Boys basketball: North Hall wins battle for first in 8A-AAA

CARNESVILLE -- Ethan Smith poured in 28 points to lead North Hall to its eighth straight win after rallying to beat Franklin County 61-49 Tuesday night in a battle for first place Region 8A-AAA.

The win kept the Trojans (15-3, 4-0 Region 8A-AAA) and dropped the Lions (12-4, 3-1) into a second place tie with Stephens County. the loss snapped the Lions six-game win streak.

North Hall will play host to the Indians on Friday in another battle for first place.

Franklin County led 10-9 after the first quarter and took a 21-19 lead into halftime. But North Hall came out hot in the third quarter outscoring the Lions 25-12 to take a 44-33 lead into the fourth quarter.

Preston Smith added 13 points for North Hall.

Tomoriea McGlockling paced Franklin County with 12 points. Raquan Jones added 11 points for the Lions, who next travel to struggling Lumpkin County on Friday.