North Murray had its 15-point halftime lead cut to four at the end of the third quarter Wednesday, but the host Mountaineers responded with a 25-point fourth quarter and defeated Hart County 69-58 in a first-round boys' game in the GHSA Class AAA high school basketball state tournament.

North Murray (22-7) will play Saturday at Woodward Academy, which beat Dawson County 51-39 on Wednesday.

Zach Vess paced the Mountaineers with 23 points. Zach Sanford made three 3-point goals on his way to 13 points and Brady Swilling added 10 points.

• Morgan County 61, Ringgold 34: At Morgan County, Zach Lovain scored 10 points for the Tigers, whose season came to an end at 13-15.