West Hall’s Jarquise Young hit a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining to save a 69-66 victory against Walnut Grove on Thursday in an 8-AAA subregion game in Oakwood.

The Spartans (15-3, 6-0 8-AAA) squandered a 23-4 first quarter lead in the second half and trailed by one entering the fourth quarter. Walnut Grove outscored the Spartans 32-12 in the third quarter.

After Young’s 3, Walnut Grove missed its 3-point attempt as time expired.

Jamad Stephens led West Hall with 18 points, his brother Shunquez Stephens added 13, Young finished with 12 and Dre Pou scored 10.

Walnut Grove was led by Oliver Banks’ 18 points.

The Spartans host Johnson on at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

WALNUT GROVE GIRLS 56, WEST HALL 49: The West Hall Lady Spartans gave the third-ranked team in the state one of its closest contests to date, but an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter allowed the Walnut Grove Lady Warriors to pull away and win.

Trailing by double digits for the majority of the game, West Hall chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter, and when Amber Johnson hit a jumper at the end of the period, the Lady Spartans trailed by only four points.

Following a Brooke Reed jumper that kept the deficit at four, Walnut Grove (17-0, 5-0 Region 8-AAA) picked up its defensive intensity and reeled off eight straight points to take control of the game.

Johnson, who finished with a game-high 17 points, faced constant double teams in the fourth quarter that opened things up for her teammates. Jessica Dambach capitalized on the majority of those open looks and hit two 3-pointers to keep the score respectable. Dambach finished with 11 points for the Lady Spartans (7-11, 2-4).

Gia Banks led Walnut Grove with 14 points, while Taylor Merritt and Miaya Crowder each added 10.

“Their physical play made the difference,” West Hall coach Lynn Jarrett said. “They’re so big and athletic.”

West Hall hosts Johnson at 6 p.m. Saturday.

NORTH GEORGIA CHRISTIAN BOYS 83, GRACE BAPTIST 66: Clay Cox led all scorers with 21 points and added 10 assists to lead the Chargers (13-4) to a convincing win Thursday in Gainesville.

Ashton Wright pitched in 13 points for the Chargers.

Gage Ray led Grace Baptist with 15 points.

The Chargers play Horizon Christian at 7 tonight in Cumming.