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DEL.ICIO.USComets won’t back down in girls final
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No one knows, for sure, which Gwinnett girls’ team will wear the big crown Friday night. OK, who am I kidding? Collins Hill will add to its trophy haul — and its lore — with another state title.
Nevertheless, the Eagles will have to take the Class AAAAA championship because the spunky South Gwinnett bunch surely won’t give it to them. Just ask the Stephenson Jaguars.
There’s not a tougher squad than Stephenson, whose championship pedigree is bred on gritty defense and unrelenting board crashing.
Yet, in their 62-47 semifinal win Thursday (stoked by 19-of-30 fourth-quarter free-throw shooting), the Comets matched Stephenson, chest-to-chest, floor burn-to-floor burn.
“They fought hard, and we fought,” South coach Mike Allison said. “We just had to keep clawing, keep clawing. We played with a lot of guts.”
That the Comets did. Led by smooth point guard Alex Winchell (21 points), brawny forward Antionette Howard (18) and plucky wing Gia Lockett (13), they hustled like there would be no tomorrow.
Now, though, tomorrow is here. And the next mission for South Gwinnett (28-4) is taking down the best girls’ team in the land.
“We’re going to try,” Allison said. “Hey, we’re here; you never know. Anything can happen. We’re in the game [and] maybe things will go our way.
We got our hands full, no doubt it.”
“Everybody expected Collins Hill to be [in the title game]. We expected to be there. I hope we just don’t get embarrassed.”
Slim chance of that happening.
Yes, Collins Hill is not only very, very good, but they also play very, very hard. The Eagles (30-1) burst into the semifinal having won three state tournament games by an average 51 points.
Still, South won’t back down.
“I mean, they’re really good,” Lockett said. “We’re going to have to play a lot better than we did today. But I think we can do it. Nobody really talks about us. We just do our thing.”
If only the Comets had caught the Eagles on the right night. Like, for instance, Thursday evening.
In a rematch of last year’s title game, Redan pushed Collins Hill, staying in the hunt for three-plus quarters. But just like a year ago, Collins Hill had Maya Moore, and the Raiders didn’t.
“The whole game, we looked for somebody to just show initiative and take it upon themselves if that’s what it took,” coach Tracey Tipton said. “That’s part of Maya’s competitive nature. She just doesn’t want to lose.”
Moore scored 12 of her 29 points in the final period and Collins Hill prevailed 62-45. The Eagles, though, were far from satisfied.
“They’re competitors,” coach Tipton said. “[And] if it doesn’t bother you when you don’t play well, you might not get any better… . People expect us every night to just come out and blow people away in the first quarter.
“It would be nice, but we’re human.”
Which, of course, is music to South Gwinnett’s ears.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: J.C. Clemons
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By Eagles
March 2, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
collins hill will come out on top of their game in the championship.. the win tonight was almost embarrassing in c. hills eyes.. maya struggled early and not one player on the eagles’ team had one of their better games.. it will be a good game friday because south is scrappy but i look for collins hill to pull away by the 3rd quarter
By bballfan
March 3, 2006 05:00 AM | Link to this
It must be great, as Eagles (above) says to have a team where “not one player on the Eagles’ team had one of their better games’ and still win. However, I don’t think you will pull away by the 3rd quarter. The South Gwinnett Lady Comets will make you earn the championship. They have a lot of pride, and can make things happen when they are playing well. The South girls have been looking forward to playing Collins Hill all year. I suppose not many teams feel that way, but South is very proud of their season, and win or lose, they will make a game of it. Good luck to both teams.
By Proud Pop
March 3, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
Be careful what you wish for South Gwinnett. I hear you bballfan saying that they have been looking forward to the challenge of facing Goliath but there’s no slingshots or stones that will be able to help them tonight. I’ve actually had the pleasure for the last 5 years to watch the basketball maturation process of South Gwinnett’s nucleus of Alex, Emily , Antionette and Mandi because all of them at one time or another has played AAU ball with Taylor Dalrymple who plays for Collins Hill. Believe me when I say I know what those girls can and cannot do on the basketball court I’ve watch them play just about every game they’ve played in the last few years. That being said the Collins Hill’s Lady Eagles are too fast for them. The smooth point guard Alex whose shot is deadly as they come has a hard time shooting with someone in her face and that will happen all night the way the Eagles play defense.The x-factor in tonight’s game and I’ve been saying it every AAU season for the past 5 years is Emily. She can cause some problems with her ability to score but can she match the speed of what’s about to come at her. I’ll agree with what everyone is saying about SG’s pride and heart I know these girls personally and I have enjoyed watching them win some big games, but this Collins Hill team is one that makes a basketball junkie like myself say wow. I’m happy for the girls of SG and to the parents of the young ladies I know congrats, but I think this mountain is too big to climb tonight. Prediction Collins Hill by 20
By bballfan
March 3, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this
The mountain might be “too big to climb”, but the Lady Comets will give it a try. I hope Proud Pop’s prediction of a 20 point Collins Hill victory dosen’t come true, but even if it does, the South girls have shown a lot of grit, determination and class throughout the season, and win or lose, they deserve a lot of credit. I have watched Collins Hill and am truely amazed at their talent. I am looking forward to the game between the two best teams in the State. Both teams are winners on and off the court. Congratulations to South Gwinnett and Collins Hill. You make everyone proud.
By General Jack
March 3, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
South should thank Shiloh for sparing them a third-round game against CH. Losing to us at Region was the best thing that could have happened for them!
By bballfan
March 3, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
Even though South hated to lose the game to Shiloh, you are right General Jack. That loss set up the championship match between the Lady Comets and the Lady Eagles. Thanks. South will try and bring the championship back to Region 8.