2018 GHSA Basketball Championship Guide - Macon

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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THE OFFICIAL

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2 | WWW.GHSA.NET

WINNING MOMENTS BEGIN AT WILSON.COM

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

2018 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

FEATURES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

Letter from the Executive Director .................................................................................4

CLA S S A A G I R L S CHA M P I ON S H I P 2:00 PM - Laney vs. Josey

CLA S S A A B OY S CHA M P I O N S H I P 4:00 PM - Vidalia vs. Thomasville

CL AS S A - P U BL I C G I R L S CHAMP I ON S H I P 6:00 PM - Greenville vs. Marion County

CL AS S A - P U B L I C BOY S CHAMP I O N S H I P

Macon Centreplex Information .....................................................................................5 Past State Champions .............................................................................................30-31

TEAM INFORMATION

8:00 PM - Montgomery Co. vs. Wilkinson Co.

AAASP Bracket & Team Information ...............................................................................7

THURSDAY, MARCH 8

Class AA Bracket & Team Information .....................................................................10-13

A A A S P W H EELCHA I R G AME

Class A-Public Bracket & Team Information.............................................................14-17

CL AS S A A A G I R L S CH A M P I O N S H I P

Class AAA Bracket & Team Information ...................................................................20-23

CL A S S A A A B OY S CHA M P I ON S H I P

Class AAAAA Bracket & Team Information ...............................................................24-27

11:00 AM - Houston County vs West Georgia 2:00 PM - GACS vs. Johnson-Savannah 4:00 PM - GACS vs. Jenkins

CL AS S A A A A A G I R L S CHA M P I ON S H I P 6:00 PM - Buford vs. Flowery Branch

CL A S S A A A A A BOY S CHA M P I O N S H I P

VIEWING INFORMATION

8:00 PM - Miller Grove vs. Warner Robins

Order DVD copies of all streamed games at NFHSNetwork.com.

SPONSOR INDEX Wilson...................................................... 2

Sports Medicine South............................. 9

Gatorade.................................................. 6

NFHS...................................................... 18

Georgia’s EMCs........................................ 6

Georgia National Guard......................... 19

Musco Lighting........................................ 6

MaxPreps............................................... 19

TCSG......................................................... 6

Choice Hotels......................................... 19

Formetco.................................................. 8

NFHS- Reason Why................................ 28

Atlanta Hawks.......................................... 8

Mizuno................................................... 29

Regions Bank........................................... 8

Hudl....................................................... 29

Jostens.................................................... 9

Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance............. BC

All games will be streamed live on NFHSNetwork.com/ghsa.

The games will be available On Demand at NFHSNetwork.com/ghsa.

FOLLOW US

/OFFICIALGHSA

The 2018 Georgia High School Association Basketball State Championship Guide is published by Score Media, a division of Score Atlanta, in conjunction with the GHSA. The guide was designed by Rhonda Rawls, edited by Alex Ewalt, Craig Sager II, Seth Ellerbee and Graham David, information provided by the GHSA and photos on the cover and inside the guide are courtesy of Ty Freeman and Abby Williamson. For more information on Score Media, go to Scoreatl.com or call 404-256-1572.

WWW.GHSA.NET | 3

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GHSA

W

WELCOME GHSA BASKETBALL FANS

elcome to the 2018 GHSA Basketball championships! The games are sure to be exciting as all of the schools represented are looking forward to their team achieving the title of “Champion.” However we all know that all of our teams are outstanding and are definitely winners. This has been an outstanding season and this year’s championship games will include familiar faces as well as teams that have worked hard and peaked at just the right time. Our congratulations are in order for all of the teams, coaches, administrators, cheerleaders and parents who have supported the athletes through this year’s journey to the final games. I know you will enjoy and appreciate the games and all of the work leading up to this exciting event.

I would also like to thank you for your support of high school basketball throughout the season. Your attendance and support is integral to the success of high school athletics and for the team you are here to cheer on. Good sportsmanship is expected from our athletes and I urge you to be positive in your support of all of our teams. Let’s work TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

CENTREPLEX, MCCAMISH TEAM UP TO HOST 17 EXCITING MATCHUPS

BY ALEX EWALT | AEWALT@SCOREATL.COM

T

he GHSA / Dr.Ralph Swearngin Basketball State Championships will be split between the Macon Centreplex and Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion, with each site hosting four classifications. The finals return to Macon after a one-year break, as the Centreplex will host the AAASP wheelchair, Class A-Public, Class AA, Class AAA and Class AAAAA championships on Wednesday and Thursday. Georgia Tech will host for the second year in a row, with McCamish staging the Class A-Private, Class AAAA, Class AAAAAA and Class AAAAAAA title games on Friday and Saturday.

MIDWEEK MADNESS

Class AA starts off Championship Week on Wednesday as Laney’s girls look to earn their second state championship in a row and third in four years with a matchup against region opponent Josey; Laney is 4-0 in that season series. The Class AA boys game will crown a first-time winner from South Georgia, as Vidalia and Thomasville do battle for the championship. The evening games turn to the Class A-Public division with the Greenville and Marion County girls. Greenville holds a 2-1 advantage over Marion County this year, but the region championship game on Feb. 9 went Marion County’s way. Montgomery County and Wilkinson County battle in the nightcap; Wilkinson County will try to keep its perfect finals record of 9-0 intact with a victory.

On Thursday at the Centreplex, the AAASP wheelchair championship game gets things going at 11 a.m. The West Georgia Wolverines and Houston County Sharks will compete for the title in this exciting adapted sport. In the afternoon games, both Greater

4 | WWW.GHSA.NET

together to make today’s games a great experience for all involved.

To put on an event of this magnitude takes many volunteers who have worked tire-

lessly to provide a “first class” event. Many hours of work from this group will enhance the experience of our players, cheerleaders and fans. The GHSA staff has been working for weeks as well to ensure a special event for all involved.

Finally I would like to thank our corporate sponsors who make it possible to put

on these championships. Their advertisements can be seen throughout this venue and I encourage you to support them whenever possible. The GHSA wants to thank these exemplary companies for their involvement, we appreciate their support.

Thank you for your attendance and I know you are going to enjoy the best high

school basketball anywhere!

James R. Hines, Jr. Executive Director Atlanta Christian teams will take on Savannah schools in Class AAA. The GAC girls take on Johnson seeking their ninth state title, first since 2007. The Spartans boys go for their eighth state title, first since 2014, against Jenkins, which is looking to take its second championship in four years. The northeast metro area takes the spotlight in the Class AAAAA girls final; Buford is 3-0 against its league opponent Flowery Branch this year but had to withstand a fourth-quarter rally in the most recent meeting for the region title on Feb. 10. Miller Grove goes for an amazing eighth boys title in 10 years, but Warner Robins, ranked No. 1 after the regular season, stands in its way.

CLASH ON THE FLATS Two familiar foes in Holy Innocents’ and Wesleyan will battle in the Class A-Private girls game to kick off Friday’s competition at Georgia Tech. Holy Innocents’ has appeared in multiple national rankings this season and has a 3-0 record against defending champion Wesleyan. The St. Francis boys lifted the hardware in back-to-back seasons in 2014-15 and will meet a strong Aquinas team for the Class A-Private boys title. Friday’s evening games offer two heavyweight fights in Class AAAAAA. Lovejoy’s girls will try to cap off a dominant season in which they have only lost once, but Harrison has had an impressive playoff run in its own right. Friday’s closer will be the Langston Hughes and Gainesville boys, which met in the quarterfinals last season as Hughes upset the Red Elephants in overtime on its way to a first-ever state title.

The final day of competition starts with the Henry County and Spalding girls in the Class AAAA final; Henry County brings an undefeated record against Georgia teams.

Upson-Lee’s boys are undefeated at 30-0 and gunning to defend last season’s title, the program’s first; St. Pius is looking for a different outcome in this 2017 title-game rematch. Class AAAAAAA takes center stage for the final two games of the playoffs.

Newton’s girls are back in the finals for the first time since 1963, but to win their first-ever title, they will have to go through Westlake, which is attempting to finish the season as the wire-to-wire No. 1. And in yet another meeting between two region opponents, Norcross and Meadowcreek square off in the boys highest classification.

Norcross owns a 3-0 record this season over Meadowcreek, but two of those victories came on buzzer-beating three-pointers.

Photos courtesy of Macon Centreplex

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

MACON CENTREPLEX The 9,000-capacity Macon Coliseum is the entertainment center for Macon and Middle Georgia’s 30 surrounding counties. Built in 1968 and most recently renovated in 2015, it was the first facility of its size and type in Georgia and has housed full-house crowds for greats such as Elvis, The Jacksons, Billy Joel, Reba McEntire and Little Richard.

In addition to concerts and family shows, the Coliseum is the perfect site for a variety of events, from conventions and trade shows to basketball, ice shows, circuses and any other sporting or entertainment events you can imagine.

The Macon Coliseum began hosting GHSA state basketball championships in 1969, shortly after opening. The venue also hosted both the 2018 state traditional and dual wrestling championships.

We bring our fans the best in entertainment and pledge to help you enjoy your time with us. When you come to a show or an event at the Macon Coliseum, you will find: • A 2,300-space paved and lighted parking lot • A prime location in the heart of Georgia near the convergence of two major interstates (I-16 and I-75) and within a one-hour drive of two-thirds of Georgia’s population • An adjoining 7,068 square feet meeting/banquet room

Learn more about the Macon Centreplex at http://www.maconcentreplex.org/

WWW.GHSA.NET | 5

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Official Energy Provider of GHSA since 1999

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Georgia’s locally owned and operated Electric Membership Cooperatives are proud to sponsor the Georgia High School Association

Because we know that today’s high school athletes… are tomorrow’s local leaders.

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MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018 AMERICAN ASSOC. OF ADAPTED SPORTS PROGRAMS

WOLVERINES, SHARKS TO BATTLE FOR AAASP/GHSA STATE WHEELCHAIR TITLE WWW.ADAPTEDSPORTS.ORG Athletes took to the court last weekend in postseason competition as the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) 21st Annual Interscholastic Wheelchair Basketball State Championship semifinals were held at two sites in Georgia. Games were played concurrently in Duluth and Bonaire to decide which teams would advance to the AAASP/GHSA State Wheelchair Basketball Championships on Thursday, March 8, at the Macon Centreplex.

The West Georgia Wolverines beat the Gwinnett Heat 19-16 in the first varsity game to advance to the finals. The Houston County Sharks beat the Clayton Eagles 37-35 to advance to the finals as well. The two winners will compete in the varsity championship, which is held in conjunction with the Georgia High School Association’s State Championships, at 11 a.m. on Thursday in Macon AAASP and GHSA have a rich history in the area of athletic programs for students with disabilities and have been honored nationally for their partnership. GHSA formed the nation’s first dual governing alliance with the AAASP in 2001 to pioneer efforts in school athletic programs for students with physical disabilities. Through this alliance, GHSA recognizes AAASP as the governing and sanctioning body for adapted sports programs for Georgia’s schools.

AAASP, headquartered in Atlanta, is a not-for-profit association dedicated to developing interscholastic adapted sports programs in partnership with national, state and local educational agencies. It represents a standardized approach to extracurricular adapted team sports and has developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive school-based athletic programs for students with physical disabilities attending grades 1-12. For more information, please visit our website at http://adaptedsports.org or join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram at @AdaptedSports.

AAASP WHEELCHAIR ROSTERS Houston County Sharks No. 1 3 12 13 15

Name Emanuel Dawson Ca’ron Harris Tajah Battle Annabelle Putman Chastity Farms

21 22 23 25 32 33

Elianna Stevens Olando Hicks Jordan Kozloski Grace Putman Maddie Watts Gavin Siens

OF F INTO

THE SIDELINES

THE GAME

In Georgia, if you have a physical disability or have students who do and want to get in the game at school, we’ve got an opportunity for you.

Contact your coach, GHSA or AAASP to express interest today!

Coaches: Christy Jones and Brian Watts

West Georgia Wolverines No. 21 20 13

Name Jesse Cochran Dylan Goble Joseph “Bubba” Ivey

No. 3 10 11

Name Bryan Lanier Mason McCartney Logan Wegienka

Coaches: Richard McIntyre and Ric McIntyre

Visit adaptedsports.org or email sports@adaptedsports.org for more information!

WWW.GHSA.NET | 7

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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PRESENTED BY

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

C E L E B R A T I N G M O M E N T S T H A T M A T T E R™

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© 2018 Jostens, Inc. 170944

YOUR OFFICIAL GHSA SPORTS MEDICINE PROVIDER

Gary Levengood, MD ¦ Saadiq El-Amin, MD, PhD ¦ Christopher Sellars, DO Harris Patel, PA-C, ATC ¦ Diana Dean, PA-C

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w w w . s p o r t s m e d s o u t h . c o m 7 7 0 - 2 3 7 - 3 4 7 5

WWW.GHSA.NET | 9

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

S. Atlanta

Region 6 - Team 3

Callaway

Callaway

54

Putnam Co.

64

Region 5 - Team 2 Region 8 - Team 4

St. Vincent's

35

Early Co.

Region 1 - Team 2

Jefferson Co.

Region 4 - Team 4

Dodge Co.

Region 3 - Team 1

Region 5 - Team 3

Washington Co.

63

70

47 H

Fitzgerald

52

73

Georgia College & State Univ.

2:00 pm

68

Laney

Fitzgerald 73 H

H

Feb. 21-22

Feb. 27-28

March 3

March 7-10

March 3

Feb. 27-28

Feb. 21-22

49 28

Josey H

H

Banks Co.

38

47

Laney Swainsboro

NE Macon

41

36 H

Douglass, Atl.

70

H

63

39

Elbert Co.

47

Banks Co.

Swainsboro

36

Georgia College & State Univ.

6:00 pm

61

68

Douglas, Atl. 67 H

Josey

31

75

60

Josey 63 H

®

H

Laney

57

54

Josey

61

Champion Laney

43

76

80 H

Metter 63 H

Runner-Up

Rabun Co.

Region 8 - Team 3

Rockmart

Region 7 - Team 2

Therrell

Region 6 - Team 4

Lamar Co.

Region 5 - Team 1

Butler

Region 4 - Team 3

Washington Co.

Region 3 - Team 2

Bryan Co.

Region 2 - Team 4

Fitzgerald

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 16-17 29

K.I.P.P.

46

Laney

65

68

Thomasville

Region 4 - Team 1

65 Dodge Co.

Dodge Co.

52

Region 3 - Team 4

52 H

Fitzgerald

45

Banks Co.

Region 2 - Team 2

47

32

H

30

Region 1 - Team 3

51

Lamar Co.

60

Pepperell

Region 8 - Team 1

46 H

Rabun Co. 42

Model

Early Co.

53

Region 7 - Team 4

65

71

H

K.I.P.P.

Region 6 - Team 2

79

Rabun Co.

41

Feb. 16-17 Heard Co.

73

63 Model

Model 70

Region 2 - Team 3

25

H

Model

Region 7 - Team 1

2017-2018 GHSA Class AA Girls State Basketball Tournament

49

Gordon Cent.

Region 7 - Team 3

Elbert Co.

Region 8 - Team 2

Spencer

Region 5 - Team 4

Douglas, Atl.

Region 6 - Team 1

Bleckley Co.

Region 3 - Team 3

Josey

Region 4 - Team 2

Brooks Co.

Region 1 - Team 4

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

LANEY JOSEY 10 | WWW.GHSA.NET

CLASS AA GIRLS WEDNESDAY

2:00 PM

Metter

Region 2 - Team 1

3.07.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

DID YOU KNOW? ALL FOUR OF JOSEY’S LOSSES THIS SEASON HAVE BEEN TO LANEY.

LANEY I

WILDCATS

JOSEY J

EAGLES

•

31-0

•

REGION

4

t’s been over a year since Laney’s last loss against North Augusta (S.C.) on Nov. 22, 2016. Since then, the Lady Wildcats have reeled off 61 victories spanning two seasons. The team is a perfect 31-0 after four playoff games. Entering the Class AA state title game against Augusta rival Josey, the defending state champions are riding momentum and have waltzed through the bracket. In the opening round, Laney sent Northeast home following an 80-41 victory. In the second round, Swainsboro was the victim as the Lady Wildcats won in a rout, 76-60. In the quarterfinals, Laney kept the same intensity and defeated Banks County 54-38 to earn a semifinal berth against Model for the second year in a row. Against Model, Laney overcame a slow start. After falling behind 16-11 following the first quarter, the Lady Wildcats put together a 26-17 run in the second quarter to take control. Laney stretched its defensive legs in the third quarter, facilitating a 21-9 run to push the lead to 58-42 entering the fourth quarter. Following a 10-9 final quarter in Laney’s favor, the 6851 victory was sealed. Laney is led by 5-foot-11 senior guard De’Sha Benjamin, who averages 22 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists per game. Teammate Jhessyka Williams, a 5-10 senior, contributes 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists per game. Junior Jaiden Hamilton, a 5-9 shooting guard, averages 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. On the year, Laney has faced Josey four times and has won each of them. Laney’s smallest margin of victory came on Feb. 2, when the Lady Wildcats defeated Josey at home 68-62. The biggest margin of victory for Laney against Josey was the most recent meeting in the Region 4 championship, a 66-41 final.

•

29-4

•

REGION

4

osey has dropped four games this season, all to Laney—a frustrating stat for the Lady Eagles entering the state championship game, but motivation nonetheless. The most recent loss, in the Region 4 championship game, was the most lopsided of them all, resulting in a 66-41 Laney victory. Josey, however, has scared the Lady Wildcats on several occasions this season in closely contested games. On Jan. 13 at home, Josey fell by just seven points, 67-60, and on Feb. 2 at Laney, Josey fell 68-62. Since the region championship loss, Josey has been firing on all cylinders and has had an equally easy run through the bracket. In the opening round, Josey topped Bleckley County 63-31. Against Metter in the second round, the Lady Eagles took a 75-43 victory, earning a quarterfinal berth against Douglass. Josey proved too much for Douglass, and following the 57-39 victory, the Lady Eagles set their sights on a semifinal matchup against Fitzgerald.

In the semis, Fitzgerald set the pace early and held Josey to a five-point first quarter. Josey found answers in the Rolland twins, Tykedra, a 5-foot-11 junior guard, and Rhykeria, a 5-9 forward. The twins combined for 39 of Josey’s 61 points in the game and have been the focal point of the Lady Eagles’ offense all season. The Rollands led a second-quarter charge that allowed Josey to take a 22-19 halftime lead, and with 3:14 left in the third quarter, Rhykeria Rolland’s fourth three-pointer pushed the lead to 37-27. Josey entered the final frame ahead 11 points, 43-32, before expanding the lead and putting the game away 61-47. The Lady Eagles are in the hunt for their first state championship since 1998 after making it to the semis for the first time since 2000.

Head Coach: Otis Smart No. Name Pos. 1 2 3 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 23 24 30 50 54 55

Jhessyka Williams Rocquana Drayton LaVaisiette Keller Jakia Reese Zaria O’ Bryant Taya Newsome Jaiden Hamilton Danita Baker Whitney Anderson Nekiyah Booker Ja’ Nya Wilson De’ Sha Benjamin Jakelia Baker Stephenie Burston Alteona Collier Camille Smith Joyce Eberhart

SG G PG G PG SG SG SG SF SG PF G/F SF SG C C F

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

Head Coach: Jawan Bailey No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Rondaijah Wynn

G/PG

12

2

Moesha Mells

G

11

5

Deajah Houck

G

9

10

Jamirah Mitchell

G

9

11

Jalene Smith

G

12

12

Imani Alston

G

11

13

Ebony Chisolm

G

12

15

Keyhana Reynolds

F

9

22

Ebony Clark

G/F

11

23

Rhykeria Rolland

F

11

24

Tykedra Rolland

G/F

11

32

Ivory Chisolm

F

12

33

Starasia Hinton

F

12

WWW.GHSA.NET | 11

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

K.I.P.P.

Region 6 - Team 3

Jordan

Jordan

60

Monticello

49

Region 5 - Team 2 Region 8 - Team 4

Chattooga

Region 7 - Team 1

Vidalia

Region 2 - Team 3

Early Co.

Region 1 - Team 2

Butler

Region 4 - Team 4

Washington Co.

Region 3 - Team 1

2017-2018 GHSA Class AA Boys State Basketball Tournament

55

Jordan

Region 5 - Team 3

Monticello

Vidalia

Vidalia

Laney

Region 4 - Team 1

Dublin

84

84

68 H

Thomasville

50

Washington Co. 46

Georgia College & State Univ.

4:00 pm

80

Vidalia

72

Thomasville 56 H

H

Feb. 21-22

Feb. 27-28

March 3

March 7-10

March 3

Feb. 27-28

Feb. 21-22

44 72

Thomasville H

H

S. Atlanta

63

Georgia College & State Univ.

8:00 pm

52

55

Elbert Co. 72 H

Therrell

41

Banks Co.

67

60

H

Laney Metter

57

45

73 H 47

55

64

Therrell

Glenn Hills 72

Glenn Hills 80 H

®

H

Laney

70

53

73

Glenn Hills

61

Champion Laney

56

65

66 H

Jeff-Davis 71 H

Runner-Up

Putnam Co.

Region 8 - Team 3

Rockmart

Region 7 - Team 2

Hapeville

Region 6 - Team 4

Spencer

Region 5 - Team 1

Josey

Region 4 - Team 3

Dublin

Region 3 - Team 2

Swainsboro

Region 2 - Team 4

Thomasville

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 16-17 46

S. Atlanta

61

Region 3 - Team 4

60

74

Berrien Co.

Dodge Co.

67 H

Thomasville

52

H

67

Metter

74

49

Banks Co.

Region 2 - Team 2

49

54

Vidalia

51

Region 1 - Team 3

67

Spencer

60

Coosa

Region 8 - Team 1

72

H

90

Region 7 - Team 4

52 H

Spencer

44

S. Atlanta

Region 6 - Team 2

45

49

Rockmart

65

Feb. 16-17 Temple

39

71

H

43

Pepperell

Region 7 - Team 3

Elbert Co.

Region 8 - Team 2

Heard Co.

Region 5 - Team 4

Therrell

Region 6 - Team 1

NE Macon

Region 3 - Team 3

Glenn Hills

Region 4 - Team 2

Brooks Co.

Region 1 - Team 4

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

VIDALIA

THOMASVILLE

12 | WWW.GHSA.NET

CLASS AA BOYS WEDNESDAY

4:00 PM

Jeff-Davis

Region 2 - Team 1

3.07.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

DID YOU KNOW?

VIDALIA L

INDIANS

•

THOMASVILLE SENIOR REGGIE PERRY WILL REPRESENT GEORGIA WITH WHEELER’S E.J. MONTGOMERY IN THE MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICAN BOYS GAME ON MARCH 28 AT PHILIPS ARENA.

23-8

•

REGION

2

ast year, Vidalia missed the playoffs. This year, the Indians are playing for a state championship as Region 2’s No. 3 seed. It is the first trip to the state finals since 1982 for the Vidalia program, which has never won a boys state title. Vidalia, which survived a semifinal scare against Laney in a 49-45 victory, is led by 5-foot-10 senior Tahj Jones, who is averaging nearly 20 points per game with 2.5 rebounds and two assists. Vidalia has dropped eight games this season, including a loss to second-round dropout Jeff Davis in the Region 2 championship game. Since the loss, Vidalia has taken its play to another gear and enjoyed a smooth path through the bracket. Vidalia moved past Early County in the opening round 60-49. In the second round, the Indians were pushed to a 52-46 finish by Washington County, the No. 1 seed from Region 3. In the quarterfinals, Vidalia defeated Jordan in a rout, 84-49. Against Jordan, the Indians opened up a 14-7 lead after the first quarter, and after scoring 24 points in the second quarter, Vidalia took a 3824 lead into halftime. Throughout the game, the Indians displayed dominance in all facets, outrebounding the Red Jackets 47-13 while having five players score in double-figures. Against Laney in the semifinals, the teams were tied 12-12 after the first quarter and Vidalia took a three-point lead, 24-21, into the locker room. A 10-9 third quarter in Vidalia’s favor gave it the four-point cushion (34-30) it would hold at the end of the game, as the teams played to a 15-15 final quarter. Anthony Jones led the Indians with 13 points, and Tahj Jones scored 10. Anthony Jones, a 6-foot junior, averages over nine points per game to go with six rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Indians.

THOMASVILLE A

BULLDOGS • 27-3 • REGION 1

fter advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2010, the Bulldogs are chasing their first-ever state basketball title. In the semifinals, Thomasville moved past Glenn Hills in commanding fashion 74-57 to earn the championship berth after building a 31-21 lead at the half. Reggie Perry, a 6-foot-9 senior and McDonald’s All-American, led with a game-high 27 points and hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the third quarter to extend the Thomasville lead to 54-37. Perry is a 5-star player and Mississippi State signee. Teammate Vonterius Woolbright, a 6-2 sophomore shooting guard, scored 14 points in the semifinal victory. “Great job by our young men,” Thomasville coach Ben Tillman told the Thomasville TimesEnterprise following the semifinal game. “The crowd came out and supported us again. I’m just so proud of these young guys. This was a chance to redeem ourselves for every mistake we’ve made the last two years. I just love the way they continue to play hard. Defensively, they are lock-down. I’m just really enjoying the way we’re playing right now.” Last year, Thomasville fell to Chattooga in the first round in a rout, 68-51. In 2016, it fell to Pace Academy in the quarterfinals in a 30-point loss, 78-48. This year, Thomasville has moved easily through the bracket following a first-round scare against Region 2 No. 4 Swainsboro. The Bulldogs prevailed 56-50 and then proceeded to defeat Dublin 72-60 in the second round. Thomasville kept the momentum going and demolished Spencer 84-45 in the quarterfinals to earn the semifinal berth against Glenn Hills.

Woolbright scored 17 points against Spencer, and Perry had 17 rebounds. “It’s a blessing,” Perry told the Times-Enterprise. “We lost early last year. We’re gonna get it done this year. We are going to seal the deal.”

Head Coach: Tommy Dalley No. Name Pos. 0 1 2 3 4, 21 5 10 13 14 15 20 23 24 25 34 INJ

Tahj Jones G Anthony Jones G Johnathon Moody G Antrell Williams G Galen White F Kris Gay F Marc Wardlaw G Anthony Murphy F Tyrese McArthur F/G Aryon Mincey G Xavier McClendon F Sheldon Washington F Adam McCloud G Prentiss Hunt F Toriun Mull F Josh Davis

Head Coach: Benjamin Tillman No. Name Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 14 15 20 21 22 23 25

Reggie Perry Vonterius Woolbright Adrian McQueen Joshua Lyons Cornelius Barnhill Quindarius Thomas Mason Mobley Jourdan Fowler Pierson Weatherspoon Luke Wallace Taylor House Clifford Davis Titus Wright Benjamin Tillman III Sammy Morrow

PF SG G G G SF PF SG PG SF SF G C SG PF

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

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

WWW.GHSA.NET | 13

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Echols Co. Team 24

2017-2018 GHSA Class A Public Girls State Basketball Tournament

47 GMC

GMC

37

61

Team 9

H

Bowdon Team 8

H

45 Bowdon

Bowdon

40

24

54

H

H

Bye

Telfair Co.

Calhoun Co. Team 17

Quitman Co.

Telfair Co. Team 1

40

Wilcox Co.

45

H

Telfair Co.

63

44

63

Valdosta State 2:00 pm

H

Team 10

Wilcox Co.

H

Team 7

Terrell Co. 47

Greenville

H

33

Wash-Wilkes

40 H

Taylor Co.

Team 18

Taylor Co.

47 Telfair Co.

Macon Co.

Bye

54

H

58 H

Team 23

Terrell Co.

62 Calhoun Co.

Team 16

62

Mitchell Co.

Macon Co.

Wilcox Co.

48

37

Terrell Co.

Team 15

Terrell Co.

H

Team 2

Bye

Bye

Feb. 16-17 Greene Co. Team 21

Feb. 21-22

Feb. 27-28

March 3

March 7-10

Marion Co. H

Woodville-Tompkins 60 H

Wheeler Co. Team 5

Wheeler Co.

Team 20

H

Wheeler Co.

Turner Co.

Greenville Team 4

62

H

H

73

45

Pelham

45 Greenville

71

48 H

Emmanuel Co.

Team 22

H

Gordon Lee

65

90

63

H

H

Marion Co.

H

Runner-Up

Bye

MARION CO.

14 | WWW.GHSA.NET

Pelham Team 6

Gordon Lee Team 19

Team 14

Marion Co. Team 3

Bye

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

GREENVILLE

Team 11

44 Central, Talbott.

H

Marion Co.

Champion Greenville

Glascock Co.

48

®

H

34

Bye

Marion Co.

54

67

Feb. 16-17

Emmanuel Co.

Pelham

74

40

H

56

Greenville Turner Co.

Team 13

Feb. 21-22

36

Valdosta State 6:00 pm

62

Bye

Manchester

Feb. 27-28

53 Woodville-Tompkins 40

Team 12

March 3

CLASS A-PUBLIC GIRLS WEDNESDAY

6:00 PM

3.07.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

MISSISSIPPI STATE SIGNEE AND GREENVILLE SENIOR BRITTANY DAVIS SCORED A PLAYOFF-HIGH 47 POINTS IN THE SEMIFINALS.

DID YOU KNOW? GREENVILLE

PATRIOTS

•

27-2

•

REGION

4

Head Coach: Waqueisha Tenney No. Name Pos.

T

he Greenville Lady Patriots’ 27-2 season marks the third-consecutive season with 20 wins or more, and this week in Macon they’re looking to tack on more than just another win. Their trip to the finals marks their 28th all-time playoff game. Their current record in the playoffs is only 13-14, but this year’s squad has a chance to even the record in a big way. One of the main reasons for their recent success lies with senior point guard Brittany Davis, who has had a stellar career for the Lady Patriots. The future Mississippi State Bulldog averages 31.5 points a game, a mark she has surpassed in every playoff game this season. Davis’s most recent display of dominance came in her team’s semifinals matchup against 201617 runner-up Telfair County. Davis dropped a whopping 47 points, accounting for a huge portion of the team’s production in its 73-62 win. However, there’s more to this team than its star point guard. Though they are underclassmen, freshman guards Andrianna Perdue and Nuriyah Slaton are key players who drive the team. “During the third and fourth quarter, we started playing Lady Patriots ball,” head coach Waqueisha Tenney said of their semifinals win. “Davis and Perdue took over on the offensive end of the floor.” Slaton and junior guard Shania Simon kept up the team’s pace with strong defense, really turning things on in the second half with the game on the line. “Simon and Nuriyah were the heartbeat of our defense in the second half,” Tenney said. “That’s what turned the game around.” Greenville will be ready for its finals opponent Marion County, a team it defeated twice and lost to once during the regular season.

The Lady Patriots will look to continue playing their brand of ball against a familiar opponent in order to claim the school’s first-ever title.

MARION COUNTY

T

EAGLES

•

25-5

•

REGION

4

he Marion County Lady Eagles were faced with the tough task of taking on the defending champions to earn their place in this year’s Class A-Public semifinals. Pelham claimed last year’s title after a 60-42 win over Telfair County but had no such luck against Marion County in the quarterfinals as Marion County prevailed 65-56. The Eagles then took on No. 2 seed Terrell County for a spot in the finals. A low-scoring game between the two teams was a direct result of lights-out defensive play. Marion County allowed only 11 points to Terrell County during the second and third quarters, giving the Lady Eagles plenty of room to run away with the game. “I thought the play of Janiya Crowell on defense and offense was the difference in the game,” head coach Fran McPherson said of her team’s performance. “She also rebounded and had some great takes to the basket.” Crowell scored 12 points and blanketed Jamiya McDaniel, Terrell County’s leading scorer. The Lady Eagles’ defense is complemented by an efficient offense that can really change the flow of the game. After being down 10-4 in the first quarter to Terrell County, the Marion County guards stepped up on offense with three-pointers to keep them in the game. Now in her third season as head coach, McPherson has taken what was a group of young, high-potential players and turned it into a championship-caliber team. Last year’s 23 wins and quarterfinals appearance was enough to make McPherson the All-Bi-City 1A-3A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year per the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, but this season now presents McPherson and her program the chance to take home its first girls hoops title. They previously lost to their finals competitor Greenville twice in the regular season but defeated them 67-63 in the Region 4 championship game.

Gr.

3

Andrianna Perdue

PG/SG

9

4

Shania Simon

SG

11

5

Tanijah Sinkfield

SG

10

10

Aliyah Sewell

G

10

11

Jabrika Leslie

G/PF

12

Alexis Ford

G

14

Shabrica Leslie

G/PF

9

15

Talencia Toney

C/PF

12

20

Derria Grier

PG/SG

9

21

Nuriyah Slaton

PG/SG

9

22

Amiya Cameron

PG/C

23

Brittany Davis

PG/SG

12

25

Camille Godfrey

SG/PF

9

30

Khaniya Bell

PF

9

Head Coach: Fran McPherson No. Name Pos. 0 1 2 3 5 10 11 14 15 20 21 22 23 25 34 43

Molly Daniels Ashley Whitley Torriunna Myers Janiya Crowell Jameisha Williams Ansley Whitley Diamond Franklin Nakia Tymes Eboni Franklin Alexis Crimes Jillian Walton Terri Crawford Kamille McCannon Lillie MCorkle Tanique Stevens Lauren Colter

F F F C PG F PG G G G C W PG G F F

9 10

9

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

WWW.GHSA.NET | 15

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Claxton

2017-2018 GHSA Class A Public Boys State Basketball Tournament

46

Team 24

GA Military

GMC

51

60

Team 9

H

Woodville-Tomp.

Team 8

H

66 61

Woodville-Tomp. 50

68

H

H

Bye

Calhoun Co.

Marion Co. Team 17

60

Macon Co.

48

H

31

Calhoun Co. Team 1

Calhoun Co.

H

Calhoun Co.

60

80

72

Valdosta State 4:00 pm

H

Terrell Co. Team 10

Macon Co.

H

Team 7

Bye

Dooly Co.

79

Team 16

70 H

Team 23

Central, Tal.

69 Trion

Trion

78

Irwin Co.

Terrell Co.

Macon Co.

Woodville-Tomp. 62

66

Dooly Co.

68 H

Central, Tal. 57

Montgomery Co.

62 Hancock Central Team 18

H

Central, Tal.

H

Team 15

Central, Tal. Team 2

Bye

Bye

Feb. 16-17 Randolph-Clay Team 21

Feb. 21-22

Wilcox Co.

Montgomery Co. Team 5

March 3

March 7-10

March 3

Feb. 27-28

73

H

47

Valdosta State 8:00 pm

H

63

H

Wilkinson Co. Montgomery Co. 81

63

Montgomery Co. 95

57

H

Bye

Montgomery Co. 80

Fulton Leadership 65 Team 20

48

Lanier Co.

H

Manchester

53

Lanier Co.

74

42

Wash.-Wilkes

64 H

Team 11

Team 22

Pelham

Manchester

H

Team 6

67

Wilkinson Co.

Champion 74

H

H

66

Drew Charter

60 H

Clinch Co.

Team 19

Drew Charter

®

Lanier Co.

57

Bye

Wilkinson Co.

Fulton Leadership 40

Treutlen

Team 4

61

Feb. 16-17

Pelham

Manchester

H

Team 13

Feb. 21-22

64 Randolph-Clay

Team 12

Feb. 27-28

Wilkinson Co.

H

Team 14

Wilkinson Co.

Runner-Up

Bye

Bye

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

MONTGOMERY CO.

WILKINSON CO.

16 | WWW.GHSA.NET

Team 3

CLASS A-PUBLIC BOYS WEDNESDAY

8:00 PM

3.07.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

DID YOU KNOW? WILKINSON COUNTY IS 9-0 ALL-TIME IN THE FINALS.

MONTGOMERY CO. M

EAGLES • 29-3 • REGION 3

ontgomery County’s recent 80-78 victory over Calhoun County, their second victory over the Cougars this season, positioned the school for a chance to knock out the defending champions in the finals. The fuel that’s feeding the Eagles’ fire is the dynamic senior duo of guards Shaw Robinson and guard Daveaun Coglin. Both players are team captains and have turned on the jets in order to give their school the best overall record it has seen since head coach Christopher Owens joined the program in 2015. Over the course of their quarterfinals matchup against Lanier County, Robinson scored 19 points while Coglin racked up 25. The team kept momentum and went on a 12-0 run to start overtime, eventually winning 81-74. During their tight matchup against Calhoun County in the semifinals, a back-and-forth series of free-throw shooting would determine the winner. Coglin’s numerous attempts to obtain the lead resulted in a trip to the line. This was no issue for the experienced shooter, and he drained seven out of eight free throws to keep the Eagles ahead. However, the talent on this team is not limited to just its captains. Senior forward Jahleel Wilson’s ability to make big plays when needed is what helps maintain the Eagles’ high-powered offense. In the tournament, Montgomery County has scored just over 85 points per game. Wilkinson County has managed to put up an average of just over 67 points per game this postseason, and its road to the finals wasn’t as treacherous. Montgomery County certainly looks eager to claim the state title, and the team’s high-scoring performance so far in the playoffs proves it has the potential to do so. The Eagles will need their top players to come through in the clutch against an experienced and determined Wilkinson County squad.

WILKINSON CO. A

WARRIORS • 25-6 • REGION 7

fter a first-round bye, Wilkinson County’s 74-53 victory over Drew Charter in the second round brought the school to 74 state-tournament wins to tie Savannah for most all-time. Two more victories later, and the Warriors have 76 wins and the all-time record all to themselves. Wilkinson is no stranger to playing on a big stage; this year’s finals trip marks the 10th for the Warriors under head coach Aaron Geter. If the yearly trips to the championship aren’t enough to impress, their 9-0 record in finals will. The journey to Macon has featured some close games, however. The four-point (67-63) win over Manchester in the quarterfinals nearly sent the Warriors home, but an even bigger obstacle would come later. During the semifinals matchup against Central-Talbotton, it appeared as if Wilkinson County had let its chance to defend the title slip away. With four minutes left in the game, Wilkinson County was up 48-43 but was losing momentum to a rallying Central team. Costly fouls by the Warriors kept bringing Central players to the line, where they would close the gap with free throws. With six seconds remaining in the game, Central’s Javaris Copeland hit a close-range jump shot to take a one-point lead, 60-59. But with the game on the line, Wilkinson inbounded the ball to junior guard Raequan Smith, who quickly took the ball down the court and layed it in for a 61-60 win, keeping hopes of back-to-back championships alive. The Warriors defense will be challenged by a strong Montgomery County attack. In order to contain the Eagles, Wilkinson will use 6-foot-7 senior center Tylan Grable as a post presence who can grab rebounds and disrupt the Eagles offense. If the Warriors are successful on D, they have a great chance to push their finals record to an amazing 10-0.

Head Coach: Christopher Owens No. Name Pos. 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 20 21 23 24 30 33

Shaw Robinson Alijah Johnson Daveaun Coglin Kris Daniels Bryan Coleman Jahiem Wilson Jamari Mincey DaQuan Jackson Darique Williams JaKobe Russell Dreon Jackson Clayton Harvey Kameron Wideman Jahleel Wilson Kadarius Thomas

G/W G G F G/W F W/F W/G G G/W F F/W C W/F G/SF

Head Coach: Aaron Geter No. Name Pos. 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 23 24 33 35 40 42 44

Traquan Fox Tylan Grable Brandon Mayes Christian Lamar Jeremy Hart Jaylen Lamar Demarcus Mims Devin Jones Jadeon Mims Raequan Smith Savion Knight Javonta Collins Jacob Crockett Javis Boyd Dexter Walker Jr. David Jackson

G F G G G G F G F G F F G G G G

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

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

WWW.GHSA.NET | 17

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE

N ATION ’S

LE A DER

IN

LIVE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Visit www.NFHSnetwork.com To Watch

1 18NFHS_GSA-10.15x10.25.indd | WWW.GHSA.NET

10/16/17 4:40 PM

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

Official Statistician and Digital Media Partner of the Georgia High School Association

INTEGRITY COURAGE RESPECT CONFIDENCE These are just a few of the traits necessary for success... and come with being a part of the National Guard.

Download MaxPreps TODAY! Notifications & Live Scores Follow your Favorite Teams Rankings, Photos & Videos

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Just use the special rate code and you’ll receive the GHSA special rate at over 6,100 hotels worldwide.* It’s easy to root for the home team, no matter where they play.

Go to ChoiceSportsTravel.com Or Call Choice Sports Desk at 877.240.AWAY (2929)

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* GHSA Conference special rate is a 15% discount of Best Available Rate, and cannot be combined with any other discounts. Reservations must be made by booking online at choicesportstravel.com or by calling the Choice Sports Desk at 877.240.AWAY (2929) or fax 877.249.AWAY (2929) and must mention Special Rate Code 00213510. Discount is subject to availability at participating hotels, see choicesportstravel.com for details. © 2011 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved. 11-804/11/11

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1

WWW.GHSA.NET | 19 11/21/11

5:24 PM

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

2017-2018 GHSA Class AAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

Coahulla Creek 53 Region 6 - Team 3

Pace Acad.

Region 5 - Team 2

Monroe Area

Region 8 - Team 4

Coahulla Creek 28 H

52

Pike Co.

31

Beach

Region 5 - Team 3

Peach Co.

Region 4 - Team 1

Feb. 27-28

57

GACS

Monroe 67

March 3

March 7-10

March 3

Feb. 27-28

Feb. 21-22

Johnson, Sav.

26 H Franklin Co.

40

Armstrong Atlantic 6:00 pm

Morgan Co. 67

53

46

H

Haralson Co.

34

Franklin Co.

53

53

H

Franklin Co. Pierce Co.

43

33

61 H 32

45

42

69

Haralson Co.

Tattnall Co. Central, Macon

59 H

®

H

Peach Co.

44

35

59

Tattnall Co.

26

Champion Peach Co.

53

54

61

Tattnall Co. 61

Runner-Up

H

Hart Co.

Region 8 - Team 3

E. Hall

Region 7 - Team 2

LFO

Region 6 - Team 4

Lovett

Region 5 - Team 1

Rutland

Region 4 - Team 3

Johnson, Sav.

Region 3 - Team 2

Liberty Co.

Region 2 - Team 4

Monroe

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 16-17 29

H

48

Region 3 - Team 4

Armstrong Atlantic 2:00 pm

H

Cedar Grove

Dougherty

Islands

56

40

56

Region 2 - Team 2

60 H

Johnson, Sav.

29

Feb. 21-22

Franklin Co.

Pierce Co.

52

Johnson, Sav.

H

35

Region 1 - Team 3

45

64

Dawson Co.

Region 8 - Team 1

64 Beach

Beach

39

Region 7 - Team 4

61 H

Johnson, Sav.

27

H

Sonoraville

Region 6 - Team 2

43

49

Lovett

33

Feb. 16-17 Cedar Grove

58 GACS

Cook Co. 58

Region 3 - Team 1

63 H

Lovett

68

H

Cook Co.

Region 4 - Team 4

46

55

35

GACS

Long Co.

Region 1 - Team 2

GACS

39

70

Region 2 - Team 3

E. Hall

44

GACS

Region 7 - Team 1

39

52

H

N. Hall

Region 7 - Team 3

Morgan Co.

Region 8 - Team 2

Stone Mtn.

Region 5 - Team 4

Haralson Co.

Region 6 - Team 1

Jenkins, Sav.

Region 3 - Team 3

Central, Macon

Region 4 - Team 2

Worth Co.

Region 1 - Team 4

Tattnall Co.

Region 2 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

GAC

JOHNSON-SAV. 20 | WWW.GHSA.NET

CLASS AAA GIRLS THURSDAY

2:00 PM

3.08.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

BEACH ELIMINATED BOTH FINALISTS GAC (56-47) AND JOHNSON-SAVANNAH (59-44) IN LAST YEAR’S PLAYOFFS. GAC DEFEATED BEACH IN THIS YEAR’S QUARTERFINALS (55-45).

DID YOU KNOW?

GAC

SPARTANS

•

25-4

•

REGION

7

T

he Lady Spartans viewed this season as a redemption tour after falling to eventual champion Beach in the semifinals last season. This year, GAC weathered a knee injury to its star player, Auburn signee Robyn Benton, and is in the hunt for its ninth girls basketball championship. Once in the tournament, the resilient Lady Spartans took advantage of blowouts in the opening two rounds against Monroe Area (7039) and Coahulla Creek (68-28), which set up the long-awaited rematch against Beach, this time in the quarterfinals. Against Beach, GAC jumped out to a 14-5 lead after the first quarter and secured a 29-20 lead entering the locker room. Beach got the best of GAC in the third quarter by a slim 9-7 margin before GAC secured the 55-45 victory with a 19-16 run in the final frame. The victory set up a semifinal game with previously unbeaten Franklin County (30-0). From the opening tip, the Lady Lions challenged GAC on both ends of the floor. GAC took a 12-6 lead after the first quarter before a 17-7 Franklin County run in the second quarter gave the Lady Lions a 23-19 lead at halftime. GAC took control in the fourth quarter, taking the lead on a 6-0 run with baskets from MaryMartha Turner, Caria Reynolds and Maya Timberlake.

“It’s our maturity. And they are listening,” GAC head coach Lady Grooms said of her team’s comeback after being down in the first quarter in the semis. “It’s very difficult in high school to come back when you’re down, because they can hold the ball. … I took a chance (in the fourth quarter) and said, ‘Let’s start trapping, let’s start playing D, let’s trap the ball.’ ” The Spartans have three players averaging in doublefigures — Taylor Sutton (17 points), Reynolds (12 points) and Turner (10 points).

JOHNSON-SAV. T

ATOM SMASHERS • 22-6 • REGION 3

he Lady Atom Smashers are in the hunt for their first-ever girls state basketball championship after weathering close games in the tournament, following a first-round rout of Rutland 60-33. In the second round, Johnson beat Monroe 64-57 to earn a quarterfinal berth against Region 5 No. 1 Lovett. Johnson won 52-46 on the road and turned its sights toward a semifinal matchup against Tattnall County. The Lady Atom Smashers took a 9-8 lead over Tattnall after the first quarter and pushed the lead to 21-12 at the half.

Johnson managed a 43-33 victory to reach the finals. “We had a bunch of girls step up tonight and play big for us,” head coach Brandon Lindsey told the Savannah Morning News following the semifinal win. “On any given night, we have that kind of team where anyone can step up, and tonight it was a few key contributions that were enough to keep us going.” Three Johnson players average double-figures in scoring. Senior Sy’Marieona Williams, a 5-foot-3 point guard, is averaging 17 points, 3.5 rebounds, three steals and 2.5 assists per game. J’Mya Cutter, a 5-9 junior guard, is averaging nearly 12 points per game with six rebounds, 4.3 assists and three steals per game. Jasmine Thompson, a 5-7 junior guard, is scoring 11 points per game with 8.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Though the team fell to Beach 59-44 in the title game last year, Lindsey said it’s the furthest thing from their minds. “We can’t do anything about last season,” he told the Morning News. “We can’t go back and take the rings off (Beach’s) fingers. We can’t go and get the 2017 trophy out of their trophy case. All we can do is go and get our own. We have to play hard and play our best basketball game of the season on Thursday to do that. We’ll be ready.”

Head Coach: Lady Grooms No. Name Pos.

Gr.

1

Caria Reynolds

PF

12

1

Robyn Benton

F

12

2

Taylor Sutton

PG

12

3

Kennedi Williams

PG

11

10

MaryMartha Turner

C

12

11

Shyla Burch

F

12

12

Lauren Coleman

G

11

14

Ava Irvin

G

10

20

Jillian Thomas

G

10

21

Jaida Hall

F

11

22

Jade Hampton

F

12

25

Maya Timberlake

F

11

30

Jessica Carothers

F

11

Head Coach: Brandon Lindsey No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

2

Alana Boone

G

12

3

J’Mya Cutter

G

11

5

Tianna Williams

G

9

11

Jasmine Thompson

G

11

12

Jordyn Quarterman

G

10

14

Checobia Hugie

G

11

21

De’ Narrieah Spencer

F

9

22

Demondria Hendrix

F

10

23

Sy’ Marieona Williams

G

12

25

Giana Copeland

C

12

WWW.GHSA.NET | 21

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sonoraville

Region 6 - Team 3

Pace Acad.

Pace Acad.

55

E. Jackson

43

Region 5 - Team 2 Region 8 - Team 4

GACS

Region 7 - Team 1

Liberty Co.

Region 2 - Team 3

Region 5 - Team 3

59 H

Jenkins, Sav.

74

Armstrong Atlantic 4:00 pm

49

GACS

Cook Co. 67

Feb. 27-28

March 3

March 7-10

March 3

Feb. 27-28

Feb. 21-22

81 Jenkins, Sav.

49 H

H

Morgan Co.

39

Morgan Co. Long Co.

Beach

39

65 H

Hart Co.

64

H

86

53

51

Hart Co.

45

Morgan Co.

Long Co.

62

Armstrong Atlantic 8:00 pm

71

Redan 41 H

49 Westside, Macon

57

49

75 Westside, Macon Central, Macon 37

55 Westside, Macon

73

Champion Central, Macon

62

64

67

Crisp Co. 62 H

Runner-Up

H

Dawson Co.

Region 7 - Team 2

Ringgold

Region 6 - Team 4

Cedar Grove

Region 5 - Team 1

Jackson

Region 4 - Team 3

Jenkins, Sav.

Region 3 - Team 2

Pierce Co.

Region 2 - Team 4

Cook Co.

Region 1 - Team 1

E. Hall

Region 7 - Team 3

Hart Co.

Region 8 - Team 2

Redan

Region 5 - Team 4

Calhoun

Region 6 - Team 1

Islands

Region 3 - Team 3

65 Westside, Macon H Region 4 - Team 2

®

H

Monroe Area

Region 8 - Team 3

Feb. 16-17 50

Towers

85

Central, Macon

72

Jenkins, Sav.

59

Feb. 21-22

Dougherty

Region 4 - Team 1

60 H

H

61

Region 3 - Team 4

61

88

Morgan Co.

Region 2 - Team 2

Cedar Grove

Jenkins, Sav. 52

Johnson, Sav. Johnson, Sav.

29

Region 1 - Team 3

52

73 OT

55

H

N. Hall

Region 8 - Team 1

64

39

Monroe

59

Region 7 - Team 4

66 H

69

Bremen

Region 6 - Team 2

Dawson Co.

Cedar Grove

57 GACS

Feb. 16-17 Towers

53

40

H

68

Johnson, Sav.

65

75

76

Kendrick

Region 3 - Team 1

52 GACS

GACS

79

Region 4 - Team 4

54

H

Monroe

Region 1 - Team 2

2017-2018 GHSA Class AAA Boys State Basketball Tournament

34

Crisp Co.

Region 1 - Team 4

Tattnall Co.

Region 2 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

GAC

JENKINS 22 | WWW.GHSA.NET

CLASS AAA BOYS THURSDAY

4:00 PM

3.08.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

GAC’S 73-71 OVERTIME WIN OVER MORGAN COUNTY IN THE SEMIFINALS SNAPPED THE BULLDOGS’ STREAK OF FOUR STRAIGHT FINALS APPEARANCES.

DID YOU KNOW?

GAC L

SPARTANS

•

27-3

•

REGION

7

ast season, GAC fell to Lovett in the first round 62-58 and was sent home with a sour taste in its mouth.

This year, GAC has stormed through the bracket and is in the hunt for its eighth boys basketball title. If its semifinal victory over Morgan County was an indication of GAC’s ability to stick with it in a tightly contested matchup, look for GAC to hang on if the title game stays close. “It was a roller coaster,” said GAC coach David Eaton of his team’s 73-71 overtime victory against Morgan County in the semifinals. “I’m just proud of how tough we are. It was tough to come out and get that big lead to start the game. That’s just our guys being ready to play and not being scared to come out and knock Morgan County on their heels. But, it’s even harder when a team starts coming back on you, especially with the talent that Morgan County has. We just kept answering back. I think it speaks of the mental toughness of our guys that we responded every time Morgan County responded to us.” Against Morgan, GAC had every opportunity to turn the game into a blowout after opening an 11-0 lead fueled by hot-handed shooting from beyond the arc. Hunter McIntosh, a 6-foot-2 junior point guard, was responsible for five of GAC’s six deep balls early in the game and finished with 30 points to lead the Spartans in the semis. Teammate Ben Sheppard, a 6-4 junior guard, added 16 points, and Roy Dixon scored 11 points in the semis. “I think this (is a) new era, whether it be me leading the charge or Coach Eaton,” McIntosh told the AJC after the game. “I think that we are going to start a new era and a new legacy at GAC.”

JENKINS J

WARRIORS

•

25-5

•

REGION

3

enkins has one state championship to its credit after defeating Morgan County by two points, 62-60, in 2015. This season, the Warriors are as poised as ever to grab their second. Jenkins’ road to the championship has been tightly contested following its first-round rout of Jackson 59-39. In the second round, Jenkins slid past Cook 52-49 to earn a quarterfinal berth against Cedar Grove. The Warriors took a 72-65 victory and momentum into the semifinal game against Westside-Macon. In the semis, Jenkins took a 26-22 halftime lead, but Westside proved its worth as it pulled the game even at 26-26 early in the third quarter.

Jenkins was clinging to a 35-33 lead entering the final quarter with a finals berth on the line. “All year long, we have been preparing for games like this,” Jenkins head coach Bakari Bryant told the AJC after the game.

“We have been running our three-minute practices, scenario practices. Our last couple of games it has kind of been like this, so we were really prepared for this moment. The thing about me and my kids, they were able to keep their composure, they were able to have poise and they were able to stay focused.” After coming off a similar semifinal game as GAC’s, focus will be paramount for Jenkins. A trio of talented seniors will lead the way for the Warriors. Tyrone Scott, a 6-foot-3 small forward, is averaging nearly 15 points per game with nearly six rebounds and three steals per game. Tre’ Mays, a 5-10 guard, is averaging nearly 14 points per game with three rebounds. Sai Fisher, a 6-2 point guard, is averaging nearly 11 points per game with 4.5 rebounds and four assists. Matthew Sams, a 6-2 senior guard, averages over eight points per game.

Head Coach: David Eaton No. Name Pos. 2 Ben Sheppard PG/G 3 Roy Dixon PG/G 4 Clifton Baskerville PG/G 5 Jared Hamilton G 10 Branden Harris G 12 Hunter McIntosh PG/G 14 Jeffrey Blake PF/SF 20 Jabari Bailey PF/SF 21 Shawn Ohuabunwa C/PF 25 Mekhi Liggon SF/PF 31 Rico Pearson G 33 Jack Batten PF/SF 34 Chris Hinton PF 43 Cole Perusek SF/G

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

Head Coach: Bakari Bryant No. Name Pos. 0 Daqwan Outing PG 1 Lamont Sams Jr. SF 2 Tre’ Mays SG/G 3 Charles Williams III PG 4 Ahmad O’Neal SF 5 Matthew Sams SG/G 10 Rico Allen Jr. PG 11 Tyrone Scott W/SF 12 Bakari Bryant SG 14 Mikel Zupo PF 15 Javonte Middleton SF 20 Sai Fisher PG 22 Nijijuan Youmans PG 23 Mye’ On Williams SF 24 Brian Davis F 25 Ameen Stevens Jr. G

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

WWW.GHSA.NET | 23

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Decatur

Region 6 - Team 3

Arabia Mtn.

Arabia Mtn.

67

Clarke Cent.

47

Region 5 - Team 2 Region 8 - Team 4

Statesboro

50

Region 2 - Team 3

Union Grove

37

Region 4 - Team 4

Fayette Co.

Region 3 - Team 1

Region 5 - Team 3

42

Ft. Valley St. 2:00 pm

Feb. 27-28

51 H

Harris Co.

59

Buford

Harris Co. 83 H

March 3

March 7-10

40

March 3

Flowery Branch H

H

Buford

Feb. 27-28

Feb. 21-22

50

McIntosh

24

Flowery Branch 78 H

Flowery Branch 39

Buford Wayne Co.

43

70

75

H

Wayne Co.

68

Ft. Valley St. 6:00 pm

60

72

Lithia Springs 49 H

Flowery Branch

40

44

40

Dutchtown 52 H

®

H

Eagles Landing 37

56

Dutchtown

24

Champion Eagles Landing

42

73

48 H

Ware Co. 62 H

Runner-Up

Cedar Shoals

Region 8 - Team 3

Carrollton

Region 7 - Team 2

Riverwood

Region 6 - Team 4

SW DeKalb

Region 5 - Team 1

Woodland, HC

Region 4 - Team 3

Starr's Mill

Region 3 - Team 2

S. Effingham

Region 2 - Team 4

Harris Co.

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 16-17

48

Buford

33

Eagles Landing

45

44

Woodland, HC

63

Jackson, Atl.

Warner Robins

Region 4 - Team 1

40

51

75

Region 3 - Team 4

60 H

Harris Co.

16

Feb. 21-22

Buford

Region 2 - Team 2

55

SW DeKalb

H

41

Region 1 - Team 3

46

39

46

Kell

Region 8 - Team 1

43

Fayette Co.

Fayette Co.

52

Region 7 - Team 4

50 H

54

H

Jackson, Atl.

Region 6 - Team 2

Carrollton

Carrollton

67 Villa Rica

Feb. 16-17 Miller Grove

47

23

Bainbridge 60

43

61

H

Bainbridge

Region 1 - Team 2

Villa Rica

Villa Rica 91

54

66

H

Villa Rica

Region 7 - Team 1

2017-2018 GHSA Class AAAAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

34

Rome

Region 7 - Team 3

Flowery Branch

Region 8 - Team 2

Chamblee

Region 5 - Team 4

Lithia Springs

Region 6 - Team 1

Griffin

Region 3 - Team 3

Dutchtown

Region 4 - Team 2

Veterans

Region 1 - Team 4

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

BUFORD

FLOWERY BRANCH 24 | WWW.GHSA.NET

CLASS AAAAA GIRLS THURSDAY

6:00 PM

Ware Co.

Region 2 - Team 1

3.08.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

DID YOU KNOW? BUFORD HAS DEFEATED FLOWERY BRANCH THREE TIMES THIS SEASON.

BUFORD T

WOLVES

•

28-3

•

REGION

8

he Wolves have outclassed the competition this postseason, advancing to the finals with a 24-point average margin of victory. But now, defending state champion Buford will have to beat Region 8 rival Flowery Branch for the fourth time this season in order to repeat. The teams last met a few weeks ago in the region tournament championship game, and Buford squeaked out a 49-41 win. The result was much different than the second time the teams met this season, when Buford dominated the Falcons at Flowery Branch 69-38. Buford head coach Gene Durden talked with the Gainesville Times about what to expect in this fourth meeting with Flowery Branch and whether the matchup changes with it being the state finals. “I know it’s always going to be a tight game with the rivalry and that (Flowery Branch) will bring their best,” Durden said. “I told our girls to not pay attention to the last game and just put it in the past.”

Buford’s 60-46 win over Villa Rica in the semifinals showcased two of the Wolves’ top scorers and tested the team’s fortitude in the second half. Buford and Villa Rica were locked 29-29 at the half and the Wolves took a 42-35 lead into the fourth quarter. Air Force signee Audrey Weiner led the way with 20 points, and Michigan State signee Tory Ozment finished with 18 points before fouling out. Weiner is one of the many versatile scorers on the Wolves’ roster and can knock down three-pointers and then attack from the post, depending on what the defense is willing to give her. Ozment has great versatility at guard, and she scored a team-high 19 points to go with nine rebounds and three steals in the 50-37 win over Eagle’s Landing in the quarterfinals.

FLOWERY BRANCH

F

FALCONS • 26-6 • REGION 8

lowery Branch’s offense is putting up 72 points per game this postseason and fittingly defeated Harris County 72-55 on Saturday to clinch their first-ever trip to the state finals. The scoring prowess of Alabama commit Taniya Worth and the 6-foot-1 guard’s ability to slash to the basket have been big factors in the Falcons’ successful playoff run. Their roster has plenty of experienced scoring options, and this determined team has helped put the program on the map by stamping back-to-back trips to the Final Four. Junior guard Caroline Wysocki is coming off the career-high 26 points she put up in the semis. Ashley Woodroffe scored a game-high 27 points in Flowery Branch’s 68-39 win against Lithia Springs in the second round and poured in a strong 16-point effort in the semifinals. Worth finished with 20 points against Harris County, but her impact was felt most in the quarterfinals win. In the 70-56 win over Dutchtown, Worth scored 20 of Flowery Branch’s 28 points in the first half and finished with 34 points and 12 rebounds. Flowery Branch’s Ashlee Locke, a 6-foot-3 freshman, and senior Lexie Sengkhammee each finished with 10 points. The last time Flowery Branch faced Buford (a 49-41 loss on Feb. 10), Worth recorded nine of her game-high 22 points in the final period. Buford opened the game with a 19-9 lead, and Flowery Branch spent the rest of the game trying to claw back. Locke finished with eight points and 10 rebounds for Flowery Branch, and the Falcons can once again take advantage of her size down low. Flowery Branch has the talent to compete with Buford, but it will need a much stronger start than the last three meetings with the Wolves to prevent history from repeating itself.

Head Coach: Gene Durden

No. Name 0 Casey Jones 1 Tory Ozment 2 Gabee Bage 3 Tate Walters 4 Mary Walters 10 Ashyia Willis 11 Kya Styles 12 Ce’Asia Johnson 14 Sara Viti 20 Blair Wallis 21 Ryan Nelson 22 Jasmin King 23 Audrey Weiner 24 Sierra Sieracki 30 Katelyn Klein 30 Abbi Perkins 32 Preston Reid 33 Emily Fisher 44 Ebony Grant 50 Nandini Fonseca N/A Jessica Nelson

Pos. W PG PG PG P/W PG W W W W P/W P W P P W W W P P P

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

Head Coach: Courtney Newton No. Name

Pos.

Gr.

1

Morgan Aguilar

PG

9

2

Megan Lusco

P

11

3

Caroline Wysocki

G

11

10

Ashley Scott

G

11

11

Ashley Woodroffe

PG

11

12

Savannah Lunt

G

11

20

Lexie Sengkhammee

PG

12

22

Taniyah Worth

G

12

23

Jenna Sutton

P

12

24

Carly Shaw

G

12

30

Rylee Rothschild

G

9

32

Ashlee Locke

P

9

42

Abi Whitaker

P

9

WWW.GHSA.NET | 25

GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

N. Springs

Region 6 - Team 3

2017-2018 GHSA Class AAAAA Boys State Basketball Tournament

42

Southwest Dekalb 41

Southwest Dekalb 57 Region 5 - Team 2

Cedar Shoals

Region 8 - Team 4

H

Wayne Co.

58

Harris County

Region 1 - Team 2

Woodland, HC

Region 4 - Team 4

Starr's Mill

Region 3 - Team 1

Region 5 - Team 3

Riverwood

Region 6 - Team 2

Cass

Region 7 - Team 4

82

Eagles Landing 55

35

H

67 Warner Robins

63 47

99

Miller Grove

Ft. Valley St. 4:00 pm

43

Warner Robins 96

H

H

Feb. 21-22

Feb. 27-28

March 3

March 7-10

March 3

Feb. 27-28

Feb. 21-22

69 79

Warner Robins H

49

H

Miller Grove

58

Ft. Valley St. 8:00 pm

73

70

Clarke Cent.

79

H

Clarke Cent.

49

52 Buford

55

75

Miller Grove Statesboro

Morrow

64

Jackson, Atl. 59

H

57

54

H

Clarke Cent.

62

73

80

Stockbridge 73

®

H

Dutchtown Dutchtown

56

75

67

H

52

H

Stockbridge

Villa Rica

Region 7 - Team 2

Banneker

Region 6 - Team 4

Lithonia

Region 5 - Team 1

Eagles Landing

Region 4 - Team 3

McIntosh

Region 3 - Team 2

Ware Co.

Region 2 - Team 4

Warner Robins

Region 1 - Team 1

Feb. 16-17 67

Miller Grove

55

Region 4 - Team 1

36

Starr's Mill Starr's Mill

Statesboro

Dutchtown

57

H

Warner Robins

41

35

Region 3 - Team 4

77

72

H

Bainbridge

Region 2 - Team 2

41

Lithonia

45

82

Region 1 - Team 3

44

H

Lithonia 51

Hiram Wayne Co.

Buford

Region 8 - Team 1

64

42

H

Feb. 16-17 Miller Grove

47

49 Hiram

39

Region 2 - Team 3

Hiram

Region 8 - Team 3

Flowery Branch

35

Hiram

Region 7 - Team 1

39

45 Flowery Branch

Paulding Co.

Region 7 - Team 3

Clarke Cent.

Region 8 - Team 2

Columbia

Region 5 - Team 4

Jackson, Atl.

Region 6 - Team 1

Fayette Co.

Region 3 - Team 3

Stockbridge

Region 4 - Team 2

42 Thomas Co. Cent.

Champion

Region 1 - Team 4

74 New Hampstead 65

Runner-Up

H

New Hampstead

Region 2 - Team 1

FIRST, SECOND & THIRD ROUND INFORMATION: Higher-seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, a “universal― GHSA coin flip will determine the host school.

Minimum seating capacity: 7A, 6A & 5A - 1,200; 4A - 1,000; 3A & 2A - 700; A - 500 (with bleachers on both sides & 50% of seating offered to visiting team’s spectators).

FINALS: The (H) printed in the bracket indicates the designated host school if playing at neutral site.

MILLER GROVE WARNER ROBINS 26 | WWW.GHSA.NET

CLASS AAAAA BOYS THURSDAY

8:00 PM

3.08.18

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

DID YOU KNOW?

MILLER GROVE M

A MILLER GROVE VICTORY WOULD GIVE THE WOLVERINES THEIR EIGHTH TITLE IN 10 SEASONS.

WOLVERINES • 22-7 • REGION 5

iller Grove has made plenty of incredible tournament runs throughout its decorated history, but this year’s journey to the state finals is perhaps more impressive than any before it and showcases the pride and the prowess of this Wolverines team. Now, the DeKalb County dynasty will face Warner Robins for the chance to capture its eighth state crown in the last decade. Miller Grove’s streak of six state titles came to an end in the third round of the 2015 state tournament as Warner Robins celebrated a 63-57 overtime win. The Wolverines, however, were back on top just a year later, scoring a 50-48 win over Allatoona to grab the program’s seventh state title in eight seasons. Head coach Sharman White left the program following the 2016 title to accept an assistant coaching position on Georgia State’s staff, and Rasul Chester, an assistant coach under White from 2008 to 2015, took over. Chester’s group fell in the semis a year ago and has worn a No. 3 seed all the way to this year’s title match. “They know at Miller Grove, the thing is all about championships,” Chester told the AJC after his team’s semifinals win over Hiram. “They don’t want it to be the year without getting a championship.” Their current playoff run includes a 79-75 win over defending state champion Buford in the Sweet 16, a game that saw junior Maurice Harvey shine with a career-high 31 points. The Wolverines cruised past Dutchtown 70-56 in the Elite Eight and were led by Lorenzo Anderson’s 16 points and six assists. Harvey netted 14 points, and 6-foot-7 Kevin Paige contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds. Miller Grove’s defense stole the show in the 54-41 win over Hiram. Harvey once again led the Wolverines with a team-high 11 points, and Timothy Stargell and Terrence Edwards each scored 10.

WARNER ROBINS W

DEMONS • 27-3 • REGION 1

arner Robins’ third trip to the Final Four in the last five seasons resulted in a 77-57 victory over Clarke Central last Saturday at Fort Valley State. Now, the Demons carry a 14-game win streak and are just one victory away from winning the first state title in program history. Warner Robins’ success this season has come from an explosive lineup of scorers, and the Demons are averaging more than 80 points per game.

They erupted for 96 and 99 points, respectively, in the first two rounds before surviving a 67-64 win over Lithonia in the Elite Eight. Georgia State signee Nelson Phillips lit up the semifinals with a game-high 32 points, and his timely shots prevented Clarke Central’s comeback attempts from gaining any traction. He also scored 14 of the 23 points Warner Robins put up in the second quarter to build a 38-23 lead at the half.

Senior forward Jaydon Norman’s lockdown defense was bolstered by his own 12-point effort on offense, and teammate Trevon Williams drilled four three-pointers to finish with 13 points. Following the game, head coach Jamaal Garman spoke with the Macon Telegraph about Phillips’ effectiveness as a scorer. “That was a big time game from Nelson Phillips,” said Garman. “He had it going from the 3-point line, he was knocking down his free throws. Once he has that going, it’s hard to stop him because you have to close out and he will just go by you and finish at the rim.” The Demons will need to follow a similar formula against a defenseminded Miller Grove team, and the outside shooting of both Williams and Phillips will be a huge factor, as will senior guard Jacolbey Owens. Warner Robins enjoys playing at a fast pace, but Garman’s group can slow it down and close out quarters when possessions are at their premium.

Head Coach: Rasul Chester No. Name

Pos.

1

Maurice Harvey

G

11

2

Timothy Stargell Jr.

PG

12

4

Lorenzo Anderson

G

12

10

Shomik Shahjahan

SG

9

11

Terrence Edwards

G

10

12

Justice King

W

12

13

Tyreik Boyd

PG

9

14

Jermon Clark

PF

12

20

Jalen Stuckey

G

12

22

Kevin Paige

C

12

25

Zyair Greene

G

9

Head Coach: Jamaal Garman No. Name Pos.

Gr.

Gr.

3

Keshun Houser

SG/PG

10

4

Jacolbey Owens

PG/SG

12

5

Champ Dawson

PG/SG/SF 12

10

Nelson Phillips

SG/SF

12

11

Doug Duvall

PG/SG

12

12

Jaron Zanders

PG/SG

12

22

Jaydon Norman

SF/PF

12

24

Jacobi Coleman

SG/SF

11

25

MJ King

SF

12

32

Trevon Williams

SG/PG

11

33

Jam’l Dillard

C/F

12

34

Arian Page

G

12

44

Bobby Kelly

C/F

12

WWW.GHSA.NET | 27

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GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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GHSA 2018 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

AAAA - - - - - - - - - SW, Macon Tompkins Baldwin Campbell Marietta Douglass, 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

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

AA A East Rome Early Co. Berrien Roswell Russell Calhoun Co. SW, Atlanta Bacon Co. SW, Atlanta College Park West Fulton College Park West Fulton College Park Brown Arnold Peach Co. Josey Arnold Dacula Lakeshore Hoganville Crawford Co. Woodbury Crawford Co. Central, Tal. Randolph-Clay Woodbury Terrell Co. Woodbury Central, Car. Woodbury Randolph-Clay Bible Baptist Lakeshore Clinch Co. Claxton Richmond Hill East Rome Clinch Co. Mitch.-Baker Central, Tal. Mitch.-Baker East Rome Wash. Co. Greenville North Clayton Richmond Hill Wash. Co. Richmond Hill Dodge Co. Atkinson Co. Swainsboro Hogansville Cedar Grove Calhoun Co. Mitch.-Baker Seminole Co. Mitch.-Baker Wilkinson Co. Mitch.-Baker Wilkinson Co. East Hall Taylor Co. Wilkinson Co. Taylor Co. Mitch.-Baker Whitefield Acad.

Randolph-Clay SW Atl. Christian East Hall Randolph-Clay Dublin SW Atl. Christian Manchester Wilkinson Co. Wesleyan Hancock Cent.

Dublin Whitefield Academy GAC Wesleyan GAC Wilkinson Co. Laney Whitefield Academy

B Hogansville Hogansville Hogansville West Point Hogansville Monticello Woodbury GAC Clay Co. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

C Arlington GAC GAC -

YEAR 2013 2014 2015 2016

AAAAAA Norcross Tift County Wheeler Westlake

AAAAA Miller Grove Miller Grove Brunswick Miller Grove

AAAA Eagle’s Landing Jonesboro Jonesboro Liberty Co.

AAA Johnson, Savannah Morgan County Jenkins Morgan Co.

A-Public Wilkinson County Wilkinson County Calhoun County Wilkinson County

A-Private Greenforest St. Francis St. Francis Greenforest

YEAR 2017

AAAAAAA Tift County

AAAAAA Langston Hughes

30 | WWW.GHSA.NET

AAAAA Buford

AAAA Upson-Lee

AA GAC GAC Seminole County Pace Academy

AAA Pace Academy

AA South Atlanta

A-Public Wilkinson County

A-Private Greenforest

MACON CENTREPLEX | MARCH 7 - 8, 2018

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

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

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

AA A Berrien Monroe Area Sprayberry Taylor Co. Berrien Taylor Co. Monroe Area Haralson Co. Cairo Pickens Berrien Haralson Co. Franklin Co. Brooks Co. Brooks Co. Irwin Co. Waycross Bowdon East Hall Miller Co. East Hall Miller Co. White Co. Warren Co. Putnam Co. GAC Morgan Co. GAC Seminole Co. Central, Tal. Terrell Co. Central, Tal. Terrell Co. Central, Tal. Seminole Co. Clinch Co. Upson Taylor Co. Seminole Co. Hawkinsville Berrien Co. Broxton-M. Hayes Wash. Co. Clinch Co. Tri-County Taylor Co. Fannin Co. Clinch Co. Gainesville Taylor Co. Haralson Co. Taylor Co. Randolph-Clay Manchester Thomasville Pelham Thomasville Putnam Co. Fannin Co. Holy Innocents’ Randolph-Clay Sav. Ctry. Day GAC Jefferson GAC Wesleyan Early Co. Taylor Co. Wesleyan Hawkinsville Wesleyan Terrell Co. Wesleyan SW Atl. Christian GAC Hawkinsville Wesleyan Calvary Day Buford Wesleyan Buford Wesleyan Buford Wesleyan Lovett Wesleyan

B Mitchell Co. Montgomery Co. Montgomery Co. Loganville GAC GAC Clinch Co. Miller Co. Temple - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

C Taylor Co. Norman Park GAC -

YEAR 2013 2014 2015 2016

AAAAAA Norcross McEachern McEachern McEachern

AAAAA SW DeKalb Tucker Stephenson SW DeKalb

AAAA Columbia Redan Buford Americus-Sumter

AAA St. Pius X St. Pius X Laney Morgan Co.

A-Public Gordon Lee Randolph-Clay Taylor County Turner County

A-Private St. Francis SACA St. Francis St. Francis

YEAR 2017

AAAAAAA McEachern

AAAAAA Mays

AAAAA Buford

AAAA Columbus

AAA Beach

AA Wesleyan Kendrick Wesleyan Holy Innocents’ AA Laney

A-Public Pelham

A-Private Wesleyan

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