Tuesday March 19th, 2024 4:58AM

7-AAA Tournament: Lady Spartans seal magical run; Vikings go back to the top

DAHLONEGA - One was relentless, the other resilient. One has been there before -- numerous times -- the other a novice.

However you want to label the West Hall girls and East Hall boys basketball programs,  there is no denying that they are also champions.

The Lady Spartans won their first region crown since 2002, while the Vikings claimed their second in a row and 25th overall on Saturday night in Dahlonega in the Region 7-AAA tournament.

Their victories capped a thrilling three-day ride for each -- which will now extend into next week's state tournament.

West Hall downed 2015 7-AAA champ Dawson County 71-53, while East Hall held off Lumpkin County 65-52. The East Hall girls and Banks County boys also secured the No. 3 seeds for next week's state bracket (NOTE: See below for complete game stories.)

(Championship)
WEST HALL GIRLS 71,
DAWSON COUNTY 53

Lady Spartans coach Bryan Richerson told his team this week that it had earned his respect -- it was now time to do the same from Region 7-AAA and perhaps beyond.

West Hall grabbed 7-AAA's full attention on Saturday -- and in the process perhaps turned a few heads around the state.

The Lady Spartans (19-8) dethroned the 2015 7-AAA champs, claiming their 10th straight victory and notching the program's first region title in 14 years.

"It's an amazing feeling; I'm proud for West Hall, our community, our fans and parents. I've been doing this 13 years, five as a head coach, but I've never been around a team like this. It's the best I've been involved with by far," Richerson said. "I've never seen a group so hungry and determined that it was not going to lose."

That attitude was on display for all to see on Saturday, as West Hall pulled away from a nip-and-tuck first quarter over the course of the second and third quarters, leading 51-28 headed into the final eight minutes.

That they owned such a cushion was down to a total team effort, including a defense that kept Dawson County from getting comfortable underneath the basket -- which so often leads to the Lady Tigers then burning teams with their outside shooting.

Meanwhile, Dawson's defense had no answer for West Hall sophomore Anna Mckendree -- though they threw plenty of looks at the guard, double-teaming and following her wherever she roamed, especially in the first half, as she was held to just one field goal and nine points.

The Lady Tigers could not keep the shackles on Mckendree forever, however, and she exploded in the third quarter, draining three 3-pointers en route to 13 points. She finished the contest with a game-high 33 points -- including a 14 of 17 performance from the free throw line.

"We expected her to be taken away, but Anna and (point guard) Macy (Passmore) are two of the very best guards in the state, and they found ways to score," said Richerson. 

Passmore added 15, while Megan English chipped in with nine -- including six in the first half to help push West Hall when Dawson was so focused on Mckendree. Avery Prather also provided five points in the first quarter, as West Hall edged ahead 14-11.

Prather will miss the next two contests, however -- including two state playoff games (should the Lady Spartans advance) -- after being ejected for her part in an altercation late in the contest.

"Things got a little ugly, but that's competition," Richerson said. "That's going to hurt us though, no doubt. Avery is a great defensive player for us, and she can score too."

Dawson County will enter the playoffs as a No. 2 seed and will look to bounce back after battling throughout. They will play host to Calhoun.

Karlie Bearden put up 24 points for the Lady Tigers (23-4), including 10 in the fourth quarter. Kaylee Sticker also scored 11 and Haley Burgess nine.

West Hall will play host to Adairsville in the first round.

(Championship)
EAST HALL BOYS 65,
LUMPKIN COUNTY 52

The Vikings (20-7) endured plenty of adversity this season, including some bad losses -- on the court and to playing personnel. And through that adversity East Hall forged yet another region championship.

The Vikings' refusal to quit featured throughout the 7-AAA tournament and was proven again on Saturday, as they endured an early charge from the Indians (17-10) and fired back, taking control of the contest in the third quarter before hanging on down the stretch for a second straight 7-AAA crown.

"We may collapse tomorrow, but we've got a lot of energy right now," East Hall coach Joe Dix chuckled after watching his team respond following Friday's buzzer-beating semifinal win that set up another title charge. "Lumpkin County is a very good team, and coach (Jeff) Steele has really turned things around here; we just made a few more played tonight.

"This team has done that for a while though. They have persevered, and that's why I'm so happy for the kids right now."

Seniors Tylor Brown and Andy Lara proved especially resilient on Saturday, sparking the Vikings' third quarter charge. Lara drained two of his four 3-pointers just after halftime, while Brown sank one of his own to start a 12-2 run that turned a close contest into a 49-39 East Hall advantage.

Brown finished with a game-high 24 points, while Lara added 16.

"Tylor's been our catalyst all year, and Andy's game has really come back on strong after having some struggles earlier -- he's the one that really got us going there in the third," said Dix, whose team traded punches with Lumpkin County early, trailing 29-28 at the half. "I just told them to fight through and keep making plays."

Brandon Zarate made plenty of plays of his own for Lumpkin County, as the center scored 23 points, including eight in the third quarter. Zach Pulley also added 12 and Jack Howard eight.

Yet the Indians could not pull off a second straight playoff upset after Friday's impressive defeat of No. 1-seeded Banks County.

Both teams will host first round playoff games next week. Lumpkin County will take on North Murray, while East Hall will welcome Ringgold to Valhalla.

"We've got two possible home games ahead of us, and being a No. 1 seed is really big help in the state tournament," Dix said. "These guys have been tested this season. We've had some tough losses and some great wins, and they've just found a way."

(This place contest)
BANKS COUNTY BOYS 71,
WEST HALL 42

The Leopards (23-4) bounced back with a vengeance after their semifinal defeat, out-pacing the Spartans (13-14) 22-5 in the first quarter as they stormed to the No. 3 seed from 7-AAA.

Zen Steeple scored a game-high 28 points for Banks County, finishing as the Region 7-AAA Player of the Year.

Zac Orr also finished with 10 points, as 11 different players scored for the Leopards, who notched eight made 3-pointers,

Esteban Ulloa led West Hall with 17 points. Xzavier Reid added 12 points. The Spartans finished as the No. 4 seed. Both teams will travel for the first round of the Class AAA playoffs next week.

West Hall will head to Calhoun, while Banks County will take on Coahulla Creek.

(Third place contest)
EAST HALL GIRLS 69,
BANKS COUNTY

The Lady Vikings (21-6) jumped out to a 17-7 first quarter lead and never looked back, taking a 38-13 advantage at the half en route to the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAA.

Kylah Mize paced the onslaught, scoring a game-high 24 points East Hall, while Ashlyn Ellison added 13 and Carly Winters 12.

Mallory Parson led Banks County with 15 points, while Jaycie Bowen added 11.

The Lady Leopards finished as the No. 4 seed.

Both teams will travel for the first round of the Class AAA playoffs next week. East Hall heads to Ringgold, while Banks County faces Sonoraville.

  • Associated Categories: Sports, High School Sports
  • Associated Tags: High school basketball, East Hall boys basketball, East Hall girls basketball, West Hall girls basketball, Lumpkin County boys basketball
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