AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNorcross-Columbia? Let’s make it happen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are only two weeks left in the regular season, and then the fun begins. The playoffs will be unfolding across the state, finishing with the crowning of 10 state champions.
If you are a true basketball fan, you love to see the best teams battle. It is a shame that the state’s two premier teams will not meet this season.
As Norcross enters as the heavy favorite to win the AAAAA title, Columbia will be going for the big trophy in AAAA. Twice they’ve played in the same showcases on national television — once at Georgia Tech, and again at Norcross in the PrimeTime Shootout.
Under the same roof. On the same court. But unfortunately, not in the same game.
Since the schools can’t add a game to their schedule this late, a better suggestion would be to ditch one of their remaining contests to make room for the ultimate throwdown.
Norcross has three regular season games left against North Forsyth (Tuesday), Mill Creek (Friday) and Duluth (Feb. 9). The nationally ranked Blue Devils have outscored those teams 248-108 in earlier matchups.
Columbia’s remaining schedule is Washington (Friday), St. Pius (Feb. 6) and Marist (Feb. 9). The nationally ranked Eagles beat Washington 56-31 earlier and have yet to play St. Pius and Marist.
Friday seems like a good date for both. Let Mill Creek, which lost 84-51 to Norcross earlier, play Washington in the opener of a doubleheader featuring Norcross and Columbia. The four teams should get together quickly, settle on a location and get it on.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Fastbreak
Comments
By SD
January 29, 2007 01:42 PM | Link to this
As a huge Georgia high school basketball fan this would be great! To have the top team in 5A and 4A go head to head, is a fans dream come true. I just feel that there is far too little time to make this contest a reality.
By cobbcounty
January 29, 2007 07:39 PM | Link to this
This is a good idea. I know that I would attend this.
By nice idea but .....
January 29, 2007 08:58 PM | Link to this
In principal it may sound good, but you just can’t cancel region games. All Norcross has left is region games that must be played. There’s no getting around that. Columbia may be in the same boat.
By Wait A Minute
January 29, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Hold up Mahone, before they meet I would like to see the rematches between Columbia vs. Riverdale and Norcross vs. Dunwoody. I don’t know about the latter, but the pre-season game played between Riverdale and Columbia was real. The best players was in the game to the end. In my book, but not in they GHSA’s, they both got one loss. Set them games up first. They will meet again in the play-offs, so hold your horses.
By jsleazy
January 30, 2007 02:03 AM | Link to this
Like nice idea posted, there is no way this can happen due to the presence of region games left on the schedule. Mr Mahone wishful thinking, but maybe getting a preview on the upcoming playoffs with some info/predictions would have been better to talk about than this fantasy.
By Alex
January 30, 2007 06:54 AM | Link to this
If it were possible to get around the fact that Norcross’ last games are region games, Norcross would be able to pull off hosting the event. However, the Mill Creek Washington matchup would need to be moved to a different facility because the Mill Creek vs. Norcross girls game would still happen. The other option would be to have Mill Creek vs. Washington before Columbia vs. Norcross on Saturday. While it would be a great game, I wouldn’t hold my breath on it happening.
By Ernest
January 30, 2007 07:27 AM | Link to this
How many of you remember when in the 70’s, the champions from the 4 classifications played a round robin at the end of the season? IMO, that may be something the GHSA might consider, enabling Norcross and Columbia to meet. FWIW, I personally believe Columbia is the best boys team in the state this year.
By Ice443a
January 30, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Norcross has to go undefeated to get their bye into their region tourney/state playoffs. Coach Martin won’t take a chance with the Devils at this point in the season.
However, after both teams have won their respective state titles; we need to have GHSA make an exception for these two teams to play an additional game at Georgia Tech the next weekend…with proceeds from the game to benefit a worthwhile cause such as the middle school player’s family that died earlier this season or another charity.
Collins Hill girls would be the opener versus a select all-star team of players from Georgia………..
By Mark DeFoor
January 30, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Forget about Norcross vs Columbia. The best matchup in the state would be Norcross vs Wilkinson Co. There are atleast 7 to 8 major D1 signees/prospects between both teams. That would be worthy of prime time!
By jsleazy
January 30, 2007 08:04 PM | Link to this
They should have just scheduled the game before the season started. Why didn’t it happen? Who knows. But who is going to move mountains for this to happen? No one. It would be good to watch though, and Im thinking the school with the most kids who grew up in their respective school district would lose.
By devils97
January 30, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
Good idea Mahone, but a George Washington vs. Napolean match-up is about as likely to happen as your idea at this point. The only way to make it happen would be to have a non-sanctioned game after the state tournaments. I can assure you that both teams at this point are only focused on winning a state championship…all the “made-for-TV”-AAU crap-ball type games are OVER…focus is only on winning the trophy now.
I have seen both teams play several times this year, and I think it would be REALLY close if it were on a neutral court. I can assure that if the game was at Norcross, NHS would win…they haven’t lost a home game in about 4 years at last count. If the game is at CHS, I’d give them a slight edge too.
Norcross has plenty of things to worry about, regardless…A potential rematch for the Region Champ. with P’tree Ridge…a potential 3rd round game with Wheeler in state…then possibly a rematch with P’tree Ridge. Meadowcreek and last year’s runner-up Beach lurk as well (word on the street is that Beach is better than last year, and could make a strong run again. Folks in Savannah think they can win it all this year..look for them in the champ. game again with Norcross)