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Bears rally past Pope, roll 67-48 to reach Sweet Sixteen

The Houston County High School boys basketball team opened its postseason with an impressive performance in the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs, defeating the Pope High School Greyhounds 67-48 in the first round.

The game began as a back-and-forth battle, with Pope jumping out to a 17-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and extending its advantage to 24-14 early in the second. Trailing 26-18, Houston County shifted momentum with an 11-0 run that grew into a 15-2 surge, giving the Bears a 29-26 lead. They carried a narrow 33-31 edge into halftime.

Houston County took full control in the second half, locking down defensively and finding rhythm on offense. The Bears outscored Pope 17-7 in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth to secure the 19-point victory and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Karon Plummer led Houston County with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Malik Gillespie added 14 points, while Josh Jackson scored 12 and Mahkel Stevens chipped in 10.

Pope concludes its season with a 17-11 record. Houston County improves to 21-6 overall and will host the winner of Kennesaw Mountain or Newnan in the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday night at the Bears’ Den.

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