Monday March 18th, 2024 10:49PM

(VIDEO) 8-AAAA Tournament: North Hall, Buford boys set for title showdown; Lady Wolves roll

By AccessWDUN Staff

TOCCOA — Buford basketball swept into the championship round, while the North Hall boys also reached the title game in Friday's Region 8-AAAA tournament contests in Toccoa.

The North Hall boys got things off to a strong start for area competitors, knocking off North Oconee 55-37. The Buford girls followed by strangling the Lady Trojans' offense in a 47-17 win. The Buford boys capped the night by losing a lead but redeeming themselves in a 49-40 overtime defeat of Monroe Area. (NOTE: See below for game-by-game info.)

NORTH HALL BOYS 55,
NORTH OCONEE 37

The Trojans (21-6) pulled away from a nip-and-tuck first half, holding the Titans (7-20) to just 16 points after the interval.

Each team managed just six points over the first eight minutes, but North Hall edged ahead in the second quarter thanks to Sam Jackson and Carson Heinen, who scored eight and seven points, respectively, in the period.

Jackson finished with a game-high 18, while Heinen added 13. Evan Easton also scored 11 in the win, while Harry Harper managed eight.

North Hall out-scored North Oconee 14-7 in the third quarter to begin taking control at 41-28.

The Trojans helped their own cause by sinking 9 of 10 free throw attempts. They also sank five 3-pointers on the night.

Matthew Quint scored 16 points to pace the Titans, who will face Monroe Area at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Toccoa for third place.

North Hall will face Buford in the 8-AAAA championship game at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Toccoa. The two teams battled to a 58-55 Wolves win in their previous meeting on Jan. 15.

BUFORD GIRLS 47,
NORTH HALL 17

The Lady Wolves (22-4) stamped out the Lady Trojans' offense, allowing just six field goals for the entire contest -- and one each in the second and third quarters when Buford took full control.

The Lady Wolves pulled ahead 10-4 after the first quarter but put up 20 points in the second quarter to notch a 30-7 advantage at the half. Six different Lady Wolves scored over the eight minutes.

Audrey Weiner put up a game-high 17 points, while Rachel Dobbs added nine in the win.

Buford extended its lead to 47-10 after three quarters and went without a point over the fourth quarter.

The Lady Wolves will face North Oconee at 7 p.m. Saturday in Toccoa for the 8-AAAA title.

North Hall was led by five points from Niki Carver.

The Lady Trojans (16-11) will look to bounce back in the third place game at 4 p.m. Saturday in Toccoa against Madison County.

BUFORD BOYS 49,
MONROE AREA 40 OT

The Wolves (15-11) battled throughout and edged ahead 33-27 after the third quarter only to watch Monroe Area catch up at the end of regulation to force overtime at 38-38.

Buford hurt its own cause at the end of regulation, sinking just 3 of 11 free throw attempts over the final eight minutes.

But the Wolves left no doubt in the extra frame, holding the Purple Hurricanes (14-12) to just two points while also sinking 7 of 13 free throw attempts to pull away.

Sahil Patel scored a game-high 12 points for Buford, while Alex Jones added 10. Will Springer and Brandon Iverson each put up nine points.

Devin Sheats scored 10 points to lead Monroe Area. Chandler Gibson added seven points.

The Purple Hurricanes edged ahead 20-19 at the half, only to see Buford out-score them 14-7 in the third quarter.

Buford will battle North Hall for the Region 8-AAAA title at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Toccoa. Monroe Area will face North Oconee in the third place game at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. 

  • Associated Categories: Sports, High School Sports
  • Associated Tags: High school basketball, Buford boys basketball, North Hall boys basketball, North Hall girls basketball, Buford girls basketball
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