RABBITTOWN — The East Hall boys basketball team knows it cannot afford a slip if it is to catch Greater Atlanta Christian in Region 7-AAA play -- which is why Tuesday night's 45-point second half surge was so critical for the Vikings.
East Hall found itself trailing Union County 40-34 at halftime in Valhalla. But Mahki Brown and Deonte Evans were not about to let the Vikings slip, as Brown put up 14 of his game-high 22 points and Evans 12 of his 14 to vault East Hall to a 79-64 victory.
The win kept the Vikings (9-6, 3-1 Region 7-AAA) within one game of GAC (4-0 in region play), and -- combined with other results around 7-AAA -- alone in second place in league play.
Brown provided a steady hand throughout to a balanced score sheet that saw five players hit double digits for the Vikings. His eight first half points helped East Hall stay within striking distance, as the Panthers (6-9, 1-3) edged in front thanks to a balanced attack of their own.
Crawford Colwell scored six of his 11 points in the first quarter, while Sawyer Drake put up eight of his 11 points in the second quarter. Pierson Allison also scored eight in the second quarter -- he finished with 12 -- as the Panthers scored 23 as a team to grab the lead.
It proved the high-water mark for Union County, however, and East Hall put the clamps on in the third quarter, allowing just 10 points, as the Vikings surged in front 54-50. Brown scored eight in the quarter, while Evans kept things going in the fourth quarter, scoring eight points -- including the team's sole 3-pointer on the night -- as East Hall put up 25 and held Union County to 14 en route to the win.
Along with Brown and Evans, the Vikings received 11 points apiece from Sedrion Morse and Luke Cooper. Trevor Rider also chipped in with 10 points.
RJ Banton led Union County with 13 points.
Union County will look to bounce back on Friday at Lumpkin County.
East Hall, meanwhile, will play host to Dawson County on Friday in Valhalla.
EAST HALL GIRLS 42,
UNION COUNTY 21
The Lady Panthers proved a thorny proposition for the Lady Vikings in the first half -- but East Hall's Carly Winters and a strong defensive effort proved no match for Union County in the second half.
Leading just 17-13 at the end of the second quarter, the Lady Vikings (8-7, 3-1 Region 7-AAA) stormed ahead after the interval, holding the Lady Panthers (6-7, 1-3) to just five third quarter points. East Hall, meanwhile, put up 16 points in the period -- including 10 of Winters' game-high 26 -- as they pulled away for a comfortable victory.
Winters burned Union throughout, draining six 3-pointers. Her three first quarter treys provided all of the Lady Vikings' offense in the first eight minutes.
Kylah Mize also scored 10 points, as East Hall moved itself into sole possession of second place in Region 7-AAA (behind Greater Atlanta Christian), thanks also to North Hall's win over Dawson County on Tuesday.
Freshman post Kait McCarter scored eight points to pace the Lady Panthers, while Ashley Fair sank two 3-pointers to finish with six points.
Union County will look to bounce back on Friday at Lumpkin County.
East Hall, meanwhile, will play host to Dawson County on Friday in Valhalla.
