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DEL.ICIO.USColumbia meets challenge squarely
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not since the second game of last season has a team from Georgia bested Columbia. There was a level of optimism that Riverdale had a legitimate opportunity to join East Hall in that exclusive club Wednesday night at Gwinnett Arena.
And for good reason. The Raiders bring a lot. They fell behind early, worked their way back into it by halftime and led by one late in the third quarter. You might think a twinge of doubt would trickle into the Eagles’ psyche.
Didn’t happen.
Instead, it was then that Columbia redoubled its effort on defense and tightened up its offense and, when it was over, the defending AAAA champions had a date with rival Tucker for the 2007 title Friday night.
A lot can be taken from the Eagles’ 51st consecutive victory, a 65-55 conquest. Foremost, Columbia just might be the best team in the state, Norcross included. No program has more serviceable depth than Columbia and no one uses his talent better than coach Phil McCrary.
You defend Lance Storrs, watch out for Jeremy Price. Turn your head, Travis Leslie is dunking on your head. And there is Anthony Isom, Jordan Lemons, Dante Harvey … you get the picture by now.
This is how good Columbia is: Storrs, the star headed for Georgia Tech, had exactly one basket.
Further, McCrary did not play Harvey, 6-foot-7 starting forward, for the first 10 1/2 minutes of the second half after he missed a dunk just before halftime.
Didn’t matter.
The beauty of Columbia is that McCrary and his staff refuse to let all the winning become mundane. They continually challenge their players, and the players continually, consistently answer the call.
Riverdale, which has had a strong season under coach Derrick Powell, had an edge over Columbia in this sense: The Raiders actually defeated the Eagles, 64-61 — in a preseason scrimmage.
Not a lot of stock is put into such encounters … unless you beat a team that has been highly unbeatable. “It was good for us because it gave us a lot of confidence going into the season,” Powell said. “It let us know we could play with them.”
One sizable difference Wednesday night was that Riverdale’s anchor, 6-foot-8 Chris Barnes, was out with a bad knee. A solid coaching job by Powell and a commendable collaborative effort by Barnes’ teammates — including younger brother Terrell — helped the Raiders advance to Wednesday night’s semifinals.
And Powell went into the game without Barnes but still feeling “really good” about his team. “Confident, relaxed, loose, focused,” he said. After a slow start, they performed that way, and with a passion and resilience that helped them climb all the way into a 44-43 lead late in the third quarter.
It was a fleeting moment for Riverdale. Price and Leslie, in particular, did it on the offensive end. But it was lock-down defense that carried the night. The openings that were present in the Raiders’ big run were sealed off. Shots were contested. And Riverdale appeared worn out. But there is no shame in losing to the best team in the state.
Tucker, which has twice lost to Columbia — once in a blowout, the other in overtime — stuck around to see the Eagles win another one.
Surely the Tigers exited the building in the final moments understanding their task in the championship game Friday is formidable.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn, State Semifinals
Comments
By Teacher Teacher
March 8, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this
I taught Coach Harty’s daughter, and I teach at Coach McCrary’s school. Both men are so worthwhile. It’s a game like this between Columbia and Tucker that a person likes to see. Either team winning is a good thing. I will say this, though, teaching at Columbia, Coach McCrary makes sure that his players are exemplary students, both in academics and behavior. (I’m sure Coach Hartry does, too, based simply on how he dealt with his daughter’s education.) This reminds me of the Super Bowl when you had two excellent coaches on the sidelines. Rooting for both makes the most sense, but since I’m a Columbia teacher, GO EAGLES.
By Raymond Stanley
March 8, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Columbia and Tucker are clearly the top two teams in class 4A. I’m happy that both teams made it to the final game. After watching the their first two matchups, I have to give Columbia the nod in the championship…too much size and depth. Tucker has a solid starting 5, but no depth. Congrats to Coach Harty and C. McCrary for excellent seasons. Region 6AAAA is by far the best in the state this year (boys & girls)…
By Superstar
March 8, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
Well written but this wasnt a scrimmage game… Riverdale emplyed the same game plan it used to beat COlumbia in the scrimmage game..Take the ball out of Storrs hands and let some one else beat you…As a team that was the worst game Columbia played all season, the defense was poor because they left more gaps and allowed more penetration than in the past efforts.
Plus it seemed that they werent distributing the ball. It really needed to go to the post and leslie took a lot of bad shots which is uncommon for him.
I think it will be a good game…But as I have said so many times back to back championships. I am happy for the seniors to go down with an amazing legacy
Those kids have complied an impressive resume. Go Eagles
By dashizz357
March 8, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
they haven’t played nobody. play Oakhill or someone outta state, step your game up! Thats means you to J Rich.
By Derrick Mahone
March 8, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Dashizz357
Six of Columbia’s wins have come against “someone outta state”, including LeFlore of Mobile, Ala., which was ranked No. 9 in the country by USA Today. If fact, LeFlore coach said that Columbia was best team that his team has faced all season. LeFlore traditionally plays a national schedule against some of the top teams in the country. Columbia did beat Wheeler at the beginning of the season. In other words, Columbia is legit.
By DLAW_III
March 8, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Columbia is the best team in the state of Georgia. The national polls are really doing injustice by not putting the Eagles in the Top 10 in the nation. When there are other teams with 2 and 3 losses still ranked ahead of the Eagles. As a former Eagle Basketball player, I would like to say congrats to Coach McCrary and his staff. Let’s win another one Back to Back State Champions ! Remember Defense wins Championship and that is what is taught at Columbia.
By What are you thinking
March 8, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
I am amazed that you did not do all your homework in reference to Coach Hartry at Tucker. There is no mention that a few years ago that he was suspended for using the “N” word to one of his Black players in front of several White players on his team. He also had an assistant coach assault one of his players during halftime of a region tournament game, and did not report it to the school until the kids parents brought it to the attention to the Principal. He has questionable character and hides it very well, but is a poor excuse and role model for his Black players. By the way, none of his best players have even qualified to play in college. Not one in three years. I am really sorry that you heaped so much praise on a sorry man.
By richard
March 8, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
I wish that people would stop praising these teams who doesn’t deserve an ounce of respect, because of there well assembled teams. If you look beyond your fan base and see the facts of what’s going on then you would not praise Columbia for there exceptional season. Columbia and Norcross are the two most violaters in illegal recruiting in Ga. Maybe if riverdale still had Gani Lawal from his freshman yr., then yesterday’s game may have been a different outcome, or if columbia didn’t have a host of AAU ball players maybe there season wouldn’t be so great. I praise Riverdale who almost pulled off a great upset with there own area kids. Because the contest was truly a David VS Goliath match up.
By Superstar
March 8, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
Richard…Hate was great in 98..If the shoe was on the other foot you would nt be saying that. FOr you info the main players have been there since 9th grade..Harvey is the only starter that transfered. Isom came in this year..DOnt hate cause people want to play with a winner. Get your thumb out your mouth.
By jnew
March 8, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
ricahard richard richard columbia does not recurit players you know its the parents that take their kids to these other schools but the talent lives in dekalb and gwinnett