Trojans' Pless returns to Chestatee for first time

GAINESVILLE - It has been an interesting 18-month journey for North Hall boys basketball coach Bobby Pless.

He was an assistant at North Hall before being named head coach at newly-created Chestatee High before the 2002-03 season. Then, with the retirement of of North Hall's Greg Williams last year, Pless decided to head back to his alma mater.

It left some hard-feelings behind at Chestatee but Pless said it was the right thing for him to do.

"You don't always get the opportunity to have the one job you want. I wasn't expecting to do that when I took the Chestatee job but that's just the way it worked out. I still love all those people and the kids over there and I'm sure they understand why I had to do it," Pless said.

Pless returns to Chestatee Friday night in the first meeting between the two teams since his departure from Chestatee. Pless said the bigger story is that both teams are fighting to win the Region 7-AAA North title.

Tip-off for the girls game is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the boys game to follow.

North Hall (5-5, 0-1) is coming off a tough loss to White County on Tuesday while Chestatee (2-8, 1-0) is coming off a win over Gilmer.

The girls teams are in similar positions with Chestatee (4-6, 1-0) and North Hall (4-6, 0-1) trying to keep pace with Fannin County and White County.

"This is a huge game for both teams. We have to win this one or we're in a big hole," Pless said. "We're just now beginning to understand our roles and the kids have been improving each week. But Chestatee may have the best young guard tandem in the region so this will be a tough game. I don't care what their record is."

The War Eagles are led by sophomores Cory Black and Jesus Cantu. Despite the record, they are just eight points from having a break-even record. They lost three games by one point and another by four.

"I like the way we've been playing and we're getting closer to where I think we can be," Chestatee coach Russ Triaga said after Tuesday's win. "We just have to learn to play with more consistency. But I feel we're improving."

North Hall is led by junior Ronny Hulsey, who is second in Hall County in scoring at 25 points a game. Fellow juniors Russ Short (12) and Robby Hamilton (11) give the Trojans a solid trio.

"Everybody is still growing into their areas but we have a solid nucleus here that is just now starting to really jell," Pless said.

Pless thinks geographics and familiarity will one day make this one of the premier rivalries in the area.

"We have good, long-standing rivalries with White County and East Hall and I think this be become one of the bigger rivalries around," Pless said. "That's always good for the sport and the fans. We know all the players on both sides and the bragging rights is important for the kids. I expect a very intense, competitive game."