Last night, the Fannin Co. Rebels played an amazing game against the Southeast Whitfield Raiders to earn the 40-35 victory Tuesday, Nov. 29, in Blue Ridge.

Fannin trailed right behind Southeast Whitfield for the majority of the game. The Rebels never got farther than six points behind the Raiders. Anytime the Raiders would score, the Rebels would be right there to do the same. As Fannin was right behind their opponent, Kaden Twiggs turned things around and brought everyone to their feet as he tied the game 28-28 to end the third quarter.

The Raiders earned the ball from tipoff where they hustled to put the ball into action. It was a very fast paced game of back and forth as Southeast Whitfield was the first to score and extend their lead over the Rebels who refused to let it get any larger than six points. Landon Norton and Kaden Twiggs were the two who put the points on the board in the first quarter. Norton was the first to score a basket as he drove for a layup and shortly after that, followed up with a three point shot. The sophomore earned seven points for the night overall to add to the Rebel’s score. Twiggs also put a three point shot on the board for Fannin, but followed it with drives to the basket that resulted in him scoring nine points for the night. After a made 3-point shot, foul shots, and layups, the Raiders ended the first quarter with a 12-8 lead over the Rebels. 

Southeast Whitfield had great passes up the court to get ahead of Fannin’s offense and extend their lead. Starting point guard, Jordan Bennett, answered their call as he made a 3-point shot from above the wing to add to Fannin’s score. Senior Jerritt Holloway got after it on defense as he made a steal and ran it all the way back for a layup. Holloway got after it as he also added a 3-point shot and six made free throws to lead the Rebels in scoring for the night with 11 points. The Raiders continued to add to their score as they had steals of their own and great passes inside to their posts to put the score at 22-20 to go into halftime. 

Tucker Hanson made his presence known in the second half of the game as he proved to be an asset. While he had many great defensive plays, he also rebounded for Fannin and added a much needed nine points on the board. Bennett made a pass to Hanson to score a layup and put the score at 28-26. This set Twiggs up for the turning point of the game as he made a layup with 18 seconds left to tie the game 28-28.

Jerritt Holloway was the one to put Fannin ahead for the first time in the game as he pulled up for a shot and put the score at 30-28. The Raiders managed to tie the game back up with a shot from down low. Holloway kept fighting as he drove to the basket for a layup and drew a foul. The senior made both of his foul shots, putting Fannin ahead 32-30. On the very next play, the Raiders drew a foul and made both of their shots to tie the game 32-32. Hanson was the one to put Fannin ahead for good as he banked a three point shot and put Fannin ahead 35-32. Brady Martin continued the trend as he drew a foul and added one point to Fannin’s score from a foul shot. Holloway was the one to close out the game with his 100% made foul shots for the night. The senior was fouled two more times after Martin’s shot and made all four of his foul shots, leaving Fannin with a 40-35 victory over the Raiders.

Catch the Rebels next game Saturday as they participate in the Ellijay Tournament!