Last Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, Etowah basketball competed in this year’s annual region tournament. The girls placed third overall, while the boys won their third region championship in a row, a three-peat.  

“It was everything we worked for the whole season paying off. It was special for all of us, especially our amazing senior group. They led us the whole way. Wouldn’t have wanted to win it with any other group of guys,” Will Garvey, junior, said.  

On Tuesday, the girls competed against Lassiter High School with a win of 43-24. This advanced them to the next round where they played Cherokee High School and lost 60-37. On Thursday Feb. 7, Cherokee advanced to the playoffs while Etowah competed against the Woodstock Wolverines where they won 48-45, awarding them third place in the overall tournament.  

“It had finally felt that all our perseverance and hard work throughout the entire season had been for a reason because we beat our rival when it really mattered the most,” Ally Zazzara, sophomore, said.  

On Thursday, the boys had a big win over Walton with a final score of 48-37, advancing them to the region championship game against Cherokee. The boys came out on top with a win of 44-39.  

“The atmosphere was crazy, and it felt great winning with all my boys,” Cole Ellis, sophomore, said.  

On Friday, seniors Alex Forde and Matthew Lane were awarded 2nd Team All Region, while senior Jaxon Etter was named Region 4-AAAAAAA Player of the year for the second year in a row. The three were given these awards right before the play-off game.  

“It was tough playing in the atmosphere at Cherokee, but our sixth man (Etowah students) was key to our win. Couldn’t have done it without their support,” Etter said.  

Etowah students packed the stands, all wearing jerseys to support the players. 

“I love going to the games to cheer on the boys and Coach D. Being able to yell and get into the other team’s heads makes it enjoyable and kind of helps us win #3Peat,” Cade Gantt, senior, said.  

The state tournament starts Friday Feb. 15. The boys will play at home against Campbell High School.