CLASS AAAA Flowery Branch hit 8-of-10 free throws in overtime to pull away from Jefferson Saturday night in a 47-42 win.
Conversely, Jefferson hit just 1-of-6 free throw attempts in the extra period as it missed a chance to beat the Lady Falcons a second time this season.
“I was really proud of our kids for battling,” coach Jason Gibson said. “It was one of those nights where we always seemed to be on the wrong side of the bounce. We were kind of shooting ourselves in the foot most of the night. We missed a lot of free throws."
The Lady Dragons won the first matchup back in December during the Lanierland Christmas Tournament.
Skylar Evanson overcame a slow start to finish with 13 points. Kellie Goza added 12, and Sarah Wood chipped in 10, including a bucket with a minute left that tied the game at 37 and forced overtime. Jefferson had trailed by 10 at one point in the fourth quarter.
“I felt like our kids never really lost their composure, never really got frustrated,” Gibson said. “That’s a positive thing.”
But Jefferson missed five of six free throws in the overtime period — and 16 total on the night — as it trailed 43-40 with 32 seconds remaining. With the chance to tie the contest with a three-pointer, the Lady Dragons were whistled for an offensive foul.
Flowery Branch sank four consecutive free throws to ice the win.
“We like this kind of game at this point in time in the season, because it’s one of those games where you can challenge your kids,” Gibson said.
