The Flowery Branch softball team swept Alexander 3-2 and 13-12 to advance to the second round for the first time in school history Wednesday night.

Game 2 ended on a walk-off triple by Chloe Zoeller in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Flowery Branch’s Mackenzie Harris pitched the first three innings as the starter. Winning pitcher Kara Kight pitched the final six innings.

Flowery Branch had 17 hits in Game 2.

Alana Collins was 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored, Bailey Sims was 2 for 2 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored and Kara Kight was 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs.

Flowery Branch pitcher Alyssa Kimbrell got the win in Game 1 giving up five hits.

Bailey Sims was 3 for 4 with three doubles, two RBIs and a run scored, Alana Collins was 1 for 2 with a run scored, Chloe Zoeller was 2 for 3 with a run scored and Maddie Hetzel was 1 for 3 with a double.

Flowery Branch plays the winner of Northside/Starr’s Mill next Wednesday.

BUFORD SWEEPS WOODWARD ACADEMY: The Lady Wolves advanced to the second round of the state tournament winning 18-0 and 13-0 at home Wednesday night.

Game 1 went three innings. Logan Caymol (6-1) was the winning pitcher.

Buford’s Drew Puckett went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and three runs scored, Samantha Thomas went 2 for 2 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored and Biz Walters went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

Game 2 went four innings. Peyton Wolfe (14-0) was the winning pitcher giving up one hit with three strikeouts.

Buford’s Thomas went 3 for 3 with a double, two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored, Shea Bayreuther went 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored and Baylee Sexton went 1 for 3 with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored.

Buford (24-6) hosts Thomas County Central next Wednesday.

BANKS COUNTY SPLITS WITH SONORAVILLE: The Lady Leopards won 3-2 and lost 4-0 Wednesday night in the first round of the state tournament.

Banks County’s Jaycie Brown went 3 for 3 in Game 1 with a double and a home run. Pitcher Mallory Parson gave up one earned run on eight hits with six strikeouts and a walk.

Banks County’s Kelyn Parson went 2 for 2 in Game 2. Mallory Parson, Taylor Speed and Taylor Parson also had hits.

Pitcher Jaycie Brown gave up one run as the starter. Mallory Parson came in to close.

Banks County plays Sonoraville in the decisive Game 3 Thursday at 5 p.m.

Volleyball

The West Hall volleyball team defeated A.R. Johnson 25-16, 24-26, 25-12, 25-18 in Augusta Wednesday night to advance to the second round of the state tournament for the first time in six years.

Region 7-AAA Player of the Year senior Mia Mckensey had 13 kills and 14 digs, junior Shelbie Conde had 11 aces, seven kills and eight digs and juniors Makayla Courson and Alli Busbee combined for 23 assists.

West Hall travels to Oconee County Tuesday.

EAST HALL DEFEATS GLENN HILLS: The Lady Vikings advanced to the second round of the state tournament with a 25-5, 25-4, 25-10 win Wednesday night.

East Hall’s Minette Maldonado had 12 kills, Savannah Thellman had 27 assists, Summer Lindsey had seven digs and Holly Poole had eight aces.

East Hall (35-13) hosts Jefferson Tuesday.

NORTH HALL DEFEATS GRADY: The Lady Trojans advanced to the second round of the state tournament with a 25-16, 25-18, 23-25, 25-12 win Wednesday night.

North Hall’s Lily Paschall had 32 assists, Makenzie Bryant had 11 digs, Autumn Tucker had 16 kills, Melissa DeVerter had 11 kills and Bly Belcher had nine kills.

North Hall plays the winner of Burke County/Ridgeland Tuesday.

JEFFERSON DEFEATS NORTH CLAYTON: The Lady Dragons advanced to the second round of the state tournament with a 25-6, 25-8, 25-16 win Wednesday night.

Jefferson’s Abby Wood had 14 aces and eight kills, Bre Arbanas had eight kills, Hannah Healan had four digs, Grace

Haney had 10 assists and Madison Corbett had 15 kills.

Jefferson (35-7) visits East Hall Tuesday.

Cross Country

The Lakeview girls cross country team earned first place at the Riverside Military Invitational Wednesday at Riverside Military Academy, with Kaitlin Hocker (22:18.9) winning the race.

Lakeview Academy had four runners place in the top five, including Jackie Allen (23:25.6), Maddy Towles (25:01.7) and Gracie Finley (25:08).

The Lakeview boys cross country team finished second overall at the meet. Hayes Kennedy won the overall race.

Kennedy clocked a time of 18:42.9 to lead three other teammates in the top 10.

Dhruy Gaur (19:37.1) finished fifth, Wright Allen (19:57.7) finished seventh, and Oliver Whitehead (20:38) finished ninth.

High school results may be reported by 10:30 p.m. by calling 770-718-3409, or emailing sports@gainesvilletimes.com. Results reported after deadline will appear in the following day's paper.