AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2009 > March > 05
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wheeler-Norcross: A state tournament basketball battle for the decade
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Wheeler-Norcross game Saturday night in Carrollton isn’t for the state championship. It’s bigger than that.
Well, almost. It’s a Class AAAAA quarterfinal, but it’s also perhaps the championship of the decade. Each school has won three state titles since 2000 and sent several big-name players into the SEC and ACC.
They’ve played each other four times in the state tournament. It’s 2-2. They’ve played twice in state finals. It’s 1-1. Wheeler has a slight edge in total wins, winning percentage, rounds won in the state tournament and major Divison 1-A signees.
Here’s a look at each team since 2000.
NORCROSS
Year - W-L record, State finish
2000 — 13-13, DNP
2001 — 17-13, 1R
2002 — 22-7, 1R
2003 — 26-6, QF
2004 — 27-2, 2R
2005 — 31-1, Runner-up
2006 — 29-4, Champion
2007 — 29-3, Champion
2008 — 29-2, Champion
2009 — 27-2, QF
Decade record — 250-53 (.825)
State playoff record — 24-5 (.828)
State titles — 3
Runner-up — 1
Semifinals — 4
Quarterfinals — 6
Sweet 16 — 7
State playoff berths - 9
Major D-1 signees - 6: Archie Miaway; 2004 (Auburn); Jodie Meeks, 2006 (Kentucky); Gani Lawal, 2007 (Georgia Tech); Jordan Demercy, 2007 (Florida State); Tony Neysmith, 2007 (Oklahoma/Auburn); Al-Farouq Aminu, 2008 (Wake Forest)
Bragging points: Norcross is the only boys team since World War II to win three straight titles in the highest classification, and the team’s 17-game winning streak in the state playoffs is the fourth-best in boys tournament history. Norcross’s 2007 state championship team had four major D-1 starters, including current ACC stars Lawal and Aminu. Norcross has graduated 22 players this decade who have played college ball, including A.J. Hawkins (Canisius), Brenton Butler (Fordham) and Daniel Emerson (Mercer) to mid-majors in Division 1.
WHEELER
Year - W-L record, State finish
2000 — 23-8, 2R
2001 — 25-6, QF
2002 — 29-3, Champion
2003 — 30-2, Champion
2004 — 23-5, 1R
2005 — 31-1, Champion
2006 — 29-2, SF
2007 — 22-7, 1R
2008 — 29-3, Runner-up
2009 — 22-7, QF
Decade record — 263-44 (.857)
State playoff record — 27-6 (.818)
State titles — 3
Runner-up — 1
Semifinals — 5
Quarterfinals — 7
Sweet 16 — 8
State playoff berths — 10
Major D-1 signees - 7: Jermario Davidson, 2003 (Alabama); Sharaud Curry, 2005 (Providence); J.T. Tiller, 2006 (Missouri); J.J. Hickson, 2007 (N.C. State); Dequan Jones, 2008 (Miami); Richard Howell, 2009 (N.C. State); Ari Stewart, 2009 (Wake Forest)
Bragging points: Wheeler is considered by many to be the team to beat this season. If the Wildcats win the title, they will have won four this decade with 19 different starters. Only Sharaud Curry (2003, 2005) has started on two Wheeler state champions. In addition to the seven major D-1 signees, Wheeler has graduated some very outstanding mid-major players. David Gonzalvez (Richmond), James Florence (Mercer) and Quennell Green (SE Louisiana) have led their teams in scoring.
Head-to-head: Here’s a recap of the four Wheeler-Norcross playoff games this decade.
2008 final: Norcross 57, Wheeler 54 (March 7) — Norcross became the first school since World War II to win three straight titles in Georgia’s highest classification. Both teams were loaded with major D-1 prospects. Norcross had Al-Farouq Aminu, the AJC’s all-class player of the year, now at Wake Forest. Wheeler’s leader was forward Dequan Jones, a great leaper. Jones signed with Miami. Norcross was ranked No. 6 by USA Today. Wheeler was No. 15. Played before 8,000 fans at the Gwinnett Arena, Norcross went up 17-2, as Wheeler seemed stage-frightened. Wheeler chipped away and took the lead in the second half. But it didn’t last long. Aminu hit a 3-pointer to break a 46-46 tie with 2:52 left and made two clutch free throws with 0:25 left for a 55-52 lead that sealed it.
2007 first round: Norcross 64, Wheeler 63 (Feb. 24) — Lines formed at Norcross High some three hours before tipoff for one of the best first-round matchups in state tournament history. Each had a McDonald’s All-American - Gani Lawal of Norcross and J.J. Hickson of Wheeler. Lawal, who would sign with Georgia Tech, played every minute for Norcross and scored 23 points with eight rebounds, three steals and six blocked shots. Hickson, an N.C. State signee now in the NBA, scored 18 points and had 13 rebounds. Wheeler had the final possession, but a runner by Corey Tower and put-back attempts by Hickson and Adrian Williams failed. “That last 11 seconds seemed like about eight minutes,’’ said Norcross coach Eddie Martin. “It was just chaos.’’ Norcross won its next three games by an average of 23 points before beating Centennial 59-58 in the final.
2005 final: Wheeler 63, Norcross 47 (March 4) — Playing at the Gwinnett Arena, Wheeler won its third title in four seasons, beating a Norcross team that was 31-0 and playing in its first championship game. James Florence, now at Mercer, hit a couple of 3-pointers in the first two minutes, and Wheeler raced to a 13-point halftime lead and was never threatened. Wheeler point guard Sharaud Curry, now at Providence, was the only holdover from Wheeler’s 2003 team.
2003 quarterfinals: Wheeler 81, Norcross 51 (March 1) — Norcross was an emerging contender in Eddie Martin’s first season as head coach but no match for defending champ Wheeler, which featured five new starters, including transfers Jermario Davidson, a former all-SEC player at Alabama, and Sharaud Curry, now at Providence. Norcross missed 25 of its firsrt 29 shots in this Georgia Dome game, as Wheeler’s signature pressure defense proved too much. Archie Miaway, who played at Auburn, was Norcross’s top player. He scored 20.
Talk back to Todd: Can Wheeler be the team of the decade if it loses three straight to Norcross?
Permalink | Comments (68) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball, Extra Point
Take 10: Cinderellas still in the house at Georgia state basketball tournament
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s tough being a Cinderella. Every moment in the spotlight could be your last. We at Take Ten decided to scan the remaining tournament field for each classification’s top “Cinderella” candidate.
As you’ll notice, that wasn’t easy. Not everyone is wearing an obvious slipper. In some classifications the top-seeded teams just keep winning. Also, all of these teams could be sitting at home by the end of the week. Who knows? We thought these teams earned some attention for their work in the opening rounds.
Here are 10 “Cinderella” teams to keep an eye on:
10: ECI (Class A girls) — Getting past Randolph-Clay is a tough task, but ECI — the No. 3 seed from Region 3 — has already knocked off Warren County and Taylor County for an Elite Eight berth.
9: Wilcox County (Class A boys) — The Patriots are into the round of eight with 24-7 record but entered the state tournament as a No. 3 seed to get there. Wilcox County has topped Clinch County and Calvary Day en route to their Columbus State game on Friday.
8: Hardaway (Class AAAA girls) — The Golden Hawks entered the state tournament with a 24-4 record but as a No. 4 seed from Region 1-AAAA. Well, they’re still flying after victories against Effingham County and Dutchtown. Things get a little trickier against Bainbridge on Friday.
7: Rabun County (Class AA girls) — The Wildcats are certainly making up for their early exit in the region tournament. Rabun County has downed Armuchee and Manchester for a trip to the Rome Forum. Prior to the region tournament loss to Union County, the Tigers rattled off 12 straight. Don’t be surprised to see them advance further.
6: Milton (Class AAAAA boys) — The Eagles are young, but they’re not having trouble winning now. Milton has defeated Marietta and Central Gwinnett to set up a good matchup with South Gwinnett in the Elite Eight at West Georgia. We’d like to see what this team can do in the Final Four.
5: Peach County (Class AAA girls) — The Trojans are certainly representing Region 1-AAA well. Peach County is into the Elite Eight after entering the tournament as a No. 3 seed. They’ve knocked off Northside-Columbus and Richmond Hill en route to a trip to Columbus State.
4: Cedartown (Class AAA boys) — After getting blasted by Carrollton in the Region 6-AAA tournament, the Bulldogs are still barking and Carrollton is sitting at home. Cedartown has topped St. Pius X and North Hall to set up a quarterfinal matchup with Gainesville.
3: Tucker (Class AAAA boys) — The Tigers are roaring into the Elite Eight thanks to knocking off Lithia Springs and Hillgrove. Next up is a team we’re sure Tucker has some familiarity with, Marist. That may not be the best game of the quarterfinals, but it will be one of the most interesting.
2: Duluth (Class AAAAA girls) — Mykala Walker and the Wildcats are poised for another trip to the Class AAAAA semifinals after knocking off Cherokee in the second round. Duluth entered as the No. 3 seed in Region 7. Next up, the Wildcats get a talented Marietta squad.
1: Coosa (Class AA boys) — The Eagles have a losing record. Do we need to say that again? The Eagles have a losing record at 14-16 and are still dancing. Coosa has downed East Jackson and Decatur for an Elite Eight matchup with GAC. Best of luck to the Eagles. To finish with a winning record, Coosa must win the state championship. No pressure.
Go on. Take Ten. Who is your Cinderella team ready for a state tournament run? Did we miss a team? Let us know.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Take Ten
