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DEL.ICIO.USGAC lays claim to crown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There were a few smiles, a few emphatic hand slaps, but that was it. Greater Atlanta Christian had exacted a measure of satisfaction Tuesday night, knocking off three-time champion Wesleyan in its sparkling new gym.
But for a team with much higher aspirations, the 64-58 victory amounted to a nice start toward the ultimate destination.
Brilliantly and excitedly coached by Mike Mitchell, the Spartans have more than enough to get where Wesleyan resides. There is a wonderful blend of senior leadership and underclassmen energy. There is a nice mix of outstanding athleticism and commendable fundamentals. And, of course, there is motivation.
GAC fell on March 9 of last year to Wesleyan in the championship game, giving the Wolves their third title in succession and fourth in five years. The Spartans took it hard, but returned this season more resolute than ever.
And it showed Tuesday. There was a desperation in their effort, yet a calm, too. They led by one at halftime, eight after three quarters and six with 1:54 to go.
They got there with contributions from myriad players, including senior guard Bria Smith, freshman Briana Jordan (daughter of Braves outfielder Brian Jordan), senior Cree Nix, freshman Chaney Means, junior Mollie Mitchell and seniors D’Nay Daniels, Kiara Swanier and Julio Stephens.
They also got there with Mitchell as equal parts motivator, tactician and disciplinarian. He was fiery in his huddles, keeping his team’s concentration in place. He understood he held an advantage in speed and used it to his team’s advantage with a suffocating full-court press that turned the game.
And he demanded his players function the right way. When Smith blew an opportunity on a fastbreak with an unnecessary behind-the-back pass, Mitchell yanked her from the game. He did the same to Jordan, who tried to force a play when there was nothing there.
On the other side was Wesleyan, the model program. Jan Azar is at the top of her profession, and she has a wealth of youthful talent with which to work. “We teach them when they are young,” Azar said. “Almost all of our girls have grown up in our program.”
She means that literally. Since Wesleyan goes from elementary through high school, Azar has been able to instill the Wesleyan way to players from every grade from fifth on up.
“It helps so much because our younger players want to emulate our older players,” she said. “So, the girls are buying into the system long before they get to varsity.”
This year’s group, while younger than most recent Wesleyan teams, remains a championship threat. Anne Marie Armstrong, a gangly junior who is a smooth scorer and creator, averages 21 a game. Bubbling with talent, Armstrong grew three inches from last year, making her even more of a threat.
Sarah Delk is back, as is feisty Kelly Hall and the efficient Michelle Pope. Also, there is 5-foot-11 Carter Johnson, a junior who missed the last two years because of injury. First a torn ACL in her knee sidelined her, and then a torn ligament in her foot.
Most significantly, Azar has 10 freshmen (four on varsity) who represent “the best to ever come through Wesleyan.”
And so, while GAC earned a confidence-boosting victory, what was we saw Tuesday night very well could be the prelude to another meeting — on the last night of the season.
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