OAKWOOD -- Region 8-AAA is quickly finding out that Walnut Grove will be a contender in the upcoming region tournament.
Class AAA fifth-ranked West Hall was the latest team to witness just how explosive the Warriors are, holding on for a nail-biting 69-66 win Thursday night at the West Hall gym.
It took a 3-pointer from Jarquise Young with 4.3 seconds left to lift the Spartans to their eighth straight win. Young's basket came after the Warriors' Chris Peters drained a long 3-pointer with 20 seconds left to tie the game at 66.
West Hall coach Warren Sellers has repeatedly said no lead is safe in Region 8-AAA play and he was proven right again.
"We knew they were explosive and they really got after us in the third quarter," Sellers said. "No lead is safe in this region against anyone. But Jarquise got a good look there and I had no problem with him taking the shot. That was big time."
The Spartans had built a 19-point lead after a dominating first quarter and then extended it to 21 points early in the third quarter only to watch Walnut Grove use a 32-8 run in the third quarter to take a 53-50 lead into the fourth quarter.
For all the offensive firepower of the Warriors, it was their defense that got them back in the game. They forced 12 West Hall turnovers in the third quarter to spark their run.
"You have to bring it every night for 32 minutes in this region and we got sloppy in the second half," Sellers said. "(Walnut Grove) did a great job with its press but we have to do a better job against the press in games like this. We were fortunate to come out with a win despite the big lead."
For all of West Hall's senior leadership it was sophomore Jamaad Stephens that turned in the game-saving performance, especially in the fourth quarter. He poured in seven of his team-high 18 points in the final period, including twice scoring on offensive rebounds to tie the game for the Spartans.
"He saved us," Sellers said. "At times he looked like the only senior out there. He played an excellent game for us."
Sellers' initial worry coming into the game was how to slow down the Warriors' dynamic set of twins, Chris and Nick Peters. The duo had scored nearly 100 points in back-to-back wins over Gainesville and Johnson.
West Hall (15-3, 6-0 Region 8B-AAA) held the brothers to just 21 points Thursday but Walnut Grove center Oliver Banks took advantage of the Spartans zone defense pouring in 18 points, 10 in the third quarter, to go with 13 rebounds.
Shunquez Stephens finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, but hit the floor hard with his head midway through the fourth quarter. He returned a few minutes later but Sellers said they will monitor his status before Saturday's game against arch-rival Johnson.
Young finished with 12 points and five assists and Dre Pou had 10 points for West Hall.
Nick Peters, who poured in a career-high 35 points against Johnson on Monday, finished with just 13 on Thursday. Junior Malcom added 12 points and Chris Peters eight for Walnut Grove (7-10, 3-2).
West Hall came out strong to open the game using a zone defense with three defenders on the 3-point line virtually the entire first half to force the Peters brothers to pass the ball. It worked to perfection as the Spartans held them to just eight first half points while forcing 12 turnovers.
The Spartans opened the game with a 17-2 run and led 23-4 after the first quarter. West Hall led 38-21 at halftime and the rout looked on.
Walnut Grove, which saw its three-game win streak snapped, had other plans, however.
West Hall scored the first four points of the second half to go up 42-21 but the Warriors answered with an initial 15-0 run to pull within six. West Hall extended it nine points but on a three-point play by Jamaad Stephens but Walnut Grove closed out the wild quarter with a 17-5 run.
The two teams traded the lead three times in the fourth quarter as both teams played at a frenetic pace. West Hall pulled ahead 64-60 but missed five free throws over the final three minutes that could have put the game out of reach.
Friday
January 31st, 2025
5:56PM
