Pictured above are the 2017-2018 HCMS 8th graders. (Back row L-R): AJ Rogers, Evan Walls, Luke Bennett, Orrin Rowley, Klayden Kennedy, Isaiah O’Neal, Jameer Cook, Blake Baldwin, and Ty Smith (Middle L-R): Abigail Lathrop, Presley Henderson, Mykhia Echols, Chaple Butler, and Alora Cosper (Front L-R): Madyson Thornton, Shamiya Grady, Lydia Craven, Janiyah Strong, Ashley Zoretic, Emily Tisdale, Paris Henry, Raven Gamble, Beth Moreland, and Camille Gaskins.

(Franklin, GA) — Heard County Middle School celebrated its 8th grade basketball players and cheerleaders with a pregame ceremony Thursday at HCMS prior to the final regular season games versus Mount Zion.

The boys knocked off the Eagles 50-39. Top scorers were Isaiah O’Neal with 12, Jameer Cook with 11, Klayden Kennedy with seven, Ty Smith with seven, and Orrin Rowley with six.

The boys team coached by Marquise Rogers finish the regular season with and impressive 8-2 record heading into the playoffs Wednesday at Bowdon.

The squad will face a semifinal game on Wednesday and with a win would go on to defend their 2017 middle school title at Bowdon Thursday at 6:30 PM.

Following the completion of all division games Friday, the Braves, Bowdon, and Villa Rica are in a three way tie for first place meaning a coin flip will determine semifinal match-ups on Wednesday.

In girls action, Coach Melissa Cravens squad suffered a setback to the Eagles but also finished a strong regular season with a winning record for the first time in six years.

Abigail Lathrop led the team with 14 points in the game. The Lady Braves enter the tourney as the No. 3 seed and will face No. 2 Mount Zion again on Tuesday at 5:00 PM in Bowdon. With a win the Lady Braves would play for the title on Thursday at 5:00 in Bowdon.