Rowdy Rabun “Cats” Claw Rebels for Consecutive Region Crown

The Fannin County Lady Rebels were lambasted by the Rabun County Lady Wildcats in the Region 8AA Finals 59-46. The Lady Wildcats, playing in front of a raucous home crowd, jumped on the #1 Lady Rebels seed early, and never let Fannin in the game.The Lady Rebels seemed sluggish and slow all game after escaping with a two point (50-48) overtime victory over East Hall the previous night. Rabun never trailed throughout the contest. The closest margin of the night was a 5-4 Rabun lead early in the first quarter. The Lady Wildcats were throughout the game catching breaks like a “Beat Street” marathon.

The full court Lady Wildcats’ Press seemed to make the Lady Rebels allergic to the ball. Seven different Rabun players had a steal. Fannin was able to muster seven total first-quarter points. The home team finished 12 after a last second tip in by Bryleigh Bleckley who, along with teammate Robin Wright, finished with a team high 10 points.

Rabun became ravenous in the second quarter, increasing the lead to as many as 17 points, while holding the Rebels scoreless for the first 5:24 of the quarter. The Rebels couldn’t buy a shot on spring break with fake ID’s and purses full of cash. Conversely, the Lady Wildcats seemed to be shooting at hoola hoops. Fannin scored two points in the quarter, a pair of free throws from Kelsey Panter, and trailed 26-9 at halftime.

Fannin began the second half flat as the plains, while Rabun rolled continuously, despite having only two people score in double figures, Bleckley and Wright. Fannin’s Cherish Evans, who finished with a game high 14 points, was the Rebels only double digit scorer. Kaileigh Satterfield did pull down 11 rebounds.