Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Wendell Carter Jr. dominates feisty Manchester for Pace Academy’s first title

No. 3 Pace Academy 65, No. 10 Manchester 43

They say you can’t teach size, but you can coach up talent and after years of hard work which have resulted in him being regarded as the top ranked junior in the nation, Wendell Carter Jr. shined on the biggest stage in the Class AA state championship, carrying No. 3 Pace Academy to its first-ever title 65-43 against an overmatched and overpowered No. 10 Manchester Blue Devils.

The Knights didn’t give Manchester any hope of a David vs. Goliath scenario, jumping on the Blue Devils 12-0 to begin the game highlighted by Barrett Baker’s two threes and an And-1 layup. Things quickly got worse when Isaiah Kelly drove and found Carter inside for a two-handed slam.

All night long Manchester had no answer for Carter who demolished the Blue Devils for 30 points (10-of-11 FG), 20 rebounds and three blocks. They tried physical play that boarderlined on dirty led by Bobby Stevenson, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound enforcer, but Carter kept his cool even after he was slow getting up after Stevenson kicked him in the head after going for a loose ball.

Pace Academy led 21-8 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter Demarcus Addie tried to rally the Devils and hit a three to make it 34-24, but the Knights quickly added back onto its lead and took a 38-24 advantage into the break.

The third period was low scoring as Manchester closed on a 7-0 run to keep things respectable, winning the quarter 10-9 and trailing 47-34 entering the fourth. Addie scored two of his team-high 14 points to cut the lead to single digits at 47-38 with 6:24 remaining but that was as close as the Blue Devils would get. Baker, who scored 16 points, hit a floater that sparked an 18-5 run to end the game and cap off the Knights’ first title.

Manchester struggled to score against Pace’s larger front line, shooting just 27.1 percent. Leading scorer Demarcus Addie was harassed into 5-of-18 shooting and just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, Manchester 2-of-19 as a team.

Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Liberty County rides youth to first-ever state title

No. 2 Liberty County 58, No. 1 Jonesboro 52

Youth was served on Friday night in the Class AAAA state championship as No. 2 Liberty County held on and knocked off two-time defending state champ No. 1 Jonesboro 58-52 for the program’s first title. The Panthers (28-1) held the Cardinals (28-5) to 33.3 percent shooting and limited Jonesboro to just one offensive rebound in the first half. The Panthers, known for their firepower, proved they could grind out a defensive battle with one of the state’s most hard-nosed groups.

Juniors and sophomores led the way for Liberty County. Five-star UGA football-commit Richard LeCounte attacked early and often. After three ugly misses to start the day, the uber-athletic guard began to settle in and netted 14 of his team-high 20 points in the first half while grabbing nine boards on the night. The Panthers took a 14-10 lead after the first period and extended their advantage to 22-13 before Jonesboro ripped off five straight. At the half, Liberty County held a 26-22 lead. MJ Walker Jr., Jonesboro’s star junior guard, was harassed into a 6-for-17 night after pouring 30 on the Panthers in last year’s 71-43 semifinal win. He scored the final four points of the half but never caught fire.

Auburn-commit Davion Mitchell was held scoreless in the first half on 0-of-4 shooting but it was sophomore Will Richardson who stepped up big time for Liberty County, scoring seven of his 19 points in the first 16 minutes. In the third quarter it was time for Mitchell to shine. His first points came in the open court on a fastbreak one-handed jam that made it 30-22. Next with 5:20 to play in the quarter, Mitchell splashed a three-pointer and was fouled to cap a 7-0 run to start the half. He scored the seventh of his 14 points on the night with seconds left on a layup making it a 37-30 lead heading into the final frame.

Davion Mitchell found a way to win on an off night
Davion Mitchell found a way to win on an off night

Jonesboro, battled-tested so many times before, was not about to lie down and die. Walker buried a three with 3:35 remaining to cut the deficit to 43-39. With 2:58 left, the officials missed a charge on Mitchell. It looked like Zerrick Cooper was set early and took it on the chest, but instead Mitchell was sent to the line and drilled both foul shots to make it 47-41.

Walker split a pair of free throws with 1:48 left closing the gap to 50-48, the closest the Cardinals would get. From there the Panthers finished the game on an 8-4 run sparked by a LeCounte jumper and free throws from Richardson and Mitchell.

Youth was a reoccurring theme throughout the game. Mitchell and LeCounte, both juniors who combined for 34 points, will return next season to defend their crown. Sophomore Will Richardson is also a blossoming prospect, but maybe the most impressive of all was first-year head coach Julian Stokes, a 24-year-old.

One title in one year. Not a bad start for Julian Stokes.
One title in one year. Not a bad start for Julian Stokes.

The game plan for Stokes was simple.

“We had to force him [MJ Walker] to beat us by himself. Just not letting the others get their opportunities and I think our defensive execution was great,” explained Stokes. “We pulled everything out that we prepared for and we came out with the trophy.”

The stars were expected to get theirs. Walker, Mitchell and LeCounte all scored the ball well for their teams, but it was Richardson who was the X-factor for the Panthers.

“This was a moment I’ve been waiting for. He stepped up and made a name for himself tonight and I’m proud of him for that. I’ve been waiting all year for him to wake up and he’s finally awake. He’s going to be a great kid. Look out for him.”

As well as Coach Stokes prepared his team he reflected all the praise to his players.

“All I can say is it’s all about the guys. They put in the work day in and day out. They work together, they play together and we came out with the W.”

Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Wilkinson County’s size leads Warriors to eighth state title

#5 Wilkinson County 55, #7 Hancock Central 42

After splitting their regular season series, all the marbles were up for grabs in the Class A-Public state title game. No. 1 Wilkinson County’s overpowering size was too much for No. 4 Hancock Central as the Warriors pulled away for their eighth championship in school history, 55-42. The Bulldogs went on the attack early and didn’t seemed phased by Dr. Geter’s Warrior starting lineup which featured 6-foot-7 junior Greg Couson and brought 6-foot-9 German-import Jonathan Baehre off the bench. Hancock Central used its quickness to race to a 12-10 lead at the end of the first period.

In the second quarter Wilkinson County took advantage of its size and paired Baehre with Couson which resulted in an 8-0 run to grab a 20-14 lead. Couson posted a double-double in the first half alone with 12 points and 11 rebounds while affecting countless shots inside with Baehre. Couson threw down an emphatic slam off a dish from Clarence Jackson that sparked the run. Martravious Smith managed to pour in seven points in the opening half to keep the Bulldogs afloat down 28-23.

The Warriors continued to slowly put distance between themselves and the Bulldogs in the third quarter, outscoring Hancock 14-10 to take a 42-33 advantage into the final quarter. Wilkinson took a 49-37 lead midway through the quarter, the Warriors’ largest lead of the game. Phillipe Scott fouled out with 11 points and Larry Jones’ layup with 1:38 left to play was the dagger, ballooning the lead up to 53-42.

Couson finished with 16 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks while Baehre, who said he came to Wilkinson County his senior season “to win a state championship”, added nine points, eight rebounds and five blocks off the bench. Aaron Geter III netted 10 in the win. For Hancock, Smith notched a double-double of his own with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Alex Brooks and Devoija Tucker, the Bulldogs’ starting backcourt, struggled from the field shooting a combined 4-of-25. Brooks scored 10 and Tucker chipped in four.

GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Class A-Public Championship Preview: Wilkinson County vs. Hancock Central

Class A-Public

Did You Know: Hancock Central is 4-2 in their last six meetings with Wilkinson County dating back to last season.

#5 Wilkinson County (25-6)

The seven-time state champs are ranked No. 1 in the state but drew the fifth-seed in the power ratings. The Warriors continue to draw talent to Irwinton. The biggest frontcourt in Class A-Public consists of 6-foot-9 Jonathan Baehre, 6-foot-7 Greg Couson, 6-foot-6 Tylan Grable and 6-foot-5 wing Clarence Jackson. Jackson is a sophomore that initiates the offense averaging over 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game. In their Elite Eight win over No. 10 Lincoln County 76-39, Dr. Aaron Geter saw his team use a tenacious defense and balanced approach offensively to shut down Ahmad Rand and Zach Crite. The Warriors blocked 20 shots and Crite was denied the ball, disrupting Coach Wesley Wuchte’s offense. The Red Devils jumped out to a 9-4 lead but after that it was all Wilkinson. Aaron Geter III scored a game-high 12 points while Jackson (10), Baehre (9) and Grable (8) all chipped in. A stingy defense keyed by pressure up top and length inside has been a recipe for success. Wilkinson County played a tough schedule coming out of Region 7 and will see No. 4 Hancock Central for the third time this year after winning 68-55 to open the season and losing 70-62 in January. Aside from competition within their region, the Warriors have played AA No. 9 Swainsboro three times and AAAAA No. 7 Warner Robins during the regular season. In the postseason they thumped No. 9 Atkinson County in round one 71-39 and cruised by 1-seed and No. 3 ranked Treutlen 69-56 in the Final Four. Wilkinson County took a 35-27 lead into the half and outscored Treutlen 12-10 in the third quarter to increase the lead to double-digits before breezing to the finish line. The Warriors won back-to-back titles before Hancock Central stunned them last year in the Elite Eight 72-71 in double overtime.

#7 Hancock Central (24-6)

 The Bulldogs take a seven-seed into the state championship but are ranked No. 4 in the state. Coach Anthony Webb’s team has taken a tough route to Macon but has passed every test it has faced.  In the opening round of the state playoffs Hancock Central used a 22-10 third quarter advantage to gain separation and pull away from 10-seed Marion County 86-75, ending elusive scorer Lorenzo Smothers’ career after a 26-point game on 10-of-26 shooting. In the Elite Eight it was No. 5 Taylor County’s turn to get bit by the Bulldogs, 75-66. Hancock Central broke open a 41-41 tie and outscored No. 5 Taylor County 34-25 in the fourth quarter to advance to the Final Four. Alex Brooks was one of four Hancock players that finished in double-figures as he paced the Bulldogs with a team-high 22 points. Teammates Devojia Tucker netted 14 points, Martravious Smith finished with 13 and Phillipe Scott chipped in 12. It was a wild finish in the semifinals as the Bulldogs knocked off No. 2 Turner County 68-66. Hancock Central led 49-46 entering the final quarter. Scott was the hero for the Bulldogs hitting the game-winner with eight seconds left. Scott made 8-of-13 attempts from the foul line and netted 10 of Hancock Central’s 19 points. Hancock Central took a 66-60 lead after a pair of Scott foul shots as just 44 seconds remained on the clock. Turner County’s Deandre Pierce drilled a three-pointer to cut it to 66-63 and then Scott was fouled and missed both attempts to keep Turner County within a possession. Pierce hit a corner three on the next possession, tying it up 66-66 with 14 seconds left. Neither team had a timeout left so Scott took the inbounds and dribbled straight to the rim where he drew the foul and hit the game-winning basket. Scott missed the free-throw but Turner County could not convert with eight seconds left as a desperation shot came up short.

GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Class A-Private Championship Preview: Greenforest vs. St. Francis

Class A-Private

Did You Know: Kobi Simmons scored 20 points as a freshman in St. Francis’ 55-41 state championship loss to Greenforest, the last team to win a state title outside of the Knights. 

#1 Greenforest (29-2)

Region 5 has been home to the Green Machine also known as No. 1 Greenforest. The Eagles have held the top ranking the entire season and have been the most dominant team in the state. Widely regarded as the best team in the Peach state regardless of classification, Greenforest has also been ranked nationally. The Eagles’ only in-state loss came to AAA No. 6 South Atlanta at the Blue Collar Basketball MLK Classic 62-57. Greenforest kicked off the season with a bang at Holiday Hoopsgiving, announcing their presence as an elite program. They destroyed two of Class AAAAAA’s finest: No. 7 Pebblebrook 87-59 and No. 3 Norcross 77-48. Opponents get lost in Coach Larry Thompson’s Greenforest trees. Five-star junior center caps the giant sequoias at 7-foot and is recognized as the nation’s top shot blocker. He swatted away 20 No. 4 Our Lady of Mercy attempts in their 76-61 Region 5 championship. Abayomi Iyiola has improved his game by leaps and bounds and is a 6-foot-10 stretch forward. Mohammed Abdulsalem enters off the bench as a bull in a china shop at 6-foot-9, 250 pounds gobbling up rebounds at an alarming rate, nearly impossible to move out of the paint. Junior Victor Enoh is 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-7 forward Precious Ayah is a Miami (OH) signee. As good as Greenforest is at protecting the rim, guards Justin Forrest and John Ogwuche are who make the Eagles a national powerhouse. Forrest averages a team-high 20 points per game as a junior while Ogwuche, a New Hampshire signee, pitches in 14 a night. In their 78-62 Final Four victory over No. 5 Stratford Academy, Ogwuche poured in 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Forrest posted 24 points and six assists. They will get a crack at No. 2 St. Francis who beat them in the state championship last year 96-81.

#2 St. Francis (23-7)

Gone are Malik Beasley (FSU) and Kaiser Gates (Xavier) from last year’s powerful state championship team, but back is five-star Arizona-commit Kobi Simmons who ranks out as the state’s best player. The McDonalds All-American has paced Coach Drew Catlett’s offense scoring 26.5 points per game. He erupted for 44 in a 105-79 win over St. Anne-Pacelli in the Elite Eight. Simmons will likely need a heroic effort to best No. 1 Greenforest, but he has the firepower to do so. He dropped in a team-high 27 in the title game last year while John Ogwuche led all scorers with 28 for Greenforest. Simmons is the focal point of the offense but Anthony Showell and Chance Anderson are dangerous as well. Showell moved in from Duluth over the offseason and brought with him a 13.8 point per game average and 5.3 rebounds from his point guard position. Anderson has been the unsung hero for the No. 2 ranked Knights this year. The 6-foot-7 senior posts 12.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as a skilled forward that can also block shots and find the open man. He will be tested inside by Greenforest’s superior size and needs to hold his own. Since their loss to St. Johns (DC) at the Peachtree Corners Invitational back on Jan. 23, St. Francis has played their best basketball of the season. They have won 10-straight by an average margin of victory of 28.7 points. During that span the Knights crushed No. 10 Walker 81-64, No. 3 North Cobb Christian 88-64 in the Region 6 championship and No. 8 Whitefield Academy, who they split the regular season series with, 81-58 in the Final Four. St. Francis is searching for its third consecutive championship, the last team to win one other than the Knights? Greenforest in 2012-13 when they beat the Knights 55-41.

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