FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — No. 4 ranked Madison County jumped on North Hall fast and furious en route to a 78-54 win in the first round of the Region 8-4A tournament at Cherokee Bluff on Monday.
Grant Smith, who led all scorers with 21 points, poured in 14 points in the opening period to set the Red Raiders on fire and out to a 24-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Grant Smith continued his three-point assault in the second quarter, bombing two, while adding seven more points to his total. Mason Smith also helped extend Madison's lead with a seven-point second-quarter performance. The offensive output left the Red Raiders in charge at the half, 43-20.
Cole Hulsey led the Trojans with 17 points, while Casen Payne netted 9.
The loss ends North Hall's season with a record of 14-13.
Madison County will play the winner of the Cherokee Bluff/Seckinger game on Thursday at Chestatee High School.
SECKINGER 64,
CHEROKEE BLUFF 54
After falling behind 14 points in the third quarter, Cherokee Bluff cut the deficit to seven points, 58-51, but couldn't get any closer in the final 1:30 in the loss to Seckinger at home.
The loss eliminates the Bears from the Region 8-4A tournament and ends their season.
Bluff (17-9 Region 8-4A North No. 1 seed) trailed 20-13 at the end of the first and 34-27 at haltime.
Carlos Marlow led the Bears with 15 points, while Boston Kersh added 11.
Seckinger (18-8 Region 8-4A South No. 4 seed) will play second-seeded Madison County on Thursday at Chestatee. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.
WALNUT GROVE 55,
CHESTATEE 38
It was the first quarter and the final quarter that essentially led to Chestatee's loss to Walnut Grove in the first round of the Region 8-4A tournament at North Oconee on Monday.
After a poor shooting first quarter that led to a 15-6 Walnut Grove lead, the War Eagles clawed their way back into the game by the end of the third quarter, trailing by four points, 35-31.
Then came the final period. Chestatee was outpaced 20-7 in the fourth to fall behind for good.
Colton Wilbanks led the War Eagles with 21 points. Destin Christian lead Walnut Grove with 15 points, and Nick Tyre added 13.
Walnut Grove (14-12 Region 8-4A South No. 3 seed) will play No. 1 seed North Oconee Thursday at Chestatee. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m.
Chestatee ends its season with a 16-10 record.
NORTH OCONEE 71,
EAST HALL 52
North Oconee (21-5 Region 8-4A South No. 1 seed) knocked off East Hall to advance to the region semifinals at home on Monday.
Byrd Carter led the Titans with 20 points and seven rebounds, and Justin Payne finished with 16 points.
Levi Holtzclaw led the Vikings with 21 points. Cletus Agborsangaya added 10, and Jamarcus Harrison had 8.
North Oconee will play Walnut Grove on Thursday at Chestatee. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m.
