GASTON – Sand Rock opened the first round of the Gaston Holiday Tournament on Saturday with a 64-55 win over Sacred Heart.

Justin Kyser paced Sand Rock (9-5) with 15 points, while Justin Mackey and Brandon Burt added 14 apiece. Corey Dudley led Sacred Heart with 15 points.

Kelvin Flenord’s double-double, 11 points and 12 rebounds, led the Cardinals. Corey Dudley added 15 points for Sacred Heart (10-4).

Piedmont 57, Union County (Ga.) 53 — At Hiawassee, Ga., Piedmont weathered a terrible fourth quarter from the free throw line to advance to the semifinals of the Battle of the States tournament.

The Bulldogs led 46-31 after three quarters then were just 3 of 10 at the line in the fourth quarter, missing the front end of a one-and-one three times.

Point guard Christian Cantrell led Piedmont (8-4) with 20 points. Marquise Diamond scored 12 points, Jamaal Johnson nine points and Anthony Angle eight points.

Pendleton (S.C.) 81, Piedmont 63 — At Hiawassee, Ga. in the Battle of the States Tournament on Saturday, Pendleton’s pressure defense and outside shooting combined to put Piedmont in a 36-16 hole after one quarter.

Marquise Diamond led Piedmont with 16 points. Jamaal Johnson had 12 points and five rebounds. Tay Holloway scored nine points while both Christian Cantrell and Mookie Jackson each had six points.

Haralson County (Ga.) 68, Spring Garden 45 — At Tallapoosa, Ga. in the Haralson County Tournament on Friday, host Haralson County advanced to the semifinals of its Invitational tournament. Haralson County led the Panthers 41-19 at halftime. Both Trey Littlefield and Jake Scott scored 11 points for Spring Garden.

The Panthers meet Bremen, Ga., Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in a consolation game.

Girls

Spring Garden 41, Bremen (Ga.) 36 — At Tallapoosa, Ga. on Saturday, the Lady Panthers advanced to the Haralson County Invitational semifinal round behind Tara Mullinax’s 20 points and 11 rebounds.