Dawson County will face Creekview (1-0) from Class 6A beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at North Forsyth High in Cumming.
The Tigers will open play in Region 7-AAA on Dec. 3 when they welcome Fannin County to Dawsonville at 7:30 p.m.