DASHER — Tiftarea Academy took half of a Friday varsity doubleheader at Georgia Christian. The Panthers outscored the Generals 30-19 in the second half for a 56-42 victory. The Lady Panthers couldn’t quite erase a nine-point deficit going into the fourth quarter and fell, 52-46 to their hosts.

Georgia Christian hit a three just before halftime to pull to 26-23. Tiftarea didn’t let it last.

Elijah Smith opened the third frame with a triple and Whit Jordan cleaned up the offensive glass for a 31-23 advantage. The Generals cut that to 36-32, but a Ben Smith steal and score, followed by his turnaround jumper got the Panthers going in the right direction.

Fletcher Walker had a put-back for a 10-point lead at 42-32. Elijah Smith had an old-fashioned three-point play with four seconds to go and the Tiftarea broke the game open at 46-32.

Tiftarea’s lead apexed at 16 points three times in the fourth, on baskets by Jack Brand, Andrew Connell and Elijah Smith.

The Panthers dug out of an early four-point deficit, going ahead on a trey by Ben Smith. Tiftarea lead 15-11 after a frame.

A second period rally by Georgia Christian gave them the lead back at 20-18, but when Caden Grier assisted a Connell three from his knees at 3:25, the visitors had the lead again at 21-20. They wouldn’t lose it again.

Elijah Smith scored 17 points to pace the Panthers. Connell was close behind with 16 points and Ben Smith scored 12.

GCS 52, LADY PANTHERS 46

Georgia Christian held a 41-32 lead through three quarters Friday, but had to battle to keep it after a Tiftarea rally in the fourth.

Makenna Graham started the fourth with a three-pointer. After the Lady Generals went ahead 44-35, Graham connected from deep again. Madi Shoultz scored at 5:03 to close the gap to 44-40.

Georgia Christian scored the next four points, but Tiftarea got two free throws from Kate Phillips and a bucket from Kate Coogle. At 1:40, it was down to four points at 48-44.

The teams traded scores, Phillips connecting on two from the stripe for a 50-46 game. Tiftarea tried to get the ball back, but Georgia Christian made an insurance shot with 12 seconds remaining.

Tiftarea held the lead after a frame, 11-9, with three points each from Coogle, Madi Shoultz and Maci Shoultz. Georgia Christian went ahead 22-16 in the second before Maci Shoultz hit a late three.

Graham made her first triple in the third. Coogle scored five, including three points when she was fouled on a made basket. Unfortunately, the Lady Generals were red hot, pulling away to 41-32.

Coogle had 14 points on the evening. Graham three shots from behind the arc gave her 9 points for the game. Phillips added 7.