PEACHTREE CITY, GA – Basketball is a game of runs and minimal mistakes. The teams capable of capitalizing on both emerge victorious.

Teams in Class AAAAA Region 4 took advantage of their opportunities to secure their spot in the state tournament. There was even an upset, which left a team understanding you have to come out and play before you step out on the floor.

Here are the recaps of the day.

Mount Zion 84, Drew 80

The first upset of the day game in the opening game.

Mount Zion did not show any signs of cabin fever or rust from the snowstorm, which paralyzed Georgia for a few days. On the contrary, the Bulldogs were full of energy and enthusiasm delivering a big blow early in the first-half before holding on for the win late.

Coming into the tournament, as a lower seed was Not Mt. Zion’s concern it was focused on getting to the state tournament. In the first half, the Bulldogs shot the ball great catching Drew off balance. No matter what Mt. Zion did something good was working out.

Its perimeter shooting was spectacular, as it knocked down seven three-pointers in the half. When Drew eventually closed out harder on them, the Bulldogs sliced through the defense for layups. One of the catalysts was Paul Miller.

The junior guard hit jumpers from all over the floor. He was causing problems for Drew before helping seal the game with free throws down the stretch. Miller finished with a team-high 19 points. However, when Miller was not cooking his running mate Quron Brooks and Ari Zorns picked up the scoring. Brooks knocked in jumpers while Zorns pushed the tempo for easy baskets. Both finished with 18 points apiece. Momadue Senghore finished with 10 points.

Now, this does not mean Drew folded its tent for the season. Not these Titans. They were going to fight to the bitter end and did.

Drew found its wind after it found itself trailing 41-26 at halftime. These Titans raced all over the floor and started getting into an offensive rhythm that made them the top-seed on the region standings.

Things started when the Bulldogs offense was disrupted by Drew’s pressure. Those forced turnovers and missed opportunities led to easy basketball for the Titans.

Maleek Taylor, Lester Knauls, Forest Red and Bryson Duckworth all turned it up an extra notch.

The intensity and energy was completely different from the team’s first-half performance. However, Drew was unable to close the game out as missing opportunities to put them in front. The Bulldogs hit a basket late and some free throws to put the game away.

Taylor led the Titans with a game-high 23 points. Knauls added 18 points. Duckworth poured in 12 points. Redd finished with 11.

McIntosh 74, Union Grove 66

The Chiefs have been driven by the sharp shooting of Jordan Lyons and the ball handling of Will Washington for most of the season. Both have played significant roles for McIntosh. However, on the teams opening game win, Dishown Lowry made his presence known.

The sophomore forward provided defensive energy on both ends of the floor. He even showed his athleticism at one point racing coast-to-coast for a break away dunk. His effort had everyone Chiefs supported excited. He finished with 19 points.

Not to be lost in Lowry’s solid effort was Lyons offensive output.

The sophomore guard did what he’s known to do. He knocked down shots regardless of who was defending him. Lyons recorded a team-high 26 points, which included four three-pointers. Teammate Alex Cerrantes added 13 points, while Washington chipped in 10 points.

Union Grove tried to keep the pace of the game at its tempo. The Wolverines were looking to keep things in a low scoring game but were unable to do so when the Chiefs took a lead.

Jay Shorts was Union Grove’s interior presence. The senior forward scored a game-high 28 points by going inside and out. His effort was just not enough against all of McIntosh’s scoring pieces. Ron Dunlap contributed with 13 points.

The Chiefs host Mt. Zion on Monday at 4:30 pm.

Mundy’s Mill 67, Creekside 61

When you see an orange wave of defenders coming at you opposing teams may want to worry a little bit.

Mundy Mill’s defense caused so problems for the Seminoles, who found themselves off balance the rest of the night. The Tigers attacked in waves and trapped in tandems every time a Creekside player had the ball.

Marquise Johnson was the point man on both ends of the floor. He forced Creekside’s guards into bad decisions or rushed opportunities. Johnson then found his teammates or the basket whenever the chance presented itself. He finished with 20 points and seven assists. Artavious Marshall added 11 points. Jonathan Celestine chipped in with 10 points.

Creekside attempted to make a comeback but fell short. The Seminoles could not overcome the deficit it fell in early. Senior Ed Jones tried to get them back in the game when he knocked down a three-pointer from the corner late in the fourth quarter, which cut the lead 62-69 but that was the extent of the offensive punch.

Jones finished with a game-high 22 points. Tevin Henry and Ajahni Aska contributed with 13 points apiece.

Mundy’s Mill plays Whitewater in a 1:30 pm tipoff time at McIntosh.

Whitewater 65, Forest Park 53

Phil Cofer was not about to leave any doubt about his team making the state tournament.

The Tennessee signee took the first-half of the game to make sure Forest Park was only taking one shot on offense. In the second half, he displayed his offensive prowess. He nailed mid-range jumpers, three-pointers and a thunderous baseline dunk despite being double-teamed every time he touched the basketball. Cofer finished with a game-high 26 points. Phil Garner got into the scoring act scoring 21 points.

Timothy Pope tried to keep Forest Park in the game. The senior point guard, who has single-handedly at times during the season, willed the Panthers to victory was trying to do so again. He penetrated and filled the stat sheets with 21 points and eight assists. Forest Park could not sustain the comeback as Whitewater had enough of a cushion early to seal the victory. Brandon Williams added 10 points.