Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Woodstock punches first-ever ticket to state with win over Etowah

Woodstock 61, Etowah 47

Founded in 1996 just a minute away from Towne Lake rival Etowah which opened its doors 20 years prior, Woodstock has played a second fiddle to the Eagles for 20 years now in boys basketball, never clinching a state playoff berth. The Wolverines have shuffled through coaches over the years going from Sean Glaze to Brady Richeson to Darrin Clark and now to Head Coach Kingston Clark, a well-traveled veteran who has seen success at some of the most unlikely schools. Standing in he and his team’s way of the school’s first ever state playoff appearance stood the Eagles.

After defeating Etowah 62-58 and 63-45 in the regular season, the Wolverines were tasked with beating their bitter rival for a third time and they did, earning a 61-47 victory and seeing the court fill with red-clad fans as Woodstock advanced to the Region 5-AAAAAA semifinals and the state playoffs on Etowah’s home court.

Adrian Cohen gave the Eagles a quick 2-0 lead, but from there on out it was all Wolverines in the second quarter. Woodstock drilled three of their nine three-pointers in the first quarter led by two from Marcus Foo and one from leading scorer Tyreke Johnson to open up a 13-0 run and finish the quarter up 14-4.

Etowah came out tight and couldn’t buy a basket while Coach Clark’s patient offense swung the ball around the perimeter until Coach Don Hurlburt’s zone couldn’t keep rotating.

Woodstock led 19-9 before the Eagles showed signs of life, cutting the lead to 19-15 after five points from Rodriquez Lobbins. Heading into the half the Eagles’ 8-2 run shrank the deficit to 21-17.

In the second half senior Zack Wallace and Johnson began to lengthen the lead as the Wolverines saw blood in the water and went in for the kill. Foo found Wallace for three to push the lead to 28-18 with 4:52 to play in the third. A minute later, Brant Hurter tipped out a missed shot to Dominic Hewitt, who whipped the ball to Wallace for another three, making it 31-20. Johnson scored five of his game-high 20 in the frame to make it a 37-28 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Eight minutes away from a date with destiny, the Wolverines who had come up short so many times before, were not about to let history slip through their fingers. Again, it was Wallace with back-to-back daggers from behind the arc to give Woodstock its largest lead of the game at 45-30 with 5:44 remaining.

Etowah never threatened after Wallace’s marksmanship and Johnson iced the game from the line along with Hewitt combining to shoot 10-of-12 in the fourth quarter.

Following 19 years of despair, year number 20 – Kingston Clark’s first – proved to provide the magic.

“It started back in April when I got the phone call from Coach [Tonya] Sebring for the interview,” explained Clark on how the school history making season began. “I knew right then and there we had to get the ball rolling and start working. Honestly, I didn’t anticipate getting into the state playoffs the first year but I definitely will take it.

“The kids bought into what I was trying to instill into them and really and truly, they just fought throughout the season and worked hard throughout the season. This is a well-deserved victory. This is my first year but I feel the pain of the 19 years of not making it.”

From Pierce County to Lowndes County to Cross Keys, Clark took a roundabout way to make it to Cherokee County.

“I came up here a couple years ago. My wife wanted to come to the big city. I’m a country boy, born and raised. I had no ambition of coming up here to Metro Atlanta but when I finally did, I felt like I had done a tremendous job throughout my years, had some success, so I wanted to get that opportunity.

“When I got the call from Woodstock to be honest with you, I didn’t think I would be their man, but by the grace of God, they saw something in me and chose me as their candidate and I am proud to be a Wolverine.”

Top Performers

Woodstock
Tyreke Johnson – 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Zack Wallace – 13 points, 3 rebounds
Brant Hurter – 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist
Marcus Foo – 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Dominic Hewitt – 5 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal

Etowah
Rodriquez Lobbins – 13 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist
Daniel Hogue – 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal

GHSA, GHSA Basketball, Schedules

Boys Region Tournaments Master Schedule

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In conjunction with Score Atlanta and the AJC
GHSA Basketball Talk on Bartow Sports Zone (2/12) -Starting at 31-minute mark

1-AAAAAA

At Lee County

Tuesday
#4 Lowndes 64, #5 Valdosta 56

Thursday
#2 Lee County 58, #3 Colquitt County 47
#1 Tift County 86, #4 Lowndes 54

Friday
CONSOLATION: #3 Colquitt County 60, #4 Lowndes 49
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Tift County 51, #2 Lee County 37

2-AAAAAA

At Newton

Tuesday
#4 Lovejoy 50,  #5 Lakeside 45
#3 Rockdale County 80, #6 Alcovy 38

Friday
#2 Newton 59, #3 Rockdale County 42
#1 Tucker 81, #4 Lovejoy 49

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #3 Rockdale County 69, #4 Lovejoy 49
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Newton 61, #1 Tucker 46

3-AAAAAA

At Hughes

Monday
#2 Pebblebrook 50, #7 Newnan 45
#1 Westlake 64, #8 East Coweta 32

Tuesday
#4 Campbell 62, #5 South Cobb 53
#3 Douglas County 60, #6 Langston Hughes 59

Thursday
#2 Pebblebrook 93, #3 Douglas County 78
#1 Westlake 72, #4 Campbell 62

Friday
CONSOLATION: #4 Campbell 68, #3 Douglas County 61
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Westlake 79, #2 Pebblebrook 57

4-AAAAAA

At Marietta

Monday
#5 Osborne 89, #8 North Paulding 86
#6 Hillgrove 55, #7 Harrison 48

Tuesday
#4 Kennesaw Mountain 79, #5 Osborne 69
#6 Hillgrove 49, #3 Marietta 40

Friday
#1 McEachern 78, #4 Kennesaw Mountain 53
#2 North Cobb 59, #6 Hillgrove 42

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #4 Kennesaw Mountain 59, #6 Hillgrove 48
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 McEachern 65, #2 North Cobb 52

5-AAAAAA

At Etowah

Monday
#6 Etowah 56, #9 Lassiter 34
#8 Walton 60, #7 Roswell 53

Wednesday
#2 Milton 58, #8 Walton 38
#3 Woodstock 61, #6 Etowah 47
#5 Pope  44, #4 Cherokee 37

Friday
#1 Wheeler 71, #5 Pope 32
#2 Milton 63, #3 Woodstock 48

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #5 Pope 57, #3 Woodstock 46
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Wheeler 63, #2 Milton 42

6-AAAAAA

At Lambert

Monday
#7 Chattahoochee 72, #10 Habersham Central 63
#9 West Forsyth 53, #8 Northview 51

Wednesday
#6 South Forsyth 60, #3 Centennial 55
#4 Alpharetta 67, #5 North Forsyth 62
#2 Johns Creek 69, #7 Chattahoochee 61
#1 Lambert 61, #9 West Forsyth 55

Friday
#2 Johns Creek 51, #6 South Forsyth 39
#1 Lambert 65, #4 Alpharetta 44

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #6 South Forsyth 62, #4 Alpharetta 59
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Lambert 71, #2 Johns Creek 50

7-AAAAAA

At Meadowcreek

Tuesday
#5 Mill Creek 65, #4 Duluth 62
#1 Norcross 80,  #8 North Gwinnett 44

Wednesday
#3 Peachtree Ridge 73,  #6 Mountain View 55
#2 Collins Hill 57, #7 Meadowcreek 42, 8:30 p.m.

Friday
#2 Collins Hill 50, #3 Peachtree Ridge 45
#1 Norcross 76, #5 Mill Creek 40

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #3 Peachtree Ridge 71, #5 Mill Creek 51
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Collins Hill 56, #1 Norcross 51

8-AAAAAA

At Central Gwinnett

Monday
#8 Archer 63, #9 South Gwinnett 47

Tuesday
#2 Berkmar 84, #7 Parkview 59
#1 Shiloh 64,  #8 Archer 39

Wednesday
#4 Grayson 49, #5 Brookwood 44
#6 Central Gwinnett 62, #3 Dacula 52

Friday
#2 Berkmar 60, #6 Central Gwinnett 43
#1 Shiloh 54, #4 Grayson 32

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #6 Central Gwinnett 87, #4 Grayson 78
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Shiloh 39, #2 Berkmar 32

1-AAAAA

Monday
(At Columbus)
#6 Columbus 65, #7 Hardaway 57

Wednesday
(At Shaw)
#4 Northside-Columbus 74, #5 Harris County 68
#3 Shaw 72, #6 Columbus 59

Friday
(At LaGrange)
Semifinal: #3 Shaw 67, #2 Carver-Columbus 63
Semifinal: #1 LaGrange 67, #4 Northside-Columbus 61

Saturday
(At LaGrange)
CONSOLATION: #4 Northside 58, #2 Carver-Columbus 52
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 LaGrange 56, #3 Shaw 55

2-AAAAA

(At Grovetown)
Monday
#6E Grovetown 75, #4E Lakeside-Evans 70
#5E Evans 58, #4W Houston County 47

Tuesday
#1W Warner Robins 82, #6E Grovetown 64
#3W Jones County 86,  #2E Greenbrier 75
#3E Cross Creek 64, #2W Northside-Warner Robins  56
#1E Richmond Academy 78,  #5E Evans 49

Friday
Semifinal: #1W Warner Robins 78, #3W Jones County 72
Semifinal: #1E Richmond Academy 82, #3E Cross Creek 48

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #3E Cross Creek 72, #3W Jones County 67
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1W Warner Robins 75, #1E Richmond Academy 62

3-AAAAA

(At Camden County)
Tuesday
#3 Richmond Hill 67, #10 Bradwell Institute 50
#6 Ware County 75, #7 Coffee 56
#5 Statesboro 44, #8 Glynn Academy 30
#4 Brunswick 86, #9 South Effingham 44

Wednesday
#6 Ware County 58, #3 Richmond Hill 56
#5 Statesboro 48, #4 Brunswick 42

Thursday
Semifinal: #2 Camden County 66, # 6 Ware County 48
Semifinal: #5 Statesboro 63, #1 Effingham County 61

Friday
CONSOLATION: #1 Effingham County 80, #6 Ware County 74
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Camden County 68, #5 Statesboro 57

4-AAAAA

(At Stockbridge)

Saturday
#A6 Northgate 62, #A7 Forest Park 38

Monday
#5A Starr’s Mill 73, #4B Union Grove 48
#3A Drew 76, #6B Ola 36
#4A Mundy’s Mill 51, #5B Luella 34
#3B Dutchtown 68, #6A Northgate 53

Wednesday
#1A McIntosh 50, #5A Starr’s Mill 24
#3A Drew 59, #2B Stockbridge 41
#4A Mundy’s Mill 55, #1B Woodland-Stockbridge 45
#2A Morrow 77, #3B Dutchtown 66

Friday
Semifinal: #1A McIntosh 77, #3A Drew 42
Semifinal: #4A Mundy’s Mill  49, #2A Morrow 45

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #2A Morrow 70,  #3A Drew 59
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1A McIntosh 69, #4A Mundy’s Mill 55

5-AAAAA

Saturday
(At #7 Boys)
#7 Chapel Hill 83, #10 East Paulding 75
#8 Lithia Springs 87, #9 Paulding County 70

Monday
(At Alexander)
#6 Hiram 62, #7 Chapel Hill 59
#8 Lithia Springs 51, #5 Alexander 50

Wednesday
(At New Manchester)
#6 Hiram 42, #3 New Manchester 41
#4 Villa Rica 63, #8 Lithia Springs 57

Friday
(At New Manchester)
Semifinal: #2 South Paulding 53, #6 Hiram 41
Semifinal: #1 Allatoona 76, #4 Villa Rica 60

Saturday
(At New Manchester)
CONSOLATION: #4 Villa Rica  47, #6 Hiram 45
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Allatoona 63, #2 South Paulding 49

6-AAAAA

(At Banneker)
Saturday
#3A Druid Hills 65, #7A M.L. King 39
#4B Carver-Atlanta 68, #5A Clarkston 48
#6A Dunwoody 56, #3B Creekside 55
#4A Stephenson 68, #5B Banneker 32

Wednesday
#2B Mays 55, #3A Druid Hills 53
#1A Miller Grove 82, #4B Carver-Atlanta 54

Thursday
#2A Southwest DeKalb 66, #6A Dunwoody 32
#1B Tri-Cities 71, #4A Stephenson 66

Friday
Semifinal: #2A Southwest DeKalb 82, #1B Tri-Cities 50
Semifinal: #1A Miller Grove 69, #2B Mays 52

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #2B Mays 96, #1B Tri-Cities 86
CHAMPIONSHIP:  #1A Miller Grove 86, #2A Southwest DeKalb 58

7-AAAAA

(At Forsyth Central)
Friday
#6B North Springs 49, #7A Woodland-Cartersville 22
#6A Cass 61, #7B Cambridge 51

Saturday
#4B Forsyth Central 59, #5A River Ridge 39
#6B North Springs 66, #3A Creekview 57
#5B North Atlanta 51, #4A Rome 44
#3B Kell 65, #6A Cass 61

Wednesday
#1A Sequoyah 62, #4B Forsyth Central 50
#2B Sprayberry 67, #6B North Springs 43
#1B Riverwood 58, #5B North Atlanta 36
#3B Kell 44, #2A Dalton 37

Friday
Semifinal: #1A Sequoyah 77, #2B Sprayberry 70
Semifinal: #1B Riverwood 49, #3B Kell 47

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #3B Kell 53, #2B Sprayberry 51
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1B Riverwood 61, #1A Sequoyah 57

8-AAAAA

Monday
#4N Lanier 69, #5N Discovery 58
#5S Loganville 61, #4S Clarke Central 59
#3N Flowery Branch 68, #6N Winder-Barrow 49

Tuesday
(At Cedar Shoals)
#1S Cedar Shoals 64, #4N Lanier 51
#3S Heritage-Conyers 69, #2N Apalachee 67

(At Gainesville)
#1N Gainesville 82, #5S Loganville 51
#2S Salem  55, #3N Flowery Branch 51

Friday
(At Winder-Barrow)
Semifinal: #1S Cedar Shoals 53, #3S Heritage-Conyers 39
Semifinal: #1N Gainesville 60, #2S Salem 55

Saturday
(At Winder-Barrow)
CONSOLATION: #3S Heritage-Conyers 62, #2S Salem 60.
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1S Cedar Shoals 70, #1N Gainesville 48

1-AAAA

Monday
At Albany
#8 Dougherty 77, #9 Cook 40
#7 Crisp County 71, #10 Thomas County Central 63
#6 Albany 50, #11 Cairo 36

Tuesday
At Monroe
#3 Worth County 59, #6 Albany 49
#2 Bainbridge 79, #7 Crisp County 48
#5 Westover 61, #4 Americus-Sumter 52
#1 Monroe 77, #8 Dougherty 51

Thursday
At Americus-Sumter
#2 Bainbridge 80, #3 Worth County 59
#5 Westover 61, #1 Monroe 43

Friday
At Americus-Sumter
CONSOLATION: #1 Monroe 61,  #3 Worth County 46
CHAMPIONSHIP: #5 Westover 72, #2 Bainbridge 64

2-AAAA

At Mary Persons
Tuesday
#4 Howard 64, #5 Baldwin 38
#3 Mary Persons 83, #6 Veterans 50
#2 Perry 46, #7 West Laurens 34

Thursday
#3 Mary Persons 51, #2 Perry 35
#1 Upson-Lee 61, #4 Howard 57

Friday
CONSOLATION: #2 Perry 59, #4 Howard 54
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Upson-Lee 58, #3 Mary Persons 52

3-AAAA

At Liberty County
Tuesday
#4 New Hampstead 105, #5 Windsor Forest 99 2OT
#3 Thomson 88, #6 Wayne County 55

Thursday
#3 Thomson 77, vs. #2 Burke County 70
#1 Liberty County 71, #4 New Hampstead 66

Friday
CONSOLATION: #2 Burke County 75, #4 New Hampstead 68
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Liberty County 86, #3 Thomson 67

4-AAAA

Tuesday
At Mt. Zion-Jonesboro
#3 Eastside 65, #2 Spalding 62
#2 Eagle’s Landing 69, #3 Riverdale 55
#1 Walnut Grove 70, #5 Locust Grove 59
#1 Jonesboro 78,  #4 Henry County 55

Thursday
At Griffin
#1 Walnut Grove 51, #3 Eastside 47
#1 Jonesboro 70, #2 Eagle’s Landing 52

Friday
CONSOLATION: #2 Eagle’s Landing 69, #3 Eastside 57
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Jonesboro 64, #1 Walnut Grove 45

5-AAAA

At Carrollton
Monday
#5 Fayette County 55, #4 Whitewater 54
#3 Carrollton 54, #6 Troup 40

Wednesday
At Sandy Creek
#2 Woodward Academy 53, #3 Carrollton 45
#1 Sandy Creek 65, #5 Fayette County 58

Friday
At Carrollton
CONSOLATION: #3 Carrollton 56, #5 Fayette County 43
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Sandy Creek 70, # 2 Woodward Academy 48

6-AAAA

Monday
At Marist
#8 Arabia Mountain 59, #9 Chamblee 41
#7 Marist 59, #10 Cross Keys 25

Tuesday
At Lithonia
#5 Columbia 63, #4 Redan 53
#1 Lithonia 62, #8 Arabia Mountain 48

At Grady
#3 St. Pius 51, #6 Stone Mountain 49
#2 Grady 65, #7 Marist 49

Thursday
At Chamblee
#2 Grady 59, #3 St. Pius 56
#1 Lithonia 58, #5 Columbia 46

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #4 Columbia 63, #3 St. Pius 55 OT
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Grady 61, #1 Lithonia 58

7-AAAA

At Southeast Whitfield
Thursday
#7 Lafayette 49, #6 Ridgeland 46
#5 Pickens 62, #8 Gilmer 55
#5 Pickens 87, #4 Southeast Whitfield 78
#3 Heritage-Catoosa 45, #7 Lafayette 32

Friday
#3 Heritage-Catoosa 57, #2 Northwest Whitfield 50
#1 Cartersville 75, #5 Pickens 55

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #2 Northwest Whitfield 92, #5 Pickens 59
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Cartersville 46, #3 Heritage-Catoosa 43

8-AAAA

Monday
At White County
#8 Madison County 70, #9 Chestatee 51

Wednesday
At Buford
#5 Monroe Area 60, #4 Stephens County 59
#1 Buford 61, #8 Madison County 52
At North Hall
#6 North Oconee 60, #3 White County 46
#2 North Hall 53, #7 Johnson-Gainesville 33

Friday
At Stephens County
#2 North Hall 55, #6 North Oconee 37
#1 Buford 49, #5 Monroe Area 40 OT

Saturday
At Stephens County
CONSOLATION: #5 Monroe Area 65, #6 North Oconee 62
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Buford 63, #2 North Hall 54

1-AAA

Monday
At Brantley County
#4B Savannah 64, #5A Appling County 33
#3A Brantley County 53, #6B Beach 50

At Islands
#5B Southeast Bulloch 58, #4A Toombs County 41
#3B Islands 69, #6A Pierce County 34

Wednesday
At Dodge County
#2B Johnson 62, #3A Brantley County 52
#1A Dodge County 69, #4B Savannah 68

At Jenkins
#2A Tattnall County 63,  #3B Islands 59
#1B Jenkins 77, #5B Southeast Bulloch 40

Friday
At Jenkins
#2B Johnson  70, #1A Dodge County 50
#1B Jenkins 88, #2A Tattnall County 54

Saturday
At Jenkins
CONSOLATION: #2A Tattnall County 57, #1A Dodge County 55
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1B Jenkins 69, #2B Johnson 67

2-AAA

Monday
at Southwest Macon
#8 Kendrick 72, #9 Peach County 57

Tuesday
At Westside Macon
#7 Jackson 57, #6 Jordan 54
#5 Spencer 62, #8 Kendrick 56

Wednesday
At Central Macon
#4 Rutland 53, #5 Spencer 32
#3 Southwest 76, #7 Jackson 53

Thursday
At Central Macon
#2 Westside 68, #3 Southwest 59
#1 Central 67,  #4 Rutland 58

Friday
At Central
CONSOLATION: #4 Rutland 71, #3 Southwest 61
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Central-Macon 64, #2 Westside 61

3-AAA

At Westside Augusta
Wednesday
#4 Butler 56, #5 Washington County 40
#3 Josey 61, #6 Glenn Hills 57
#2 Westside 83, #7 Hephzibah 52

Thursday
 #2 Westside 60, #3 Josey  48
#1 Laney 72, #4 Butler 64 

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #4 Butler 61, #3 Josey 58
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Laney 65, #2 Westside 58

4-AAA

At Maynard Jackson
Tuesday
#4B Decatur 68, #5A McNair 32
#4A Jackson  67, #5B Douglass 53
#3A Cedar Grove 80, #6B Washington 37

Wednesday
#3B Blessed Trinity 67, #6A Towers 54

Thursday
#3A Cedar Grove 88, #2B Therrell 74
#2A North Clayton 62, #3B Blessed Trinity 57
#4A Jackson 53, #1B Westminster 48
#1A South Atlanta 72, #4B Decatur 49

Friday
 #2A North Clayton  63,  #4A Jackson 51
#3A Cedar Grove 68, #1A South Atlanta 61

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #1A South Atlanta 78, #4A Jackson-Atlanta 68
CHAMPIONSHIP: #3A Cedar Grove 60, #2A North Clayton 55

5-AAA

At Central-Carroll
Tuesday
#3 Rockmart 65, #6 Haralson County 50

Wednesday
#5 Central-Carroll 45, #4 Cedartown 31

Friday
#3 Rockmart 56, #2 Pepperell 53
#1 Callaway 73, #5 Central-Carroll 55

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #5 Central-Carroll 73, #2 Pepperell 69
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Callaway 61, #3 Rockmart 41

6-AAA

At Ringgold
Monday
#8 Adairsville 51, #9 Gordon Central 46

Tuesday
#6 Murray County 43, #7 Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 39
#8 Adairsville 56, #5 Sonoraville 47

Thursday
 #3 North Murray 54, #6 Murray County 40
#4 Ringgold 43, #8 Adairsville 38

Friday
#2 Coahulla Creek 46, #3 North Murray 45
#1 Calhoun 79, #4 Ringgold 43

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #3 North Murray 55, #4 Ringgold 36
CHAMPIONSHIP:  #1 Calhoun 82, #2 Coahulla Creek 64

7-AAA

Thursday
At East Hall
#4 Lumpkin County 45, #5 Dawson County 37
#3 West Hall 56, #6 Fannin County 40
#2 East Hall 76, #7 Franklin County 63

Friday
At Lumpkin County
#4 Lumpkin County 61, #1 Banks County 54
#2 East Hall 54, #3 West Hall 52

Saturday
At Lumpkin County
CONSOLATION:  #1 Banks County 71,  #3 West Hall 42
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 East Hall 65, #4 Lumpkin County 52

8-AAA

Tuesday
At East Jackson
#4 Jefferson 46, #5 Elbert County 43
#3 Jackson County 53,  #6 Oconee County 45
#2 East Jackson 76,  #7 Hart County 42

Friday
At Emmanuel College
#2 East Jackson 71,  #3 Jackson County 47
#1 Morgan County 60, #4 Jefferson 24

Saturday
At Emmanuel College
CONSOLATION: #3 Jackson County 57, #4 Jefferson 54
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Morgan County 60, #2 East Jackson 51

1-AA

Monday
At Early County
#7 Berrien 50, #6 Brooks County 46

Tuesday
At Thomasville
#3 Early County 78, #7 Berrien 50
#4 Fitzgerald 43, #5 Pelham 39

Thursday
At Pelham
#3 Early County 73, #2 Seminole County 66
#1 Thomasville 64, #4 Fitzgerald 51

Friday
CONSOLATION: #4 Fitzgerald 63, #2 Seminole County 58
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Thomasville 68, #3 Early County 65

2-AA

At Long County
Tuesday
#6 Bryan County 72, #7 Groves 68
#5 Jeff Davis 74, #8 McIntosh County 65

Wednesday
#6 Bryan County 57, #3 Bacon County 53
#4 Benedictine 74. #5 Jeff Davis 59

Friday
#2 Long County 78, #6 Bryan County 52
#4 Benedictine 66, #1 Vidalia 53

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #1 Vidalia 58, #6 Bryan County 44
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Long County 64, #4 Benedictine 57

3-AA

At Dublin
Thursday
#5 Metter 72, #4 Screven County 58
#3 Jefferson County 64, #6 Harlem 42

Friday
#1 Swainsboro 77, #5 Metter 56
#2 Dublin 83, #3 Jefferson County 59

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #3 Jefferson County  64, #5 Metter 54
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Dublin 65, #1 Swainsboro 61

4-AA

Monday
#7 Northeast Macon 64, #6 Putnam 60

Tuesday
at Lamar County
#4 Lamar County 83, #5 Bleckley County 79 3OT
#3 Monticello 58, #7 Northeast Macon 45

Friday
at Bleckley County
#3 Monticello 73, #2 Macon County 60
#1 Crawford County 86, #4 Lamar County 46

Saturday 
at Bleckley County
CONSOLATION: #2 Macon County 85, #4 Lamar County 47.
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Crawford County 51, #3 Monticello 43

5-AA

Tuesday
at Bowdon
#5 Chattahoochee County 56,  #4 Heard County 54
#3 Bowdon 69,  #6 Bremen 37

Thursday
at Manchester
#3 Bowdon 59, #2 Temple 45
#1 Manchester 75, #3 Chattahoochee County 41

Saturday
at Manchester
CONSOLATION: #2 Temple 56, #3 Chattahoochee County  31
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Manchester 95, #3 Bowdon 58

6-AA

at Pace Academy
Monday
#7 Hapeville Charter 75 #6 KIPP Atlanta 63
#5 Holy Innocents’ 72, #8 B.E.S.T. 41

Tuesday
#5 Holy Innocents’ 45, #4 Wesleyan 44
#3 GAC 68, #7 Hapeville Charter 60

Thursday
#2 Pace Academy 60, #3 GAC 48
#1 Lovett 60, #5 Holy Innocents’ 58

Friday
CONSOLATION: #3 GAC 51, #5 Holy Innocents’ 39
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Pace Academy 54, #1 Lovett 40

7-AA

Tuesday
At Chattooga
#4 Coosa 70, #5 Gordon Lee 69
#2 Darlington 71, #7 Armuchee 51
#3 Model 55, #6 Dade County 49

Friday
At Model
#1 Chattooga 68, #4 Coosa 42
#3 Model 60, #2 Darlington 47

Saturday
At Model
CONSOLATION: #4 Coosa 63, #2 Darlington 58
CHAMPIONSHIP: #3 Model 58, #1 Chattooga 55

8-AA

Wednesday
At Rabun County
#4 Greene County 70, #5 Oglethorpe County 55
#2 Rabun County 75, #7 Social Circle 72

Thursday
At Rabun County
#3 Union County 52, #6 Washington-Wilkes 36

Friday
At Riverside Military
#2 Rabun County 59, #3 Union County 41
#1 Riverside Military 47, #4 Greene County 36

Saturday
At Highest Seed
CONSOLATION: #3 Union County 56, #4 Greene County 47
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Rabun County 63, #1 Riverside Military 60

1-A

Monday
At Webster County
#8 Webster County 80, #9 Baker County 41

Tuesday
At Terrell County
#6 Mitchell County 61, #7 Miller County 46
# 5 Terrell County 62, #8 Webster County 57

Wednesday
At Terrell County
#3 Quitman County 46, #6 Mitchell County 44
#4 Stewart County 49, #5 Terrell County 42

Thursday
At Calhoun County
#2 Randolph-Clay 69, #3 Quitman County 57
#1 Calhoun County 82, #4 Stewart County 62

Friday
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2 Randolph-Clay 62, #1 Calhoun County 49

2-A

Monday
At Charlton County
#8 Echols County 80, #9 Charlton County 73 (2OT)

Tuesday
At Atkinson County
#7 Lanier County 59, #6 Irwin County 48
#5 Telfair County 68, #8 Echols County 67 OT

Wednesday
At Wilcox County
#4 Atkinson County 65, #5 Telfair County 50
#7 Lanier County 51, #3 Wilcox County 50

Friday
At Turner County
#1 Turner County 79, #4 Atkinson County 77
#2 Clinch County 70,  #7 Lanier County 44

Saturday
At Turner County
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Turner County 69, #2 Clinch County 59

3-A

Monday
At Jenkins County
#5E Jenkins County 66, #6E Claxton 64 (2OT)
#5W ECI 57, #7E Savannah Country Day 52

Tuesday
At Treutlen
#4W Wheeler County 52,  #5E Jenkins County  48
#4E Calvary Day 66,  #5W ECI 56

Wednesday
At Treutlen
#1E Savannah Christian 67,  #4W Wheeler County 33
#2W Montgomery County 55, #3E Woodville Tompkins 43
#3W Johnson County 56, #2E Portal 53 OT
#1W Treutlen  67, #4E Calvary Day 46

Friday
At Treutlen
#2W Montgomery County 61, #1E Savannah Christian 47
#1W Treutlen 85, #3W Johnson County 52

Saturday
At Treutlen
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1W Treutlen 75, #2W Montgomery County 69

4-A

Tuesday
At Schley County
#9 Brookstone 52, #8 Schley County 51

Wednesday
At Greenville
#7 Marion County 71, #6 Dooly County 58
#5 Greenville 60,  #9 Brookstone 51

Thursday
At St. Anne-Pacelli
#5 Greenville 73, #4 Hawkinsville 61
#7 Marion County 70, #3 St. Anne-Pacelli 69

Friday
At Taylor County
#7 Marion County 44, #2 Central-Talbotton 39
#1 Taylor County 77, #5 Greenville 70

Saturday
At Taylor County
CHAMPIONSHIP:  #1 Taylor County 78, #7 Marion County 43

5-A

Monday
At Galloway
#7 Drew Charter 71, #10 ELCA 47
#6 Landmark 79, #11 Atlanta International 32
#5 W.D. Mohammed 63, #12 Strong Rock 44
#8 Galloway 63, #9 Fulton Leadership 53

Wednesday
At Our Lady of Mercy
 #3 Our Lady of Mercy 65, #6 Landmark 53
#2 Southwest Atlanta Christian 79, #7 Drew Charter 64
#1 Greenforest 70, #8 Galloway 33
#5 W.D. Mohammed 42, #4 Paideia 33

Friday
At ELCA
#3 Our Lady of Mercy 71, #2 Southwest Atlanta Christian 58
#1 Greenforest 76, #5 W.D. Mohammed 29

Saturday
At ELCA
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 Greenforest 76, #3 Our Lady of Mercy 61

6-A

At Christian Heritage
Monday
#4 King’s Ridge 62, #5 Trion 48

Tuesday
#5 Pinecrest Academy 74, #4 Mt. Zion-Carroll 29

Wednesday
#6 Mt. Pisgah 62, #3 Excel Christian 56 OT
#3 Walker 46, #6 Mt. Paran 32

Thursday
#1 North Cobb Christian 73, #4 King’s Ridge 57
#1 St. Francis 89, #5 Pinecrest Academy 72
#3 Walker 70, #2 Christian Heritage 55
#2 Whitefield Academy 63, #6 Mt. Pisgah 55

Friday
#1 North Cobb Christian 70, #2 Whitefield Academy 57
#1 St. Francis 81, #3 Walker 64

Saturday
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 St. Francis 88, #1 North Cobb Christian 64

7-A

At Hancock Central
Wednesday
#2W Stratford Academy 70, #3E Aquinas 51
#3W Tattnall Square 55, #2E Lincoln County 47
#1W Wilkinson County 59, #4E Georgia Military 41
#1E Hancock Central 71, #4W First Presbyterian 64

Friday
#2W Stratford Academy 59, #1E Hancock Central 53
#1W Wilkinson County 59, #3W Tattnall Square 48

Saturday
CONSOLATION: #1E Hancock Central 72, #3W Tattnall Square 53  
CHAMPIONSHIP: #2W Stratford Academy 59, #1W Wilkinson County 54

8-A

At Athens Academy
Monday
#4N Towns County 61, #5S George Walton Academy 47
#4S Athens Academy 62, #5N Commerce 44

Tuesday
#1N Lakeview Academy 64, #4S Athens Academy 48

Wednesday
#2N Hebron Christian 60, #3S Providence Christian 27
#2S  Prince Avenue 64, #3N Tallulah Falls 46

Thursday
#1S Athens Christian 56, #4N Towns County 47

Friday
#1N Lakeview 41, #2S Prince Avenue 40
#2N Hebron 42, #1S Athens Christian 40

Saturday
CHAMPIONSHIP: #1N Lakeview Academy 71, #2N Hebron Christian 44

GHSA, GHSA Basketball, Rankings

Week 12 Rankings (Region Tournament)

Class AAAAAA

  1. Norcross (23-2)
  2. Wheeler (20-5)
  3. Westlake (19-4)
  4. Tift County (22-2)
  5. Pebblebrook (17-8)
  6. McEachern (22-3)
  7. Shiloh (19-5)
  8. Berkmar (17-8)
  9. Lambert (23-2)
  10. Newton (21-4)

Class AAAAA

  1. Miller Grove (22-2)
  2. Allatoona (25-0)
  3. McIntosh (23-2)
  4. Gainesville (18-4)
  5. Cedar Shoals (23-2)
  6. Riverwood (24-1)
  7. South Paulding (22-3)
  8. Warner Robins (17-2)
  9. Effingham County (21-3)
  10. Southwest DeKalb (21-4)

Class AAAA

  1. Jonesboro (21-4)
  2. Lithonia (20-4)
  3. Liberty County (21-1)
  4. St. Pius (21-4)
  5. Grady (22-3)
  6. Upson-Lee (21-3)
  7. Walnut Grove (22-3)
  8. Eagle’s Landing (22-3)
  9. Monroe (18-5)
  10. Bainbridge (18-7)

Class AAA

  1. Morgan County (19-4)
  2. Calhoun (23-0)
  3. Laney (22-2)
  4. South Atlanta (20-5)
  5. Central-Macon (23-2)
  6. Jenkins (21-4)
  7. Westminster (22-2)
  8. Callaway (16-3)
  9. Islands (19-6)
  10. North Clayton (16-9)

Class AA

  1. Thomasville (24-1)
  2. Seminole County (19-5)
  3. Vidalia (22-3)
  4. Crawford County (20-3)
  5. Lovett (19-5)
  6. Swainsboro (16-7)
  7. Dublin (21-4)
  8. Macon County (17-5)
  9. Early County (19-6)
  10. Pace Academy (14-10)

Class A-Private

  1. Greenforest (23-2)
  2. North Cobb Christian (20-3)
  3. SWAC (17-8)
  4. St. Francis (17-7)
  5. Whitefield Academy (17-9)
  6. Lakeview Academy (21-4)
  7. Our Lady of Mercy (19-4)
  8. Stratford Academy (16-5)
  9. St. Anne-Pacelli (16-8)
  10. Tattnall Square Academy (16-7)

Class A-Public

  1. Wilkinson County (20-5)
  2. Calhoun County (16-8)
  3. Turner County (19-6)
  4. Hancock Central (19-5)
  5. Treutlen (21-3)
  6. Central-Talbotton (17-8)
  7. Taylor County (17-7)
  8. Lincoln County (16-6)
  9. Atkinson County (17-6)
  10. Clinch County (16-9)

The region tournament is here. Time to see who are the contenders and who are the pretenders entering the state playoffs. As there are every year, a couple good teams will see their seasons end short and won’t get a chance to dance. With that said, here are the Week 12 Region Tournament Edition rankings.

No. 1 Norcross capped off its second-best record in school history after three wins last week highlighted by a 68-42 victory over Duluth. Elsewhere in Class AAAAAA No. 3 Westlake rose two spots following an 82-72 win over No. 5 Pebblebrook on Tuesday and surviving Langston Hughes in overtime on the road, 49-44 on Friday. No. 6 McEachern earned a 67-64 overtime win over 1A-Private No. 5 Whitefield Academy on Monday. Last week’s debutants Brookwood and Campbell both struggled with their new found targets on their backs, both losing back-to-back games. The Broncos fell from No. 8 to unranked following losses to Dacula 54-39 and an upset defeat to rival Parkview 57-35 on Saturday. Former No. 9 Campbell slipped at South Cobb 74-68 then lost 92-85 at No. 5 Pebblebrook. Newton tripped up as well and falls to No. 10 from No. 7 after a 71-64 loss at Eastside. Making their triumphant return to the top ten for the first time since Week 6 is No. 9 Lambert. The Longhorns took care of Johns Creek 70-62 on the road last Friday to finish region play unblemished. No. 8 Berkmar finally cracks the code and enters the rankings after a hot finish to the season in which they almost took first-place in Region 8, instead losing to No. 7 Shiloh in the championship deciding game.

No movement was seen in Class AAAAA. No. 2 Allatoona finished the regular season undefeated, using an 18-0 run late in the third quarter into the fourth quarter to dispatch of New Manchester 75-57. The Buccaneers have now won 77-straight regular season region games. No. 4 Gainesville polished off a perfect 15-0 record in Region 8, the state’s toughest region. No. 3 McIntosh is now 23-2 overall and has not lost a game since the GHSA ruled Isaac Kellum eligible.

Class AAAA’s No. 1 Jonesboro suffered a 74-50 loss to nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy but remain atop the classification. No. 7 Walnut Grove reenters the poll and steals away the No. 1 seed heading into the Region 4 tournament after winning five-straight including beating No. 8 Eagle’s Landing 64-59 at home. The Eagles also lost to Henry County 72-69. Henry County, who was ranked as high as No. 4 early in the year, will play No. 1 Jonesboro for a chance to make state and stun the two-time defending state champs. The Cardinals escaped the Warhawks 70-65 in overtime in their only meeting this year. Thomson drops out of the poll after three-straight losses and more importantly, because of San Antonio Brinson’s broken wrist which he suffered in a 66-62 loss at New Hampstead on Monday, beginning the slide. Worth County also falls out after a 76-62 loss at Northside-Warner Robins. Into the top ten is the aforementioned Walnut Grove and No. 10 Bainbridge, who opened the year ranked No. 4. Georgia signee Tyree Crump and the Bearcats have won four in-a-row and get the nod over Worth County after sweeping them, 79-65 and 92-78.

South Atlanta tumbles from No. 2 to No. 4 in AAA following a 74-71 loss in overtime on Tuesday to new No. 10 North Clayton. No. 2 Calhoun finished off a perfect regular season by holding on against Coahulla Creek in overtime, 65-58 before stomping Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 76-36. No.7 Westminster ran its winning streak to 21 games after sneaking past Therrell 64-62. Banks County exits the top ten after a 63-61 upset loss to 11-win Fannin County. No. 9 Islands debuts in the top ten for the first time in school history. The Sharks won its biggest game in their existence, beating No. 6 Jenkins, the defending state champs, 61-59 at home. The Warriors rebounded on Saturday with a 78-65 win at Johnson-Savannah, knocking the Atomsmashers out of the top ten.

No. 1 Thomasville flexed its muscle as the top team in Class AA after getting its revenge against defending state champion No. 2 Seminole County, 70-52 at home. Chattooga drops out of the poll after back-to-back losses at Darlington 61-50 and at Cedartown 61-51. No. 10 Pace Academy replaces the Indians and are riding a three-game winning streak. Both No. 4 Crawford County and No. 5 Lovett suffered setbacks, the Eagles losing at Lamar County 77-76 and the Lions dropping to GAC 57-52.

The only shuffling in Class A-Private came in the middle of the poll, No. 6 Lakeview Academy swapping spots with No. 7 Our Lady of Mercy. The Bobcats’ 13-game winning streak was snapped by King’s Ridge Christian, 84-75 on Friday. In Class A-Public, No. 3 Turner County’s 14-game winning streak came to an end thanks to new No. 10 Clinch County, who beat the visiting Rebels 75-73 on Saturday. No. 5 Treutlen falls a spot after being blown out by 2A No. 7 Dublin, 88-72. Randolph-Clay and Quitman County both drop out. The Red Devils lost 72-59 at No. 2 Calhoun County on Saturday. No. 9 Atkinson County reenters the poll as well. Knocking on the door of the top ten is Woodville-Tompkins. The second-year program has gone from 2-23 to 15-10 this year with an 8-4 mark in Region 3. Edwaun Johnson has led the way averaging 15.8 points per game.

Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Oconee County spoils Jackson County senior night in OT

Oconee County 47, Jackson County 45 OT

It was an electric crowd for Senior Night
It was an electric crowd for Senior Night

One of the state’s biggest turnarounds, Jackson County (15-10, 7-5), looked to send off its seniors in style against Oconee County (8-16, 4-8) Friday night. Panther Indoor was packed, the 1966 girls basketball team was being honored and all the pomp and circumstance had electricity in the air, but in the end it was the Warriors stunning the Panthers and spoiling Senior Night, 47-45 in overtime.

Jackson County, coming off of a 4-22 season and winless region record, took Region 8 by storm this year by surprising everyone and running as the No. 2 seed late into the season behind defending state runner-up, No. 1 Morgan County. A win would clinch the No. 2 seed heading into the region tournament and a loss would slip the Panthers to third-place behind rival East Jackson who Jackson County swept in emotional fashion. One win in the region tournament and the Panthers will go dancing for the first time in 14 years, breaking a spell that has seen Jackson County absent from the post season picture for over a decade.

Before focusing in on the looming tournament, the Panthers still had work to do as they welcomed Oconee County. A potential trap game heading into the most important week of the season, the Warriors had fallen at home to Jackson County 49-47 on Jan. 12 and challenged the Panthers despite their sub-.500 record.

After coming out and mobbing with the crowd known as one of the best sixth men in the state, the Panthers came out roaring up 8-0.  The Warriors would get their footing but not before Jackson County took a 14-7 lead into the second quarter after Malique Wade drove the lane and whipped a pass inside to Mitchell Mershon for a basket at the buzzer.

Rahul Das came in off the bench for Oconee County in the first quarter and gave the Warriors a spark scoring four of his six points in the first period while finishing with a team-high 12 rebounds on the night. Das’ play helped loosen others up around him in the second quarter. Roques Dowdy, an athletic wide receiver on the football team, scored five points in the second quarter and helped the Warriors close to within 16-14, but Coach Chuck Butler’s team responded with a 6-0 run to push the lead back out to 22-14 with 53.1 seconds left in the first half. The score held entering halftime following a poor final play by the Warriors, holding the ball for the last 40 seconds and coming away with a last second one-handed heave.

The third quarter began with whistles on both sides. Jackson County, known for its gritty play, didn’t back down from any of the more athletic Warrior guards swooping to the paint. Jase Latty took a pair of charges – the senior’s calling card – and helped get the Panthers in the bonus half way through the quarter.

As Latty and company were sacrificing their bodies on defense, Joel Ellis began to eat away at the Oconee County interior. The burly undersized center gnawed away inside for eight points in the third and finished with a game-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. The lead held steady at an eight point margin and eventually cracked double digits when the Panthers carried a 36-26 advantage into the fourth quarter, but from there on out Jackson County could not extend the lead while free throws began to haunt them.

With 5:01 left in regulation the Panthers still maintained a 10-point lead at 38-28 before the Warriors began their slow climb back into the game. Dowdy found Chance Peden for three to make it 38-31 with 4:22 left. Das made it 38-33 with 2:48 remaining, creeping closer. Stephen Fogarty slung a pass inside to Ellis to extend the lead back to seven but the very next possession it was Peden again, who scored eight of his team-high 13 points in the fourth quarter, answering the bell.

Trailing 41-38, Peden was sent to the line. The senior missed both free throws but Das managed to tip the ball back outside to Peden who had floated to the three-point line where he buried a three to tie the game at 41 with 1:15 left.

Wade found Ellis down low for a bucket to regain the lead 43-41 with 43 seconds to play, but once again it was Peden getting to the hoop and tying the game with 23 seconds left in regulation. Jackson County had a chance to win it when Wade attacked and kicked it to Latty for three but the shot went wide and the game sent to overtime knotted at 43.

After being held to 26 points through the first three quarters, the Warriors broke the levy and poured in 17 in the fourth to Jackson’s 7. The Panthers had opportunities to shut the door but couldn’t do it from the foul line, going 3-of-10 in the fourth quarter led by Wade’s 1-of-6 as the guard couldn’t find a good grip on the ball.

Momentum had clearly swung into Oconee County’s corner, but the Warriors were still in search of their first lead of the game. They nearly had it at the 2:50 mark when Ty Paschal came away with a steal and went up for a wide open layup. Instead, it looked as if someone from the Jackson County fan section blowdarted him, causing him to slip, stumble and end up tossing the ball up in the air while he hit the ground.

The calamity of a fastbreak might have swayed momentum back into Jackson’s favor as it looked like the basketball gods weren’t going to let the hard working group of seniors end their careers with a loss on their home floor.

But It wasn’t in the cards.

The free throw woes continued with Latty missing a pair. With 2:22 to play, Dowdy streaked to the basket to give Oconee County its first lead of the game, 45-43. Preston Giroux, one of seven seniors, whirled in the lane and banked in a tough shot to deadlock the game with 1:28 to go, his 13th point to go along with his game-high 13 rebounds.

Oconee County held the ball and looked for a last shot with the ball in Dowdy’s hands. He finally made his move with six seconds after weaving around the defense. Dowdy slid to the cup, avoided Ellis and layed in the go-ahead basket with just 4.5 seconds left.

Coach Butler got a timeout with 3.8 left underneath the Oconee County basket. They riffled in a pass to halfcourt and called another timeout with 3.6 to play, setting up a decent location to draw up one final play. Latty bulleted a pass into Ellis on the left elbow. Ellis turned and fired but his shot was amiss and the ball went back to the Warriors with 0.8 remaining. Dowdy missed both free throws, allowing one last Hail Mary heave for the Panthers but their prayers were not answered as it went wide left.

My Take: My final regular season game of the year couldn’t have been a better choice. Jackson County was electric on Senior Night, a program that has risen from the ashes since Chuck Butler took over full-time last year. The student section was the best I’ve witnessed all season long and the most in-tune with their team. The Panthers opened the night coming out of the locker room and jumping into the fan section, mobbing each other for one last time before going to war. Even during the pre-game warm ups, the Panthers’ defensive slide drill which ends in all 10 players diving in unison for a simulated loose ball was a spectacle to behold and really revved up the home crowd. As far as the action on the court, the Panthers do not wow you with size, speed or athleticism. What they do wow you with is their heart and tenacious play. Coach Chuck Butler installed the E.A.T. motto “Effort, Attitude, Toughness”. All were on display as the undersized and unheralded Panthers fight for every possession, nothing given to them. They are difficult to drive the lane on because almost everyone on the roster is eager to step in and take a charge on the chest. Jase Latty has turned it into an art form while Stephen Fogarty isn’t afraid to take the beating as a guard. Preston Giroux and Joel Ellis were the Panthers’ go-to guys tonight. The two combined for 32 points and 24 rebounds. Giroux is adept at getting to the basket while Ellis pounds his way inside, very patient using as many pump fakes as needed before gathering himself and finishing down low. Christian Smith battled foul trouble all night, really hurting the usually balanced attack. Malique Wade had an off game offensively but played a good floor game collecting five assists.

Oconee County did what it needed to do against Jackson; hang around. Jace Bonds hit three timely three-pointers and Roques Dowdy had the game-winner, but big men Chance Peden and Rahul Das did the most damage. Das entered the game and made an impact immediately. He finished with six points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Jackson County struggled keeping him off the glass as he was able to get a hand on nearly every ball that ricocheted off the rim. Peden came alive in the fourth quarter with 10 points and carried the load with two big threes and the lay up to tie the game at 43 and send it to overtime. Jackson County and Oconee County will meet one final time in the Region 8 tournament. Win and advance, or lose and go home. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out with both teams earning two-point victories over each other this year.

Top Performers

Oconee County
Chance Peden – 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal
Roques Dowdy – 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Jace Bonds – 9 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Rahul Das – 6 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Jackson County
Joel Ellis – 19 points, 11 rebounds
Preston Giroux – 13 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Malique Wade – 3 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
Stephen Fogarty – 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals

Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

No. 2 Allatoona says Ahoy! to undefeated regular season

No. 2 Allatoona 75, New Manchester 57

No. 2 Allatoona (25-0, 18-0) wrapped up its fifth straight season going undefeated in region play, advancing its streak to 77 in-a-row on Thursday night after using an 18-0 run spanning over five minutes from the end of the third quarter into the fourth to clinch a 75-57 win over New Manchester and stay perfect on the year.

Having lost 58-47 on Dec. 12 at home to the Buccaneers, New Manchester (17-6, 13-4) felt prepared to take the next step into becoming a statewide threat if they could defeat the juggernaut that Allatoona has become.

The Bucs jumped out to a 12-7 lead midway through the first quarter before Clinton Bentley connected on a four-point play in the right corner. The corner proved to be a headache for both coaches, as three players were fouled while taking a three during the course of the game. Bentley’s bucket gave the Jaguars a 13-12 lead before Allatoona pushed ahead. Known for the defensive prowess of Ephraim Tshimanga and Trey Doomes, inside it was sophomore Rolan Wooden off the bench that gave up his body. Wooden would take three charges in the first quarter alone and finish with four drawn on the night.

Allatoona only took a 21-19 lead into the second quarter after Tabashi Thomas came away with a steal and assist Momodou Singhateh as time expired.

For the Buccaneers, the 40-point quarter and high pace were not to their typical liking, allowing the Jaguars to play their tempo and find baskets in transition. In the second quarter with the game teetering back and forth, sophomore Chima Ogboi stepped in and provided a spark for Coach Markus Hood’s Bucs.

First Ogboi found Wooden for a layup.

Then it was Michael Johnson the beneficiary of an Ogboi dime, hitting a three in the corner. Ogboi capped the spurt with a drive to the basket for a hoop of his own making it 33-25, the 6-foot-3 forward accounting for seven straight points.

New Manchester fought back to stay in striking distance and cut the lead to 35-30 with 53.3 seconds left. The Jaguars would enter the break trailing 39-32, Bentley almost hitting a three at the buzzer after a steal.

Uncharacteristic sloppy play haunted the Bucs in the first half. Coach Hood, Coach Craig Gaskins and Coach Nicholas Estes went to the drawing board at halftime and got back to basics, but it wasn’t before the Jaguars made one last push at the undefeated Buccaneers.

Bentley connected with Titus Cook in the left corner for a three-ball, making it 45-43 with 4:41 left in the third quarter, Coach James Bailey’s bunch only down two.

Then Allatoona tightened the screws.

In the flip of a switch the Buccaneers stopped toying with New Manchester and tamed the Jags with their relentless defense keyed up top by Doomes and Tshimanga.

Allatoona closed the quarter on a 10-0 run taking a 55-43 lead into the fourth quarter, putting New Manchester on the ropes after Michael Johnson sparked the run with five points. At the 6:53 mark of the fourth quarter, Allatoona delivered its knockout punch, an 18-0 run ballooning the lead to 63-43. New Manchester was held scoreless for over five minutes until Bentley got a hoop and harm with 6:42 left. From there on out it was academic, Allatoona committing zero second half turnovers and all 12 players scoring helping the Bucs cruise to an 18-point win in Davey Jones’ Locker.

My Take: Shots might not fall but defense doesn’t slump. Allatoona decided to run-and-gun with New Manchester in the first half, but when games are won and lost in the final 16 minutes, they decided to get back to Buccaneer Basketball. The fan base, understanding of the team’s strength, got behind the Bucs as they began to grind away at the Jaguars. The Bucs Basketball Moms brought the D-Fence with them in the crowd and were great all night. On the court the usual suspects had their hands in New Manchester’s cookie jar all game long. Ephraim Tshimanga and Trey Doomes continued to terrorize opposing guards. The duo came away with eight steals to pace Allatoona’s 16. Kevin Perry played a nice game with six points in both the first and fourth quarters to finish with 12. Three unsung heroes stood out to me in Rolan Wooden, Chima Ogboi and Michael Johnson. Wooden scored five points, but it was his willingness to sacrifice his body which did not go unnoticed. He drew four charges and has been taking ones for the team all season long. Ogboi accounted for a quick seven points during his stretch in the second quarter. The Mt. Paran transfer shows a lot of potential as being a great glue guy that can do a little bit of everything in the years to come. Johnson scored eight points. It was his three-pointer that ignited the 18-0 run to put away New Manchester.

The Jaguars played hard and have some good athletes led by Tabashi Thomas, the quarterback of the football team. He skied for a couple rebounds and threw down a dunk. Clinton Bentley didn’t play his best game, but he is a good junior guard that should produce big numbers his senior season. The Jaguars will lose Thomas, Randall Quarles, Momodou Singhateh and Aaron Reddick to graduation as key seniors, but Coach James Bailey’s team shouldn’t completely fall off next year.

Top Performers

Allatoona
Trey Doomes – 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 block
Ephraim Tshimanga – 13 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals
Kevin Perry – 12 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals
Dylon Ramsey – 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Michael Johnson – 8 points
Chima Ogboi – 2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Rolan Wooden – 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, 4 charges

New Manchester
Tabashi Thomas – 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal
Clinton Bentley – 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Titus Cook – 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Momodou Singhateh – 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block

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