The season appeared to be coming to an end for the Cherokee girls Tuesday night.

Colbert Heights held an eight-point lead over the Indians with just over three minutes remaining in the first round of the Class 2A, Area 16 tournament at Mars Hill.

Cherokee, however, went to its press and quickly changed the momentum. A pair of steals led to back-to-back 3-pointers from Katrina Mead and Briana Goodloe that tied it at 41. After another turnover, Goodloe scored again to complete a 10-0 run and give the Indians a 43-41 lead.

Colbert Heights pulled within one on a free throw but would not score again. Cherokee (8-15) made 6 of 8 free throws down the stretch to earn the victory to advance to play tournament host Mars Hill on Thursday.

Goodloe led Cherokee with 23 points. Mead added 11 points and Olivia Taylor scored 10 for the Indians.

Tiffany Terry scored 15 points for Colbert Heights and Kendra Saint added 11.

Boys Class 2A, Area 16

n Colbert Heights 42, Cherokee 38: Colbert Heights took control with a big second quarter and held on to beat Cherokee.

The win moves Colbert Heights into Friday’s semifinal round against tournament host Mars Hill.

Cherokee led 8-7 after one quarter before Colbert Heights rallied. Freshman Kaleb Suggs scored 10 points in the second quarter to spark the Wildcats to a 25-13 halftime lead.

The Indians cut the margin to 33-30 after three quarters, but the Wildcats were able to hold off Cherokee to earn the win.

Suggs led Colbert Heights (15-13) with 13 points. Jake Roberson scored 14 points to lead Cherokee.

Boys Class 1A, Area 16

n Waterloo 72, Covenant Christian 40: Waterloo kept its season alive with an easy victory over Covenant Christian.

The Cougars (10-17) advance to play host Decatur Heritage on Friday.

Waterloo raced to a 43-13 halftime lead as Dylan Guthrie scored 21 points and Chase Hollis added 13.

Sam Griffin led Covenant with 14 points. Preston Templeman added 10 points.

Boys Class 1A, Area 13

n Vina 57, Hackleburg 47: Nicky Miller sank five 3-pointers and poured in a game-high 22 points to lead Vina to a first-round win in the Class 1A, Area 13 tournament.

Vina led 25-23 at halftime time, 38-34 after three quarters and made 10 of 12 fourth-quarter free throws to pull away.

Adam Pharr added 13 points for the Red Devils.

Tristan Quinn and Justin Gallaway scored 11 points each to lead Hackleburg, which saw its season end.

Vina will face tournament host, top-seeded Belgreen in the semifinals Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Boys regular season

n Wayne County 55, Hardin County 51 (2OT): Peyton Mathis hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to force a second overtime, and Austin Rice high 5 of 6 free throws in the second extra period as Wayne County beat Hardin County.

Rice finished with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Wildcats (12-13). Mathis added 16 points.

The game was tied at 35 at the end of regulation.

Will Shelton’s 15 points paced Hardin County.

Girls regular season

n Wayne County 48, Hardin County 41: Wayne County closed the game with a 16-6 run to overtake Hardin County in the final regular season game.

The Wildcats (16-9) trailed Hardin County 27-20 at the half before rallying.

Morgan Mathis scored a game-high 16 points, including four 3-pointers for Wayne County. Stacey Creesy finished with 10 points. Kelsey Risner had nine points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Katy Terry led Hardin County with 14 points.