Undefeated, state-ranked Chattahoochee underlined its credentials at Forsyth Central’s D.B. Carroll Complex Friday night.

Clemson-bound Jaron Blossomgame scored 26 points in a 60-37 victory for the GACA coaches’ poll No. 4 Cougars that has Central still seeking its first region win.

The Bulldogs have now lost three of their last four after starting the season 6-0.

The Bulldogs (7-3, 0-3 Region 7-AAAA) were left a mountain to climb after Hooch started the game with a 17-2 run en route to a 23-4 lead after the first quarter.

Central narrowed the halftime gap to 36-18 and was within 12 points of the lead early in the third quarter. Blossomgame came back with 13 points in the second half, and the Cougars (6-0, 3-0) outscored Central 11-9 and 13-0 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

“[Blossomgame] plays with a great deal of confidence and makes others better around him,” Central coach Steve Barnes said. “They’ve got quickness, length and size.”

Markus Terry (11 points) was the only one of Blossomgame’s teammates to reach double figures.

Central, led in scoring by T.J. Custer (15 points and 2 treys), had its best stretch early in the third quarter, starting with a 5-0 run.

“At one time we cut it to 12, which I thought was awesome,” Barnes said, “but then we turned it over a few times and let them get happy again. All that being said, they are at the top of the league. Hopefully we learn from it and get better.”

Central will be back in action Dec. 20 at home against North Forsyth.

Central girls 48, Chattahoochee 35

A slow second half didn’t affect the outcome, but Central coach Andy Martin was less than impressed after his team’s win against Chattahoochee on Friday at the D.B. Carroll Complex.

The Lady Bulldogs (8-2, 2-1 Region 7-AAAA) let a 29-9 halftime lead slip and were outscored 26-19 after the break.

“I told the girls we were saved by the clock,” Martin said. “In the second half [Hooch] outworked us, plain and simple. I absolutely think we got complacent.”

All of the Lady Cougars’ first-half field goals were 3-pointers, with Central effectively defending the basket during the early stages.

Central forward Kayla Richards (24 points) was influential early on, sinking a trio of 3s and accumulating 15 points in a first half dominated by the hosts.

“I thought in the first half, we executed the game plan,” Martin said. “I thought our defense at least matched theirs.”

Both teams finished with 10 points apiece in the third quarter, with the Cougars going on to outdo the Bulldogs 16-9 in the final period.

Keeley Chester’s 11 points were the second highest for Central, which picked up its third straight win. Cassidy Gaillard scored a team-best 12 points for Hooch.

The Cougars (1-5, 0-3) seek their first region win a season after playing in the AAAA semifinals.

Central has a week and a half off before a home tilt with North Forsyth on Dec. 20.