Trojans still looking for an identity

MURRAYVILLE - After a slow start under new coach Bobby Pless, the North Hall boys basketball team may finally be finding itself.

The Trojans began the year 3-5, but have won four-of-their-last-five games, including a 2-1 mark in Region 7-AAA North. They seemed poised to make a run in the subregion with three of their next four subregion games at home.

Pless hopes so.

With the South half of the region featuring at least three possible state tournament contenders in East Hall, Gainesville and Johnson, that only leaves one team from the North with a shot at advancing.

North Hall (7-6, 2-1) plays host to Pickens (7-11, 2-1) Friday night in a critical subregion game at this point.

In other Region 7-AAA games Friday, Chestatee travels to White County and Gilmer plays host to Fannin County on the North side. East Hall travels to West Hall and Johnson plays host to Flowery Branch on the South side. Gainesville is off.

"It is important that we start playing with more consistency than we have so far," Pless said. "Both teams have already lost to White County (12-3, 3-0) which means the loser will be three games back. That's a lot of games to make up with just six subregion games left. This one is crucial."

Pless, in his first year at the helm of the Trojans, knew there would be a learning curve for him and his players. He left Chestatee after one year to take over at his alma mater following the sudden resignation of Greg Williams.

Defensively he said they are making progress. They held Chestatee to just 40 points in a win and then limited Gilmer to just five fourth-quarter points Tuesday in another win.

"We're still looking for our identity a little bit on offense, but defense is always there once you learn what you are supposed to do. We've really come a long way since the beginning of the year," Pless said.

Offensively the Trojans are led by junior Ronny Hulsey, who is averaging 23 points a game. The problem has been finding a consistent second scorer to keep defenses from double, and sometimes, triple-teaming Hulsey inside.

"Ronny has played outstanding when you think about the attention he gets every game. He's improved his game since last year," Pless said.

Senior Josh Stephens scored 12 points and had 12 rebounds against Chestatee and 10 points against Gilmer but only 2 points in a loss to Johnson.

Russ Short scored 14 against Chestatee and 26 against Johnson but only 4 against Gilmer. Freshman Kyle Wiley had a solid game against Gilmer and Tyler Smiley and Kevin Gilstrap, perhaps the team's best defender, have also had flashes of solid offensive output.

"All of the young guys are improving and I think with the experience they are getting this year we'll be tough over the next few years," Pless said. "I still think we have a chance to be real good by the end of this year but it depends on how much we improve from here on out. This game will be a big test for us to see which way we're going to go.

Seeding may be the key to whether the Trojans can get out of the first round of the subregion tournament.

"The top four teams on the North half are very even. We can't afford to stumble at home against teams we think we should beat. One loss could determine whether you play East Hall or West Hall. Nothing against West Hall or Flowery Branch, but you don't want to have to play a top five team in the first round," Pless said.