Boys playoffs: Spartans fall to No. 4 Elbert

ELBERTON - Junior Shunquez Stephens had another monster game for West Hall Wednesday in the second round of the Class AAA boys basketball tournament.

Stephens had 21 points and 20 rebounds but unfortunately it still wasn't enough as the Spartans fell 64-53 to No. 4-ranked Elbert County Wednesday.

West Hall played the Blue Devils close for 3 1/2 quarters trailing by just five points with four minutes left in the game. But Elbert was able to ice the game at the free throw line behind Rod Rucker and Trey Heard.

Rucker finished with 23 points and Heard had 16 for Elbert County, who will play Columbia Friday in the Elite 8 in Dalton. Columbia knocked off East Hall 74-48 Wednesday.

Elbert (27-2) led just 22-19 at halftime as West Hall (19-12) was able to keep the game close. But the Blue Devils exploded for 21 points in the third quarter while running out to 43-35 lead.

West Hall cut the lead to five points in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

Dylan Bartlett had 10 points for the Spartans. Jarquise Young, who spent most of the game bringing the ball up against Elbert's press, finished with just two points for West Hall.