2017 State Championship Basketball

SUMMER CAMPS

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MARCH 8-11, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES Letter from the Executive Director Tournament Schedule Finals Feature Championship Locations Past State Champions

SPONSOR INDEX 3 4 5 7 38

TEAM INFORMATION AAASP Wheelchair Class 7A Girls Class 7A Boys Class 6A Girls Class 6A Boys Class 5A Girls Class 5A Boys Class 4A Girls Class 4A Boys Class 3A Girls Class 3A Boys Class 2A Girls Class 2A Boys Class 1A-Private Girls Class 1A-Private Boys Class 1A-Public Girls Class 1A-Public Boys

PUBLISHED BY SCORE ATLANTA

6 10 11 14 15 18 19 22 23 26 27 30 31 34 35 36 37 Publisher I.J. Rosenberg Creatve Art Director Rhonda Rawls Managing Editor Craig Sager II

GAMES WILL BE VIDEO STREAMED LIVE ON NFHS NETWORK.COM BUY PRE-EVENT CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS AT

@OFFICALGHSA

Assistant Editor Seth Ellerbee GHSA Media Relations Steve Figueroa GHSA Marketing Alan Sharp

Writers Jessica Charman Seth Ellerbee Craig Sager II

Atlanta Hawks 2 West Georgia Tech 4 Team IP 4 Technical College System of Georgia 5 Choice Hotels 5 AAASP 6 Wilson 8 NFHS Network 12 Hudl 16 Sports Medicine South 16 Max Preps 21 Formetco 21 Regions 21 Musco Lighting 21 Gatorade 24 Georgia National Guard 24 Georgia EMC 29 Jostens 33 Mizuno 33 NFHS My Reason Why 39 Georgia Farm Bureau Back Page Photos in this guide courtesy of Brian L. Morgan (Wesleyan HS), Brunswick High School, Cedar Shoals HS, Georgia Tech, Harrison HS, Julie Fennell (Holy Innocents’), Ty Freeman (Greenforest HS, Mays HS), Macon Telegraph (Wilkinson County HS), David McGregor (Buford HS), Trevor McNaboe/ The Clayton Tribune (Rabun), Morgan County HS, St. Pius HS, Moncello Stewart (Beach HS), University of Georgia and Z3 Photography-Langston Sandlin (South Atlanta HS).

A WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Welcome to the 2017 Dr. Ralph Swearngin State Basketball Championship Finals. This season has been an exciting one as regular season games received local, state and national attention. For the first time in its history these State Finals will be played at two tremendous venues……Stegman Colisium at the University of Georgia and McCamish Pavillion on the campus of Georgia Tech. The staff and the members of the Georgia High School Association are excited and enthused in anticipation of the experiences that will provide to the state finalist teams. We are grateful to these universities for their support of high school basketball in the state of Georgia. We look forward to four of the most thrilling days of competitions.

Behind the scenes of these great games is a group of hard-working volunteers who donates many hours of work to enhance this experience for our participants. Ernie Yarbrough, GHSA administrator for basketball, has been leading the effort for weeks to make this event very special. The athletic staffs of our host universities stand ready to serve your needs while you are in these arenas.

The quality of GHSA events is made possible through the help of corporate partners whose names are displayed in this program and around the facilities. The GHSA thanks there fine companies and we encourage your support of them whenever possible. Spectators are a very important part of high school athletics. Good sportsmanship is an essential element of high school athletics, as well. Be positive as you express your support of your team – and enjoy the action!!

Cordially Yours,

Gary Phillps Executive Director

3 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

CLASS

Telfair County vs. Pelham

1A-Public Girls

2:00pm

Wilkinson County vs. Calhoun County 1A-Public Boys

4:00pm

Buford vs. Southwest DeKalb

5A Girls

6:00pm

Buford vs. Cedar Shoals

5A Boys

8:00pm

AAASP Wheelchair Championship

TIME FRIDAY, MARCH 10 GEORGIA TECH

TEAMS

Teams

Class

Beach vs. Johnson-Savannah

3A Girls

2:00pm

Pace Academy vs. Morgan County

3A Boys

4:00pm

Harrison vs. Mays

6A Girls

6:00pm

Brunswick vs. Langston Hughes

6A Boys

8:00pm

Holy Innocents’ vs. Wesleyan

1A-Private Girls

2:00pm

Greenforest vs. SW Atlanta Christian 1A-Private Boys

4:00pm

Columbus vs. Carver-Columbus

4A Girls

6:00pm

St. Pius vs. Upson Lee

4A Boys

8:00pm

Laney vs. Rabun County

2A Girls

2:00pm

Swainsboro vs. South Atlanta

2A Boys

4:00pm

McEachern vs. Norcross

7A Girls

6:00pm

Norcross vs. Tift County

7A Boys

8:00pm

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Time

11:00am SATURDAY, MARCH 11 GEORGIA TECH

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 8

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE - MARCH 8-11, 2017

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MARCH 8-11, 2017 TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

NEW CHANGES ADD SPARKLE TO CHAMPIONSHIP SLATE

BY CRAIG SAGER II | CSAGER@SCOREATL.COM

F

our days, two new locations and a field of 34 state finalists; the Dr. Ralph Swearngin State Basketball Championship Finals are back and bigger than ever. The changes made in the past year were significant as the landscape has changed throughout the classifications. Gone is the threeday Macon marathon and arriving is a more spread out finals schedule that will start on Wednesday to accommodate the now eight different classifications crowning state champs.

The state’s first Class 7A basketball state champs will be celebrated this Saturday. Starring in the girls final is Norcross and McEachern, which each make their sixth finals appearances in the past eight years. These two programs will hold the last eight titles in the state’s highest classification come Saturday. The Norcross boys have returned to the finals for the first time since 2013 and could give the Blue Devils a rare title sweep if the Norcross girls defeat McEachern in the 6 p.m. timeslot on Saturday. The Tift County boys, however, are hunt-

ing for their own title after clinching the Class 6A state championship in 2014. The last time the Norcross boys and Tift County boys faced each other was on the same Georgia Tech court in 2014 when Tift County took a 78-70 victory into the finals.

STARS OF THE SHOW

Both Class 6A matchups boast a prolific scorer that is capable of putting together the type of finals performance that will be talked about for years to come. In the girls final between Harrison and Mays, Kamiyah Street has scored a combined 65 points in the past two games and used a personal 16-0 scoring run to help Mays overcome a 16-point deficit and rally to beat Lovejoy 50-42 in the semifinals. Landers Nolley brings a similar ability to takeover games into the boys Class 6A finals between his Hughes Panthers and the 2015 Class 5A state champion Brunswick Pirates.

Nolley drilled seven three-pointers off nine attempts and poured in a gamehigh 34 points in Hughes’ 59-57 win

over Allatoona in the semifinals.

The Buford boys and girls both advanced to the Class 5A finals, but it will be the boys looking for their first state title after the Lady Wolves square off with defending Class 5A champion Southwest DeKalb in search of their fifth all-time state title.

In Class 4A, St. Pius looks to make history and take home the program’s first-ever state title, but the stakes are equally high for 31-0 Upson-Lee which seeks perfection as well as the program’s first championship. An All-City showdown between Carver-Columbus and Columbus in the Class 4A girls finals is one of two significant matchups between neighboring schools. In Class 3A, Beach and the Johnson-Savannah girls set up a Savannah showdown that will take the court at Stegeman Coliseum on Thursday.

A GRAND FINALE

In the Class 3A boys final, Dukesignee Wendell Carter Jr. plays his final varsity game for defending Class 2A state champion Pace Academy against the defending Class 3A state champion Morgan County Bulldogs, which make their fourth consecutive finals appearance.

The Rabun County girls put their historic season on the line against 30-1 Laney in the girls 2A final, while oneloss South Atlanta faces Swainsboro and Jaylan McKinney, who comes off a 32-point semifinal, in the boys 2A

championship.

Southwest Atlanta Christian’s Deaundre Ballard comes off a 41-point semifinal performance as his Warriors take on topranked Greenforest Christian in the boys A-Private finals. In the girls A-Private championship, Wesleyan and Holy Innocents’ are squaring off in the finals for the fourth straight year.

Wesleyan aims for a staterecord 12th state title against the defending champion Bears.

In Class A-Public, the Pelham girls have taken a 34.6 average margin of victory into their championship showdown with No. 1 seed Telfair County.

Meanwhile, 2015 state champion Calhoun County is the only thing standing in the way of Wilkinson County’s ninth state title in the boys A-Public final.

Photos courtesy of Cedar Shoals HS

5 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS AMERICAN ASSOC. OF ADAPTED SPORTS PROGRAMS

SHARKS LOOK FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT TITLE IN ATHENS WWW.ADAPTEDSPORTS.ORG

T

he American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP) is hosting the 20h Annual Interscholastic Wheelchair Basketball State Championship Tournament in Georgia, which began on March 4 and will conclude on Thursday, March 9 with the finals between the West Georgia Wolverines and Houston Sharks at the University of Georgia’s Stegeman Coliseum.

The Tournament is held in conjunction with the Georgia High School Association’s State Tournament, as Wheelchair Basketball is one of the most widely recognized sports for athletes with disabilities.

The junior varsity level competed in its state championship game, which saw the Atlanta Wolfpack defeat the Houston County Sharks 40-28 last Saturday.

In the varsity semifinals, the West Georgia Wolverines ad-

vanced to take on four-time defending state champion Houston County Sharks. West Georgia’s last title came in 2007, while Houston County looks to become the first team to win five-straight state titles and join the Atlanta Wolfpack with a state-best five all-time state titles.

The four-time reigning champion Sharks remain undefeated this season, handing the Gwinnett Heat a 27-10 loss on Feb. 25. The Sharks varsity team has not lost a game in Wheelchair Handball, Wheelchair Basketball or Wheelchair Football, all three core sports, since the 2013-14 school year. Braxton Robinson returns for his fifth year and has been a part of all four of the Sharks’ previous championships. The Sharks will need to find scoring to replace Donovan Way, who netted 20 of the Sharks’ 40 points in last year’s championship.

AAASP WHEELCHAIR ROSTERS Houston County Sharks No.

Name

No.

Name

23

Chasity Farms

25

Grace Putman

22

O’lando Hicks

13

Annabelle Putman

35

Grady Hilburn

11

Braxton Roberson

10

Jordan Kozloski

33

Gavin Siens

24

Kierra Miles

Coaches: Brenda Arnett and Stephen Roberson West Georgia Wolverines No.

Name

No.

Name

20

Jesse Cochran

1

Bryan Lanier

4

Taji Forrero

11

Star Phillips

12

Dylan Goble

13

Tremmelle Raymond

15

Joseph (“Bubba”) Ivey 14

Logan Wegienka

Coaches: Richard McIntyr and Ric McIntyre

OFF THE SIDELINES INTO THE GAME

If you have a qualifying physical or sensory disability and attend grades 1-12 in Georgia...youʼre in the game.

Contact AAASP, GHSA, your Athletic Department or a Coach to express interest.

Learn more about the sports that may be available to you at: www.adaptedsports.org 6 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

MARCH 8-11, 2017

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL FINALS LOCATIONS The 10,523 capacity Stegeman Coliseum is home to the University of Georgia’s basketball and gymnastics teams. Opened in 1965, the arena has hosted many remarkable sporting events, not only at collegiate level, but also during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. And now, the venue will soon stage the most competitive games in Georgia high school basketball!

Formerly the Georgia Coliseum, the arena was dedicated to the memory of Bulldog coaching legend, Herman James Stegeman, on March 2, 1996. Stegeman spent 20 years (1919-39) working with Georgia’s athletic program and contributed significantly to college basketball in the south.

STEGEMAN COLISEUM

After numerous renovations, the Coliseum now boasts an expanded seating area, new scoreboards, press tables and an impressive, state-of-the-art basketball floor.

Situated in the heart of Athens, the Stegeman Coliseum is a highlight of the college town.

The venue can be easily accessed via numerous highways, including 29, 78, 129 and Georgia State Route 72. There are also effective public transport routes serving the area, including the Athens Transit and the UGA Campus Transit.

Other than the Coliseum, Athens has many highlights including:

• Plenty of accommodation options ranging from hotels to campsites.

• The historical downtown district, famous for its local shops, restaurants, and music venues.

• The beautiful State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

Learn more about the Stegeman Coliseum at http://www.georgiadogs.com/ McCamish Pavilion became the home of Yellow Jackets’ basketball for the 2012-13 season.

The capacity arena has witnessed several impressive seasons by Georgia Tech’s teams, leading to overall records of 43-26 for the men and 42-23 for the women over the four years played there. Now the Pavilion will host some of the most anticipated games in Georgia high school basketball!

Prior to its reopening in 2012, the Pavilion was known as the Alexander Memorial Coliseum.

Under this alias, the venue hosted the Atlanta Hawks from 1968 to 1972 and again between 1997 and 1999.

MCCAMISH PAVILION

After huge renovations prior to 2012, the Pavilion now holds up to 8,600 fans. Improvements included a new structure to the building, a center-hung scoreboard, a luxurious club area and illuminating light system, similar to Madison Square Garden’s. The new name honors the lead funder of the renovations, Hank McCamish, a long-time insurance executive in the Atlanta area.

Situated in downtown Atlanta, the venue is easily accessible using the I75/I85. The area is also served by two MARTA stations, North Avenue Station and the Midtown Station, from which Georgia Tech offers a trolley bus.

Being in the heart of Atlanta means there is plenty to do while in the area. Highlights include: • 1000s of hotel rooms and restaurants to choose from.

• Tourist attractions in downtown Atlanta including the CNN Center, the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

• Professional sports events including the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.

Learn more about the McCamish Pavilion at www.ramblinwreck.com

7 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

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Grayson

Region 8 - Team 3

Collins Hill

Collins Hill

62

Campbell

52

Region 6 - Team 2 Region 2 - Team 4

Cherokee

Region 4 - Team 1

Tift Co.

Region 1 - Team 3

Hillgrove

Region 3 - Team 2

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAAAAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

40

72

H

43 Collins Hill

Cherokee

72 Collins Hill

Duluth

34

H

Lambert

Norcross

Region 7 - Team 1

41

H

North Cobb

Region 3 - Team 4

Colquitt Co. 49

Colquitt Co.

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 17-18 54

Duluth

60

McEachern

45

U. of West Georgia 6:00 PM

H Westlake Westlake

66

W. Forsyth

Norcross

66

Marietta

Region 5 - Team 4

Brookwood

Region 7 - Team 2

H

Feb. 22-23

44

Lowndes

46

48 U. of West Georgia 2:00 PM

H

S. Forsyth

Region 5 - Team 3

H

Colquitt Co.

H

Westlake

Region 1 - Team 2

70

46

55

58

29

Region 3 - Team 3

Archer

Region 8 - Team 1

Brookwood

H

Lambert

Roswell

Region 2 - Team 1

60

H

Archer

50

69

54

Region 4 - Team 4

Mountain View

Region 6 - Team 4

38 Hillgrove

Newton

Region 8 - Team 2

Pebblebrook

Region 2 - Team 2

Archer

66

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

58

30

62

52 H

Central Gwinnett 51

Lambert

H

H

H

H

Woodstock

Region 4 - Team 3

Pebblebrook

Archer

48

68

Region 7 - Team 4

Region 5 - Team 1

75

57

50

29

44 H

H

Marietta

H

H

78

69

38

26

45

N. Forsyth

H

Region 5 - Team 2

35 62

S. Gwinnett At Large

McEachern

H

H

Parkview

Region 7 - Team 3

N. Forsyth

McEachern

Champion

76

Mill Creek

Region 6 - Team 1

H

77

57

Rockdale Co.

Region 8 - Team 4

Mill Creek

33 Norcross

65

47

McEachern

58

Etowah

Region 4 - Team 2

47

47

Norcross

43

H

H

37

Wheeler

Mill Creek

63 H Norcross

Wheeler

Region 2 - Team 3

68

Runner-Up

McEachern

H

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

Grayson

Region 8 - Team 3

Grayson

Collins Hill

50

Campbell

62

Region 6 - Team 2 Region 2 - Team 4

Etowah

Region 4 - Team 1

Lowndes

Region 1 - Team 3

Duluth

Shiloh

Region 8 - Team 2

Lassiter

Region 4 - Team 4

W. Forsyth

Region 5 - Team 4

Norcross

Region 7 - Team 1

48

56

100

55

H

75

51

Berkmar 69

Tift Co. 72

Norcross

U. of West Georgia 4:00 PM

Tift Co.

H

65

H

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

67 76

Tift Co H

57

H

Pebblebrook

73

U. of West Georgia 8:00 PM

60

60

Wheeler 37

H

Wheeler

H

46 Pebblebrook

52

89

44

H

H

H

Norcross Colquitt Co.

49

67

H

Mountain View 65

McEachern

70

H

59

50

Lambert

64

H

Norcross

38 Norcross 83

H

66 H

75

82 Champion

Runner-Up

72 H

McEachern

H

52 69 H

S. Forsyth

Region 5 - Team 3

Berkmar

Region 7 - Team 2

Marietta

Region 3 - Team 4

Tift Co.

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 73

Duluth

Newton

Region 8 - Team 1

Tift Co.

59

58

51

Colquitt Co.

H

62

Westlake

Region 2 - Team 2 Region 6 - Team 4

Newton

44 Brookwood

Kennesaw Mtn.

Region 1 - Team 2

89

Brookwood

Roswell

Region 4 - Team 3

72 Peachtree Ridge

53

H

96

Region 3 - Team 3

50

Newton

51

Pebblebrook

Region 2 - Team 1

H

Grayson Hillgrove

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

66

37 Westlake

51

61

Milton

73

H

Brookwood

Region 5 - Team 1

69

H

70

59

Region 7 - Team 4

83 Grayson

Etowah

Hillgrove

Region 3 - Team 2

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAAAAA Boys State Basketball Tournament

52

McEachern 88

Wheeler

Region 2 - Team 3

Cherokee

Region 4 - Team 2

S. Gwinnett

Region 8 - Team 4

Mountain View

Region 6 - Team 1

Meadowcreek

Region 7 - Team 3

Lambert

Region 5 - Team 2

Mill Creek At Large

McEachern

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

NORCROSS McEACHERN SATURDAY 6:00 PM 3.11.17

7A GIRLS

DID YOU KNOW? WITH A VICTORY, MCEACHERN WOULD BE THE FIRST TEAM TO EVER WIN FOURSTRAIGHT STATE TITLES IN GEORGIA’S LARGEST CLASSIFICATION

Photo credit: Ty Freeman

NORCROSS N

BLUE DEVILS • 29-2 • REGION 7

orcross is back in the finals for the sixth time in eight years. The Blue Devils are 3-for-5 in their past five finals appearances, with state titles coming in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Norcross has dominated the 2016-17 slate, with its only two losses coming to Virginia powerhouse Monacan 58-57 and Tennessee’s Riverdale (69-50). As a result, Norcross enters the matchup with 25 straight wins against instate opponents. Within the winning streak are victories over the state’s top teams, including a 57-53 victory over McEachern on November 19 in the Parkview Thanksgiving Tournament. Norcross jumped out to a 30-23 lead at the half and increased the lead to 40-30 entering the fourth quarter before holding on to the four-point victory. Norcross managed to hold the Indians to well below their 65.2 points per game average, despite a 9-of-18 shooting performance from beyond the arc for McEachern. After taking the Region 7 AAAAAAA tournament by an average margin of victory of 29 points per game, Norcross opened the playoffs with a 65-38 blowout over West Forsyth. In the second round, Norcross outrebounded Marietta a staggering 53-to-11 in a 76-47 blowout. Marietta managed just four field goals in the entire first half.

Taylor Mason led Norcross with 14 of her team-high 19 points coming in the first half. The comfortable lead allowed head coach Angie Hembree to work a dozen players into the game and Tehya Lyons (12), Tionna Carter (12), Devyn Wilson (11) and Vanessa Blagmon (11) joined Mason in double-figure scoring.

Norcross jumped to a 13-0 lead in the quarterfinals against Westlake before cruising to a 57-44 victory.

Lyons led the way with 15 points, while Blagmon netted 11. The semifinals proved to be a defensive battle as Norcross ousted Collins Hill 37-30. Blagmon had 13 points and six rebounds, while Mason finished with 11 points and six rebounds.

McEACHERN T

INDIANS • 25-6 • REGION 3

hree-time Class AAAAAA defending champion McEachern is back for the finals for the sixth time in eight years. While Norcross is 3-for-5 in its five previous appearances since 2010, McEachern has been 4-for-5 with state crowns coming in 2012, 2014, 2015 and last year’s 71-51 win over Tucker. The Indians’ bid for a fourth straight state title in Georgia’s largest classification opened with a 57-53 Thanksgiving Tournament loss to Norcross before battling a national circuit and stringing together a 20-game winning streak against Georgia opponents heading into Saturday’s championship. McEachern’s rise to the top of the Georgia High School basketball in the past eight years has been a combination of aggressive scorers, versatility, team speed and the scrupulous coaching of reigning Atlanta Journal Constitution Class AAAAAA coach of the year Phyllis Arthur when the stakes are the highest. There will be plenty of talent on the floor to appreciate on Saturday with Norcross and McEachern, but the coaching matchup between Norcross head coach Angie Hembree and Arthur will be critical as the All-State and championship coaches aim to manage momentum swings, create favorable matchups and keep their teams focused in this evenly matched showdown. Like Norcross, McEachern has a long list of stars that can lead the scoring on any given night. Quanniecia Morrison has been McEachern’s top scorer this season with 13.7 points per game, while also playing the role of facilitator with a team-high 5.9 assists per game and pacing the team with 3.7 steals per game.

Lyndsey Whilby is scoring 13.2 points per game. Chanel Wilson is a natural scorer at point guard with 12.9 points per game and 5.4 assists. This year’s McEachern team relies heavily on its three-point shooting and will use its aggressive guards to keep the Norcross defense honest and create the outside looks they want.

1 0 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach:Angie Hembree No. Name Pos. 10 Myra Strickland G 11 Taylor Mason G 12 Tehya Lyons G 13 Raven Etheredge G 14 Bre Etterick G 15 Tionna Carter F 20 Meg Willis G 21 Janee Knorr F 23 Starr Herndon F 25 Vanessa Blagmon G 30 Morgan Robinson G 31 Yamani Paul F 32 Dani Dias F 33 Mimi Robinson G 34 Devyn Wilson F

Gr. 10 12 11 11 11 10 10 11 12 12 10 9 9 11 11

Head Coach: Phyllis Arthur No. Name Pos. Gr. 4 O’Mariyah Tucker SF, PF 10 5 Lyndsey Whilby SG, G 12 10 Quanniecia Morrison SG, PG, SF 12 11 Chanel Wilson PG, SG 11 13 Daelyn Craig PF, PG 9 15 Kyla Carpenter PG, SG 9 20 Symone Oliver C, PF, SF 12 21 Jarah Cotton PG, SF 10 22 Daimaya Mcpherson PF, C, SF 11 24 Victoria Agyin PG, SG 11 30 Jewel Smalls PG, SG, SF 11 33 Alexis Burke PF, SF 12 34 Alyssa Smith PF, SF 11 35 Jasmine Clements PF, SF 12 50 Kemia Ward C, PF 10

MARCH 8-11, 2017

NORCROSS

7A BOYS

TIFT COUNTY SATURDAY 8:00 PM

3.11.17

DID YOU KNOW? A TIFT COUNTY VICTORY WOULD MARK THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1999 THAT A GWINNETT SCHOOL WENT THREE OR MORE CONSECUTIVE YEARS WITHOUT A STATE TITLE IN THE LARGEST CLASSIFICATION.

Photo credit: Ty Freeman

NORCROSS N

BLUE DEVILS • 26-5 • REGION 7

Head Coach: Jesse McMillan No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

orcross makes its first finals appearance since 2013, when the Blue Devils defeated Hillgrove 60-48 in the first season of a newly formed Class 6A. The championship marked the program’s fifth championship in the state’s largest classification in a span of just eight seasons. Now, Norcross looks to take the first-ever Class 7A title against 2014 Class 6A state champion Tift County. Norcross is led by 2016 Atlanta JournalConstitution All-State forward Rayshaun Hammonds. The 6-foot-7 senior was dominant in Norcross’ 67-48 semifinals victory over Grayson last Saturday. His game-high 20 points came off an efficient 7-of-11 shooting and he owned the paint by corralling 16 rebounds to go with three steals and a pair of blocked shots. The University of Georgia-commit has a talented surrounding cast that create matchup problems across the floor. Sophomore guard Kyle Sturdivant used a 6-of-9 shooting performance to add 14 points in the semis, while Louisville commit Lance Thomas added 12 points and Jordan Goldwire netted nine points while dishing out seven assists. Robert Sims could play a large role regarding Norcross’s difficult matchup with Tift County’s P.J. Horne. The 6-foot-6 senior can give Hammonds rest when needed and provide a spark to keep Hammonds out of costly foul trouble. Sims did just that in the semifinals when Hammonds hit the bench with two early fouls and was part of a 10-4 run that kept Norcross in control. “That was all because of Robert Sims,” Norcross coach Jesse McMillan told the Gwinnett Daily Post’s Colin Hubbard following the game.

“He completely changed the energy of the game. When you lose your best player [Hammonds], it can go one of two ways. But you have a guy [like Sims] who maybe doesn’t get as much playing time, coming in and rebounding and blocking shots, it changes everything.”

0

Rayshaun Hammonds

SF

12

1

Lance Thomas

SF

12

2

Devin Dennis

G

12

3

Kyle Sturdiyant

G

10

5

Jordan Goldwire

G

12

10

Joseph Toppin

SF

11

11

Alonzo Johnson

G

10

12

Dalvin White

G

11

15

Malachi Martin

G

10

20

Robert Sims

SF

12

21

Shelton Zeon

F

11

23

Brandon Boston

G

9

25

Jaekwon Kyles

SF

11

TIFT COUNTY

Head Coach: Eric Holland No. Name Pos. 0 Tyree Marshall PG, G 1 Fred Lloyd PF, C 2 Micah Johnson G, PG 3 Montavious Terrell PG 4 Jay Johnson G 5 Rashod Bateman SG 10 Chad Copeland SG, W 11 Michael Graydon PG, G 12 Trey Taylor SG 13 Marquavious Johnson W, SG 14 Dawon Barnes SG, SF 15 Mckenzie Jackson PF 20 Cam Cobb SG 21 Otis Jackson PF, SF, C 22 Jj Mcclain W, PF 23 Andrew Johnson PF, C 24 Preston Horne SF, W 25 Camden Collins SG 32 Ches Jackson C, PF 40 Deshonn Chaney C

BLUE DEVILS • 27-2 • REGION 1

is back in the finals for the first time since 2014, when the program captured its first state title TiftsinceCounty 1996 with an unforgettable 63-49 win over Wheeler. In the semifinals before the 2014 champion-

ship game, Tift County defeated reigning 2013 Class 6A champion Norcross 78-70 in front of a massive crowd at Georgia Tech’s Hank McCamish Pavilion. That March 1, 2014 win over Norcross was the last time the two teams faced, and now they return to the same court three years later where the stage will be even bigger in the Class 7A championship. Virginia Tech commit and Tift County senior P.J. Horne was a freshman when the teams last faced, and he has developed into one of the top prospects in the state with his team-leading 23.3 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. Horne’s experience of playing in big games was on display in Saturday’s 56-49 semifinals victory over previously unbeaten McEachern, and Horne’s teammate Micah Johnson’s clutch scoring down the stretch was enough end the Indians’ dream season.

Horne scored 15 of his game-high 17 points in the first half as Tift County built a 30-16 lead. In the second half when McEachern desperately tried to shoot its way back into the game and cut the deficit to 38-31, Johnson closed the door by scoring 12 of Tift County’s final 20 points, including a stretch of 10 in a row. In addition to Tift County’s timely buckets, the team shot an effective 20-of-27 from the foul line. Fred Lloyd is Tift County’s other top scoring threat with 9.9 points per game. Two-sport star Rashod Bateman contributes 6.9 points per game as a physical shooting guard that also hauled in five touchdown passes this past season for the Blue Devils and is being recruited to play receiver at the next level.

Gr. 10 12 12 11 12 11 11 11 11 10 12 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 11 11

1 1 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Watch Every GHSA Basketball State Championship Game on the NFHS Network

Visit NFHSnetwork.com to watch live.

Dacula

Region 8 - Team 3

Harrison

Region 6 - Team 2

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAAAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

34 Harrison

43

34

54

H

Harrison

51

73

Tucker

Region 4 - Team 1

Houston Co.

Region 1 - Team 3

Tucker

Pope

74

Douglas Co.

Region 5 - Team 1

River Ridge

Evans

Region 3 - Team 3

Valdosta

Region 1 - Team 2

S. Paulding

Region 5 - Team 4

Northview

Region 7 - Team 1

68

54

H

Mays

52 28

Harrison

Ft. Valley State 2:00 PM

H

Greenbrier

H

51

H

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

54 41

Mays

H

H Stephenson

35

Ft. Valley State 6:00 PM

46

63

Stephenson

Northview Valdosta

39

H

32

30

H

57

65

Northview

52

H

36

48 48 H

H

54

Runner-Up

H

Northside, WR

Region 1 - Team 1

Richmond Hill

Region 2 - Team 3

Chattahoochee

Region 7 - Team 3

19 New Manchester Region 5 - Team 2 H

Chattahoochee

Champion

74

Greenbrier

Region 3 - Team 4

50 Creekview Region 6 - Team 1 H

61 Chattahoochee Northview

Alpharetta

Region 7 - Team 2

Region 8 - Team 4

Creekview

Lovejoy

54

H

Mays

Region 5 - Team 3

54 Lovejoy Region 4 - Team 2 H

H

48 37

Winder-Barrow

Region 8 - Team 1

40 Habersham Cent.

59

42

Lovejoy

Lovejoy

H

Sequoyah

Region 6 - Team 4

Feb. 17-18 20

River Ridge

55

Region 2 - Team 1

65

H

Stephenson

Brunswick

63

Mays

H

84

53

Region 4 - Team 4

80 Douglas Co.

Douglas Co.

Gainesville

Region 8 - Team 2

59

H

Mays

23

H

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

50

57

58 Houston Co.

31

Region 7 - Team 4

Harrison

Winder-Barrow

54

Heritage, Con.

Region 3 - Team 2

38

H

H

Region 2 - Team 2

51

H

Jonesboro

Region 4 - Team 3

45 Glynn Academy

H

Winder-Barrow

35

53

Jonesboro

H

Bradwell Institute 28

Region 2 - Team 4

52

Grovetown 59

Coffee Co.

Region 1 - Team 4

Grovetown

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

Lanier

Region 8 - Team 3

South Cobb

Region 6 - Team 2

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAAAA Boys State Basketball Tournament

55

South Cobb

44

88

65

H

H

South Cobb

69

40

Stephenson

Region 4 - Team 1

Coffee Co.

Region 1 - Team 3

Osborne

Lee Co.

H

71

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

44

Langston Hughes Brunswick

Mays

51

H

H

37 61

Allatoona

H

57

67

H

69

Allatoona

57

H 66

80

61

56

H

H

Northside, WR Pope

Jonesboro

Allatoona

66

H

59

63

64

Brunswick Northside, WR

56

Ft. Valley State 8:00 PM

H

H

74

Creekview

Region 6 - Team 4

Gainesville

Region 8 - Team 1

54

54

Tri-Cities 60

Tri-Cities

56

Champion 65

H

Runner-Up

H

Dunwoody

Region 7 - Team 2

Alcovy

Region 3 - Team 4

Lee Co.

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 49

Brunswick

Northside, WR

Pope

Feb. 28-March 1

H

59

Region 7 - Team 1

56

Brunswick

Ft. Valley State 4:00 PM

H

H

Dacula

Greenbrier

Region 5 - Team 4

59

65

81

Region 1 - Team 2

90

Feb. 22-23

Brunswick

Region 3 - Team 3

H

72 Langston Hughes

H

49

Region 2 - Team 1

34

37 H

70

Forest Park

Effingham Co.

Region 2 - Team 2

Region 5 - Team 3

59 Langston Hughes S. Paulding

S. Paulding

89

Region 4 - Team 4

82

H

59 Langston Hughes

82

H

Dacula

Region 8 - Team 2

61

Tucker

Region 4 - Team 3

59 Langston Hughes Coffee Co.

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

South Cobb

77

49

S. Paulding

Gainesville

H

H

Cambridge

Region 5 - Team 1

42 70

63

71

Region 7 - Team 4

64

H

Gainesville

Glynn Academy 79

Heritage, Con.

Region 3 - Team 2

Effingham Co.

H

Glynn Academy 75

Region 2 - Team 4

55

Valdosta 55

H

Richmond Hill

Region 2 - Team 3

Jonesboro

Region 4 - Team 2

Winder-Barrow

Region 8 - Team 4

Allatoona

Region 6 - Team 1

Alpharetta

Region 7 - Team 3

Tri-Cities

Region 5 - Team 2

Valdosta

Region 1 - Team 4

Lakeside, Ev.

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

MAYS HARRISON 3.9.17

6A GIRLS

THURSDAY 6:00 PM

DID YOU KNOW? MAYS CLOSED THE SEMIFINALS ON A 32-8 RUN TO DEFEAT LOVEJOY 50-42 Photo credit: Ty Freeman

MAYS M

RAIDERS

•

21-9

•

REGION

5

ays looks for its first state title since the program captured the 2003 championship in Class AAAA. The Raiders most recent finals appearance came in the 2015 Class AAAAA finals, where they fell short 65-56 to Stephenson. Unlike their opponent Harrison’s protracted spells of injury-driven adversity throughout this season, the Raiders’ adversity came in a flash with their season hanging by a thread in the second half of Saturday’s semifinals. With nothing working offensively, Lovejoy sparked a 10-1 to open the third quarter and put Mays in a 34-18 hole with just over five minutes left in the frame. Not only did the Raiders complete the comeback, but they overcame the 16-point deficit and used a 32-8 run to close out a 50-42 victory. Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2016 Class AAAAA Player of the Year Kamiyah Street spearheaded the comeback and set the tone with a personal 16-0 scoring run that puzzled the Wildcats and vitalized her surrounding cast. Defensively, Mays cranked up the intensity with a half-court trap that closed the third quarter with four Lovejoy turnovers in the final four minutes. “I told them, this is it,” expressed Mays head coach Chantay Frost following the game. “They’ve done some great things in their careers. Kamiyah has about 2,900 points scored. But I told them did they want to be great, or did they want to be legendary.” Mays took a three seed into the playoffs and opened with another hard-fought battle, topping Alpharetta on the road 58-54. The second round resulted in an 80-28 rout over Greenbrier before Mays took a 65-51 victory over top-seeded Winder-Barrow in the quarterfinals. Street dominated Winder-Barrow, finishing with a game-high 33 points, giving her a combined 65 points in her last two games entering the final game of her high school career.

HARRISON N

HOYAS

•

25-5

•

REGION

6

o two journeys to the state title game are equal and Harrison’s run to its first-ever finals has been filled with obstacles that the Hoyas have not only overcome, but have used to make them a stronger team.

Sydne Wiggins earned Class 6A First-Team All-State honors last season and her polished play resulted in a scholarship to play Rice University later this year. Wiggins fractured her foot and did not play for a month until returning to the court for Harrison’s Feb. 11 game with River Ridge in the Region 6 tournament. In the 66-54 victory, a River Ridge player stepped on Wiggins other foot and the star was sidelined for another two weeks with a bone bruise. Teammate Harper Vick pulled her hamstring and missed out on three weeks of action until returning in the region tournament. “The rest of the team has done a great job stepping up without them,” Harrison coach Steve Lenehan told the Marietta Daily Journal, “but having them back even 70 percent is a big deal.” The team opened up the playoffs with a 54-34 win over Dacula and followed it with a 43-35 win at Tucker and a 73-63 victory over Douglas County. With Wiggins back in the lineup last Saturday, Harrison topped No. 1 ranked Northview 57-39 as the now healthy star lead the way with a gamehigh 21 points. Jazzy Foster and Audrey Jordan, who earned a spot on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s All-State Honorable Mention list last season, each finished with 10 points in the victory. We are yet to see Harrison reach its peak, but the fact that the Hoyas have a lineup that has had to share the leadership role throughout the season remains a strength that will demand an equal team effort out of a hungry seniorladen Mays team.

1 4 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach: Chantay Frost No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Brandi Heard

G

12

2

Kamiyah Street

PG

12

3

Kyra McWHorter

G, PF

10

4

Kendall Pack

PF

12

5

Jade Bell

PG

10

10

Chardae Bell

PG

10

11

Sierra Loving

G

12

14

Denea Evan

F

11

23

Demeesha Wallace

C

11

25

Natoria Hill

G

10

32

Meesha Wallace

G

11

Head Coach: Steve Lenahan No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Harper Vick

PG

11

4

Collette Smith

W

11

5

Sydne Wiggins

G

12

10

Eastyn King

G

10

12

Raicheal Tringali

W

12

15

Emily Williams

W

11

21

MaeOla Willis

PG

11

22

Sarah Woghiren

G

11

24

Audrey Jordan

W

11

32

Caroline Hobson

W

11

34

Avery Jordan

W

12

35

Jazzy Foster

F

12

MARCH 8-11, 2017

6A BOYS

BRUNSWICK

LANGSTON HUGHES THURSDAY 8:00 PM

3.9.17

DID YOU KNOW? AFTER WINNING THE CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2015, BRUNSWICK MISSED OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS IN 2016 WITH A 19-8 RECORD.

Photo credit: Peggy Ginn PhD- Brunswick HS

BRUNSWICK B

PIRATES

•

23-8

•

REGION

2

runswick’s last trip to the finals came in 2015, when the Pirates completed a 29-2 season and took home the program’s first state title with a 49-32 win over Allatoona in the Class AAAAA finals. The Pirates’ title defense was forgettable as a 48-42 loss to Statesboro in the Region 3-AAAAA Quarterfinals ended their season and kept them out of the playoffs altogether. This season, Brunswick took the top seed out of Region 2 and has used two blowouts and two thrilling finishes within its four playoff victories to return to Georgia High School Basketball’s biggest stage. Head coach Chris Turner uses a four-guard offense that has given them the ability to protect the ball late and close out games at the foul line. In their 67-61 win over South Cobb in Saturday’s semifinals, the game was tied 36-36 late in the third quarter before the Pirates closed out the period on an 8-2 run, including a three-point buzzer-beater by senior Dereck Lampkin who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

“Our guards played great tonight, and they had to. South Cobb is the best defensive team we’ve seen all season,” Turner told the AJC following the game. “Every time we wanted to pass they were in the passing lane, so there was a lot of pressure on our guards but they were able to meet the challenge.”

Junior Marcus Scott finished with 16 points, which included his perfect 14-14 day at the foul line. Teammate Kymani Dunham netted 10 points and added seven rebounds in the victory. Brunswick’s 66-64 Sweet 16 victory over Dacula ended with a Scott game-winning layup as time expired that was assisted by Junior Daquan Humphreys.

LANGSTON HUGHES PANTHERS

• 24-8 • REGION 5

two straight seasons of first round exits, Langston Hughes has completed a run to the state chamAfter pionship with four straight road victories. Now, the No. 3 seeded Panthers sit one win away from the

program’s first state title. Junior Landers Nolley is the player to watch as he leads the Panthers as their primary scorer. The 6-foot-7 shooting guard has a consistent stroke with the ability to create his own shot resulting in a 24.8 points per game this season. In the semifinals when Hughes’ needed him most, Nolley carried the Panthers to a 59-57 win over Allatoona with a game-high 34 points. Hughes saw its 38-32 lead early in the third quarter disappear after Allatoona went on a 13-2 run to grab a 45-40 lead. Allatoona’s Trey Doomes, who finished with a team-high 31 points, was heating up, but Nolley had the counterpunches to bury the Buccaneers. The Panthers closed the third quarter on a 11-0 run, and Nolley gave Hughes a 54-45 lead with one of his seven three-pointers that came off just nine attempts. Head coach Rory Welch credits the offense’s slower pace for creating the scoring opportunities that made the difference. “He’s the one. He’s the man,” Welch said of Nolley. “Early on, we didn’t follow our game plan against their 3-2 matchup zone and we were rushing, taking the first shot available. We finally started to slow down and be patient and we got some better looks.”

Derrick Cook turned in a 15-point performance in the semis and averaging 13.7 points per game this year. Cook netted a team-high 20 points in Hughes 59-56 second-round victory over Lee County and three of the team’s five made three-pointers.

Head Coach: Chris Turner No. Name Pos. 1 Dereck Lampkin G 2 Jaylen Jackson G 3 Daquan Humphreys G 4 Earl Bell G 5 Keyshawn Robinson G 10 Tarique Gray F 11 DeAndre Delegal G 12 Josh Forbes G 14 Torrey Dickens G 15 Danijah Gammage G 20 Kelani Walker G 22 Kymani Dunham C 23 Marcus Scott G 25 Wiley Golden III PF 32 Chris Reed PF 44 Warren McClendon PF

Gr. 12 11 11 11 11 11 12 10 10 12 10 12 11 12 12 10

Head Coach: Rory Welsh No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Derrick Cook

PG, PG

12

2

Ross Andrews

PG

12

3

Ahmid Bryant

PF, C

12

4

Richard Matthews

SF

12

10

Khalil Cuffee

SG, SF

12

13

Jaylen McCluney

SF, PF

10

15

Armani Bolston

PG

10

21

Landers Nolley

SG

11

31

Patrick Carter II

PG

9

32

Josh Butts

PF, SF

9

35

Tyrel Morgan

SG

10

55

Papa Samba

PF, C

10

1 5 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

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1 6 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Loganville

Region 8 - Team 3

Lithia Springs

Lithia Springs

50

S. Effingham

20

Region 6 - Team 2 Region 2 - Team 4

Harris Co.

57

Region 1 - Team 3

McIntosh

Region 3 - Team 2

Kell

Region 7 - Team 4

SW Dekalb

Region 5 - Team 1

N. Springs

Locust Grove

Region 4 - Team 4

Buford 78

H

Buford 43

26 SW Dekalb 45

64

Columbia 41

71

56

H Columbus State Univ.

2:00 PM

H

H

Warner Robins

41 61

SW Dekalb

H

Warner Robins 68

H

H

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

Flowery Branch 59

Buford H

H

49

Flowery Branch 61

H

50 55 H

H

Flowery Branch 63

42

Jackson 62 H

Griffin

45

H Fayette Co.

29

47

Jackson

36

H

Chamblee

Wayne Co.

H

40 Statesboro

41

Columbus State Univ.

6:00 PM

48

H

36 Carrollton

46

66

H

Carrollton

51

H

63

Griffin

H

Runner-Up

H

52 38

Champion

59

Arabia Mtn.

Griffin

Woodland, HC

Region 4 - Team 3

Ware Co.

Region 2 - Team 2

Decatur

Region 6 - Team 4

Buford

Region 8 - Team 1

Columbia

Region 5 - Team 3

Cass

Region 7 - Team 2

Morrow

Region 3 - Team 4

Warner Robins

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 48

32

36

Carrollton

88

76

60

SW Dekalb

Bainbridge

Region 7 - Team 1

66

25

45

Region 5 - Team 4

H

SW Dekalb

H

Fayette Co.

Region 1 - Team 2

45

H

53

62

65

Region 3 - Team 3

Ware Co.

Buford

H

McIntosh

Statesboro

Region 2 - Team 1

77

44

36

Flowery Branch 58

Region 8 - Team 2

56

H

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

Eagles Landing Eagles Landing

69

41

39

H

Eagles Landing

Region 4 - Team 1

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

47

54

H

Wayne Co.

Region 2 - Team 3

Dutchtown

Region 4 - Team 2

Clarke Cent.

Region 8 - Team 4

Jackson

Region 6 - Team 1

Villa Rica

Region 7 - Team 3

Arabia Mtn.

Region 5 - Team 2

Veterans

Region 1 - Team 4

Griffin

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAAA Boys State Basketball Tournament

Flowery Branch 63

Region 8 - Team 3

Riverwood

Region 6 - Team 2

Wayne Co.

Region 2 - Team 4

Riverwood

Riverwood

58

Paulding Co.

46

Miller Grove

Region 5 - Team 1

Jackson, Atl.

73

65 H

Cedar Shoals

Warner Robins 80

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

48

Buford H Cedar Shoals

59

Lithonia

75

66

35 H 60 H

59 H

Fayette Co.

51 45

Lithonia

65

52

54

H

H

Columbia 74

H

Fayette Co.

48

Champion Lithonia

H

Carver-Atl

H

45

H

66

59

H

Carver-Atl

45

Cedar Shoals Riverdale

65

52

Dutchtown

H

H

Veterans

57

Columbus State Univ.

8:00 PM

55 Runner-Up

66 H

Region 2 - Team 2

Lithia Springs

Region 6 - Team 4

Buford

Region 8 - Team 1

SW Dekalb

Region 5 - Team 3

Kell

Region 7 - Team 2

Griffin

Region 3 - Team 4

Warner Robins

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 55

Statesboro

74

Villa Rica

Columbus State Univ.

4:00 PM

H

H

Riverdale

Region 7 - Team 1

53

H

Cedar Shoals

63

Region 5 - Team 4

34

H

Warner Robins

47

Statesboro

Region 1 - Team 2

55

Feb. 22-23

50

Region 3 - Team 3

72

59

SW Dekalb

H

Jones Co.

Region 2 - Team 1

45

33 Miller Grove

Miller Grove

64

Region 4 - Team 4

75

H

Buford

H

Cedar Shoals

Region 8 - Team 2

83

38

Buford

52

H

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

Miller Grove Starr's Mill

64

63 69 H

H

Union Grove

Region 4 - Team 3

65 New Hampstead

H

Buford

63

H

Starr's Mill

Region 7 - Team 4

94 H

Eagles Landing

Harris Co.

Region 3 - Team 2

43

41

61

Region 1 - Team 3

68 New Hampstead

64

65

Eagles Landing

Region 4 - Team 1

62

Fayette Co. 58

H

Ware Co.

Region 2 - Team 3

Dutchtown

Region 4 - Team 2

Loganville

Region 8 - Team 4

Carver-Atl

Region 6 - Team 1

Carrollton

Region 7 - Team 3

Columbia

Region 5 - Team 2

Bainbridge

Region 1 - Team 4

Fayette Co.

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

BUFORD

5A GIRLS

S.W. DEKALB

WEDNESDAY 6:00 PM

3.8.17

DID YOU KNOW? SOUTHWEST DEKALB AND BUFORD HAVE WON A COMBINED NINE STATE TITLES ENTERING THE FINALS. Photo credit: David McGregor

BUFORD T

WOLVES

•

28-2

•

REGION

8

here have been no answers for Buford’s depth, experience and offensive onslaught in the 2016 playoffs.

The Wolves are scoring 79.25 points per game since the playoffs started and have cruised to the finals for the third time in the past four years where they will play for the program’s fifth state title (2009, 2010, 2011, 2015). Buford has outscored its four playoff opponents by an average of 33 points per game and are fresh off its second 38-point victory of the postseason run. Depth has been on full display as the Wolves’ deep cast of playmakers continue to stuff the stat sheet. In Buford’s 88-50 win over Griffin in the semifinals, Tory Ozment finished with a team-high 14 points, while Tate Walters, Snoody Johnson, Audrey Weiner and Jessica Nelson each finished with 11 points. The Wolves led 39-27 at the break before kicking into another gear and sparking a 15-2 run that ignited the blowout. “Where we really put the game away was the beginning of the third quarter,” explained Buford head coach Gene Durden to the Atlanta Journal Constitution following the game. “We always talk about fast start in the first quarter and the third quarter and make sure we finish game in fourth quarter. The third quarter really broke their backs and put us is a good situation to win.”

Buford’s ability to create game-changing scoring bursts was also seen in its 77-56 quarterfinals victory over Warner Robins. The Wolves turned a 22-21 lead into a 40-27 halftime advantage in a matter of minutes.

Buford hit 10 three-pointers as a team and Ozment finished with a game-high 22 points, while presenting a matchup problem throughout the game with her movement with and without the basketball.

SOUTHWEST DEKALB PANTHERS • 27-4 • REGION 5 DeKalb has used a 17-game winning streak to return to the championship game for a second Southwest straight year. In last year’s Class AAAAA championship, the Panthers forced Winder-Barrow into 27

turnovers and held on for a 49-48 victory. The state title marked Southwest DeKalb’s fifth all-time state crown and fifth since the program’s first in 2008. The Panthers used a 24.3 average margin of victory through the first three rounds of this year’s playoffs. 6-foot-3 senior Ogheneruona Uwusiaba netted a teamhigh 20 points and corralled 10 rebounds in Southwest DeKalb’s 64-25 win over Kell in the first round. The Panthers held McIntosh to just 26 points in their 45-26 victory in the second round and Uwusiaba finished with 17 points off 8-of-8 shooting from the field. Michaela Bennefield led the team on the boards with 11 rebounds to go with three points and three steals. Jada Walton sparked Southwest DeKalb in their 71-56 win over Eagle’s Landing in the quarterfinals. The senior forward finished with a game-high 27 points, while sophomore teammate Lanee Edwards came up big with a 16-point performance. Flowery Branch led Southwest DeKalb by six points in the second half of the semifinals, but experience and clutch free-throw shooting was enough to tilt the game back in the Panthers favor. Walton led the way with 23 points, Uwusiaba finished with 13 points and Chantz Cherry netted 10 points. “I’m happy for our kids,” said Southwest DeKalb head coach Kathleen Richey Walton following Saturday’s 66-63 win over Flowery Branch. “They’ve really worked hard. We’ve got a good group of kids and the community is really supportive.”

1 8 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach: Gene Durden No. Name Pos. 0 Casey Jones SG 1 Tory Ozment PG 2 Gabee Bage G 3 Tate Walters PG 4 Mary Walters PF 5 Ebony Gant G 10 Rachel Dobbs SG 11 Kya Styles SF 12 C J Johnson W 14 Marissa Bruce SF 21 Jessica Nelson P 22 Jasmin King P 23 Audrey Weiner SG 24 Zikaya Wright P 30 Katelyn Klein G 32 Pamela Johnson PG 44 Nandini Fonseca F

Gr. 10 11 9 9 11 10 12 11 11 12 11 11 11 12 9 12 11

Head Coach: Kathleen Richey-Walton No. Name Pos. 3 Nya Bostic G 4 YaRia Sanders PG 10 Chantz Cherry G 12 Jada Walton F 15 Lanee Edwards G 20 Tiera Williams G 22 Canice Collins G 23 Ogheneruona Uwusiaba C 24 Raven Thurman F 32 Ashlynn Green W 33 Evanna Green W 34 Desiray Coulter W 40 Kennedy Mormom G 45 Michaela Bennefield PF 55 Jayla Kimbrough G

Gr. 9 10 12 12 10 11 10 12 10 9 9 10 10 11 9

MARCH 8-11, 2017

CEDAR SHOALS

5A BOYS

BUFORD

WEDNESDAY 8:00 PM

3.8.17

DID YOU KNOW? BUFORD HAS REMAINED PERFECT AGAINST INSTATE OPPONENTS THIS SEASON. Photo credit: Cedar Shoals HS

CEDAR SHOALS JAGUARS • 27-4 • REGION 8 last Saturday’s slate of 32 semifinal matchups, was Cedar Shoals surprising victory over sevenWithin time state champion Miller Grove. It wasn’t finding the winning column that surprised most people,

but rather the dominance that Cedar Shoals displayed in what ended in a 59-38 blowout. “They have a great program and they’ve done a lot of great things,” Cedar Shoals coach L’Dreco Thomas told the Atlanta Journal Constitution following the victory. “We’ve seen that through the years and it made us hungrier and hungrier. It really didn’t matter the opponent today. They understood we’ve done this three times and if we didn’t get it done this time, it’s hard to get here and there’s no guarantee you’ll get back. You have to seize the moment and that’s what we did.” The Jaguars’ largest lead of the game came late in the third quarter when the score ballooned to 42-16 in Cedar Shoals’ favor. The Jaguars were in attack mode offensively the whole game and Miller Grove had no answers. “Defensively we threw a lot on them and kind of rattled them a little big,” Thomas. “It kind of made them think. The big thing we got rebounds. We rebounded well and it let to some buckets.” Senior Phlandrous Fleming led the way with 25 points and teammate Stavion Stevenson chipped in 15 points in the win. While the win over Miller Grove was the Jags’ most impressive win of the season, they now face the task of beating a Buford team that has handed them three of their four losses this season. Cedar Shoals took Buford to overtime on Jan. 13th in what was the closest of the three matchups, but fell 75-70.

BUFORD

WOLVES

•

28-2

•

REGION

8

High School’s dominance in athletics has handed the Wolves an absurd amount hardware over the Buford years, but the boys basketball program is still knocking on the door for its first state title. Buford has been

perfect against instate opponents this season, with its only losses coming to Kentucky’s Trinity and New York’s Wings Academy at the end of December. The Wolves are peaking at the right time, but this run to the finals still required a heroic shot by Alex Jones in the Sweet 16 to keep the season alive. New Hamstead had taken the lead 68-67 with nine seconds left after Oronte’ Anderson made a 3-pointer for his 33rd points of the game. Buford did not call timeout and rushed the ball downcourt, where point guard Alex Jones penetrated the lane and pulled up for a short jumper in traffic to drill the game-winning shot. Jones finished with 13 points, while Marcus Watson finished with 20 points and David Viti netted 17. Following the thrilling one-point victory, Buford scored a 94-72 victory over Warner Robins in the Elite 8. The Wolves burst to a 56-23 first half lead before Watson finished with a game-high 24 points. Tobi Obasanya scored 23, Viti added 18 and Donell Nixon finished with 16. “Probably as good a first half as we’ve played all year long,” said Buford head coach Eddie Martin after the game. “It all started on the defensive end. We did some things that frustrated them and they settled for some jump shots early and we were able to rebound and get out in transition and get some easy buckets out of it.” Buford saw another fast start in its 83-60 semifinal victory over Fayette County, jumping to a 21-7 lead midway through the opening quarter. Watson netted 24 points, Jones added 23 and Viti finished with 16.

Head Coach: L’Dreco Thomas No. Name Pos. 0 Arthur Jones G 1 Damarrea Low G 2 Keivasiay Ball G 3 Quenjarvis Hall G, F 4 Darien Appling F 5 Jai’Vanni McDavid G 10 Elijah Masicott G 11 Aakeem Glenn G 12 Nassan Applewhite G 14 Takiouse Williams G 15 Stavion Stevenson F 20 Malik Cunningham G 21 Ty’qon Mitchell F 23 Quintyis Dillard G 24 Phlandrous Fleming F, G 30 Cedric Rucker F 32 Jaiden Williams G 34 Rickil Willingham F

Gr. 12 12 11 12 11 11 11 12 11 12 12 11 12 9 12 11 9 9

Head Coach: Eddie Martin No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

David Viti

F

11

2

Dawson Wehunt

G

12

3

Alex Jones

G

11

4

Austin Parks

F

12

5

Tobi Obasanya

F

12

14

Marcus Watson

F

10

21

Cooper Long

G

11

22

Karston Miller

F

10

23

Ashton Young

G

10

24

Donell Nixon

G

10

30

Bobby Miller

G

10

32

Sahil Patel

C

11

33

Jonathan Miles

F

11

35

Josh Ogundimu

C

12

1 9 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Madison Co.

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

48

Region 8 - Team 3

Madison Co.

Heritage, Cat.

45

Upson-Lee

56

Region 6 - Team 2

48

H

Region 2 - Team 4

Madison Co.

63

Shaw

68

Region 4 - Team 1

34

47

H

H

Sandy Creek

Richmond Co.

69

Blessed Trinity

28

Sandy Creek

25

H

Carver, Col. Chapel Hill

36 40

H

H

81

57

Carver, Col. 48 72

Columbus

Augusta Univ.

2:00 PM

H

59

Carver, Col.

H

68

H

Feb. 17-18

Feb. 22-23

Pickens Co.

Jefferson

60 Sandy Creek

Sandy Creek

Region 5 - Team 1

60

47

H

Region 7 - Team 4

50

70

51 Richmond Co.

Region 3 - Team 2

54

H

Jefferson

40

H

Region 1 - Team 3

Luella

15 N. Clayton

N. Clayton

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

N. Oconee

62

Salem

22

Region 8 - Team 2

44

Carver, Col.

Region 4 - Team 4

Spalding Spalding

Spalding

58

Burke Co.

49

Region 3 - Team 3

Troup

54

West Hall

Region 7 - Team 1

H

H

62

56 H

48

NW Whitfield 44

H

Cross Creek

43

H

50

35 Columbus

78

64

H

Henry Co.

H

H

West Hall

Henry Co.

30

Columbus Columbus

69

Region 5 - Team 4

52

H

Columbus

Region 1 - Team 2

65

43

58

Augusta Univ.

6:00 PM

H

H

76

71

47

LaGrange 46

Cross Creek

H

Champion

Perry

Region 2 - Team 2

Gilmer Co.

Region 6 - Team 4

Jefferson

Region 8 - Team 1

Chapel Hill

Region 5 - Team 3

Chestatee

Region 7 - Team 2

Baldwin

Region 3 - Team 4

Carver, Col.

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 37

N. Oconee

Luella

Region 4 - Team 3

Feb. 22-23

37

Region 6 - Team 3

Region 2 - Team 1

48

68

W. Laurens

Region 2 - Team 3

Henry Co.

Region 4 - Team 2

St. Pius

Region 8 - Team 4

NW Whitfield

Region 6 - Team 1

Marist

Region 7 - Team 3

LaGrange

Region 5 - Team 2

51 Americus-Sumter 44

H

Region 1 - Team 4

Cross Creek

H

60

Runner-Up

H

Cross Creek

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

N. Oconee

Region 8 - Team 3

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAAA Boys State Basketball Tournament

53 LaFayette

LaFayette

63

Howard

34

Region 6 - Team 2 Region 2 - Team 4

H

78

Shaw

58

Region 1 - Team 3

Henry Co.

W. Hall

Region 7 - Team 4

LaGrange

Region 5 - Team 1

Heritage, Cat.

Stephens Co.

Region 8 - Team 2

N. Clayton

Region 4 - Team 4

Blessed Trinity

Region 7 - Team 1

46

60

H

80

Marist 50

H

Carver, Col.

76

Upson-Lee

Augusta Univ.

4:00 PM

H

81

St. Pius X

61

85

H

61

Carver, Col. 96

H

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

Stephens Co.

71

St. Pius X

74

H Upson-Lee

50 Upson-Lee

H

45 47

74

68

H

H

Sandy Creek

48 84

H

Thomson

56

80 Champion

Runner-Up

Sandy Creek 79

Sandy Creek

H

64 73

48

68

H

55

H

NW Whitfield

H

Upson-Lee

Blessed Trinity

49

H

H

H

31

Perry

Perry

76

H

56

60

70

H

Thomson

68

Augusta Univ.

8:00 PM

Eastside

Region 4 - Team 3

Mary Persons

Region 2 - Team 2

Ridgeland

Region 6 - Team 4

St. Pius

Region 8 - Team 1

Cartersville

Region 5 - Team 3

Marist

Region 7 - Team 2

Burke Co.

Region 3 - Team 4

Carver, Col.

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 73

38

Americus-Sumter 62 Troup

87

St. Pius X H

44 LaGrange

LaGrange

67

Region 5 - Team 4

59

62

Thomson

Region 1 - Team 2

74

H

Henry Co.

H

73

Region 3 - Team 3

H

St. Pius X

Richmond Acad. 74

Upson-Lee

Region 2 - Team 1

64

H

H

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

81

62

82

Richmond Acad. 63

Region 3 - Team 2

Mary Persons

50 Henry Co.

Henry Co.

Region 4 - Team 1

71

52

77

Westover 60

H

Perry

Region 2 - Team 3

Druid Hills

Region 4 - Team 2

Madison Co.

Region 8 - Team 4

NW Whitfield

Region 6 - Team 1

White Co.

Region 7 - Team 3

Sandy Creek

Region 5 - Team 2

Westover

Region 1 - Team 4

Baldwin

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

MARCH 8-11, 2017

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2 1 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

COLUMBUS

4A GIRLS

CARVER-COLUMBUS FRIDAY 6:00 PM 3.10.17 DID YOU KNOW? THIS MARKS THE FOURTH TIME THAT CARVER-COLUMBUS AND COLUMBUS HAVE FACED THIS SEASON. Photo credit: Colson Photography

COLUMBUS T

BLUE DEVILS • 24-5 • REGION 1

he Columbus and Carver-Columbus rivalry takes center stage at the Class 4A state finals as the neighboring teams both compete for their first state titles. Columbus entered the playoffs coming off a 54-53 loss to Carver-Columbus and has used the size and outside shooting of its star-powered roster to refocus for an impressive four-game playoff run. SEC commits Tatyana Wyatt (Kentucky) and Ariyah Copeland (Alabama) are both 6-foot-3 playmakers that give the Blue Devils reliable mismatches in the post. Wyatt opened her postseason with a monster 31-point performance against Burke County, while Copeland shot an efficient 9-of-12 from the floor to contribute 24 points to go with her game-high 15 rebounds. Wyatt did most of her damage at the foul line where she netted 14 of 19 attempts. In the quarterfinals, Wyatt (21) and Copeland (18) combined for 39 points in a 71-43 win over Spalding. This set up a showdown with Sandy Creek in the semifinals, and the Blue Devils got the same high level of production from Wyatt and Copeland along with a 20-point performance from Kasey Toles, who hit five three-pointers. Columbus went on to win 62-50 and Wyatt had 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Copeland posted a routine 11 points and 17 rebounds to go with four blocks. Brittany Floyd added 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and a pair of blocks. Floyd is a senior point guard that averages 7.1 points per game to go with 4.6 assists per game. In the three games against Carver this season, Floyd has played above her season average by netting 12.3 points per game, including a season-high 16 points in December’s meeting.

CARVER-COLUMBUS TIGERS • 26-4 • REGION 1 arver-Columbus has a 2-1 edge over Columbus this season, but the Tigers are fully aware of the size and C talent of Columbus as they prepare to play for their first state title. The Region 1 champs have been on a collision course with their rivals, surviving the playoff gauntlet with the most recent victory coming in a 60-

56 battle with Cross Creek and Memphis-commit Alana Davis in the semifinals. Cross Creek led 15-10 after the first quarter thanks to a strong start from Davis. The 6-foot-2 center netted the team’s first 10 points and went on to score 19 of the team’s 21 first half points as Carver-Columbus took a 22-21 lead into the half. The Tigers maintained the lead and went into the final quarter up 42-40, however Cross Creek would reclaim the lead (50-48) with 4:21 left. The teams tied it 52-52 with two minutes left before Carver-Columbus gained a 56-54 lead and ran down the clock to 35 seconds left. Mya Millner made one of two free throws to make it a 57-54 game and then Alycia Reese stole the ensuing Cross Creek possession before getting fouled. Reese hit one of the two free throws to make it a 58-54, until Cross Creek brought it back within two points with a quick bucket. Mariah Igus got the inbounds and was fouled with 1.9 seconds left with a chance to ice the game. The junior guard coolly drilled both attempts to clinch the four-point victory. The Tigers have been able to close out tight games throughout the season, including Feb. 10 when Carver and Columbus last faced. Trailing Columbus 53-51 in the closing seconds, Reese found an open Millner at the top of the key for a game-winning three-pointer with just three seconds left. That incredible finish four weeks ago in the Region title game only adds to the drama packing this highly-anticipated rematch.

2 2 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach: Joe Cherrone No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

0

Queciana Walton

F

11

4

Brittany Floyd (C)

PG, PG

12

5

Nasya Williams

PG

11

11

Marlisa Scott (C)

G, SG

12

12

Kayla Walker

G

11

13

Jordine Moody

PG, G

9

14

Tatyana Wyatt (C)

W, SG

12

20

Caroline Hollingsworth

SG, G

9

24

Trinity Vasquez

G

11

30

Renee Trapp

G

11

34

Jha’Meshia Griffin (C)

F, SF

12

40

Thallon Howard

F

11

44

Ariyah Copeland (C)

F, C

12

Head Coach: Anson Hundley No. Name Pos. 1 Sya Hall G 2 Alycia Reese G 4 Malasia Howard PG 5 Sadrea Mabry G, PG 10 Mariah Igus G, PG 12 Kaelah Archie G 14 Shania Riles F 15 Jhania Evans F 20 Maliyah Holloway F 21 Mikeh Holloway PG, G 22 Ja’nya Love-hill PG 24 Ivori Martin SF 25 Jailyn Shaw F 32 Mya Millner G, F 33 Mia Reese F 42 Marlisha Johnson F

Gr. 10 11 10 10 11 11 10 10 12 9 10 11 10 12 10 10

MARCH 8-11, 2017

4A BOYS

UPSON-LEE

ST. PIUS FRIDAY

8:00 PM

3.10.17

DID YOU KNOW? CLASS 4A IS THE ONLY CLASSIFICATION WITH A BOYS AND GIRLS MATCHUP THAT FEATURES TEAMS PLAYING FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER STATE TITLES.

Photo credit: St. Pius

UPSON-LEE U

KNIGHTS

•

31-0

•

REGION

2

Head Coach: Darrell Lockhart No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

pson-Lee has its own history to make in Friday’s Class 4A finals as the 31-0 Knights play for the program’s first state title. After a heartbreaking first-round exit in last year’s playoffs, head coach Darrell Lockhart and his ultra-talented team has played with a laser focus night in and night out in a classification that has been otherwise filled with parity and weekly upsets. The Knights showcased their depth and unbeatable team chemistry in the semifinals as they closed out Henry County 74-59, snapping the Warhawks’ 18-game winning streak. Upson-Lee established a 17-9 lead after the first quarter of action, but Henry County used a 19-17 advantage in the second quarter to cut the gap to six points at the half (34-28). Zyrice Scott, who led Upson-Lee with 18 points, converted an old-fashion three-point play with just over four minutes left to put the Knights up by 11 points and they dribbled out the victory for the 31st straight time. Upson-Lee’s Travon Walker finished with 16 points and Tavias Fagan capped with 14 points. “It was a tough win,” Upson-Lee coach Darrell Lockhart told the Macon Telegraph last Saturday. “We had some guys in foul trouble, but the other guys stepped up.” Fagan is Upson-Lee’s primary scoring threat with a 21 points per game average.

Scott supplies 12.5 points per game, while the 6-foot-5 Walker contributes 9.8 points per game to go with his stellar 10.7 rebounds per game. Upson-Lee is aggressive in terms of shooting the deep ball and Scott, Michael Smith (8.7 points per game) and Fagan have each attempted more than 100 three-pointers this season, including at least one game with 10 or more attempts. After averaging near 63 points per game in the regular season, the Knights have hit a playoff gear that is clicking on a 73.3 points per game average.

1

Zyrice Scott (C)

PG, SG

10

2

Cameron Traylor

SG, PG

11

3

Michael Smith (C)

SG, PG, SF 12

4

Trenton Mann

PG, SG

12

5

My Qualon Walker

SG, SF

12

11

Ziquan Brown

PF, F

11

12

Kentrez Traylor

PF, F, SF

12

15

Alejandro Lockhart

C, F

11

21

Willie Daniel

PF, C

12

22

Jacorey Smith

SF, SG, F

11

23

Travon Walker

C, F

10

24

Tavias Fagan (C)

SG, SF, F

11

32

Reginald Mcduffie

F

10

34

DeCarlos Denson

SG, SF

12

ST. PIUS S

Head Coach: Aaron Parr No. Name Pos. 1 Matthew Gonzalo PG 2 Brian Gonzalo G 3 Everett Lane G 4 Lance Bridges W, G 5 Niko Broadway G 10 Finn McCurdy W 11 Jack Taube W 12 Conrad Schuh W 13 Patrick Snipes W, G 14 Troy Stephens G 21 Zach Ranson F 22 Carson Seramur G 23 Kennedy Willis F 24 Christian Mattei W 25 Will Lucado F

Gr. 10 10 11 10 10 11 11 12 10 11 10 12 11 11 12

GOLDEN

LIONS

•

24-7

•

REGION

8

t. Pius’ run to the finals snaps a long struggle of sustaining promising playoff runs. The Golden Lions had been 0-4 in the quarterfinals since its 1992 runner-up team, before a thrilling 64-60 win over CarverColumbus on March 1 propelled them to the semifinals to take on Sandy Creek. In the second round, St. Pius fought back from a 25-20 deficit to Mary Persons to keep its playoff hopes alive with another four-point (7470) victory. After two close calls, the atmosphere in the semifinals was electric as the Golden Lions packed the house at Augusta State. St. Pius exploded for a season-high points in a 87-68 win over Sandy Creek to break the 25-year finals drought. The Golden Lions opened the game with a 13-2 run and pushed the lead to 22-6 before closing out the first quarter with a 26-11 lead. Sandy Creek came alive in the second quarter and brought the deficit to seven points (30-23) midway through the quarter before eventually entering the half trailing 38-28. Sandy Creek went on to outscore St. Pius 22-14 in the third quarter and eventually tied the game at 52-52 with the first points of the final quarter. It was all St. Pius in the final frame, however, as the lead quickly grew to 65-58 lead with 4:17 left and the offense lit up to put together a 35-point fourth quarter effort. 6-foot-2 senior Carson Seramur led St. Pius with 22 points, while Lane finished with 17 points.

Sophomore Matthew Gonzalo stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, five assists, five steals and three blocks, while Brian Gonzalo finished with seven points, four assists, four steals and a pair of rebounds.

2 3 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Fast Forward Your FUTURE WITH A College DEGREE

For more information, visit www.NATIONALGUARD.com or call 800-GO-GUARD 2 4 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Hart Co.

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

72

Region 8 - Team 3

Hart Co.

Calhoun

46

63

Region 6 - Team 2

H

Liberty Co.

39 Central, Macon

Central, Macon

53

Dougherty

33

Region 4 - Team 1

Beach

H

41

55

H

Dawson Co. 53

Beach

Armstrong Atlantic 2:00 PM

H

H

Monroe 64

H

Feb. 22-23

Ringgold

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Franklin Co.

38

Johnson, Sav. Tattnall Co.

46

66

H

Westside, Macon

Region 4 - Team 4

Tattnall Co.

49

Tattnall Co.

60

Cedar Grove

43

49

47

48

H

H

H

Johnson, Sav.

44 38

34

H

GACS

72

70

North Hall 25

Johnson, Sav.

H

Champion

27

84

H

72

Haralson Co. 61

GACS

GACS

60

55

49

Cook Co.

Peach Co.

Peach Co.

H

Region 2 - Team 1

Cook Co.

56

Armstrong Atlantic 6:00 PM

H

52

H

64

Johnson, Sav. 79

Runner-Up

H

Pierce Co.

Region 2 - Team 2

Sonoraville

Region 6 - Team 4

Morgan Co.

Region 8 - Team 1

Lovett

Region 5 - Team 3

Dawson Co.

Region 7 - Team 2

SE Bulloch

Region 3 - Team 4

Monroe

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 35

Ringgold

Kendrick

Region 4 - Team 3

Feb. 22-23

53

Region 8 - Team 2

GACS

72

46

H

Region 6 - Team 3

Region 7 - Team 1

Dawson Co.

25

62

Feb. 17-18

Region 5 - Team 4

61

Morgan Co. 63

Beach

Redan

Redan

Region 1 - Team 2

Morgan Co.

44

Region 5 - Team 1

Region 3 - Team 3

39

61

H

Region 7 - Team 4

Jenkins

56

56

61

61

East Hall

26

H

Beach

Beach

Region 3 - Team 2

H

Morgan Co.

59

H

Region 1 - Team 3

66

H

Central, Macon

Pierce Co. 92

45

41

Region 2 - Team 4

71

H

Long Co.

Region 2 - Team 3

Peach Co.

Region 4 - Team 2

Jackson Co.

Region 8 - Team 4

Haralson Co.

Region 6 - Team 1

North Hall

Region 7 - Team 3

Pace Acad.

Region 5 - Team 2

Crisp Co.

Region 1 - Team 4

Johnson, Sav.

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

Monroe Area

Region 8 - Team 3

2016-2017 GHSA Class AAA Boys State Basketball Tournament

76

Monroe Area

Sonoraville

73

Long Co.

71

Region 6 - Team 2 Region 2 - Team 4

96

Monroe Co.

52

Region 1 - Team 3

Dawson Co.

30

Pace Acad.

Region 5 - Team 1

70 H

81

H

40 82

H

H

72

71

Tattnall Co.

Morgan Co.

88

Pace Acad.

Morgan Co. 71

Morgan Co.

H

62 Johnson, Sav.

65

Region 7 - Team 4

50

H

Johnson, Sav.

Region 3 - Team 2

Westside, Mac.

Westside, Mac.

Westside, Mac.

Region 4 - Team 1

55

57

H

80

41

H

71 Pace Acad.

49

53

Lovett 58

H

Lovett

H

Pace Acad.

63

49

106 Pace Acad.

Armstrong Atlantic 4:00 PM

H

69

Crisp Co.

H

108

H

Feb. 17-18

H

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

Coahulla Creek 49 Coahulla Creek 62

Franklin Co.

45

Kendrick

71

Region 8 - Team 2 Region 4 - Team 4

Liberty Co. 92

Islands

78

Region 3 - Team 3

Westminster

64

East Hall

Region 7 - Team 1

75

H

H

67

65

H

62

61

H

Calhoun

58

H

56 Islands

H

75

H

89

62

Calhoun

H

Liberty Co.

East Hall

107

H

53

105

H

Central, Mac.

Calhoun

H

Islands 60

Region 5 - Team 4

72

H

Worth Co.

Region 1 - Team 2

Liberty Co.

61

Armstrong Atlantic 8:00 PM

H

H

Liberty Co.

Region 2 - Team 1

Morgan Co.

89

60 Champion

Runner-Up

Cedar Grove 71

Jenkins

65 71 H

Tattnall Co.

Region 2 - Team 2

Adairsville

Region 6 - Team 4

Morgan Co.

Region 8 - Team 1

Lovett

Region 5 - Team 3

GACS

Region 7 - Team 2

Savannah

Region 3 - Team 4

Crisp Co.

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 69

Region 6 - Team 3

Peach Co.

Region 4 - Team 3

Jenkins 75

Appling Co.

Region 2 - Team 3

Central, Mac.

Region 4 - Team 2

Hart Co.

Region 8 - Team 4

Calhoun

Region 6 - Team 1

Lumpkin Co.

Region 7 - Team 3

Cedar Grove

Region 5 - Team 2

Cook Co.

Region 1 - Team 4

Jenkins

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

BEACH JOHNSON-SAV. THURSDAY 2:00 PM 3.9.17

3A GIRLS

DID YOU KNOW? THIS MARKS THE FIFTH TIME THAT JOHNSONSAVANNAH AND BEACH HAVE FACED THIS SEASON AND BOTH SCHOOLS HAVE HANDED THEIR OPPONENT ITS ONLY TWO LOSSES OF THE SEASON.

Photo credit: Moncello Stewart

BEACH

BULLDOGS

•

28-2

•

REGION

3

he Beach Lady Bulldogs are set to face Johnson-Savannah in the Class AAA girls championship game for T a chance to win its second state title in program history. The Bulldogs’ first state title came in the Class AAAA finals in 2000. The biggest storyline is the familiarity between Beach and finals opponent Johnson-

Savannah. The championship marks the fifth time the two programs have met this season.

The first matchup between the programs came on Dec. 13 where Johnson took a 45-42 win. The second game, on Dec. 19, went into overtime and Beach 62-56. The third game on Jan. 27 also went to overtime and Beach won it 52-49. The next time the programs would meet was the Region 3-AAA championship game where Johnson won 61-57. With two overtime games and a three and four-point margin of victory, these teams expect to go down to the wire.

Beach has kept its 28-2 record flawless outside of its losses to Johnson and defeated Dougherty in the first round 61-33 and ousted Redan in the second round 61-41. The Lady Bulldogs squeaked by CentralMacon in the quarterfinals 46-45 and then faced Greater Atlanta Christian in the semifinals. The Lady Bulldogs moved past GACS 56-47 in overtime at Armstrong Atlantic in Savannah, which came in from of a large home crowd.

Beach is led by 5-foot-10 senior forward Judasia Hills, who averages 12 points, six rebounds and three steals per game. In the semifinal game against GACS, Hills led all scorers with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Jabrekia Bass, who averages eight points per game, scored 11 points against GACS. Freshman guard Madison Evans averages 11 points, three rebounds and three steals per game.

JOHNSON-SAVANNAH

ATOMSMASHERS • 27-2 • REGION 3

of Johnson-Savannah will face off against the Beach Lady Bulldogs for the Class TheAAALadystateAtomsmashers title. Johnson will be fighting for its first state title in school history after defeating defending champions Morgan County 48-39 in the semifinals. The finals will mark the fifth time the two programs have met this season and like Beach, Johnson’s only two losses this season have come from this rivalry.

In the tournament, the Lady Atomsmashers have defeated Crisp County 79-27, North Hall 64-38, Peach County 70-66 and defending champs last Saturday.

Against Morgan County, Johnson took control early with a 13-6 lead after the first quarter but let Morgan County back into the game just before halftime 25-22. Johnson pushed the lead to 36-27 after three quarters and with 3:28 left in the game was able to comfortably close out a 41-32 lead. 5-foot-9 senior guard Alexis Pierce, who averages 18 points, four assists and four rebounds per game, netted 16 points against Morgan County. Sy’Marieona Williams, who averages 16 points per game, added nine. J’Mya Cutter, who averages 16 points per game, added eight. Williams takes the lead of Johnson’s perimeter shooting and has connected on 42 percent of her attempts this season. The sharp-shooter opened the season with a 6-of-10 performance from beyond the arc for a season-high 32 points and has made a three-pointer in each of the four matchups with Beach this season she connected on 45 three-pointers through the first 23 games this season. Pierce was unstoppable in Johnson’s 61-57 win over Beach on Feb. 10 as she finished with 23 points, in part to an 18-of-20 shooting night at the foul line.

2 6 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach: Olufemi Gordon No. Name Pos. 10 Madison Evans G 11 Karrianna Morris G 12 Evyana Thomas C 13 Tatiannya Morris G 14 Dasia Kelley G 15 Mya Holt G 20 Akyla Pritchard G 21 Aminata Sette F, C 22 Auzhane Stokes F 23 Lutitia Suggs F 24 Erin Davis C 25 Maryyana Page F 30 Judasia Hills F 31 Jabrekia Bass G 35 Marian Turner G 40 Aariyan Haynes F 41 Franceskha Vasquez G 42 Cherise King F

Gr. 9 11 11 11 11 11 10 11 11 12 12 11 12 11 12 11 11 9

Head Coach: Brandon Lindsey No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Jaelan Phillips

G, F

11

2

Alana Boone

G

11

4

Alexis Pierce (C)

G

12

5

Maya Parker (C)

F

12

10

Olivia Owens (C)

G, F

12

11

Armani Demery

G

10

12

J’mya Cutter

G

10

14

Checobia Hugie

G, F

10

22

Emmonie Rivers

G

10

23

Sy-Marieona Williams

G

11

25

Giana Copeland

C

11

31

Khristen Hills

C

10

35

Jamesha Young

G

11

MARCH 8-11, 2017

PACE ACAD.

3A BOYS

MORGAN CO.

THURSDAY 4:00 PM

3.9.17

DID YOU KNOW? SIX OF PACE ACADEMY’S EIGHT LOSSES CAME ON THE NATIONAL CIRCUIT TO OUT OF STATE TEAMS. Photo credit: Morgan County HS

PACE ACADEMY

KNIGHTS • 25-8 • REGION 5

ace Academy used a 71-62 win over Liberty County to punch its ticket to the state championship game Pgame. for the second year in a row. The Knights rolled past Manchester 65-43 last season in the Class AA title Leading Pace Academy is 6-foot-10 Duke signee, and household name in the basketball world, Wen-

dell Carter Jr. Carter. Carter is good for 23.7 points, nearly 16 rebounds and six blocks per game. Against Liberty County, Carter bested his average with 32 points. The key for Pace Academy will be keeping him in the game. In the semis, Pace Academy jumped out to an 18 point lead and then Carter took some time on the bench.

Liberty County was able to cut the lead in half claw back into the game just before breaking for halftime only trailing by nine, 39-30. Pace Academy’s 26-8 record has only two instate losses on its resume. The Knights fell to Cedar Grove 55-42 on Dec. 6 and lost 53-44 to Norcross on Dec. 19 in the City of Palms Tournament.

The other six losses were to out-of-state schools in tournaments and the Knights faced a humbling month in the heart of their Holiday tournament circuit. On Nov. 26 Pace Academy lost to Jemison (AL.) in the Lighthouse Classic 57-42. On Dec. 17 they fell to Memphis East (TN.), 76-42. They took a 63-57 overtime loss to Mariner (FL.) on Dec. 21 and fell to Evanston (IL.) 57-44 in the Beach Ball Classic on Dec. 30 before suffering a 54-51 New Year’s Eve loss Dillard (FL.) 54-51 in overtime. Midway through January, the Knights fell to The Patrick School (NJ.) 68-60 in the Hoop Hall Classic. Since the Jan. 16 loss to Dillard, however, Pace Academy has been on a tear, winning 15 in a row and closing out a thrilling double-overtime win over Westside-Macon in the quarterfinals 53-50.

MORGAN COUNTY

BULLDOGS • 25-5 • REGION 8

organ County has been a mainstay in the annual championship guide as the Bulldogs return to the finals M for the fourth year in a row. Morgan County took home the title in Class 4A title in 2014 with a 69-45 over Buford, before falling 62-60 to Jenkins the next year win the unstoppable Tookie Brown picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and was forced to play a less aggressive style rest of the game. Last season, however, Morgan County got redemption against Jenkins, winning 66-56 in the final GHSA tournament held at the Centerplex in Macon. This season Morgan County carries a 25-5 record, and has only lost a pair of instate games to Cedar Shoals. The Bulldogs fell to Cedar Shoals on Dec. 2 57-50. The second meeting came on Dec. 30 in the Sweet South Classic where Morgan County lost 57-48. The other losses all came from out-of-state squads. On Dec. 10 Morgan lost to Greenville (S.C.) 64-56 in the Valhalla Classic at East Hall High School. Morgan County’s next two losses came on Dec. 16 in the MLL Tournament at Rickards (FL) against Fort Lauderdale 55-53 and Lincoln (FL) 60-54.

Since then, the Bulldogs have won 12 straight including a 101-44 romp of Jackson County the day after losing back-to-back games to the Florida schools.

So far this postseason, Morgan county has had little trouble making its way through the bracket, defeating Adairsville 71-40, Tattnall County 82-55, Lovett 70-49 and Calhoun 72-61. If the Bulldogs are going to handle a stout Pace Academy squad, the key is making Wendell Carter Jr. work on every possession and forcing Pace Academy to win it with its other players. Meanwhile, expect the Bulldogs to do what they do best, which is drive right at larger teams with their explosive and fearless guards.

Head Coach: Demetrius Smith No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

0

Myles Todd

W, SG

10

1

Zach Leven

G

11

2

Barrett Baker

SG, PG

12

3

Mark Sommerville

PG

12

4

Reign Watkins

PG

9

10

Jack Wray

SG

11

11

Charlie Stonecipher

F

11

12

Michael Simon

PG

11

20

Harrison Lewis

W

11

22

Wendell Carter II

PF, SF, C

12

23

Parker Payne

SG

12

24

Jonathon Rushton

C, PF

11

33

Isaiah Kelly

SF, F, W

11

35

Sebastien Bradley

C

11

Head Coach: Jamond Sims No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

KJ Wyatt

F

10

2

Tyrin Lawrence

G

10

3

Josiah Mitchell

G

12

5

Stevin Green

G

10

10

D’Ivion Lawrence

G

11

12

AJ Brown

G

9

14

Latrabious Stokes

G

11

20

Austin Hoopengardner

F

11

22

Alec Woodard

G

10

23

Jordan Huff

G

10

24

Anthony Cooper

G

11

30

Damarian Thomas

F

12

32

Jermaine Alexander

F

12

34

Yusuf Baig

G

11

2 7 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Putnam Co.

Region 8 - Team 3

Douglass

Region 6 - Team 2

Swainsboro

Region 2 - Team 4

Laney

Region 4 - Team 1

Early Co.

Region 1 - Team 3

Douglass 53

S. Atlanta

Banks Co.

Region 8 - Team 2

65

65

Dodge Co.

60

55 Heard Co.

54

30

56

Temple

Region 5 - Team 4

Model

Region 7 - Team 1

66

Fitzgerald

42 Feb. 22-23

Feb. 28-March 1

74

Laney

Georgia College & State Univ.

2:00 PM

H

March 4

H

March 8-11

March 4

Fitzgerald 86

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

68 S. Atlanta

Rabun Co.

44

62

H

Bryan Co.

H

45

50

Georgia College & State Univ.

6:00 PM

Jeff Davis 38

45 Hapeville Charter H

Bryan Co. 62

55 Hapeville Charter

H

H

H

Model

49 H

H

Berrien Co.

Bleckley Co.

58 43

Model

Dade Co. 30

62

54 H

28

63

37

Bleckley Co. 43

Champion

64

H

H

Runner-Up

Vidalia

Region 2 - Team 2

Therrell

Region 6 - Team 4

Rabun Co.

Region 8 - Team 1

Lamar Co.

Region 5 - Team 3

Armuchee

Region 7 - Team 2

Dublin

Region 3 - Team 4

Fitzgerald

Region 1 - Team 1

Jeff Davis

Region 2 - Team 3

Josey

Region 4 - Team 2

Elbert Co.

Region 8 - Team 4

43 Hapeville Charter

H

30

57

Model

27

72

Jefferson Co.

Region 4 - Team 3

Feb. 17-18 43

Washington Co. 38

Berrien Co.

Armuchee

76 Heard Co.

Region 3 - Team 3

Region 1 - Team 2

70

H

Rabun Co.

Westside-Augusta 31

Bryan Co.

Rabun Co.

38

Region 4 - Team 4

Region 2 - Team 1

79

H

51

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

72

H

40

H

Laney

40

Heard Co.

H

Vidalia

Rabun Co.

78

70

Pepperell

Region 5 - Team 1

70

85

44

70

Region 7 - Team 4

65 Laney

Laney

44

61

H

Dodge Co.

Region 3 - Team 2

2016-2017 GHSA Class AA Girls State Basketball Tournament

47

45

Bleckley Co. 51 H

Region 6 - Team 1

Dade Co.

Region 7 - Team 3

Callaway

Region 5 - Team 2

Thomasville

Region 1 - Team 4

Bleckley Co.

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

Putnam Co.

Region 8 - Team 3

2016-2017 GHSA Class AA Boys State Basketball Tournament

27

Hapeville Charter 33

Hapeville Charter 43

Region 6 - Team 2

Bacon Co.

Region 2 - Team 4

Laney

Region 4 - Team 1

Fitzgerald

Region 1 - Team 3

H

Therrell

Monticello

Region 8 - Team 2

68

H

H

Dublin Dublin

64

50

53

H

63 58

73

Rockmart 49

Early Co.

H Heard Co.

45

Georgia College & State Univ.

4:00 PM

H

69

48 93

Swainsboro

H

Early Co. 63

H

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

March 8-11

March 4

Feb. 28-March 1

Feb. 22-23

62

61 H

S. Atlanta Swainsboro

H

64

70

Georgia College & State Univ.

8:00 PM

75

Butler 88

S. Atlanta

61

Westside-Augusta 55

Region 4 - Team 4

Swainsboro

Region 2 - Team 1

Bleckley Co.

Region 3 - Team 3

Swainsboro H

Thomasville

Temple

53

Chattooga

Region 7 - Team 1

Swainsboro

41

59

Region 5 - Team 4

82

H

80

Thomasville

Region 1 - Team 2

68

59

61 H

68

H

85

S. Atlanta

60 62

61

S. Atlanta H

51 Chattooga

Chattooga

68 H

Callaway 62

H

69 Washington Co. Champion

Runner-Up

H

56 72 Washington Co.

H

Banks Co.

Region 8 - Team 1

Spencer

Region 5 - Team 3

Rockmart

Region 7 - Team 2

SW-Macon

Region 3 - Team 4

Early Co.

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 17-18 67

56 Monticello

Metter

Region 2 - Team 2 Region 6 - Team 4

Banks Co.

Josey

50 Dublin

Josey

Region 4 - Team 3

34 Washington, Atl.

47

Feb. 17-18

Region 6 - Team 3

H

65

44

Heard Co.

38

Josey

66

81

Dade Co.

Region 5 - Team 1

71

59

Josey

H

Laney

66

Region 7 - Team 4

Laney

44

Dublin

Region 3 - Team 2

57

77

Jeff Davis

Region 2 - Team 3

Butler

Region 4 - Team 2

Elbert Co.

Region 8 - Team 4

S. Atlanta

Region 6 - Team 1

Coosa

Region 7 - Team 3

Callaway

Region 5 - Team 2

Albany

Region 1 - Team 4

61 Washington Co.

H

Region 3 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a coin flip will determine the host school. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

MARCH 8-11, 2017

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COMMUNITY SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL

TRAINING ADVOCACY

LEADERSHIP STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERISM

Official Energy Provider of GHSA since 1999 Photo courtesy of Ty Freeman

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2 9 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

2A GIRLS

LANEY

RABUN CO. SATURDAY 2:00 PM

3.11.17

DID YOU KNOW? LANEY SCORED AN 85-66 VICTORY OVER CLASS 5A FINALIST MAYS ON DEC. 17.

Photo credit: Trevor McNaboe/The Clayton Tribune

LANEY

WILDCATS

•

30-1

•

REGION

4

will face off against Rabun County in the Class AA championship game after moving past Model Laney 65-49 in the semifinals. Laney will be playing for its second title in program history after winning the 2015 Class AAA title over Beach 70-55. The Lady Wildcats are carrying a 30-1 record into the final game of the season after losing to North Augusta, S.C., 62-56, in the second game of the season, giving Laney a 29-game winning streak heading into the grand finale. The winning streak includes several noteworthy victories, including a 85-66 win against Mays on Dec. 17, a 95-32 win over Glenn Hills and a 76-33 win over Josey in the region championship game on Feb. 11. Laney, thus far, has had very little trouble in the postseason, moving past Swainsboro 70-44, Douglass 78-61, Heard County 85-30 and Model 65-49. The Lady Wildcats have many options on offense with three players averaging over 10 points per game. Laney’s 5-foot-11 junior guard De’Sha Benjamin leads the way with 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals per game. Aubriana Bonner, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, is good for 15 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists per game. Jhessyka Williams, a 5-foot-10 junior shooting guard averages 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals per game. Jaiden Hamilton, a 5-foot-9 sophomore shooting guard is averaging 9.3 points, four rebounds and two steals per game. Jazmine Bartlett, a 5-8 junior point guard is good for 7 points, three assists, three rebounds and three steals per game. Laney, which is led by veteran head coach Otis Smart, has been to the final four or championship game seven of the last eight seasons.

RABUN COUNTY R

WILDCATS

•

29-2

•

REGION

8

abun County is entering new territory as it will take on perennial powerhouse Laney in the Class AA championship game. Prior to this year, the Wildcats had never advanced past the state quarterfinal. This hasn’t been any ordinary season for head coach DeeDee Dillard’s squad as they have made yet another giant step forward as a program. Rabun County has gone from a 10-loss team in 2014 and 2015 to a 25-4 finish last season. This year, the Wildcats wear a stellar 29-2 record into the finals with their only two losses coming to Lakeview Academy (67-60) on Nov. 22 and a 49-45 loss to Banks County on Jan. 27, a team they defeated 63-62 in overtime two weeks prior. After clinching the top seed out of Region 1 with a 78-67 victory at Banks County, Rabun County has continued to light up the scoreboard in the postseason. In the first round, Rabun County defeated Therrell 70-40. The Wildcats then moved past Vidalia 79-65 in the secondround and led by 45-24 at the half. Rabun County used a 70-54 win over Fitzgerald to make the program’s first-ever appearance in the Final Four. In last Saturday’s semis, the Wildcats cruised past Bleckley County 65-37 to extend the streak of double-digit victories to eight games. Rabun County led Bleckley County 34-19 lead at halftime and never looked back. The Lady Wildcats outscored Bleckley 23-14 in the third quarter to pad the lead and put the game away. Georgia Stockton led all scorers with 18 points. Savanna Scott scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Hallie Reeves and Tessa Matheson both had five steals. Fast starts have made the Wildcats unstoppable as of late, but there is no doubt that Laney will be prepared for a four quarter battle.

3 0 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach: Otis Smart No. Name Pos. Gr. 1 Jhessyka Williams SG, SF, G 11 2 Jazmine Bartlett (C) PG, SG, G 12 3 Lavaisiette Keller PG, SG, G 11 4 Aubriana Bonner (C) SG, PG, G 12 5 Kamaria Belser PG, SG, G 12 10 Zaria O’Bryant PG, SG, G 10 11 Taya Newsome SG, SF, G 11 12 Jaiden Hamilton SG, PG, G 10 13 Danita Baker SG, PG, G 11 14 Whitney Anderson SF, PF, F 9 15 Nekiyah Booker SG, PG, G 9 21 Rocquana Drayton G 9 23 De’Sha Benjamin (C) G, F, C 11 24 Jakeila Baker SF, PF, F 10 32 Stephanie Burston SG, SF, G 11 50 Aliza Dent G 11 54 Camille Smith C, C 10 55 Joyce Eberhart F, C 10

Head Coach : DeeDee Dillard No. Name Pos. 2 Grace Nolan F 3 Courtney Buchanan G 4 Savanna Scott G 5 Summer Fountain G 10 Brooke Henricks G 11 Ali Ramey G 12 Jaden Quilliams P 14 Hanna Cannon G 15 Laken Stiles G 20 Georgia Stockton G 21 Destiny Deetz C 22 Hallie Reeves G 23 Tessa Matheson SF 24 Sarah Sprinkle SF 25 Jordan Haban SF 33 Brylee Spivey G 44 Kaitlin Coleman G

Gr. 9 10 12 12 10 9 11 9 9 10 9 12 12 9 11 11 10

MARCH 8-11, 2017

SWAINSBORO

2A BOYS

SOUTH ATLANTA SATURDAY 4:00 PM 3.11.17 DID YOU KNOW? SWAINSBORO HAS TRAILED IN EACH OF ITS LAST THREE PLAYOFF VICTORIES AND OVERCAME A 10-POINT FOURTH QUARTER DEFICIT IN THE SEMIFINALS.

Photo credit: Z3 Photography/Langston Sandlin

SWAINSBORO T

TIGERS • 21-10 • REGION 2

he Swainsboro Tigers clinched the top seed out of Region 2-AA with a 52-41 win over Metter in the region title game and have survived the playoff gauntlet to set up a chance to capture the program’s first state title since 1996. Swainsboro has booked final four appearances in 1992-96, 2011, and the past three seasons. The Tigers have taken their region title 10 times since 1992, however, the program’s second state title has eluded them for more than two decades. This season, the Tigers, who lost their first three games of the season, are carrying a 20-10 record into the championship game against South Atlanta. Their most recent loss came at the hands of Wilkinson County on Feb. 4, 59-54. Since, Tigers powered through Region 6-AA tournament and has survived close games in the playoffs. The first-round matchup game pinned the Tigers with Westside-Augusta and the result was a decisive 80-55 victory. The next three rounds were a test. Monitcello, which led 24-17 after the first quarter, pushed the Tigers but eventually fell short 68-62 in the second round. Chattooga provided a quarterfinal scare, that put Swainsboro’s season on the brink. The Indians took a 34-29 halftime lead and outscored the Tigers 15-10 in the third quarter to put Swainsboro in a 49-39 hole heading into the final frame. It took a season-saving 25-12 explosion in the fourth quarter to cement the 64-61 comeback. In the semifinals, Dublin nearly sent them home, but the Tigers prevailed 68-64. Swainsboro’s 5-foot-7 junior guard Jaylan McKinney scored 32 points which helped advance them to the state title game. Swainsboro’s roster features several two-sport athletes that played football this fall, including Jamal Watkins, Jacolby Gibbons, K.J. McCoy, Keenan Williams and Japoore Worthen.

SOUTH ATLANTA S

HORNETS • 28-1 • REGION 6

outh Atlanta looks to add another state championship to its trophy case after winning the 2009 Class AAA state title. The Hornets enter the 2017 Class AA title game carrying a 28-1 record, a 25-0 record against instate opponents and a 25-game winning streak. Their only loss came at the hands of Crestwood (S.C.) in the Harla Trophy Sumter Tournament in a 79-68 game on Nov. 22. In the Region 6-AA Tournament, South Atlanta took care of Washington 72-39 and Hapeville Charter 73-57. The Hornets, who have all but breezed through the tournament, handled Elbert County 85-51 in the first round. South Atlanta erupted for 26 points in the second quarter to close out a 44-25 lead. In the second round, the Hornets ousted a dangerous Butler squad featuring high-scoring guards Deandre Barton and Mardrez McBride with a convincing 82-70 victory. It wasn’t until the quarterfinals that South Atlanta tasted the full dosage of playoff drama. South Atlanta carried a 57-44 lead into the fourth quarter against Washington County, but the Golden Hawks used a 17-6 swing in the fourth quarter to force overtime 63-63. Luckily for the Hornets, they refocused and outscored Washington County 12-6 in the overtime to avoid a heartbreaking loss. In the state semis, Jalen Stegall led South Atlanta past Josey 61-50. Stegall finished with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, two rebounds and two blocks. The Hornets feature the Region 6-AA player of the year, Tyler Thornton, who averages 15 points on 59 percent shooting, 10 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Devonta Pullins, who was the second runner-up, averages 19 points, four assists and four steals per game.

Head Coach: Brice Hobbs No. Name

Pos. Gr.

1

Eddie Longwayi Roberts

C

11

4

Jamil Watkins

SG

10

5

Jacolby Gibbons

SF

10

11

Jaylan Mckinney

PG, SG

11

12

Justin Harris

SG, PG

12

20

Keenan Williams

PF

10

22

Kenneth Reddick

PF, SF

12

23

Japorre Worthen

SF

11

25

Luwaski McCloud II

F

12

30

KeSean Easterling

SG

10

35

Jamal Watkins

PF

10

Head Coach: Michael Reddick No. Name

Pos. Gr.

1

Dondre Barnes

G

11

2

Jalen Stegall

G

11

4

Frank Bailey (C)

PG

12

5

Freeman Jordan

F

12

11

Ja’Quavian Florence

G

9

12

Devonta Pullins

G

12

14

Demontay Roberts

F

12

15

Tyler Thornton

F

12

20

Acey Brown

SF

12

21

Antonio Gay

F

12

3 1 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

2016-2017 GHSA Class A APrivate StateBasketball Basketball Tournament 2016-2017 GHSA Class Private Girls Girls State Tournament 2016-2017 GHSA ClassAAPublic Public Girls Girls State Basketball Tournament 2016-2017 GHSA Class State Basketball Tournament Savannah CDSavannah 38 CD 38 29 Hawkinsville 29 Hawkinsville

ancock Cent.

Cent.

39

39 Hancock Cent.

Hancock Cent.

aylor Co.

45

45

Telfair Co.

Telfair Co.

62

67

Telfair Co. 81

22-23

Telfair Co.

47

Team 1

March 8-11

47

Pelham

H

Co.

H

61

arion Co.

81

Wood.-Tompkins 60 H

H

H

46

H

Champion

2:00PM March 4 Bye

64

H

Bye

Fellowship

Team 20

Aquinas

Runner-Up

Aquinas

49

75 H 42 Stratford

Pelham

Team 13 Pelham

17-18 March 4

Team 4

Bye

52

H

H Lanier

16 Stratford 52 36 66 Pelham

Aquinas

H

49 75 H

Pelham

Co.

H

Team 3

43

H

54

Wesleyan

57 51

54

63

F

Darlin

Darlington

Cobb Civic Center 6:00 PM

H

Team 6

Feb. 28-March 1 57

Cobb Civic Center 6:00 PM

Calvary

H

Darlington

35 Lakeview Acad.

H

H

51

55

63

72 Lakeview Acad.

35 Lakeview Acad.

H

Team 19

Greenf H

H

H

Champion

59 Lakeview 55 A

Mitchell Co.

Runner-Up

Team 3

Champion

H

Team 14 Bye 72 Lakeview Acad.

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimu ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seededHteam will host. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unlessHa doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A H 2A - 700; APelham - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicatesH the designated home school.

- 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H)Stratford in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

Champion

Marion Co.

.

49

Team 13 Team 4

64

H

H

Pelham

Stratford

66 52

Stratford

H

Wes

H Feb. 22-2

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

Wesleyan

Lanier Co.

H

March 4

March 8-11

Bye 43 Mitchell Co. Holy Stratford 3914 Innocents’ H Team

H

73

H

73

March 8-11

Bye Holy Greenville Innocents’

42

Wesleyan

H

Holy Innocents’

Bye Cobb Civic Center

Feb. Team 22

63

Holy Innocents’

Cobb Civic Center

26 G

Wesleyan

H

Team 2

Greene Co.

Feb. Feb.22-23 28-March 1

Tattnall Sq.Terrell 28 50 Co.

Wesleyan

63

Team 15

Feb.Feb. 28-March 17-18 1

32

26 George W

Wheelr Co.2:00PM

H

Wheeler Co.

77

GMC

H

H 52 Lanier Co. 57 Greenville Team 20 Holy Innocents’ 65 Team 19 H Lanier 36 Aquinas 16 Co. H

61 49

34

48

Wheelr Co. H Team 2

H

H H Feb. Feb.22-23 22-23

GMC

77

H

Team 18

Team 7715

32

Wesleyan

Johnson Co.

Bye

H

Marion Co.

8459

Feb.28-March 17-18 1 Feb.

81 Holy Innocents’ Pelham Team 5 H Fellowship

Wood.-Tompkins 60

H Wilkinson Co.

33

77

61

Tattnall Sq. 37 53 Terrell 46 Co.Greene Co. ELCA Team34 12 H H Team78 11 Holy Innocents’ 35 Greenville Team 22 Team 21 50 Terrell Co. Tattnall Sq. 28 Holy Innocents’ Valdosta State Univ.

Greenville Team 5 H H Team 6 6:00 PM Holy 65 53 Terrell Co. 57 Innocents’ Greenville Tattnall Sq. 37 H Team 11 H H Team 12 H 35 Greenville Holy Innocents’ 78

H Wood.-Tompkins 59

mpkins 53

H

Prince Ave.

H

61

Princ 47

Prince Ave.

Co.

Team 18

H St. Francis

31

Team 7

JohnsonSt. Co.Francis Bye

48 GMC H Francis St.

St. 84 59Francis Wheeler Co.

Valdosta State Univ.

6:00 PM

Pelham

Wood.-Tompkins 53

H Wheeler Co.

St. Francis

31

Bye St. Francis

35 42

H

Wheeler Co.

ELCA

Co.

35 GMC

Team 21 Feb. 28-March March 1 Feb. 4 17-18 Feb. 22-23

H

.

H

Bye

March 4 Bye

March 8-11

Wood.-Tompkins 59

H H

Team Treutlen 7

H

33

H

St. Francis

Telfair Co.

March 4

6463

H

H Treutlen

Paideia 42

53 H Francis St. H Team 142

Team 16 Valdosta State Univ.

2:00 PM

H

Feb. 28-March 1

Wilcox Co.

Paideia

H

48

Valdosta State Univ.

2:00 PM Feb. 28-March 1 March 4

H Feb. 22-23

Landmark

Paideia Paideia53

42

H

Landmark 64 63 Treutlen Co.

Team 17

Team 16

48

H

81

H

H

Wheeler Co. Bye Wheeler Christ.

Co. Heritage 43

Team 17 Telfair Co.

elfair Co.

Team 8

47

Pinecrest

Treutlen Co.

Christ. Heritage 43

60

60

38

Landmark

Team 23

46 Macon Co. 46Team3510 Macon Co. H Pinecrest H Team 10 35 Treutlen Co.

H

Treutlen Co.

Bye

67

62

74

74

38 H

Team 23

69 47 69 Macon Pinecrest Pinecrest 47 Co. Macon Co.

Team 9

Team 8

H

.

Pinecrest

Pinecrest

Landmark

H

urner Co.

Team 24

Team 9

38

38

Team 24

H

Runner-Up

39 H

Pelham

59 L

H

H

Bye Runner-Up Bye NFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is schedul - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

- 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home scho

2016-2017 GHSA Class A Private Boys State Basketball Tournament Mt.Basketball Pisgah 68 2016-2017 GHSA ClassAAPublic Public Boys Tournament 2016-2017 GHSA Class BoysState StateBasketball Tournament 2016-2017 GHSA Class 50 Jenkins Mt. Pisgah 68 50 Co. Jenkins Co. A Private Boys State Basketball Tournament Team 24

uitman Co. Co. 64

Macon Co.

Macon Co.

acon Co.

.

88 H

Team 9

Treutlen

Treutlen

22-23

Co.

47

Team 17 Christ. Heritage 48

62

Mt. Paran

Mt. Paran

H

Team 16 Wilkinson Co.

Valdosta State University H 4:00 PM

Feb. 28-March 1

Greenforest

Wilkinson Co. March 4 Bye

ilkinson Co.

Co.

71 entral-Tal. H

aylor Co.

Calhoun Co.

63 Wilkinson Co.

41

61

50 H

H

Wilkinson Co. H

51 H

Champion

Runner-Up

58

Greenforest

Feb. 28-March 1 Feb. 17-18

74 75 H H

Calhoun Co.

Feb. 22-23 Feb. 22-23

76

85

Darlington

March 4 Bye

34

56

Aquinas H

59 Manchester 34 Clinch Co. 40 H

Lakeview Acad.

60 Lakeview H

Feb. 28-March 1

March 4

SW Atl. Christ.

H

SW Atl. Christ.

64 56

77

H

59 W

61 SW Atl. C

SW Atl. H Christ.

SW Atl. Christ.

44

TeamSt. 14

Francis

Bye

48 Manchester Clinch Co. Team 19 H

85

Team 3

56

Randolph-Clay

56

77

Champion

H

F

59 Whitefield

64 Cobb Civic Center 8:00 PM

SW Atl. Christ.

Feb. 22-2

Feb. 28-March 1

Cobb Civic Center 8:00 PM

H

Team 19

Randolph-Clay

Aquinas

Team 6 St. Francis

March 4

March 8-11

Wilcox Co.

Bye Montgomery Co.

63

60 L H

March 8-11

Team 11

Manchester

60 79 Montgomery Co. HManchester H

59 Stratford Acad.

67

63

Lakeview Acad.

H

Greenforest

Wesl

58

Greenforest

Wilcox 76 Co. Twiggs Co. Team 11 Team 22 St. Francis 63 WilcoxMontgomery Co. Co.

Stratford Acad.

71

Lakeview Acad.

63

Twiggs Co.

81

58 H

Lakeview Acad.

H

Feb. 28-March 1TeamFeb. March 4 Feb. 22-23 22 17-18

Team 6

Athens C

58

Cobb Civic Center Calhoun Co. 4:00 PM

Feb. 17-18 Feb. 28-March 1

67 50 ClinchDarlington Co. 72 Clinch Co. Team 13 H Stratford Acad.

68 H Team 4

74

Schley Co.

81

Stratford Acad.

68 St. Francis

Aquinas

74

59 Wilcox Co. Tallulah Falls 51

St. Clinch Francis Co. Bye

Team 20

86

86

Team 2 ByeCobb Civic Center 4:00 PM

Team 21 59 51 Valdosta State University Tallulah Falls St. Francis 8:00 PM 60 Montgomery Co. Tallulah FallsTeam 569 St. Francis 79 Team 12 H Co. 62 Montgomery St. Francis H Team 5

Greenforest

58 H

Team 15

H

AthensAthens Christ. Christ.

55

Team 7

Greenforest 89 68 Towns Co. Calhoun Co.H Team 15 Greenforest 89Team 2

75 Calhoun Co. Greenforest 74 H H

H

55

Team 18

68 Co. Towns Co. Towns

Bye

61 H

43 48

69 62 Montgomery Co. Team 12

41 35

Team 18

48 ParanTowns Co. Mt. 43

Calhoun Co.

Team 20

Taylor Co.

Bye

Landmark Christ.

41Falls Tallulah

H

71

H Wilkinson Co.

Team 1 73

50 Fir

50 First Presby

Turner Co.

GreenforestBye Schley Co.

58

48

Team 21 Valdosta State University 8:00 PM

Calhoun Co.

63

H

Landmark Christ.Feb. 41 22-23 Feb.417-18 March Feb. 28-March 1

March 8-11 H

Wilkinson Co.

H

49

H Greenforest

Team 7

66 Turner Co. Tattnall Square 58 58 66 Turner Co. H

Mt. Paran

Team 23

Hawkinsville Turner Co.

49

Bye

March 8-11

March 4

43

43

Turner Co.

Team 73 16 Calhoun Co.

Team 1

Valdosta State University 4:00 PM Feb. 28-March 1 March 4

Feb. 22-23

rawford Co.

62

H

H

77

Team 23

77 Team 10Hawkinsville Holy Innocents' Holy Innocents' 55 55 Team 10

Turner Co.

Calhoun Co. Bye Bye 54 Calhoun Christ.

Co. Heritage

Team 17

60

75

54

47

60

75

65

Tattnall Square H

Macon Co.

eutlen

Team 65 9

Tattnall Square Tattnall Square Team 8 Team 8

Macon Co.

o.

Holy Innocents' 71 62 Innocents' Hawkinsville Holy 71 62 Hawkinsville

Holy Innocents' Holy 86 Innocents' 86

67

67

88 H

ncoln Co.

al.

Team 24

64

SW Atl. Christ.

53

H

61

E

N. Cobb Christ.

H

44

73 N. Cobb C

H

Team 14 Bye Runner-Up 72 Clinch Co. Aquinas 48 Bye 53 N. Cobb Christ.

ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A H H Clinch Co.play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless H FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher seededHteam will host. Girls a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimu - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides).

FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

Aquinas Champion 3 bleachers on both - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A Team - 500 (with sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home school.

Champion

Taylor Co.

51 H

35

Team 13 Team 4

Runner-Up

Aquinas

71 40 H H

Clinch Co.

73 N

H

Bye Runner-Up Bye NFORMATION: Higher seeded team will host. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is scheduled. Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A FIRST, & THIRD INFORMATION: - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in theSECOND bracket indicates theROUND designated home school. Higher seeded team will host. Girls play on first playing date and Boys play on second playing date unless a doubleheader is schedule - 1,200; 4A - 1,000, 3A - 700; 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides). FINALS: The (H) in the bracket indicates the designated home scho

MARCH 8-11, 2017

3 3 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

A-PRIVATE GIRLS

WESLEYAN HOLY INNOCENTS’ FRIDAY 2:00 PM 3.10.17 DID YOU KNOW? THIS MARKS HOLY INNOCENTS’ AND WESLEYAN’S 13TH MEETING IN THE PAST FOUR SEASONS. HOLY INNOCENTS’ OWNS A 9-3 RECORD, BUT WESLEYAN HAS TAKEN TWO OF THE THREE FINALS MATCHUPS.

Photo credit: Julie Fennell

WESLEYAN W

WOLVES • 27-4 • REGION 5

esleyan has a postseason pedigree that has written one of the most impressive dynasties that Georgia High School sports have seen. The Wolves have won a combined 11 state titles in Class AA (2004-06, 2008, 2013, 2015) and Class A (2002, 2009-12) and will be making their 16th appearance in the championship game in the past 17 seasons. Head Coach Jan Azar has taken home 11 titles, while her team has been runner-up just four times, including last year’s 66-64 loss to Holy Innocents’. This season, Wesleyan fell to Holy Innocents’ twice by seven points before snapping a three-game losing streak to the Bears with a 5950 win in the Region 5 Championship. Since the victory, Wesleyan has followed up a first-round bye with a trio of playoff victories that have seen a 43.3-point average margin of victory. In the semifinals, Wesleyan plowed through Lakeview Academy 77-35. Mikayla Coombs, a 5-foot-11 senior, McDonald’s All-American and UConn commit was too much for the Lions as she posted a game-high 28 points and nine rebounds.

Teammate Amaya Register added 15 points and Katie Stipe scored 10. The Wolves opened the game with a 7-0 run and controlled the floor with a full-court press that produced 15 turnovers in the first quarter. Wesleyan, which totaled eight three-pointers in the game, jumped to a 21-5 lead after one quarter of play and took a 46-18 lead at the half. “I think we did a great job on our press,” Azar told the Gwinnett Daily Post. “We did a good job of deflecting balls and causing chaos for them. Our game plan was to pressure them and get out in transition because they can shoot the ball so well from outside.”

HOLY INNOCENTS’

H

GOLDEN BEARS • 29-2 • REGION 5

oly Innocents’ will face Wesleyan in the Class-A Private championship game after moving past St. Francis 63-61 in the semifinal game. The semifinal win snapped two-time defending Class-A Private champion St. Francis’ 19-game win-streak and sets up a rematch of the 2016 Class AA championship game against Wesleyan where Holy Innocents’ won 66-64. The two programs have met in the finals four straight years, but this year will feature a new and intriguing storyline. Holy Innocents’ head coach Nichole Dixon spent the past 10 years at Wesleyan, serving as a girls basketball assistant to head coach Jan Azar (who coached Dixon at Mount de Sales in Macon in the 1990s) before taking the head coaching job with the Golden Bears’ this season. She helped the Wolves to seven of their 11 all-time state titles with Azar and brings even more familiarity between the two programs. Dixon’s team comes off an emotional semifinal victory. The Golden Bears led for all but the first minute and were ahead 58-49 when St. Francis clawed back into the game to make it a 62-61 deficit with 1:27 remaining. The Lady Knights had an opportunity to take a lead with 26.2 seconds remaining but Kasiyahna Kushkituah missed the front end of a one-and-one and Holy Innocents’ controlled the rebound. With 6.7 seconds remaining, Golden Bears guard Patterson Williams hit one of two free-throws to give Holy Innocents’ the two-point victory.

The Lady Bears hold a 29-2 record on the season with losses to McEachern (78-71) on Nov. 25, and Wesleyan in the region championship (59-50) on Feb. 11. That loss to Wesleyan could’ve have been costly as it placed the Golden Bears on the same side of the bracket as St. Francis. Prior to the semis, Holy Innocents’ posted massive victories against Tattnall Square (65-28) in the second round and Stratford Academy (78-39) in the quarterfinals.

3 4 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach: Jan Azar No. Name Pos. 2 Sarah Adams F 3 Mikayla Coombs G,F 5 Caroline Burke G 10 Sydney Milikan G 12 Lauren Hill G 14 Amaya Register PG 15 Sutton West SG, PF 20 Katie Stipe SG 21 Jameson Kavel SG 22 Izzy Larson G,F 23 Maya Timberlake SF, SG 32 Callie Weaver SG, SF 33 Capri Frazier F 34 Bailey Edwards G,F 44 Natalie Armstrong C 55 AC Carter G,F

Gr. 12 12 10 12 9 11 11 12 12 9 10 10 12 12 12 9

Head Coach: Nichole Dixon No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Kennedy Suttle

SF, SG

11

3

Khayla Pointer

PG

12

4

Jade Dodd-Mungin

SF

11

10

Katie Brown

SG

11

11

Shay Sweat

SF

11

12

Kaila Hubbard

SF, PG

11

14

Patterson Williams

SG

12

21

Ellie Crosswell

G

9

23

Elizabeth Dickson

SG

10

24

Lexi Baker

SG

9

25

Jada Farrell

F

9

32

Shai Blanding

PG

12

44

Jasiah Washington

SF

9

MARCH 8-11, 2017

GREENFOREST

A-PRIVATE BOYS

S.W. ATL. CHRISTIAN FRIDAY 4:00 PM 3.10.17 DID YOU KNOW? DEAUNDRE BALLARD SCORED ALL 12 OF SOUTHWEST ATLANTA CHRISTIAN’S THIRD QUARTER POINTS IN THE WARRIORS’ 77-74 WIN OVER LAKEVIEW ACADEMY IN THE SEMIFINALS. Photo credit:Ty Freeman

GREENFOREST CHRISTIAN EAGLES • 26-5 • REGION 5

T

he Eagles, who carry a 25-5 record, have won state titles in 2013 and 2016. In 2013, Greenforest defeated St. Francis 55-41 to take the program’s first state title. St. Francis served Greenforest a 96-81 defeat in the 2015 finals, before Greenforest once again defeated St. Francis (78-66) in the finals to take the 2016 Class A-Private title. This season, St. Francis and Greenforest met again, but it came in the semifinals. The Eagles dominated, closing out an 86-56 victory. The Eagles are in the midst of a 10-game win-streak since losing to DeMatha, MD on Jan 21 46-43. In the tournament, Greenforest has defeated Mount Paran Christian 74-43, Holy Innocents’ 89-55 and St. Francis with an average margin of victory set at nearly 32 points per game.

The Eagles are led by 6-foot-2 senior guard Justin Forrest who is averaging 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. Forrest’s season is highlighted by a 27-point performance against Eagle’s Landing Christian and a 26 point performance against Wesleyan. Abayomi Iyiola, a 6-10 senior, is averaging 10 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks per game. Iyiola posted a 22-point performance off of 10-14 shooting when Greenforest matched up with Southwest Atlanta Christian on Jan. 28. The Eagles dominated the matchup, jumping to a 27-9 lead after the first quarter and closing out an 85-58 victory. Forrest finished with 16 points while Joandan Duggan (11) and Ikey Obiagu (10) also reached double-figures. David Quimby, a 6-3 senior shooting guard, averages 10 points with four rebounds and three assists per game. Greenforest swept the season series with a 67-55 win over Southwest Atlanta Christian on Feb. 11 to take the Region 5 title. Forrest (17), Quimby (13) and Obiagu (13) led the scoring.

S.W. ATL. CHRISTIAN S

WARRIORS • 23-8 • REGION 5

outhwest Atlanta Christian faces two-time state champion Greenforest Christian, looking for the school’s first state title since taking the Class A crown in 2006. The Warriors carry a 23-8 record into the finals, including two losses to Greenforest Christian this calendar year. Greenforest took the matchups with a 13-point average margin of victory. Southwest Atlanta Christian matched up with the Eagles much better in their Feb. 11 loss in the Region 5 championship game than they did in January’s 27-point blowout, however slow starts still plagued the Warriors. In their two meetings this season, Greenforest has outscored Southwest Atlanta Christian 27-9 and 21-8 in the opening quarter and a combined 80-42 in the first half. If the Warriors can find their footing early, the success they have seen throughout the season could give Greenforest Christian a challenge. The Warriors have tip-toed their way to the championship game with a pair of close calls. They defeated Whitefield Academy 61-59 after a first round bye before handing North Cobb Christian a 64-53 loss. In the semifinals, the Warriors moved past Lakeview Academy 77-74. The Warriors were carried by Deaundre Ballard, who showed out with a gamehigh 41 points, including 26 of his team’s 36 second-half points and all of his team’s 12 points in the third quarter.

The 6-foot-6, 190-pound senior guard and Florida commit is a versatile scorer that can score off the dribble and when utilizing his quick release in a catch and shoot scenario. Late in the semifinal game, Ballard added 14 points in the final quarter, including going 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 30 seconds of the game to keep his team on top. On the season, Ballard is averaging 27 points per game. Jonathan King averages 11 points per game and Isaiah Cotton averages nine points.

Head Coach: Larry Thompson No. Name Pos. Gr. 0 Khalil Hardison SG, P 10 1 Michael Evans PG, SG 12 2 Jandan Duggan PG, SG 12 3 Jordan Duffin SG 12 4 Justin Forrest (C) G, SG 12 5 Robinson O’Keke SF, SG 11 10 Zion Fluellen F, G 12 12 Victor Enoh F, SF 12 13 Mitchell Evans PG 10 20 Terrell Sanders SG, PG, SF 10 21 Ikey Obiagu (C) C 12 23 Abayomi Iyiola (C) F, SF 12 24 Mohammed Abdulsalem F, C 11 25 Zion Simmons PG, SG 11 32 Darion Moye F 11 55 David Quimby G, SG 12

Head Coach: Tony Robinson No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Koby Isaac

PG, SG

10

2

T. J. McCullom

G

12

4

Isiah Cotton

G

12

5

Johnathan King

G

12

11

Ronald Elloie

F, PF

12

14

Lamar Oden

SG, SF

15

Deaundrae Ballard

G, F

12

22

Tyler Gates

G

10

23

Ralph Martin

SF

10

35

Josh Scott

C

12

55

Jayden Caldwell

PG

12

9

3 5 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

TELFAIR CO.

A-PUBLIC GIRLS

PELHAM WEDNESDAY 2:00 PM

3.8.17

DID YOU KNOW? PELHAM HAS OUTSCORED ITS PLAYOFF OPPONENTS BY 34.6 POINTS PER GAME.

Photo credit: Pelham HS

TELFAIR COUNTY T

TROJANS • 27-2 • REGION 2

elfair County wore the No. 1 seed in the Class A-Public tournament, but the top-seeded Trojans faced a gauntlet of tough postseason challengers before earning the right to play for the program’s first state title.

With only a pair of non-region losses on the resume, the Trojans rose to the top of their nine-team Region 2 standings with a flawless 17-0 record. That earned Telfair County a first-round bye, however, 11 days after closing the season with a 54-35 win over Turner County for the region title, the two teams were squaring off in the second round of the playoffs. Telfair County handled business, jumping to a 17-4 lead after the first quarter and holding on to an 81-60 victory. This set up a quarterfinal matchup with Hancock Central, a 22-6 team that racked up an 18-0 resume in its Region 7 slate this season. Telfair County trailed 36-33 entering the fourth quarter and needed a 15-7 scoring advantage in the final frame to score its 48-43 victory. In the semifinal game against Woodville-Tompkins last Saturday, the Lady Trojans woke up in the second quarter after scoring just seven first quarter points and took a 25-22 halftime lead. They extended the lead to 42-33 heading into the fourth quarter, before having to weather a 27-point fourth quarter effort by the Wolverines that nearly fueled an upset. Telfair County avoided a tie game at the end of regulation as Woodville missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 1.5 seconds remaining in regulation. The Lady Trojans were led by Tyshiana Rozier, who scored 24 points while Brandy Mackey and Tonaya Coraham finished with 12 points.

PELHAM P

HORNETS

•

29-1

•

REGION

1

elham will be playing for its first state title since winning the 1997 Class A championship. The Lady Hornets, which carry a 29-1 record into the title game, lost by just one point to Lowndes, 71-70, on Jan. 10.

Since the loss, Pelham has won 17 straight including a 56-20 win over Terrell County in the region championship game. In the tournament, Pelham has remained focused and in control of each of their three victories.

After a ‘bye’ in the first round, Pelham moved past Lanier County with a massive 66-16 victory. The Hornets followed the 50-point victory by topping Greenville 75-35, a game where 23-5 Greenville’s star junior Brittany Davis scored 32 of her team’s 35 points. This set up a a semifinal showdown with 25-4 Wheeler County, one of two teams to hand Telfair County a loss this season (50-48 on Dec. 17). The Hornets advanced championship with an 81-67 victory over the Bulldogs. Pelham netted 28 points in the second quarter to take a 44-33 halftime lead. The Hornets had three players in double-figures. Destiny Thomas led with 26 points and nine rebounds. Mahogany Randall had 21 points and Mahogany Brown added 11 points. Junior Willeshai Kemp grabbed 10 rebounds for Pelham. This type of depth has driven Pelham’s state finals run and four players are averaging better than 10 points per game. Randall is good for 15 points, three steals and three rebounds per game. Thomas averages 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and steals per game.

Brown averaged 12 points, three rebounds and two steals per game. Aaliyah Williams scores 11 points, four rebounds and two steals per game. Kemp rounds out the Hornets’ scoring with six points per game to go with her team-high 7.2 rebounds per game.

3 6 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

Head Coach: Shalonda Troupe No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

2

Mikoya McRae

PG, W

11

3

Ty’amber Wilcox

PG, W

10

4

Asia Howard (C)

SG, PF, P

11

5

Tanajawa Graham

SG, G, W 10

11

Dashay Tillis

C, P

11

14

Elisa Troupe

C, PF, P

10

15

Jalexius Clay

PG

20

India Wells

SG, G, W 10

21

Vashay Tillis

C, P

22

Kemaya Eady

G, PG, SG 12

23

Tyshiana Rozier (C)

PG, SG, PF 12

24

Brandy Mackey

P

10

32

Tamiya McLaughlin

P

11

40

Keadriana Hamilton

P

11

9 11

Head Coach: Antonia Tookes No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Destiny Thomas (C)

PG, G, SG 12

2

Mahogany Brown

SG, PG, G 12

3

Mahogany Randall (C)

PG, SG, G 11

5

Aaliyah Williams

SG, G, F

10

Taniyah Johnson

PG

9

12

Keniyah Young

F, PF

9

13

Takashi Jenkins

SG

11

15

Sharnell Byrd

SG, PG

9

21

Willeshia Kemp

P, F, C

11

22

Jaelyn Wilson

P

10

23

Akia Corker

P

11

32

Kenjanai Brown

C

9

33

Monica Webb

W, SG

12

12

MARCH 8-11, 2017

WILKINSON CO.

A-PUBLIC BOYS

CALHOUN CO. WEDNESDAY 4:00 PM

3.8.17

DID YOU KNOW? WILKINSON COUNTY AND CALHOUN COUNTY HAVE WON ALL FIVE CLASS A-PUBLIC TITLES SINCE ITS INCEPTION.

Photo credit: Macon Telegraph

WILKINSON COUNTY W

WARRIORS • 23-7 • REGION 7

Head Coach: Dr. Aaron Geter, Jr. No. Name

Pos.

ilkinson County will face Calhoun County in the Class-A Public championship game with the chance to capture the program’s ninth state title. The storied program has won titles in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, and used a 55-42 victory over Hancock Central in last year’s championship.

This season, Wilkinson County carries a 22-7 record into the championship game, having competing with private schools and higher classification opponents throughout the season. The highlights of the season include a routine 80-53 win over Warren County, a 83-58 win over Crisp County and a 103-50 blowout over Macon County. The Warriors took on stiff competition in the region tournament, losing to Tattnall Square 39-37 on Feb. 10 and falling in the consolation game to First Presbyterian Day by just one point (63-62) on Feb. 11. Wilkinson County scored a notable 59-54 at Class AA state finalist Swainsboro on Feb. 4 before defeating Hancock Central for the third time this season. The defending champs took the No. 5 seed into the playoffs and outclassed the competition in typical Warriors’ playoff fashion. Wilkinson County came off its opening round bye to handle Crawford County 71-43 in the second round. The Warriors advanced to take on No. 4 seed Taylor County in the quarterfinals, but Wilkinson County held the Vikings to its lowest point total in a 63-35 win, since Taylor County dropped a 46-34 game to unbeaten Class 4A finalist Upson-Lee in the season opener.

The Warriors completed their return to the title game by defeating Macon County 61-47 in the semifinals.

Wilkinson County led the entire game and outscored Macon County 19-10 in the second quarter to pad the 34-24 lead heading into the second half. Jaylon Lamer, a 6-foot sophomore shooting guard, led with 13 points. Senior guard Larry Jones added 12 points.

00

Aaron Geter III

G

12

1

Tylan Grable

C

11

2

Brandon Mays

G

11

3

Larry Jones

G

12

5

Clarence Jackson

W, G, SG

11

10

DeMarcus Mims

PF, C

10

11

Devin Jones

PG, SG

11

12

Deandre Fordham

PG, SG

12

23

Jadaveon Jones

PG

12

24

Gary Burns

C

12

33

Derrick Wilcher

F

12

42

Jaylon Lamar

SG

10

40

Raequan Smith

PG

10

CALHOUN COUNTY C

Head Coach: Marcus Shaw No. Name Pos. 1 Jahmad Wiley PG 3 Roney Moore PG 4 Jaquavious Johns PF 5 Rashun Williams SF, SG 10 Kadarrius Holmes PG, SG 11 Kanashas Enocher PG 12 Bryan Smith SG 20 Lamartrie Robinson SF, SG 21 Quanderious Powell SF 22 Edwin Wims PF 23 Jayda Martin SG 23 Jamal Price PF 24 Harold Jenkins PF 25 Juwaun Wiley PG, SF 32 Kavarrius Freeman C 35 Elizabeth Cody C

COUGARS • 28-1 • REGION 1

alhoun County will face Wilkinson County in the 2017 Class-A Public championship game searching for the program’s third state title and second in three years. The Cougars, who are no strangers to post season appearances, most recently took the 2015 title where they defeated Greenville 84-82. The Cougars’ previous championship seasons came in 1997 and 1972. This season the Cougars are carrying a 28-1 record into the final game. Their only loss came in a 72-69 road loss to Early County on Jan. 3, a team that they beat exactly a month earlier 80-75. Since the Jan. 3 loss, Calhoun County has won 19 straight, including a 80-57 win over Turner County, an 80-16 win over Baker County and a 66-63 win over Quitman County in the Region 1-A championship game. Calhoun County earned the No. 2 seed in the tournament and have conquered a talented slate of opponents. The Cougars took out Towns County 75-48 in the second round before taking on Turner County for the second time this season and handing the Rebels a 73-65 loss. Turner County ended Calhoun County’s season last year with a 69-57 victory in the quarterfinals, so defeating the Rebels twice late in the season has certainly provided a boost in confidence for the Cougars. No. 3 seed Clinch County matched up with Calhoun County in the semifinals but the The Cougars took a 33-24 lead going into the locker room and despite Clinch County’s best efforts, were able to hold their grip and close out a 54-50 victory. 6-foot-6 junior small forward Rashun Williams scored seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, including several important visits to the charity stripe. Junior point guard Kadarrius Holmes added 10 points in Saturday’s semifinal win.

Gr.

Gr. 9 10 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 12 11 10 10 11 10

3 7 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

GHSA 2017 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

PAST STATE CHAMPIONS BOYS PAST STATE CHAMPIONS (SINCE 1970) Year AAAAA 1970 - 1971 - 1972 - 1973 - 1974 - 1975 - 1976 - 1977 - 1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 Berkmar 2002 Wheeler 2003 Wheeler 2004 S. Gwinnett 2005 Wheeler 2006 Norcross 2007 Norcross 2008 Norcross 2009 Wheeler 2010 Milton 2011 Norcross 2012 Milton YEAR AAAAAA 2013 Norcross 2014 Tift County 2015 Wheeler 2016 Westlake

AAAA - - - - - - - - - SW, Macon Tompkins Baldwin Campbell Marietta Douglas, Atl. SW, Macon Wills Washington Griffin SW, Macon Southside Statesboro Johnson, Sav. Griffin Wheeler Dunwoody Tift Co. Roswell Savannah Marietta Berkmar Dougherty Westlake Griffin Mays Mays Columbia Tucker Columbia Miller Grove Miller Grove Miller Grove Miller Grove AAAAA Miller Grove Miller Grove Brunswick Miller Grove

AAA Decatur Carver, Col. Savannah SW, Macon Savannah SW, Macon Savannah LaGrange SW, Macon SW, Atlanta Decatur West Laurens Decatur Gainesville Gainesville Lee Co. Hart Co. (Forfeited) Madison Co. Marist Westover Westover Westover Westover Marist Westside Tucker Dougherty Westover Westlake Marist Westover Cross Keys East Hall West Laurens Dunwoody Dunwoody Jordan Glenn Hills South Atlanta Columbia Columbia Columbia AAAA Eagles Landing Jonesboro Jonesboro Liberty Co.

AA East Rome Berrien Russell SW, Atlanta SW, Atlanta West Fulton West Fulton Brown Peach Co. Arnold Lakeshore Crawford Co. Crawford Co. Randolph-Clay Terrell Co. Central, Car. Randolph-Clay Lakeshore Claxton East Rome Mitch.-Baker Mitch.-Baker Wash. Co. North Clayton Wash. Co. Dodge Co. Swainsboro Cedar Grove Mitch.-Baker Mitch.-Baker Mitch.-Baker East Hall Wilkinson Co. Mitch.-Baker Randolph-Clay East Hall Dublin Manchester Wesleyan Dublin GAC GAC Laney AAA Johnson, Savannah Morgan County Jenkins Morgan Co.

A Early Co. Roswell Calhoun Co. Bacon Co. College Park College Park College Park Arnold Josey Dacula Hoganville Woodbury Central, Tal. Woodbury Woodbury Woodbury Bible Baptist Clinch Co. Richmond Hill Clinch Co. Central, Tal. East Rome Greenville Richmond Hill Richmond Hill Atkinson Co. Hogansville Calhoun Co. Seminole Co. Wilkinson Co. Wilkinson Co. Taylor Co. Taylor Co. Whitefield Acad.

SW Atl. Christian Randolph-Clay SW Atl. Christian Wilkinson Co. Hancock Cent.

Whitefield Academy Wesleyan Wilkinson Co. Whitefield Academy AA GAC GAC Seminole County Pace Academy

B Hogansville Hogansville Hogansville West Point Hogansville Monticello Woodbury GAC Clay Co. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A-Public Wilkinson Co. Wilkinson Co. Calhoun County Wilkinson County

C Arlington GAC GAC A-Private Greenforest St. Francis St. Francis Greenforest

GIRLS PAST STATE CHAMPIONS (SINCE 1970) Year AAAAA 1970 - 1971 - 1972 - 1973 - 1974 - 1975 - 1976 - 1977 - 1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 Collins Hill 2002 Collins Hill 2003 Parkview 2004 Stephenson 2005 Collins Hill 2006 Collins Hill 2007 Collins Hill 2008 Stephenson 2009 Redan 2010 Norcross 2011 Norcross 2012 McEachern YEAR AAAAAA 2013 Norcross 2014 McEachern 2015 McEachern 2016 McEachern

3 8 | W W W. G H S A . N E T

AAAA - - - - - - - - - Lowndes Lowndes NE, Macon NE, Macon LaGrange LaGrange NE, Macon Baldwin Baldwin Baldwin Morrow Morrow Morrow Cedar Shoals Morrow Sequoyah S. Gwinnett Sequoyah Stone Mtn. Wheeler Pope Beach C. Gwinnett Glenn Hills Mays St. Pius X Etowah St. Pius X St. Pius X SW DeKalb SW DeKalb SW DeKalb Fayette Co. Miller Grove AAAAA SW DeKalb Tucker Stephenson SW DeKalb

AAA Forest Park Sequoyah Decatur Cherokee Waycross NE, Macon Cherokee Lowndes Lowndes Berrien Co. Coffee Madison Co. Cairo Berrien Rockdale Co. Dodge Co. Rossville Dodge Co. Chattooga Hart Co. Hart Co. Hart Co. Hart Co. Hart Co. Hart Co. Woodward Woodward Richmond Acad.

Josey Woodward North Atlanta Gainesville NE, Macon Gainesville Gainesville Hephzibah Avondale East Hall Kendrick Carrollton Columbia Washington Co. Columbia AAAA Columbia Redan Buford Americus-Sumter

AA Berrien Sprayberry Berrien Monroe Area Cairo Berrien Franklin Co. Brooks Co. Waycross East Hall East Hall White Co. Putnam Co. Morgan Co. Seminole Co. Terrell Co. Terrell Co. Seminole Co. Upson Seminole Co. Berrien Co. Wash. Co. Tri-County Fannin Co. Gainesville Haralson Co. Randolph-Clay Thomasville Thomasville Fannin Co. Randolph-Clay GAC GAC Early Co. Wesleyan Wesleyan Wesleyan GAC Wesleyan Buford Buford Buford Lovett AAA St. Pius X St. Pius X Laney Morgan Co.

A Monroe Area Taylor Co. Taylor Co. Haralson Co. Pickens Haralson Co. Brooks Co. Irwin Co. Bowdon Co. Miller Co. Miller Co. Warren Co. GAC GAC Central, Tal. Central, Tal. Central, Tal. Clinch Co. Taylor Co. Hawkinsville Broxton-M. Hayes Clinch Co. Taylor Co. Clinch Co. Taylor Co. Taylor Co. Manchester Pelham Putnam Co. Holy Innocents’ Sav. Ctry. Day Jefferson Wesleyan Taylor Co. Hawkinsville Terrell Co. SW Atl. Christian Hawkinsville Calvary Day Wesleyan Wesleyan Wesleyan Wesleyan AA Wesleyan Kendrick Wesleyan Holy Innocents’

B Mitchell Co. Montgomery Montgomery Loganville GAC GAC Clinch Co. Miller Co. Temple - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A-Public Gordon Lee Randolph-Clay Taylor County Turner County

C Taylor Co. Norman Park GAC A-Private St. Francis SACA St. Francis St. Francis

My Team They are like my second family.

After practices, we all go out to eat together. On weekends, we meet up to ride bikes or swim.

And when we play, it’s not for the people up in the stands. It’s not for the victory. It’s just for us.

MAHLIK H. Student from Bloomington, IL Football, Wrestling

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Find yourself. Find your reason why.

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