WALNUT GROVE, Ga. — If you needed more evidence that the East Hall boys may be on track to resume their former winning ways, Thursday may have been the biggest clue yet.
The Vikings pushed unbeaten Walnut Grove to the veritable limit, as the Warriors needed a tip-in at the buzzer to knock off East Hall, 83-81, in both teams’ Region 8-4A opener.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout. East Hall led 21-20 after the first quarter but Walnut Grove tied the game at 39 by halftime. The Warriors stormed out of the break to run out to a 63-58 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Walnut Grove (6-0, 1-0 Region 8-4A) looked in complete control after building a 12-point lead with 4 minutes left. But the Vikings (3-1, 0-1 Region 8-4A) mounted a furious rally.
East Hall got within three points in the final minute and eventually got an old-fashioned three-point play from Braydon Langston to tie the game at 81 with 8 seconds left. The Warriors took a last-second 3-pointer that was off the mark but freshman Chase Mohn tipped in the miss at the buzzer for the win.
East Hall was led by Jamarcus Harrison with 21 points. Langston added 18 points and Chris Alford 14 points for the Vikings.
Marcus Smith led Walnut Grove with 24 points.
WALNUT GROVE GIRLS 56,
EAST HALL 39
The Lady Vikings dropped their Region 8-4A opener on the road.
Kaylana Curry paced East Hall (1-5, 0-1 Region 8-4A with 13 points. Maliyah Butler added 11 points.
