Tanner’s varsity boys basketball team is returning to the Elite Eight.

The Class 2A No. 7 Rattlers withstood a late charge by Decatur Heritage on Thursday night by taking care of business at the charity stripe en route to a 63-49 win at the Northwest Regional Tournament.

Tanner (18-7) led for the most of the contest and built a 52-38 advantage midway through the fourth quarter before the Eagles rallied to cut their deficit to six (53-47) with 1:40 remaining.

Coach Dale Taylor’s group, though, closed the game out at the free-throw line, making 10 of its final 14 shots to punctuate a 10-2 spurt that sealed the deal and sent the Rattlers to their second straight Elite Eight.

“Decatur Heritage has a good team, but we felt like our athleticism and ability to pressure up the floor would be a benefit to us,” Taylor said. “We also knew if we could keep the ball out of the post, we would have a good chance. They shot the ball well and that kept them in the game, but these guys really competed their tails off, stuck with the game plan and stayed relentless.”

Taylor also praised his team’s efficiency from the free-throw line.

“We were, I think, 8 of 25 against Sulligent, so it was good to see that,” he said. “It was something we needed. That’s been an issue, but hopefully we can continue to get (the percentage) even higher.”

Skylar Townsend (18 points) and Tailan Hall (13) led the way offensively for Tanner, which forced 12 turnovers and out-rebounded Decatur Heritage 38-23.

Matthew Fletcher and Endymion Tyus each tallied seven points, while Blake Jackson, Elyjah Jones and Darrell Howard totaled four apiece. Tre’J Lett (three), Karl Parham (two) and Cade Dorning (one) rounded out the rest of the contributions.

“This program has high expectations,” Taylor said of advancing. “I’ll stick with what I said last year — we feel like we’re back to where we belong after a couple of down years before that. Tanner has been a staple at the Northwest Regional for many, many years and we were dedicated to getting back to that.”

The Ratters will now play No. 1 Mars Hill Bible — the team that eliminated them last season — next Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. for Final Four berth.

Taylor said he’s proud of his guys for “earning the opportunity” and hopes to see his team take that next step after falling just short in 2023.

“To get there and be able to hang a banner would be awesome,” he said. “It’s something we’re looking forward to, but we know it’s a huge task. Mars Hill has a phenomenal team and is extremely well-coached, but we need to embrace the challenge. Against our toughest opponents this season, we’ve always seemed to step up.

“If we get to the fourth quarter with a chance to win … I wouldn’t take anyone else. This team is gritty and gets after it. I have confidence in them.”