HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Union County successfully defended its Battle of the States title on Monday, holding off Franklin (N.C.) 79-71 in the finals at Towns County High School.
The Panthers (11-2) staged a huge third quarter to erase a halftime deficit and then held on down the stretch for their second consecutive Battle of the States tournament title.
The win pushed their win streak to four as they get ready to get back into Region 7-2A play on Friday at home against Ringgold.
Houston Henry and Hayden Hughes sparked the big third quarter outburst, pouring in 23 combined points, including three 3-pointers from Hughes.
Franklin (7-3) led 14-13 after the first quarter and took a 29-27 lead into the break. But Union County came out firing to open the second half.
Henry had 14 in the quarter and Hughes 9 as the Panthers outscored Franklin 32-17 in the period to take a 59-46 lead into the fourth quarter.
Franklin’s Max McClure had 11 of his game-high 24 points in the fourth to keep them in the game but it wasn't enough.
Henry finished with 23 points and Hughes had 18, all on six 3-pointers for the game, for the Panthers. Holden Payne had 10 for Union County.
NORTH HALL GOES 3-0 IN PANAMA CITY
The Trojans are heating up at just the right time, winning all three games in the Buzzer Beater Bash in Lynn Haven, (Fla.) on Monday.
North Hall (9-5) opened with an 84-79 win over Oxford (Miss.) on Friday and then held off Munroe (Fla.) 78-75 in overtime on Saturday. The Trojans closed out the long weekend with a 65-25 rout of Calhoun City (Miss.) on Monday.
Cole Hulsey scored 61 points in three games, including a 30-point effort in the win over Oxford in the tournament opener. Micah Jimerson had a pair of 20-point-plus games against Oxford (20) and Munroe (26).
North Hall will need the momentum as it will travel to GAC on Friday to jump back into Region 6-3A play.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY 67,
STRATFORD ACADEMY 53
The Lions opened the Relentless Hoops Beach Bash at Frederica Academy on Monday with a big win.
Lakeview (8-5) led almost the entire way, running out to a 24-13 lead after the first quarter and took a 38-21 advantage into halftime. Stratford cut it to 48-38 heading into the fourth quarter but the Lions were able to pull away down the stretch.
Lewis Roberts led Lakeview with 15 points. Tayden Ware recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Kyari Burch added 13 points, Eli Mayfield had 12 points, and Justyce Sadler had 10 points for the Lions.
Lakeview next will take on host Frederica Academy at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
