AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRegion titles spell state tourney advantage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We now know which basketball teams will play at least another week. The region semifinals will begin today. Grabbing that region championship this year is especially important because the first two rounds of the state tournament will be played at the home of the higher-seeded team.
There have been some exciting moments in the tournament, including Northview’s Daniel Stryzinski making a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give his team a spot in next week’s state tournament. Stone Mountain football standout Charles Reeves, playing in only his fifth game of the season, made a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining to give the Pirates a 50-47 victory against Marist for a state tournament berth.
Numerous players — boys and girls — have reached 1,000 career points. In Thursday’s victory against Cherokee, Pebblebrook’s Chris Beasley got his 2,000th career point and helped his team reach the region finals.
Duluth juniors Daphne Adebayo and Mykala Walker combined for 40 points in a 62-45 victory against South Forsyth to end the Wildcats’ 32-year drought without an appearance in the state basketball tournament. More memories will be made in the next two nights.
Post up: What will you remember most about this year’s region tournaments? What team or player has impressed you the most? Better yet, what’s your prediction for the next two nights?
Permalink | Comments (46) | Post your comment | Categories: Fastbreak
Comments
By Us&Them
February 15, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
I think we will go deep in the tourney. We have played real well and may be peaking at the right time.We need some depth but we could do it with what we have.
By bwash21
February 15, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
What are the best games on tap for Friday in local matchups?? You rank them. Here’s mine with a couple predictions.
2.Tucker/Miller Grove - great matchup - MG won by 8 early in the season. Tucker is playing much better now than they were early. Tucker 71, Miller Grove 66
Really looking forward to Wheeler/Centennial tomorrow night in a fast paced shootout on neutral court.
By screaming eagle
February 15, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Eagles and Peachtree Ridge @ Norcross 7:30PM
LET’S GO EAGLES!
By Devil Lover
February 15, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Hey Derrick, why doesn’t AJC post up scores for basketball on Friday and Saturday like they do for football with continuous updates throughout the night. This state has arrived in the national basketball world so AJC needs to pick it up a little don’t you think?
By Marietta Fan
February 15, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Derrick,
Marietta 75, McEachern 65
Tanzy-less Devils Dump Golden’s Indians…
This should come as no surprise, these Devils are for real… I’ll answer any questions you have about the game if you couldnt make it
By Marietta Fan
February 15, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Also a question is there another school in the state whose Boys’ team and Girls’ team are both playing for the region championship? I don’t believe there is another school that has both teams at number 3 in the state, but i would not be surprised if someone else had achieved this this year
By Tim
February 15, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Blessed Trinity 67, South Atlanta 66 in a controversial upset. I would guess there will be more about it here later, but some poor No. 2 seed is going to have to host Derrick Favors in the first round. Is there any question now about whether the Titans are legit state title contenders? Congratulations BT.
By Tim
February 15, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
That means that BT’s boys and girls are both in the finals tomorrow.
By Clubhouse
February 15, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Both girls and boys teams from Stephenson and Douglass are in the regional championship. But I don’t know if both teams are ranked. Stephenson girls are and Doug may have both of their teams ranked.
By bwash21
February 15, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
I’ve only seen S.Atlanta play for the first time tonight and BT for the 2nd time. Tonight was the best HS game I’ve seen all year. First on S.Atlanta…they are an extremely talented team with amazing quickness and defensive pressure. I can see why they are ranked so high and they would challenge both Norcross and Wheeler all day. Tonight, they just got in foul trouble and had ALOT of fouls 40 ft from the basket applying pressure. They are a legit contender for best team in the state despite the loss and will be hard pressed to be beaten again after this awakening. As far as Blessed Trinity goes, they have to be a proud group tonight. The best compliment I can give them is that they are the closest thing to the 80’s Boston Celtics I have ever seen in HS basketball. The defensive job they did on Favors tonight, limiting his touches and only allowing him 12 pts was textbook. Congratulations to their coaching staff for putting together a top notch game plan. Their defense, rebounding, passing, poise, FT shooting, ball handling, and coaching was almost perfect. That was a great, great game. High intensity from the first minute to the last. If you haven’t seen BT play and you like fundamental basketball, you will love watching that team. They have their work cut out for them tomorrow against Dunwoody but that should be another great game. Congratulations Blessed Trinity and I feel sorry for S.Atlanta’s side of the bracket in the State Tourney.
By Devil Lover
February 16, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
GOOD MORNING SOTY. THANKS FOR THE HEADSUP ON CALPREP. ITS ONE OF THE BEST. BY THE WAY BLESSED TRINITY IS RANKED NO. 600. SO NOW YOU CAN SAY” SA HAS ONLY LOST TO NO 1 AND NO. 600 BECAUSE I KNOW YOU LIKE TO STATE THE FACTS AND NOTHING BUT THE FACTS.
By bwash21
February 16, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Still can’t find a score for Collins Hill/Peachtree Ridge and for Harrison/Campbell games. Please help. I really wish this bb coverage was a little more in depth. I do like reading the game summaries of Norcross, SAtl, and Parkview games. I hope there is more coverage tonight with championships on the line.
By Robert
February 16, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Tonights game Wheeler vs Centennial offers Centennial opportunity to revenge only conference loss-a heart check for Centennial will determine how this game will go!
By Devil Lover
February 16, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Peachtree Ridge 70, Collins Hill 66.
looks like Campbell won in OT over harrison. Gasports has Campbell playing Marietta tonight in the finals.
By Devil Lover
February 16, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
KENNESAW - Despite trailing by 14 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Campbell maintained its poise Friday against Harrison, eventually winning in overtime, 80-74, to advance to the finals of the Region 5AAAAA tournament at Kennesaw Mountain.
Campbell (19-8) will play Marietta at 7 p.m. tonight for the 5AAAAA championship and for the region’s No. 1 seed in the Class AAAAA state tournament. Harrison (20-7) will battle McEachern for the No. 3 seed.
The Spartans upped their shooting percentage in the fourth quarter and took advantage of some costly Hoya miscues such as three sets of missed free throws.
“We just got more intense,” Campbell coach James Gwyn said. “Harrison was outplaying us for the first three quarters and we didn’t panic. We’ve been in a lot of close games this year.”
Campbell got solid work on both sides of the floor from Travis Wallace, who finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds. Justin Haffad also recorded double figures in scoring with 11. Blake Walker also added 11, while Jaren Bynes and Eric White poured in 10 each.
Matt Sundberg scored 27 points for Harrison in the loss. Vincent Martin finished with 15. Kevin Jackson scored 12 and Gerald Smith came away with 10.
By cross%over
February 16, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Hey Ernest, your “Sugar City” boys have done it again, beating Beach high in the semi finals to advance to the finals tonight against Sav. high.
Johnson of Sav. 70 Beach 38
Savannah high also won their contest over Groves.
By TCC Fan
February 16, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
How about the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets, 22-5, winning the School’s first region championship!! Congrads!! And keep it going!!
By Andre
February 16, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
That Stephensons-Douglass game will be very interesting this evening.
By Shawn Watkins
February 16, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Who is the #10 freshmen guard at Wood ward Academy’s Girls Basketball team? She should be the rookie of the year.
By ehall1987
February 16, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Parker Smith of Chestatee needs just 4 points to reach the 2,000 point milestone. He will likely get tonight against Gainesville. He is averaging 35 a game.
By Devil Lover
February 16, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
HAS ANYBODY SEEN OR HEARD FROM SCOUTOFTHEYEAR. HE MUST HAVE GONE ON VACATION BECAUSE IT SURE IS QUIET WITHOUT HIS BLOGS.
YOU KNOW I SORT OF FEEL SORRY FOR HIM BECAUSE WHEN NORCROSS GOT BEAT BY THE 230TH TEAM IN THE COUNTRY IT DID NOT FEEL GOOD. I CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT IT FEEL LIKE TO BE BEATEN BY THE 600TH RANKED TEAM IN THE COUNTRY.
By bwash21
February 16, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
With Parkview’s upset last night, Marietta’s win over McEachern, and a Wheeler win over Centennial tonight, check out these Rd. 1 matchups in one state tourney bracket. Norcross vs McEachern, Centennial/Wheeler vs Parkview - winners advance to play each other. WHEW. Pretty brutal considering another bracket is likely Berkmar, Sprayberry, Campbell, and Collins Hill. Marietta’s path to the Elite 8 goes through S.Forsyth, C.Gwinnett, and Northview. The winner of tonights Wheeler game gets Meadowcreek, Collins Hill/Harrison if all plays out as it should. It rarely does though. What’s your prediction for tonights upset??
By Devil Lover
February 16, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Norcross 80 the Ridge 50. Bring on our next victim.
By Devil Lover
February 16, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
How about some scorces guys for wheeler, savannah, harrison and mundy mills.
By HS BBall Fan
February 16, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Wheeler won 76-67…pretty entertaining game
By Ernest
February 16, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
cross%over, as always thanks for the updates from Savannah. Be sure to post your thoughts from the region championship.
By Derrick Mahone
February 16, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
There were no big surprises out of Region 5-AAAA, but the score of the boys championship game was sort of shocking. Pebblebrook defeated Lithia Springs 71-53. I thought it would be a much closer game.
How is this for a first round match up in AAA - South Atlanta at East Hall.
By Devil Lover
February 16, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
I stand corrected.
Norcross 82 the Ridge 0nly 32.
By black
February 17, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this
Problably with the Norcross coaches trying to pay someone’s rent or trying to recruit players to replace Aminu. I heard they are recruiting dekalb real hard. Watch them
By cross%over
February 17, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Hey Ernest, your “Sugar City” boys have done it. Johnson crushed Savannah High after fighting back from a 10 point half time deficit and early foul trouble by big man Toby “TV” Veal. At the Savannah State tiger arena, with standing room only. All the blue jacket fans left the arena with there heads down, almost positive that they were going to win the region were stunned.
A few key 3 pointers from SHS senior gaurd Kevin Williams was not enough as Johnson answered with 3’s of their own and two THUNDER dunks by Mr. “TV” himself sealed the deal. Johnson left no doubt who’s the region best. They looked good after a very sloppy first half of basketball.
Johnson 65 - Savannah High 52
Hey Devil Lover I guess PeachJamm was right. If all go’s well, Johnson will or should meet Wheeler. Johnson will host Lowndes Co. next friday at Johnson or in the “Reaction chamber”. Man how about those Atomsmashers.
By Devil Lover
February 17, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Will somebody give us the summary of the wheeler game.
By cross%over
February 17, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Devil Lover, if you go to ga. sports.com, under boys basketball - linked you will find the state tourney brackett for all region’s and classifications. It’s printable.
By Devil Lover
February 17, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Since ajc doesn’t think we need to know about wheeler game last night, i thought i would share this with you from the marietta newpaper.
MARIETTA - Wheeler returned to the top of Region 6AAAAA for the first time in two years as the No. 2 Wildcats defeated No. 5 Centennial, 76-67, in the championship game Saturday at Sprayberry. With the win, Wheeler (26-2) claimed its first region title since 2006 after losing to Chattahoochee in the semifinals last year. “I’m always happy that our kids are successful,” Wheeler coach Doug Lipscomb said. Wheeler will now enter the Class AAAAA state tournament as the top-seeded team from 6AAAAA, with the Wildcats hosting Parkview in a first-round game on Friday. Centennial had the upper hand early in the game, leading, 20-13, at the end of the first quarter, but Wheeler stepped up the defensive pressure and stormed back to outscore the Knights, 27-9, in the second quarter and take a 40-29 halftime lead. Centennial made a run of its own late in the third quarter to get within one going into the fourth quarter and the Knights trailed by four with less than a minute left in the game before Wheeler clinched the game at the free-throw line, hitting eight of its last 10 free throws. Phil Taylor and Richard Howell scored 20 points each, while Ari Stewart added 16 points and Tahj Tate had 12 to lead Wheeler. Lorenzo Brown scored 26 points, while Robby Johnson added 19 points and Patrick Moynihan had 11 for Centennial (23-5), which will be the No. 2 seed from 6AAAAA in the state tournament. Centennial jumped out to a 10-3 lead, but Wheeler battled with the Knights on even terms for the rest of the first quarter. Wheeler trailed, 22-16, with 7:20 remaining in the first half, but the Wildcats went on an 11-0 run, with Dequan Jones throwing down a dunk, Stewart hitting a jumper, Taylor converting a three-point play, Tate making a free throw and Howell nailing a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 27-24 lead with 4:44 left. Wheeler led, 50-40, with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter when Centennial surged back with a 14-3 run to cut the Wildcats lead to 54-53 at the end of the third quarter. “We made a run on them in the second quarter and they made a run on us in the third quarter,” Lipscomb said. “There’s a reason why they were the state runner-up last year. They’re a good team that’s well-coached and it shows.” Wheeler led, 68-61, with 1:10 remaining in the game, but a 3-pointer by Johnson helped Centennial cut the lead to four. Taylor, however, began going to the foul line and made the most of his opportunities by hitting five of his six free throws to help put Wheeler up, 73-64, with 37.9 seconds left. A 3-pointer by Moynihan helped Centennial cut Wheeler’s lead to 73-67, but Tate made a couple of free throws and then Taylor made one of his two free throws to give Wheeler the win and the 6AAAAA title. goshust@mdjonline.com
By Scoutoftheyear
February 17, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
DEVIL LOVER IM RIGHT HERE.. HOMIE… HAD TO TAKE A DAY OFF AND WORK WITH LIL BRO ON HIS GAME…
YOU DAMN RIGHT.. I WAS MAD A HELL… B.TRINITY PLAYED A GOOD GAME.. BUT I FEEL THE GAME SHOULD BE DECIDED BY THE PLAYERS NOT REFEREES??? BUT IT IS WHAT IS IS.. WE LOST…HONESTLY THO..IM GLAD IT HAPPENED WHEN IT DID, SO MY HORNETS CAN KNOW- THATS A FEELIN THEY DONT WANNA FEEL FOR THE REST OF THE REASON.. SEE YOU IN MACON!!
AND YEAH.. U BETTER BE WORRIED ABOUT WHEELER INSTEAD OF SOUTH ATLANTA
By Ernest
February 17, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
cross%over, thanks for the update! Let me go into my closet and see if I can find my ‘orange and blue’ letter jacket. It may not fit the way it did several years ago but I try to wear it with pride.
Fellow HS basketball junkies, you can see the brackets at:
2007-2008 HS Boys Bracket
I noticed that Johnson is in the same bracket at ML King. That should be a good game.
By Scoutofheyear
February 17, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
DIDNT KNOW jordan LOST TOO… I C THAT FRI- 8:30 GAME HAD A BAD OMEN ON IT.. BUT ANYWAY.. SEE YOU IN MACON..
By HS Fan
February 18, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this
thanks for update devil lover, its hard to believe the AJC couldnt even list the score of the Wheeler/Centennial game in todays paper, a title game between two top 5 teams….their coverage of region 6 is a joke
By Devil Lover
February 18, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Does anyone else think that GHSA could do a better job at developing a more equitable playoff bracket for 5A? Even though Norcross have proven that they are no.1 again they still have to play the toughest state play off schedule.
Projected Norcross Playoff Sch. Harrison #9 Centennial #5 Marietta #4 Savannah #3 Wheeler #2
Additional rank teams on Norcross side: Mundy Mills #6
Projected Wheeler Playoff Sch Parkview #10 McEachern NR Campbell NR Johnson-Sav NR Norcross #1
Additional rank teams on Wheeler side: ML King #8 Coffee #1
By KL
February 18, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Girls 6 AA Region Championship In real estate, it’s location, location, location. In this championship it was officiating, officiating, officiating.”
And all of it was rotten, rotten, rotten.
Without the “help” of the worst officiating crew seen this season, GAC would have left with 2nd place. Wesleyan didn’t play their best game, to be sure, but the officials handed the game to GAC. Not a single 3-second violation was called on GAC, even though Angelica Wilcox had enough time to build a house on multiple occasions.
The extreme number of fouls whistled on Wesleyan’s Armstrong and Baughn show the one-sidedness of the referring. Pretty hard to call a foul on someone who’s on the other side of a crowded lane when 5 players are wrestling a jump ball … but instead of calling the jumpball, they just consistently called out Armstrong. More bogus fouls and a T called at the end of the game were just icing on GACs cake.
These ref’s couldn’t pass the test in most church recreational leagues. Why are they permitted to continue in GHSA action?
By black
February 18, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
devil lover stop crying. Norcross supposedly has the best coach, players, etc. What’s the problem you want to play in class A section where the tallest player is 6’4’. be careful what you ask for, with all the recruiting norcross does, stop crying. you don’t see stephenson, riverdale, and redan crying from your coach stealing their players. I heard you are trying to get the kid from redan too. With those illegal practice you hold at your gym with other players on sundays. With martin talking to other players from dekalb. OOOhhh stop whining boy!! Play ball!!!!!!
By Devil Lover
February 18, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
HEY DERRICK…HERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN LEARN FROM YOUR BUDDY TODD HOLCOMB. MOST EVERY WEEK HE MAKES SURE THAT THERE IS AN IMPORTANT BLOG READY TO GO MONDAY MORNING 8:30 OR 9:00 ESPECIALLY AFTER BIG WEEKEND. NOW AFTER A REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND I WOULD CONSIDER A ESPECIALLY WEEKEND. JUST TRYING TO GIVE YOU SOME FEEDBACK TO IMPROVE THE BLOG.
By poocherelo
February 18, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
More feedback … first-time poster here … I can’t help but be disappointed by the lack of reporting on this past weekend’s regional championships. Miller Grove defeats Stone Mountain for the 6-AAAA Boys championship by 1 point, arguably the toughest region by competitiveness in the state as reported by this paper, and yet there’s no reporting on it (other than the small ‘scores’ blurb). I for one would like to read about this. What gives?
By Wildcat
February 18, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to SHOUT OUT the Dunwoody Wildcats who for some crazy reason was overlooked in AAA this year due to BT’s and Jordan’s lack of scheduling and SA’s remarkable season. I saw SA play Grady early in the year and I honestly could not understand what the hype was. BT is a heck of a team and I picked them to upset SA, I watched that whole games the ref’s were terrible on both sides of the ball but i believe BT won and thats that but Dunwoody played like the favorites they should be and handled biz. I know we have to be the favorite now. Everyone played well and congrats WILDCATS see you FRIDAY. With all the scholarship players on Dunwoody that #12 guard who is a junior needs some shine that kid is all over the court
By southside finest
February 18, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
TO MARIETTA FAN: yes there is another school in the state where the boys and girls are playing for the region finals. the name of the school is MUNDYS MILL HIGH in jonesboro. matter of fact, the boys and girls won the region championship on friday. the girls are ranked #5 in class 5A in the gasports coaches poll and the boys are ranked # 6 in class 5A. yep they are the best thing happen in clayton county!!
By Devil Lover
February 18, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Ajc must be taking a holiday so I am going to lead the blog today.
Tomorrow is a special day in high school basketball…the Mcdonald All American team will be announced. Besides Al-Farouq Aminu from Norcross who else has a chance for this year’s team? Let’s hear from you.
By SMASHING FAN
February 18, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Johnson’s - Toby TV Veal, and Ben Evelyn are both McDonald All Amercian nonminees. They made the annoucement at the last home game. So we will see.