OAKWOOD -- West Hall hit 17-of-23 free throws, including 9-of-12 in the final 1:51 of the game, to pull away from North Hall for a 59-50 victory in what was virtually a must-win situation for the Lady Spartans in Region 7-AAA Tuesday night.
The Lady Spartans (7-7, 2-3 Region 7-AAA) came into the game having lost two straight region games and were trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season at the worst possible time.
West Hall coach Lynn Jarrett said a stern talking to following a lackluster loss to East Hall at home on Saturday paid dividends.
"We were a little tired (from a Friday game) but you have win at home to have a chance in the region. That one hurt," Jarrett said. "Our effort (Tuesday) was much better and what I expect. I was real pleased with how we played, especially at the end. This was a big win for us. We needed it bad."
West Hall had seen a six-point halftime lead evaporate into a three-point North Hall lead late in the third quarter. But the Lady Spartans would turn on its defensive pressure forcing seven turnovers in the fourth quarter while taking care of business at the free throw line.
Maia Booker paced West Hall with 16 points despite sitting out most of the fourth quarter in foul trouble. Kaelyn Gattis had 14 points, mostly on the inside, to complement the outside shooting of Jensen Hall, who finished with 13 points.
"We got the ball inside better and that opened up Jensen. When we get balance like that we can score. That's the key," Jarrett said.
The win was much-needed for West Hall, which begins a critical stretch with back-to-back road games against Buford and Dawson County in the next seven days.
"Our goal is to finish in the top half so we have to win at home," Jarrett said."We have a tough week ahead but getting a win should help our confidence."
The two teams traded the lead seven times in the first half before the Lady Spartans used a 12-1 run to take a 21-13 lead midway through the second quarter on a 3-pointer by Hall. Hall finished with three first half 3-pointers. The Lady Spartans would eventually take a 28-22 lead into halftime.
The Lady Trojans would use their defense to rally to take the lead in the third quarter. North Hall opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take a 29-28 lead. Both teams traded the lead with the Lady Trojans taking a 39-38 lead into the fourth quarter.
The loss for North Hall (9-5, 3-2) snapped a two-game region win streak. The Lady Trojans came into the game tied for second with Banks County and Dawson County. They begin a three-game homestand against the top three teams in the region -- Dawson County, Buford, and Banks County -- on Friday.
Thursday
February 6th, 2025
2:20PM
