By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
High school basketball: West Hall stays unbeaten with overtime win
1231BASKETBALL2
West Hall’s Nicole Breseman reaches for a loose ball between two North Hall defenders Taylor Bishop, left, and Shakeyla Rucker, right, swatting at the ball as well during the second half of Tuesday night’s game at the West Hall High gymnasium. - photo by Scott Rogers | The Times

Click here for other area basketball scores

North Hall girls 36, West Hall 33

North Hall girls 36
Mc. Rushton 12, Rucker 5, Rich 4, Bishop 4, Tate 4, Ma. Rushton 3, Swoszowski 2, Paschall 2.

West Hall 33
Moon 13, Soucie 11, Breseman 3, Hammond 3, Jones 2, Johnson 1.

North Hall 8 8 8 12—36
West Hall 9 9 8 7—33

West Hall boys 56, North Hall 52

West Hall boys 56
S. Stephens 23, Williams 12, Weatherly 8, Thomas 6, Gibson 5, Morales 2.

North Hall 52
Satterfield 12, Smith 12, Coker 11, Barnes 6, Cruz 5, Weaver 2, Hill 2, Ross 2, Pendley 2.

North Hall 7 14 12 17 2—52
West Hall 11 13 10 16 6—56

OAKWOOD — The West Hall High boys basketball team was once again tested Tuesday night. And once again, they prevailed, this time with a 56-52 overtime win against North Hall in Oakwood.

Forced to rally late in the fourth quarter, the unbeaten Spartans (11-0) were successful in keeping the Trojans from scoring more than once in overtime, while they scored three times.

“Tonight was a big test for us,” West Hall coach Warren Sellars said. “We had to overcome some adversity, but it’s good to get a win.”

With 30 seconds left in the game and a seven-point North Hall lead, the game didn’t look like a win at all for West Hall. But a seven-point rally that began with Kavon Williams’ 3-pointer and ended with a two crucial lay-ups by Shunquez Stephens, the last one coming at the buzzer, was enough to send the game to overtime.

Sellars still wasn’t quite sure how it happened after the game.

“I’d have to go back and watch the film to answer that,” he said, laughing. “Shunquez hit some big buckets down the stretch. He missed a 3 but had the presence of mind to follow his shot, get the rebound and put it in.”

Stephens’ two pivotal shots late in the game were only part of his heroic night. The 6-foot-4 sophomore recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Ten of those points came in the fourth quarter, and another two in overtime.

“He’s young, but doesn’t play like he’s young,” Sellars said. “He plays like a wily old veteran.”

His efforts throughout the game helped the Spartans hold a lead through the first three quarters, but not by much, as North Hall (6-5) never trailed by more than five points the entire game. The Trojans eventually took the lead with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t play particularly well, but North Hall had a lot to do with that,” Sellars said. “They played great defensively and took away a lot of stuff we like to do.”

After West Hall tied the game at 39 a minute later, North Hall stifled the Spartan defense for the next five minutes, moving quickly up the court and driving through the paint for a 10-4 run.

But it was the final minute of the game that made the difference.

With the Trojans up 50-43, Williams hit a 3-pointer to move within four. Stephens did the rest, dominating the post and reaching for two offensive rebounds that he scored on, including one with less than a second left on the clock to tie the game at 50 and force overtime.

The Spartans locked up the game with a 6-2 overtime run, led by Kyle Weatherly, who scored four of the six points. Stephens scored the other two points.

Along with Stephens, Williams also scored in double figures with 12 points, nine of which came from the 3-point line. Weatherly added eight points and five rebounds.

Ethan Satterfield and Ty Smith each scored 12 points for North Hall. Kanler Coker added 11 points for the Trojans.

West Hall opens a five-game road trip against Creekview at 8:30 p.m. Friday. North Hall visits Chestatee at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

North Hall girls 36, West Hall 33

A late North Hall rally was the difference maker as the Lady Trojans picked up their second straight win on Tuesday in Oakwood.

North Hall (2-6) trailed the entire game but never by more than four points. They finally tied the game early in the fourth quarter with a short shot by Taylor Tate, then jumped ahead with two straight 3-pointers by McKenna Rushton.

With North Hall ahead 34-30 with a minute left in the game, West Hall’s Emily Hammond hit a 3-pointer to move the Lady Spartans (5-5) within one, but Shakeyla Rucker’s transition lay-up in the closing seconds of the game secured the win for the Lady Trojans.

“We came out a little slow, but we’re young so I expect that to happen,” North Hall coach Bryan Richerson said. “They stepped up and showed me some maturity today, so I’m pleased with how they finished.”

Rushton led the Lady Trojans with 12 points and four rebounds.

Jayla Moon scored 13 points and seven rebounds for West Hall. Bailey Soucie also scored in double figures, with 11 points.

North Hall visits Chestatee at 6 p.m. Saturday. West Hall visits Creekview at 7 p.m. Friday.
Friends to Follow social media