North Gwinnett coach Zach Smith claims that he didn't make any key halftime adjustments. But the Bulldogs sure seemed like a different team after the break.
North Gwinnett surged past rival Norcross for a 59-48 win in the Region 7-AAAAAA tournament championship game, Tuesday at Collins Hill.
The Bulldogs (25-3), winners of 10 in a row, will face Etowah, the fourth seed out of Region 5-AAAAAA, in the first round of the state tournament. They won three games in three days in the weather-hampered region tournament, after getting upset on a Meadowcreek buzzer-beater in the opening game of last season's tourney.
The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 15 in the first half, but regrouped at halftime, heated up in the third quarter and then put away the defending state champion Blue Devils in the fourth quarter.
"We just talked about sticking with what we do," said Smith, who coached an intense battle between two state title contenders while wearing a bright red sport coat. "In the first half, shots weren't falling, and we kind of hung our heads a little bit. We didn't control the things that we can control."
The game was physical, especially around the rim. North Gwinnett big man Malik Carter had back-to-back tip-ins, a part of 14-1 run start the second half. Owen Lewis’ 3-pointer gave North Gwinnett its first lead since early in the first quarter with three minutes left in third quarter, and Jack Stucke came off the bench to hit consecutive 3-pointers to close out the quarter and give North a 46-37 lead heading in the fourth.
“It’s a huge win for us, our first region championship since joining the largest classification,” said Smith.
Norcross coach Jesse McMillan was not pleased with his team down the stretch. He implored them to fight during a timeout with two minutes to play and emerged from the huddle with his face a similar shade to Smith's jacket. McMillan declined to be interviewed directly after the game.
Norcross (22-6) will open the state tournament against a talented Milton team.
The Blue Devils seemed headed to another region tournament title in the first half, but point guard Khalen Pickett and forward Lorenzo Carter each got into early foul trouble and were forced to the bench.
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Girls: Norcross 49, Duluth 33
Norcross avenged two regular-season losses to Duluth by pulling away in the Region 7-AAAAAA championship game.
Allison Johnson had a team-11 points, highlighted by a steal and last-second, off-balance 3-pointer that put the Blue Devils up 34-22, heading into the fourth quarter.
Norcross will face Walton in the first round of the state tournament.
Kolby Meeks added seven for Norcross and teamed with Sierra Butler to harass Duluth star Katie Powell.
Powell finished with 13 points for the Wildcats, who will play Lassiter in the first round of the state tournament.
Norcross made 9 of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
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