Tag Archives: st. anne-pacelli

GHSA Basketball, Girls Basketball

Sandy’s Spiel Showcase Preview

Sandy's Spiel Showcase

1:30:  No. 8 ELCA (11-2) vs. North Cobb (13-6)

After dealing with players being in and out of the line early in the season, No. 8 ELCA has hit a groove, winning 7-straight heading into the Sandy’s Spiel Showcase. Clemson-signee Weronika Hipp remains one of Georgia’s top guards averaging 17.2 points and 4.2 assists while Eagle’s Landing transfer Jalisa Dunlap has provided scoring at 18.9 points per game. The 5-foot-10 guard has received interest from MTSU and Mercer. 5-foot-8 junior Keslynn Oxendine is working her way back from an ACL injury and is a third scoring threat. Much like ELCA, North Cobb is finding its stride as well. All six of their losses have come against ranked opponents. Lacking size, the Warriors rely on an experienced backcourt led by Alabama A&M-signee Azonya Austin (14 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.1 apg, 2.6 spg). Sharpshooting 5-foot-7 senior Sydney Thomas leads the Warriors in scoring at 16 points per game to go with her 4 rebounds and 2.5 steals. 5-foot-7 senior Madison Edge averages 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while 5-foot-8 sophomore Dayuna Colvin chips in 7.5 points a night.

3:00: ELCA (6-8) vs. No. 8 GAC (12-6)

After being state title contenders a year ago, ELCA losing in the Class A-Private title game while GAC was bounced by rival and eventual state champion Morgan County in the Class 3A Sweet 16, both programs were decimated by graduation but have found ways to still compete at a high level. ELCA has turned to 6-foot-7 Rider-signee Jordan Smalls and blossoming 6-foot-8 big man Izzy Momodu to carry the load from the frontcourt while the Spartans use guards 6-foot-2 senior Cliff Baskerville (18 ppg) and 6-foot-2 junior LaMarr Randolph (15 ppg) to pace the offense. 6-foot-5 sophomore Josh Fulton averages 20 points per game but has missed six weeks due to injury. Veteran 6-foot-5 wing Cole Perusek has offers from Oglethorpe and Sewanee.

4:30: Hart County (9-9) vs. No. 1 Douglass (12-5)

The recipe for success last season in Douglass’ march to a Class 2A state title was playing a brutal non-region schedule to prepare them for the rigors of the state tournament. Coach Alana Allen has followed the same blueprint this year and after a challenging start to the year, finds themselves atop the poll in Class 2A and undefeated in region play. 6-foot-3 senior Ikenya King anchors the Astros inside averaging 16 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. She just earned offers from Tallahassee CC and South Georgia Tech. 5-foot-5 senior Kayla Sesberry has had a breakout year averaging 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals while shooting 40% from deep. 5-foot-10 junior Ashuntee Weems is a high-upside guard averaging 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Ashley McKee rounds out the offense, a 5-foot-9 senior that chips in 8 points per game. Like how Douglass lost star Nekiyah Thompson (Jacksonville State), Hart County graduated Class 3A Player of the Year Torrion Starks. It will be a must-see matchup in the low post as 6-foot junior Taniya Alexander, already part of the 1,000-point & 1,000-rebound club, will battle with King inside. Alexander averages 17 points and 15 rebounds per game and has had D-I interest. 5-foot-7 senior Shakendra Grove will be important for Coach Mike Edwards. The long-range sniper is averaging 14 points per game, hitting 33% from deep.

6:00: No. 6 Hart County (17-1) vs. No. 8 Evans (13-3)

Both programs come off their best seasons in years as Hart County fell in the Class 3A title game following a 24-8 campaign while Evans ripped off a 24-5 record in Class 6A, their best in over a decade before losing to state runner-up Tucker in double overtime in the Sweet 16. All eyes will be on the matchup between 6-foot-4 junior Shone “Spud” Webb of Hart County and 6-foot-2 senior Christian Chambers. Webb has blossomed into the go-to guy for Hart County, posting 18.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists while doubling as a defensive stopper. Chambers is one of the CSRA’s best players and a top unsigned senior in Georgia, averaging 22.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals with offers from Fort Valley State, Columbus State, Maryville and Chattahoochee Valley CC. Evans will have to slow down burgeoning star 6-foot-7 freshman Tahj Johnson who pitches in 12.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. 6-foot-1 senior Demetrius Glenn is a deep-threat that averages 9.5 points to space out the Hart County offense. Evans has blue-collar guards in 5-foot-10 junior Joshton Mincey (12.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 2.8 spg), 6-foot-1 sophomore Brasen James (9 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Alaska move-in 6-foot-3 junior Rashad King (8.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.3 apg).

7:30: Elbert County (12-6) vs. Lanier (10-9)

The defending Class 6A state champion Lanier Longhorns were derailed by graduation and injuries this offseason but are starting to click at the right time and are a legitimate threat to win Region 8 again after losing to No. 4 Dacula twice in heartbreaking fashion, 51-47 and 45-42. One of the hottest prospects in the southeast before her injury, 6-foot-3 high-academic senior center Christabel Ezumah, is back averaging 5.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks with a host of D-I/II offers. Twin tower 6-foot-1 Lizzie Campbell, who also dealt with injuries in the offseason, holds offers from Shorter, Truett McConnell, Johnson and Lincoln Memorial. She averages 5.5 points, 9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. 5-foot-8 senior Morgan Manley (8.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg) has stepped up in a big way while 5-foot-6 senior Zuriyah Davis has shouldered the load offensively, posting 15.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Elbert County’s lone college-signee Maggie Campbell is headed to Anderson but re-tore her ACL. A young group of freshmen have had Elbert County playing exceptional basketball, making the future in Elberton extremely bright for Coach Josh Jones. Freshman Aaniyah Allen leads the way with 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 steals. Freshman Niya Moon averages 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds while third-leading scorer, also a freshman, Terrace Hester scores 9.1 points on average.

9:00:  Elbert County (6-12) vs. St. Anne-Pacelli (10-7)

The graduation of eight seniors off last year’s Class 2A 28-4 semifinalist has Coach Don Hurlburt playing a young and inexperienced team that will rely on energy and toughness to win games. Senior DJ Ardister, junior Jaelin Webb and sophomore Jamil Burton are three players to watch for. St. Anne-Pacelli, much like Elbert County has since Hurlburt took over, has improved every season under Coach Corry Black. After a humbling 0-22 season in 2016-17, the Vikings have clawed their way back to relevancy with a 5-21 mark in 2017-18 before finishing 13-14 a year ago. Sitting at 6-5 in Region 4-A, the next step isn’t just finishing above .500 but making the state playoffs. A large 2021 class has the Vikings set up for the future led by bouncy 6-foot-5 wing Travis Harper (19.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and skilled 6-foot-5 forward Ian Mathews (17.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg). The addition of equally explosive highlight-maker 6-foot-3 junior Keyshawn Fleetion makes St. Anne-Pacelli must-see tv.

Coaches' Corner, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

St. Anne-Pacelli lands new Head Coach Corry Black

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Coming off of an Elite Eight appearance in Class A-Private, the program’s most successful season in school history, St. Anne-Pacelli turns to new leadership after Alan Griffin, head boys basketball coach and athletic director left in the offseason to become White County High School AD after serving nine years in Columbus.

Replacing Griffin is Corry Black, a fixture in the Columbus basketball community for over a decade. Black served as an assistant coach at Columbus State University from 2002-2008, first starting as a video coordinator. Black got his first opportunity coaching back in 2000.

“I didn’t play any college basketball,” explained Black. “I’m from Tifton. I went to Southern Union on a cross country scholarship and just stayed around the game. The coach didn’t have an assistant coach, so I basically was his assistant coach for two years and we won two state championships and went to the national tournament.”

After a two-year stint at Southern Union State C.C., Black spent the next six seasons at Columbus State before serving as an assistant at Chattahoochee Valley C.C. for the 2008-09 season.

Giving Back

Since 2009, Black has made it a point to help student-athletes better themselves on and off the court through CB Hoops. The organization puts on multiple showcases, tournaments and leagues throughout the year to better connect high school athletes to college coaches while also preaching the importance of education.

“I just wanted to help more kids,” said Black about why he launched cblackhoops.com. “Instead of recruiting 12 guys at Columbus State, I want to help kids all across the country. When I started CB Hoops I was able to do that and touch more kids through this program, holding showcase events and different things.”

Aside from the high school level, Black’s influence is still felt at the college stage. He serves as the Assistant Director of JucoReport.com, the No. 1 Junior College Basketball site in the nation where he helps organize major events such as The Battle of the South Jamboree, ATL Live Spring Showcase and more.

Leading the Ship

Black jumped at the opportunity to coach at St. Anne-Pacelli.

“It’s here in Columbus. That was attractive that I didn’t have to move my family. I can still continue to do what I’m doing,” explained Black on why becoming a Viking was too good of a spot to pass up. “St. Anne, they had a good run. Coach Alan Griffin did a great job over there…To be honest, I want to see if I can build it back up to what Coach Griffin did. Coach Griffin had it rolling and he did an amazing job and I just want to keep that momentum going and help the community out.”

Black is set to meet with the players for the first time today, Tuesday, October 11 at 12:10 p.m. With eight seniors graduating from last year’s 17-10 team, Black’s message to the group will be simple.

“Let’s try to keep the momentum going from last year. They got to the state tournament. I want to just keep that going. Let’s try to keep the tradition going, let’s try to make it a tradition. Let’s not just be a one hit wonder.”