GAINESVILLE - A dominant start on both sides of the ball Friday night in Davis-Hill Gym set an unbeatable tone for the Gainesville girls basketball team in their 49-34 win over Region 7-5A opponent Chattahoochee.

A three-pointer from freshmen Jaucelyn Smith on the Red Elephants (6-0, 2-0 Region 7-5A) first possession of the game started an 11-0 game-opening run for GHS that extended to a 35-13 halftime lead, then 24-point third-quarter lead.

Big Red entered Friday's matchup averaging an eye-popping 68 points per game while holding opponents to 35. At halftime against Chattahoochee it looked like status quo was in play with Gainesville on its way to a big offensive night while keeping the other team from the same. When the scoring cooled for the Red Elephants in the third quarter, however, it became clear the truly eye-popping stat in their undefeated start to the year is their relentless defense, and it was that aspect of play that earned them win No. 2 in region play.

Freshman Jaucelyn Smith led the way for Gainesville with 13 points, senior Julia Payne had 10, Shailyn Jones 7, and Jaylah Mintz and Kelsey Lester each contributed five.

Big Red returns to region play Tuesday against Roswell at home; tip-off is 6:00 p.m.

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