Buford wins opening round matchup with Colonels

The defending Class AAAAA state champion Buford Wolves successfully opened the 2018 state tournament with an 82-50 win over visiting Cass Friday night.

Buford led 31-8 after one quarter and took a 50-21 to the locker room at halftime as it cruised into the second round. Buford's Marcus Watson led all scorers in the game with 28 points.

Mark Chester finished with 16 for Cass, followed by Ashton Burley with 12 and Steven Spell nine. The Wolves (24-4) — Region 8-AAAAA champs — will host the Miller Grove/Riverwood winner next Wednesday or Thursday.

Cass — the 4-seed from Region 7-AAAAA — had its season end with a 17-12 mark.