MURRAYVILLE — North Hall had to scratch and claw their way to a 46-33 win Friday night against Johnson at home.
Both teams now will get set for next week's Lanierland Tournament.
The win for North Hall (4-9) snapped their six-game losing streak, including dropping their last three games by a total of just five points.
North Hall was hot early, raining in five 3-pointers in the first quarter for a 15-point lead after the opening period. The Knights (5-4), however, were able to cut the lead to single digits in the second quarter thanks to the charity stripe.
North Hall got in foul trouble early and Johnson was able to take full advantage scoring seven of their 14 second quarter points from the free throw line. The Knights continued to cut the deficit through the third quarter getting it to four points twice. But North Hall was able to take a seven-point lead into the final quarter, thanks to a deep buzzer-beating three from Drew Faulkner to end the third.
“That was a big momentum play by Drew,” North Hall coach Tyler Flowers said. “Something we’ve been talking over this little skid that we’ve had is that you have to step up and make shots. We’re trying to step up and do things the right way, we’re just missing some shots.
"That was big for Drew as a senior. That was something we needed as a team, and I think that was a big play that carried us into the fourth quarter.”
The Trojans were able to take the momentum from Faulkner’s shot into the final period going on an 11-2 run that stretched to the 4:15 mark and eventually pull away.
No North Hall player scored double figures but they got balanced scoring overall. Luke Gunter led the way for the Trojans with 9 points. Daniel Jackson added 8 points and Faulkner and Nate Nixon each scored 7 for the Trojans.
Johnson’s Jesse Harbin led all scorers with 13 points.
Both sides struggled from the free throw line. North Hall was just 4-for-9 from the line while Johnson was 7-for-22 at the line.
Johnson next will play East Hall in the first round of Lanierland on Thursday. North Hall will play Flowery Branch in the first round of Lanierland.
