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Georgiana pulled away from a tight game early and defeated Florala, 81-55, in a 1A South Regional boys’ semi-final at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

The Wildcats ended the season with a 20-10 record. The Panthers improved to 25-3 and moved on to the regional finals for a matchup with McIntosh (25-4) on Monday, Feb. 19, at 4:45 p.m.

The two teams traded baskets in the opening period and forced four ties. Dalton Jackson scored six points during the stretch, and Rayshon Coleman had the other two. Kaveon Miles and Jacobie Morgan split four as the action was tied at 8-8 with 3:13 remaining in the frame. Jayden Bradberry gave Florala a 10-9 lead with a layup. Miles followed suit and gave Georgiana a lead it did not relinquish the rest of the way. Nasir Cheatham scored the next four points for a 15-10 edge. Coleman closed the deficit to three before Miles hit a three. Noah Nelson capped the period with a basket for a 20-12 lead after one.

Christian Greasham began the second with a pair of free throws. Nelson and Miles both hit threes as the lead swelled to 28-14. Coleman had back-to-back layups as the Wildcats trimmed the gap to 31-18 with 5:07 left in the first half. The shots kept falling for the other side who opened up a 38-18 lead on a dunk from Miles. Greasham had a layup, and Coleman sank a three at the 1:19 point. Jaden Stallworth had the last three points for the Panthers who took a 43-23 lead into halftime.

Jackson and Jonathan Neal each made jumpers in the early minutes of the second half. Coleman went one-of-two at the line and made the score 46-28. That was as close as Florala could get the remainder of the game. Morgan tallied nine more in the third, while Miles added six. Greasham contributed five off two layups and a free throw, but Georgiana increased its lead to 63-36 after three.

Noah Bryan began the final period with a three, and Greasham found the hoop again cutting the score to 64-41 with 6:57 left. Coleman and Bryan each scored baskets, but Georgiana continued to surge. Nelson had a tip-in for a 72-45 lead at the 4:39 mark. Neal and Coleman both came up with drives to the basket for two and brought Florala within 74-50. Coleman added five more points off a layup and a three-pointer that made the score 77-55. Marques Payton and Deandre Mobley ended the scoring with a basket each.

Coleman led the Wildcats with 23 points, and Greasham also finished in double digits with 12. Jackson earned nine followed by Bryan at five. Neal had four, and Bradberry rounded out the scoring with four.

The Panthers had three players finish with double figures and were led by Miles who had 29 points. Morgan and Nelson tallied 19 and 10, respectively.