BOGART, Ga. — North Hall could not hold onto an early lead against Walnut Grove in the third place of the Region 8-4A tournament.
The Trojans led 20-18 after the first quarter but the Warriors exploded for a 22-11 second quarter to grab en route to a 90-65 win.
The loss for North Hall (12-16) drops the Trojans to the fourth seed out of Region 8-4A in the upcoming state tournament next week. Walnut Grove (15-14) will be the No. 3 seed. North Oconee and Seckinger battled for the region title in the championship game.
The game was tied at 25 midway through the second quarter but Walnut Grove closed out the first half with a 15-6 run for a 40-31 lead and then ran out to leads as big as 20 before North Hall cut it to 67-50 heading into the fourth.
The Warriors kept the pressure on leading by as many as 30 in the final minutes.
Matt Ray led North Hall with 19 points. Cole Hulsey had 14 points for the Trojans.
Terrance Barimah paced Walnut Grove with 19 points. Chase Mohn added 17 points for the Warriors.
