GAYLESVILLE – Cooper Austin came out firing in the first quarter of Spring Garden’s Cherokee Basketball Invitational game against Chattooga, Ga., on Monday at Gaylesville.

Austin netted 15 of his 19 points in the first quarter, including three 3-pointers in the Panthers’ 53-44 victory.

Weston Kirk and Chaz Pope both posted nine points for the Panthers. Andrew Floyd added seven points, including a pair of treys. Ryley Kirk also canned a pair of 3-pointers for six points.

Jaylon Johnson led the Indians with 13 points. Cash Allen tossed in nine points. L.A. Riley contributed eight points. Damien Smith had seven points. Brody Mobbs finished with five points.

Behind Austin’s hot start, Spring Garden built an 18-3 advantage. Chattooga cut the Panther lead to 28-19 at halftime. The Panthers led 45-31 after three quarters.

Spring Garden plays Sand Rock at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Chattooga clashes with Cedar Bluff at 5 p.m.

Sand Rock 76, Cherokee County 49

GAYLESVILLE – Garyn Sharpe and Jacob St. Clair both scored 24 points to lead the Sand Rock Wildcats to a 76-49 victory over the Cherokee County Warriors on Monday night.

Sharpe connected on a pair of 3-pointers while St. Clair sank four treys in the win. Kaden Justice rang for 17 points. Cade Ballenger finished with nine points.

The Warriors, who were without head coach Caleb Hays due to COVID-19 quarantine and guided by assistant coach Will Smith, were led by Nas Diamond’s 10 points. Cade Hopper connected on a pair of treys and had eight points. Slade Alexander and Connor Elrod scored seven points apiece. Malachi Horton had six points and Jaden Wilson finished with five points.

The two teams were tied at 20 at the end of the first quarter. Sand Rock took a 40-35 advantage at halftime, but then the Wildcats went on a 30-7 run in the third to blow the game open.

Sand Rock battles Spring Garden at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The Warriors take on Collinsville at 4 p.m.

Collinsville 50, Gaylesville 34

GAYLESVILLE – Colton Wills sank four 3-pointers and finished with 30 points to lead the Collinsville Panthers to a 50-34 victory over Gaylesville.

Luke Henderson added six points for the Panthers. Deon Winsley finished with five points.
Jacob Gordon topped Gaylesville’s scorers with 12 points. Keylon Higgins had 10 points and DJ Lee finished with eight points.

Collinsville claimed a 14-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter and upped its lead to 26-10 at halftime. The Panthers led 41-26 at the end of the third quarter.

Collinsville faces Cherokee County on Tuesday at 4 p.m.