FLOWERY BRANCH - Stephanie Searce hit two free throws with 0.7 seconds left to lift the Fannin County girls basketball team to a 53-51 win over West Hall in the opening round of the Region 7-AAA Tournament Tuesday.<br>
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Fannin coach Johhny Farmer said he wasn't nervous despite the four timeouts that were called during her free throw session.<br>
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"She's the best shooter we got and wouldn't have wanted anyone else up there in that situation," Farmer said.<br>
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Both shots drew nothing but net.<br>
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West Hall's desperation 3-pointer from halfcourt fell short at the buzzer.<br>
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The Lady Rebels (22-4) came in as the No. 1 seed from the North subregion while West Hall upset East Hall on Monday night just to get into the region tournament.<br>
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The win moves them into the state tournament. They will play the winner of the Johnson-North Hall game Friday night at 7 p.m. atChestatee High School.<br>
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They were pushed to the limit and Farmer expected it. <br>
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The Lady Rebels were without key starter Melissa Roberts, who was suspended for the game for fighting last week.<br>
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"Without Melissa I knew it would be a fight. The girls hung in there and kept fighting and found a way to win. I'm proud of their effort," Farmer said.<br>
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West Hall led 15-14 after the first quarter and 40-39 after the third quarter. The Lady Spartans (11-13) led 49-47 with just over three minutes left but then Fannin turned up the defense.<br>
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The Lady Rebels took a 51-49 lead on a Brittany Lindsey 3-pointer with 2:01 left but West Hall tied the game on a Martha Vital steal and layup with 1:21 left.<br>
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West Hall would get another shot until its desperation 3-point attempt. Fannin held the ball the final 1:20 until Searce was fouled attempting a jumper after an offensive rebound.<br>
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Searce finished with 22 points. Lindsey added 11 including the key 3-pointer.<br>
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West Hall was paced by sophomore Lacy Bartlett with 15 points. She had 11 in Monday's win over East Hall. Paige Hanson added 13, Heather Power 11 and Vital finished with 9 for the Lady Spartans.
