State tournament: Turner Co., Whitefield Academy advance in Class A

Boys: Turner County 71, Athens Christian 50: Tray Pearce had 24 points, eight in the decisive fourth quarter, as Turner County pulled away from Athens Christian in the first semifinal.

The Rebels, who also got 14 points from Ternell Davis and 12 from sophomore big man Breon Dixon, led just 47-44 early in the fourth quarter, but a 14-2 run effectively put the upset-minded Eagles away. Turner County improved to 30-1 and won its 28th consecutive game. The Rebels’ lone loss came on Dec. 6.

Raymond Higgs led Athens Christian (28-3) with 17 points.

Whitefield Academy turned a one-point halftime deficit into an 87-63 victory against Wilcox County in a Class A boys semifinal. Brandon Reed had 30 points and Kennard Backman added 21 for the Wolfpack, who trailed 33-32 at halftime but took control in the third quarter, thanks to Reed’s 13 points. Whitefield Academy (25-6), the 2003 state champion, extended its winning streak to 16 games. Wilcox County finished 25-8.