BLUE RIDGE — North Hall coach Kristi House was pleased with Ansley Smallwood after the Trojans beat No. 4-ranked Fannin County, 64-47, on the Rebels' home court Tuesday night.
The Trojans' main deep-ball threat, Grace Hollifield, was shut down in the first half, which meant if they wanted to have a chance, somebody had to step up. Hollifield finished with 9 points.
Smallwood was part of the answer as she poured in a game-high 22 points but, more importantly, 13 of those came in the first half to help push the Trojans (15-6, 6-2 Region 7-3A) ahead by 10 points, 34-34, at the half.
Rylee McCall, who complimented Smallwood, scoring 11 of her 14 points in the first half -- all but one point in the opening 8 minutes.
"It's nice to have several that can step up when people try to take away Grace," House said.
The Rebels (13-6, 4-4 Region 7-3A) did outscore the Trojans in the third quarter, 15-12, but Maci Gillespie and the North Hall defense held them to just 8 points in the final quarter.
"We are just happy to get the region win," House said. "Every night is so tough, and I couldn’t be more proud of how our players performed tonight."
With the win and the Dawson County loss to GAC, the Trojans take over second place in Region 7-3A. If the Trojans win at GAC on Friday, they'll move into a tie for the top spot in the region. Game time is 7 p.m.
EAST HALL 39,
LUMPKIN COUNTY 37
Audrey Griffin scored 14 points to lead the Vikings (7-12, 3-5 Region 7-3A in the win over Lumpkin County at home on Tuesday.
Alexis Burce added 8 points.
Kate Jackson was the top scorer for the Indians (11-8, 3-5 Region 7-3A) with 17 points.
East Hall travels to Cherokee Bluff on Friday, while Lumpkin will play Fannin County at home. Game times at 7 p.m.
GREATER ATLANTA 71,
DAWSON COUNTY 59
The Tigers (11-8, 5-3 Region 7-3A) saw their quick 9-0 lead diminish as fast as it happened in the first quarter.
GAC outpaced the Tigers 23-6 after that and never looked back in the win over the Tigers.
Maddie Anglin led the Tigers with 19 points, followed by Marlie Townley with 15 points. Avery Herring hit for 11, and Kirklyn Porter scored 10.
With the loss and the North Hall win over Fannin, the Tigers dropped to the third spot in the region.
Dawson will play Denmark at home on Friday. Tip is 7 p.m.
FLOWERY BRANCH 46,
CHESTATEE 37
Up by two after three quarters, the Falcons outscored Chestatee 15-8 in the final frame to win the game.
Morgan Aguilar and Shaina Kriews scored 12 points each. Ashlee Locke netted 10 points., and Bella Brick chipped in 9.
The Falcons (12-8, 6-2 Region 7-4A) will play Blessed Trinity at home on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
Chestatee (11-9, 4-4 Region 7-4A) will play Marist at home on Friday. Tip is 7 p.m.
LAKEVIEW 71,
PRINCE AVE 43
Eliza Snyder and Joelle Snyder are becoming Lakeview's dynamic sister duo.
Eliza scored 20 points, pulled 9 rebounds and 7 steals and Joelle scored 17 points to help the Lions beat Prince Avenue on Tuesday at home.
Jackie Allen completed the triple-threat with 16 points.
The Lions smothering defense and pinpoint offensive attack lifted them to a 35-17 halftime lead and a 53-24 advantage after the third period.
Lakeview (15-5, 5-0 Region 8-A) will travel to Providence on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
MARIST 51,
WHITE COUNTY 45
This game was a tale of two halves in the battle for first place in Region 7-4A
The Eagles (16-1, 7-0 Region 7-4A) opened the game on 16-1 run to stun the Warriors and it took the half-time break for the Warriors (14-6, 6-2 Region 7-4A) to compose themselves.
Down 37-18 at the half, White County was a totally different team. The offense found the bottom of the basket more, and the defense flexed.
But although the Warriors held Marist to just 14 second-half points, the offense couldn't make up first-half poor performance in the loss at home.
Maddie Futch scored 12 points to lead the Warriors, and Dasha Cannon hit for 9.
The loss leaves the Warriors two games out of the top spot in the region and tied with Flowery Branch for No. 2.
White County plays West Hall at home on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
BUFORD 69,
CLARKE CENTRAL 33
The Wolves had 14 players score in the blowout Region 8-5A win over Clarke Central at Buford Arena on Tuesday.
Blair Wallis led the team with 10 points. Tatum Ozment scored 9 points, Ashyia Willis hit for 8, and Tate Walters chipped in 7 points.
The Wolves (18-0, 5-0 Region 8-5A) will play Walnut Grove at home on Friday. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
LCA 51,
KHCS 25
Reece Montgomery scored 13 points and Faith Wasden had 11 points in Lanier Christian's win over Killian Hills Christian School on the road.
LCA led 36-14 at the half and 42-19 at the end of the third quarter.
Hollie Beussee added 9 points, Ashley Avery had 6, Madison Hughes and Lexie Robertson scored 4 points each.
UNION COUNTY 49,
ELBERT COUNTY 45
Ava Hunter helped the Panthers hold off a late Elbert County surge to get the win on the road Tuesday.
Hunter scored 22 points.
AREA SCOREBOARD JAN. 14
Putnam County 53, Banks County 36
Flowery Branch 46, Chestatee 37
Buford 69, Clarke Central 33
Tallulah Falls 47, Commerce 33
East Jackson 48, Franklin County 39
Greater Atlanta Christian 71, Dawson County 59
Loganville 62, Johnson 19
Lanier 51, Gainesville 23
East Hall 39, Lumpkin County 37
Marist 51, White County 45
Jackson County 44, Monroe Area 35
North Hall 64, Fannin County 47
Rabun County 81, Oglethorpe County 17
Lakeview Academy 71, Prince Avenue 43
Hebron 81, Towns County 31
Union County 49, Elbert County 45
LCA 51, KHCS 25
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