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DEL.ICIO.USGriffin boys out of hibernation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Each Friday, the AJC’s Jay Stone takes you outside the arc in the State Hoops Report. Check what’s happening around Georgia and shoot us your comments below.
The Griffin boys have been a state power for a long time, so few developments around the state were as shocking as the Bears’ 1-9 start.
It was all a function of absent players, though, and with the return of forwards Charles Corbin, Frank Craven, Curdarius Curtis and Akeem McKinney, Griffin is at full strength and making up for lost time.
Corbin, Craven and Curtis all regained eligibility with the beginning of the second semester, and McKinney was slowed early in the season while recovering from injuries he sustained during football.
“We were missing those guys, and we weren’t playing real well on top of that,” said Griffin coach Ferris Qualls. “When you add turnovers to it … it was real disappointing.”
Bobby Rainey, the star running back from the school’s football team, missed seven games while taking recruiting visits, and the resolution of the recruiting cycle will essentially give the Bears another player back.
Griffin, which lost four of those games by five points or less, beat Jonesboro 61-54 Tuesday for their fifth straight victory, a streak that coincided with those players’ return. Senior Sidney Harris may be the biggest beneficiary.
Harris leads the team in scoring a 19 points per game, and the inside presence of the 6-foot-7 Corbin should create more open shots for him. Corbin averaged 14 points and eight rebounds in his first five games back.
Turner trio: Ternell Davis, Lennie Richardson and Demetris Ewing have Turner County riding an eight-game winning streak. Davis scores 16 points and averages five rebounds and five steals a game for the Rebels (15-1), who have benefitted from the emergence of Ewing (12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks) in the current streak.
Keeping pace: Behind leading scorer Ricky Eades (17 ppg), Hart County (15-2, 6-1) is one game back of Franklin County in Region 8-AAA.
Win, win, win: Cedar Shoals has won 125 games over the past five seasons and is 14-1 so far this season after rallying from a 15-point deficit to beat Rockdale Tuesday. Chris Kupets scored 30 points and had 11 assists.
Girls persevering: Carrollton has maintained its unbeaten record despite losing leading scorer Velicia Bell (17 ppg, 6.5 assists, 5.5 steals) to a knee injury two weeks ago. Sophomore guard Karisma Boykin, who was averaging 16 points before Bell went down, has averaged 22 points and seven assists since then The Lady Trojans enter the weekend at 17-0, 7-0 in Region 6-AAA.
Dealin’ Demons: Warner Robins’ Kittery Maine had a double-double by halftime against Valdosta last Friday and finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Lady Demons (12-3).
Ram tough: Since losing their season opener to Colquitt County, Worth County has won 15 straight, thanks to Tia Lewis (15 points, 16 rebounds per game), Shonterria Walker and Logan Youngblood (13 points per game each). The Lady Rams are holding their opponents to 40 points on average.
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Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: State Hoops Report
Comments
By Ben Moore
January 20, 2007 09:44 AM | Link to this
Keep you eye on MLK this year. They are looking poised for another run deep into the State Tourney with Senior Jahid Ali (a Georgia State signee) leading the way. They dismantled Luella last night and Jahid had 18 point (6-11 FGs, 6-9 FTs), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals in the blowout win.
By James
January 22, 2007 08:08 AM | Link to this
Are you talking the same MLK team that is 6th place in a region of 8. Not to mention that this AAAAA region may be the weakest region in the state in any class. They have lost to a Lithonia squad who has only one win on the year. Ben your son must be on the team for you to even submit such nonsense