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The North Middle School Gators beat the Highland Rim Hornets 27-19 on the road Thursday for their first win of the season.

The Gators scored a majority of their points in the fourth quarter as the offensive surge gave them enough of an edge to break into the win column.

The score was kept low throughout the opening period with Da’Zavion Taylor scoring all five points for North in the quarter.

The score was tied at 5-5 after one quarter.

The teams remained relatively even throughout the second quarter, but the Gators were able to take a slight lead into the halftime break.

They led 10-8 at the end of the first half.

A basket by Mason Isbell gave the Gators their only points of the third quarter with the Hornets taking advantage to pull ahead by a 13-12 margin going into the final period.

However, the Gators came alive on offense in the fourth quarter with two 3-pointers from Conner Worley and one from Taylor helping to more than double their point total and pave the way to an eight-point victory.

Taylor led the Gators with 11 points for the game, followed by Worley with six points and Connor Parker with four.

Isbell scored three points, Colson Kelley scored two and Caden Clark scored one.

With the win, the Gators improved to 1-2 on the season.

They will next play Monday at home against Harris Middle School. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.