Flowery Branch’s boys, with a score of 303, finished second to Habersham Central (294) in the Region 8-AAAA golf tournament on Monday at Double Oaks Golf Course in Commerce, clinching a state playoff berth for the first time in program history.
The Falcons were led by Sean McKnight, who shot a 73 to finish second overall individually, followed by Garhett Gentry (74), Kameron Williams (75) and Ryan Tewksbury (81).
Flowery Branch and Habersham Central will play in the Class AAAA state championship May 2 at Maple Ridge Golf Club in Columbus.
GAINESVILLE TOPS WHITE COUNTY: Carson Brown led the Red Elephants with a 76 and Jackson Bishop carded a 77 on Monday.
John Luna led White County with a 75. The Region 8-AAA championship is Thursday at Chattahoochee Golf Course.
Baseball
NORTH HALL 12, MONROE AREA 4: Hamilton Harper hit a two-run homer, Jesse Strickland was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Preston Graham earned the win from the mound for the Trojans at Jody Davis Field. Whit Bowen was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Chris Stevens was 2-for-2.
The Trojans (17-4, 16-3 8-AAA) next play at Chestatee 5:55 p.m. Wednesday.
WINDER-BARROW 11, FLOWERY BRANCH O (5 INNINGS): The Falcons (14-5, 10-4 8-AAAA) managed just two singles from Logan Conley and Drew Miles. David Morris took the loss.
Flowery Branch hosts Madison County Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
STEPHENS COUNTY 8, CHESTATEE 0: The War Eagles only managed five hits Monday in Toccoa. Chestatee hosts North Hall at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday.
WALNUT GROVE 16, JOHNSON 14: Trae Wilson hit a three-run home run, and Taylor Whitmire went 3-for-3, but the Knights lost a close one Monday in Oakwood. A.J. Benefield took the loss, while added a double and a single from the plate. Johnson visits Gainesville at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday.
Soccer
CHESTATEE BOYS 2, WEST HALL 1 (PK): John Hatch kicked the game-winning goal during the 11th set of sudden death penalty kicks and keeper Michael Herrin had five saves is the PK round as Chestatee kept its postseason hopes alive with a win over West Hall in Area 8-AAA play on Monday night in Gainesville.
With the win, the War Eagles (11-6, 7-4 8-AAA) also eliminated the Spartans (10-4-1, 7-4) from playoff contention.
Diego Sanchez scored 14 minutes into the game for Chestatee to give the War Eagles a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Marco Rebollar. West Hall tied the game in the 73rd minute to send the game to overtime.
Chestatee will need a win against White County tonight at home (5:30 p.m.) and for Oconee County to lose to North Hall to earn a playoff spot.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL GIRLS 9, CHESTATEE 1: The Lady Raiders scored seven goals in the second half to pull away from the Lady War Eagles on Monday in Clarksville. Alexis Rebollar scored the lone goal for Chestatee (13-4), which visits White County at 5:30 p.m. today. The winner of the game will qualify for a spot in the state tournament.
Track
NORTH HALL BOYS PLACE FOURTH IN JEFFERSON RELAYS (SATURDAY): Led by a first-place finish from the team of Brandon Lawson, Witt Nix, Nate Simon and Cody Barger in the distance medley relay, the Trojans placed fourth on Saturday in Jefferson.
NORTH HALL GIRLS PLACE FIFTH IN JEFFERSON RELAYS (SATURDAY): Gabrielle Hoffman placed first in the pole vault and third in the 100-meter hurdles to lead the Lady Trojans on Saturday in Jefferson.
High school results may be reported by 10:30 p.m. by calling 770-718-3406, or emailing sports@gainesvilletimes.com. Results reported after deadline will appear in the following day’s paper.