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DEL.ICIO.USGuess what, Tucker: You’re not dreaming
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For a few fleeting moments, in the euphoria of an improbable championship Friday night, James Hartry thought he was dreaming. All around him were his Tucker players and staff, wildly celebrating their ascent to the apex of their class.
And when Hartry felt the tears rolling down his face, he knew it was real.
Tucker was champion.
That the Tigers tamed nationally ranked DeKalb County rival Columbia, which had a 51-game winning streak, heightened the celebration. The Eagles, led by the classy Phil McCrary, held the title with dignity. But on this night, the team it had twice defeated this season performed with a purpose and poise in earning the 56-51 victory at Gwinnett Arena.
For Hartry, it is the ultimate validation, although he already had a three-year record of 86-9 and three consecutive semifinalappearances. The animated, slickly dressed leader was so emotional that he could barely finish describing what the triumph meant to him.
“Five years ago, people said I couldn’t do this. They said I couldn’t coach, that I didn’t deserve the job,” he said. He paused to shed more tears, composed himself and continued.
“Well, here I am. They said I couldn’t close the door. Well, with these great kids, we opened the door and closed it. And I could not be more proud. This is a championship accomplished by everyone in the Tucker family.”
That includes the best player in Tucker history, former star Cameron Tatum. The Tennessee-bound forward was hoarse from rooting on his alma mater.
“I told the guys, ‘Do something I didn’t do. Go down in history. Make your mark. Win it.’ And they did,” Tatum said from his front-row seat afterward. “I’m so proud. I feel like I won it and I didn’t even play.”
From Marshon Brooks to Jeremy Simmons to Manny Atkins to Nick DeLoach and especially to Cheveckio (Chevy) Wilson, the Tigers played with a fervor and confidence that carried the night.
Atkins, only a sophomore, has star quality. He scored a team-high 18 points, including two free throws with 14 seconds left that gave Tucker a three-point cushion. DeLoach played exhaustive minutes at point guard, controlling the game. Simmons was a man, and his vicious two-handed dunk in the fourth quarter raised the roof.
Brooks reined in his penchant for overly aggressive play and made plays off the dribble that broke down Columbia’s perimeter defense. And then there was Wilson. He was huge in a two-minute stretch after Lance Storrs tied the score and swung the ebb and flow toward the Eagles.
First, he tied up Travis Leslie in the lane to give Tucker possession. Then he hit a 15-foot jump shot for a 47-41 Tucker lead. Then he had a steal on the ensuing possession, was fouled and made two free throws with 2:37 to play that made the score 49-41. That span of action held it together for the Tigers.
Up by three, Tucker endured Storrs’ missed 3-point shot rimming in and out of the basket in the final seconds.
Holding the championship trophy afterward, Wilson was near hysteria. “I can’t describe this,” he said. “There were so many doubters … but we believed.”
Believe it or not, Tucker graduated eight seniors, four starters, from last year’s team, making this championship even more improbable.
“Special,” Hartry said. “These guys and my staff worked hard for it and have been rewarded. And it’s not a dream — thank God.”
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By GA Buckeye
March 10, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this
What an unbelievable game Tucker and COlumbia played tonight. It was well played, and entertaining at a high level of intensity. It’s the kind of game where you hate to see a loser.
Congratulations to Tucker and Coach Hartry. Although I was pulling for Tucker, I’ll be pulling for the Columbia grads at the next level.
BTW, if you weren’t at this game, you missed a classic. Travis Leslie had one of the greatest rebound dunks you would want to see at any level, high school, college, or pro. He’ll be an even stronger force next year in his senior season.
By jc
March 10, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
HS basketball in Ga. is weak. If you want to see some real good High School Basketball the detroit area is tops..
By Big Brother Wampp
March 10, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
Big Will Proud of you,Wright, Lamar, Cooper TUCKER WHO? TUCKER WHAT? TUCKER NATION - CHAMPS THANKS GUYS FOR GETTING IT DONE YOU MAY THINK IT TOOK 5 OR 6 DON’T BE FOOLED GIVE IT UP FOR THE TEAM YOU PRACTICED AGAINST - DAILY THE GUYS THAT MADE YOU RUN M.C., J, Win, Bear, DNA, L, E, A,
By 07devil
March 10, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Tucker- i must give ya some props for beating columbia. just goes to show rankings and records dont mean anything in the playoffs, its win or go home. CONGRATS it was a great game, i enjoyed watching before norcross’s game. celebrate the win (but dont party too hard lol). GO NORCROSS
By Ernest
March 10, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
I must admit, I was surpised by the outcome. Congratulations to Coach Hartry and the Tucker Tigers for winning when it really counted! Congratulations also to Columbia on an outstanding season. Region 6 AAAA is the home for the kings and queens of AAAA. Go DeKalb County!!!
By Brittany
March 10, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Im So Happy I Go To Tucker Right Now!!! We Are The Champs!! Congrats To Coach Hartry And The Boys!!! They Played So Well!!!
By tuc fan
March 10, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
CONGRATS TUCKER!!! yall deserved it this year. good season coach hartry. u put in so much time wit these boys and it paid off!
COLUMBIA- keep ur heads up! yall had a excellent season and it was a good game! just kno that a lot of teams didnt even make it to the championship so be proud!
By Ben Lewis
March 10, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Man, I HATED that I couldn’t get there last night, but we’re in the process of closing on a house down here in the Lowcountry. CONGRATS TUCKER!!!! I love y’all and miss y’all!
—Ben
By tucker
March 10, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Shernard “Cheeks” Long who let the 96 team to the title and then played for Georgetown and Ga. State was probably the best player ever at Tucker. I played in the 99 team that lost in the final to Westlake (Bud woke up 8 players at 3 am to let everyone know Rambo was on TV the night before )and am very proud to be an alumni. Tucker just wanted it more. Congrats to Coach Harty , Brian Lamar and SUperFAN BUD!!!!!
By Iris
March 11, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
I would like to give a BIGGGGGGGGGG Congradulations to Tucker 4A State Championship Boys!!!! No one believed you could do what others call the “Impossible” except for your Tucker family and me of course. If I had to rank yall, yall would be ranked number 1 over all. Keep up the good work and also I would like to say Congradulations to Coach Harty as well!
By TigerMom
March 11, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Columbia WHO?
Arrogance doesn’t win a championship…Teamwork and determination is what Tucker stepped on the floor with and that’s why we’re CHAMPS!! Hey Columbia, welcome to TIGER COUNTRY!!!!
By KSShake
March 12, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
Great game!!! And congratulations to Tucker. Both teams displayed the depth and talent of Dekalb basketball. Great team effort. It shows when you’ve got a good team and a good point guard (Marshon Brooks), you’ve always got a chance. As for Columbia, you came out a little tight and/or a little complacent, especially in the first half. They had been projected as big favorites, but its HARD to beat a good team three times in one season. Especially with the pressure of the long winning streak. But I’m not making any excuses for Columbia. They had a great season and they are a great team. But I did see something I’ve been noticing with teams and these incredible athletes today. Outside shooting, freethrow shooting, and the midrange jumper are lacking and cost or nearly cost teams this weekend (not just Columbia), Landmark’s girls, and Wilkinson County very nearly lost to Whitfield Acd. because they couldn’t shoot freethrows and Whitfield got confident shooting the lights out. But I really want to shout out Dekalb’s boys basketball this season Columbia, Tucker, Dunwoody, Druid Hills, MLKing, Miller Grove, and Stephenson, Redan, and Lithonia were solid even though they weren’t as good as usual. The depth of athletes and good teams was at an all time high. And they don’t have the finances or facilities to lure 5 star, blue chip talent from all over to “transfer” or “move-in” . I believe that Travis Leslie kid moved from Miller Grove area to Columbia. But check it out nearly ALL of the kids started the 9th grade enrolled at the school thy’re at now.
By Dekalb County Basketball Fanc
March 12, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Congratulations goes out to Tucker for a well played game. They WANTED it more than Columbia did in this game. If Columbia and Tucker played 10 times, I think Columbia would win 8 out of 10…but Tucker won when it counted bottom line. It’ll be interesting to see which team will have a better year next year, they both graduate a load of seniors. Region 6AAAA was fantastic this year. Kudos to Miller Grove H.S. for an outstanding region tournament.
By hoop planet
March 12, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
Manny atkins, thats the way you silence the critics,”hoop there it is”
By coach
March 13, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to the Tucker Tigers for winning the AAAA Championship. You guys played great defense on Friday and that is what won the game. I also want to congratulate former Tucker Lion Manny Atkins on his awesome performance. Good Luck Manny. I also have to give a shout out to the official Tucker stat man Bud King, Wheeeeey.
By J.Mac
March 13, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
Tucker was the best all year in Dekalb county. Coach Harty,Coach Lamar, great job. Brooks,Simmons,DeLoch,Chevy,and Atkins and all of the team great job.Tucker fans and family great job.
STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!
By cheryl
March 20, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Tucker from some fans in Central PA!