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DEL.ICIO.USWheeler eager for shot at Norcross
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
“We have a saying,” said Wheeler coach Doug Lipscomb. ” ‘Be pleased but not satisfied.’ “
At 7:10 p.m. Thursday, Lipscomb sounded like a man who was neither. His raised voice could be heard through the steel door of his team’s dressing room, shouting something about “basketball IQ” and the presumed lack thereof. Speaking of the game just won against smallish Hiram, he told his players, “That’s not going to be good enough against Norcross.”
And then, thinking fast, he added: “Or Savannah.”
Pretty much everybody (excepting the folks from Hiram and Savannah) wanted to see Norcross play Wheeler for the Class AAAAA boys’ state championship. Between them they’ve won five of the past six titles and can claim a current rankings edge: Wheeler is rated No. 1 to Norcross’ No. 2 in Georgia, but Norcross is No. 6 nationally to Wheeler’s No. 15 according to USA Today.
“It really doesn’t matter who we play,” said Wheeler forward Richard Howell, speaking before Norcross faced Savannah in the late game. But then, with a nod toward Norcross: “I really don’t like them.”
The Wildcats, see, fell to Norcross 64-63 at the latter’s gym in the first round of the 2007 state tournament. Wheeler folks came away thinking they’d been fed a home-cooked rodent, believing J.J. Hickson, now of North Carolina State, was hacked on a putback — nothing was called — at the frantic game’s end. The schools haven’t met since. They will tonight.
“They’re a very talented team,” Lipscomb said. And yes, he planned to hang around the Arena at Gwinnett Center to catch the Norcross-Savannah game. “You know I’m not going to let you put down that Lipscomb would leave without watching the team we’re about to play. Give me a little credit.”
Give him more than a little. Lipscomb has won four state titles in his 15 seasons at Wheeler, coaching the exalted likes of Shareef Abdur-Rahim, D.A. Layne, Jermareo Davidson and Hickson. Until Norcross came along — first with Gani Lawal, lately of Georgia Tech, and the current All-American Al-Farouq Aminu, soon to be of Wake Forest — the Wildcats essentially had Class AAAAA to themselves.
Now they’ve gone two whole seasons without a title, a notion that sorely rankles the Marietta school. Indeed, you only had to note the T-shirts Wheeler wore on its bench — issued before the state tournament commenced last month — to appreciate this program’s expectation of eminence. “Sweat on the floor,” read the inscription, “turns into gold in the trophy case.”
Not that there was anything particularly golden about the 68-54 dismissal of Hiram. Wheeler opened as if distracted — “We’ve got a bad habit of starting off kind of slow,” said Dequan Jones, who has signed with Miami — and trailed 19-12 after the first quarter and 24-16 two minutes into the second. (The 5-foot-8 Arsenio Nuckles, who made three early treys, was wreaking all sorts of miniature havoc.) Then the Wildcats got interested, and by halftime they led by 11.
“That second quarter wasn’t bad,” Lipscomb said, and the 21-2 push that closed the half showcased Wheeler at its towering best. Its tall and swift frontcourt — Howell, Jones and Ari Stewart, the smallest of whom is listed at 6-6 — took control of the backboards and the floorboards and the whole shebang.
“We kept our composure,” said Howell, a junior who scored 22 points. “But we can’t get down against good teams.”
Norcross, which has won the past two Class AAAAA titles, is better than good. (And Norcross, it should be said, handled Savannah far more easily than Wheeler handled Hiram.) The two giants, who have been circling each another for more than a year, will meet tonight, and one of them will go home pleased and satisfied.
Permalink | Comments (55) | Categories: High School, Mark Bradley
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By come get some
March 6, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Wildcats & you too Howell, You don’t like us ? Breaks me up cuz, Come see IF you can stop us. BRING IT!
By 3 -peat
March 6, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
If Norcross can pressure the perimeter and frustrate Wheeler’s backcourt, Norcross will win.
If Wheeler’s backcourt is able to get their big men the ball in good spots on the court, Wheeler will win.
Its that simple. Wheeler showed against Hiram that they can be prone to turnovers and mishandling the ball. Norcross’ pressure will be Hiram’s times 2.
Should be interesting…Go Devils, get that 3-peat!!
By FATMAN
March 7, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
NORCROSS IS NOT ONLY THE BEST TEAM IN 08 BUT THEY MAY BE THE BEST TEAM EVERY—-GREAT JOB COACH EDDIE—
By 3 in a row!!!
March 7, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Go Norcross!!!
By BeachGaBulldog
March 7, 2008 4:47 AM | Link to this
My girlfriends son graduated from Norcross in 2005, and I hope that the Blue Devils beat the hell out of Weedeater.
By probably not the best idea
March 7, 2008 6:17 AM | Link to this
“It doesn’t really matter who we play, but I really don’t like them.” -Wheeler forward Richard Howell speaking of Norcross.
Probably not the best idea to give bulletin board material to a team like Norcross, ranked #2 in Georgia? and #6 in the nation, the night before the day of arguably the biggest game in Georgia HS hoops history. Maybe Mr. Howell and the Wheeler team need to step forward with a little bit more respect, but they’ll learn a hard lesson about respect on Friday and Norcross will be a more than willing teacher when they take Wheeler TO SCHOOL!
By talkin' real greasy
March 7, 2008 6:27 AM | Link to this
You know, Wheeler is talkin’ real greasy when they haven’t even played Norcross in the game yet! Wheeler still has to play the #6 TEAM IN THE NATION and they’re talkin’ like the state title is already theirs. How Wheeler could take this matchup in the Championship game with Norcross so lightly when they struggled in the semifinals with smallish Hiram?
By too funny
March 7, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
you norcross fans will cling to anything these days…richard said he didnt like norcross, he didnt say they suck, he didnt say they shouldnt be in the finals…if norcross needed bulletin board material for tonights game then they were in trouble long ago..saying you dont like someone is hardly taking them lightly..if i was a norcross fan i’d be worried that my team shot its load last night and played their best game of the year a night too soon…the chances of norcross playing as well as they did last night 2 nights in a row are in my opinion slim…nonetheless it should be a fantastic night, see y’all there
By Dekalb
March 7, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
Having watched both Wheeler and Norcross for the first time on Thursday, I am predicting a great game. I am looking forward to watching it. But, I think Wheeler goes home as champions. I think the fact that their big men can go outside and play like guards will cause some problems. Look forward to a great game.
By Wheeler CHEATS
March 7, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this
“But then, with a nod toward Norcross: “I really don’t like them.”
The Wildcats, see, fell to Norcross 64-63 at the latter’s gym in the first round of the 2007 state tournament.”
Yeah, I can see how that would really rile Richard up while he was at Central Gwinnett last year.
By bwash21
March 7, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
I’m a fan of neither team. The Norcross/Savannah game wasn’t close because Savannah is horrible (at least last night). That was the first time I’ve seen them and if there offense is too stand around and watch the guy with the ball go one on one, maybe that works outside of Atlanta but not here. They didn’t run a set offensive play the whole first half. NOT ONE SCREEN THE WHOLE FIRST HALF. It was pathetic. At least Hiram showed up to play and give them some credit. Should be a good one tonight.
By Three In A Row
March 7, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Hey Too Funny. Norcross fans aren’t worried today about anything especilly the Norcross fans who watch wheeler play hiram last night. If my team had play like that I think I might be a little worried or at least concerned.
By Underdog Devils
March 7, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Hey Mark Brandley, “(And Norcross, it should be said, handled Savannah far more easily than Wheeler handled Hiram.)” is a real understatement. You should have said Norcross played like a championship team while wheeler looked like they have not warmed up yet.
By Top Cat
March 7, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Wheeler needs to bring back the likes of Patrick Braswell and Matt Harrison to take the title. Without them, they don’t stand a chance…
By kennyg
March 7, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
I(neutral fan)just don’t see the University of Wheeler stopping the guards @ the University of Norcross. Just kidding guys…..To me, that’ll be the difference at the end. I expect nothing but the best from both teams either. Good Luck to both.
By ssiscribe
March 7, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Looking forward to watching the game tonight on the tube. Heard a lot about both teams this season. Thanks Mark, for a good column on prep sports.
—30—
By The Truth
March 7, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Richard Howell doesn’t like Norcross because they always drilled C Gwinnett when he was there. So I guess the best thing he could figure out to do was run away from his problem and transfer to a team with better players. He took the easy way out, and now he is going to pay tonight. War Damn Norcross - 3 peat!
By Dynasty after tonight
March 7, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Norcross over wheeler. Easy call. You can’t stop the best dynasty of the decade. Get used to it boys because we will win at least 5 more in a row. Hey Mark JJ Didn’t get hacked He just cant score. Enjoy
By Neutral
March 7, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Judging by the games played yesterday Norcross and Wheeler: It should be a great game. It will be interesting to see Wheeler’s bigs match up against Norcross’ bigs. Guard play will be the key. Norcross’ defense seems to be based on preventing any passing to the low post. If Wheeler’s guards control the tempo of the game and knock down their open shots, I think Wheeler has an advantage. As far as what Wheeler needs to do on defense, they need to double aminu everytime and mark Denzail Jones at all times cause if he’s left open he will drain the three like he did against Savannah yesterday. Wheeler can’t afford another slow start against Norcross. If Wheeler is within 10 by half, this game will be a down to the wire finish. Both teams have great leaders on the court with Wheeler having Dequan Jones and Norcross having Denzail Jones and Al-farouq Aminu.
Finally, South Georgia fans need to stop whining about metro area favoritism after the EMBARASSING performance by Savannah yesterday. Reasons why metro teams are better: 1. Defense 2. Shooting 3. talent 4. size 5. coaching 6. discipline 7…
By Jackon Vaughan
March 7, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Norcross wins easy. Wheeler doesn’t deserve to be on the same court as us. Hey Wheeler have fun with Farouq’s genitalia in your mouth all game long.
By Three In A Row
March 7, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Hey Derrick. Now i know U were out there all day yesterday at the Gwinnett Arena just like me. Honestly, tell us what you saw in terms of how Wheeler played Hiram and how Norcross played Savannah. Is this Wheeler’s normal style of play? And based on what you saw what do you expect tonight from both teams?
By norcross sounds ignorant
March 7, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
NHS fans - you sound very ignorant in this blog. Obviously its a bunch of HS students running thier mouths but even idiots can see that this will be a war. It will not be a blowout either way. Respect all, fear none.
Right now, you don’t respect anybody.
By Dekalb
March 7, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
I think Norcross fans are mistaking a horrible game played by Savannah as something great Norcross did. Savannah was ill prepared for that game, made no attempts to play, much less win. Hiram came out with a chip on their shoulders and came to win. If Norcross fans are basing thier confidence on last night, I think they are making a huge mistake.
By LOL NORCROSS
March 7, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
its funny how norcross fans are basing their analysis off of one game. norcross could not handle north view as easily as wheeler did. its about matchups norcross fans and you cant predict the outcome of the game. both teams have weaknesses and there already known to both coaches wheeler starts off slow, but norcross can not hang with wheeler when they are running so lets see the matchups that happen tonight for the best team in the state
By George G.
March 7, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
No contest…Wheeler wins HANDS DOWN. I’ll take the Cats minus 10.5.
By wheeler does cheat
March 7, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
The real story is that Wheeler had AAU coaches secretly taping the Norcross game last night. They got caught and the GHSA took the video card. Ask Lipscomb about that.
By wheeler does cheat
March 7, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
The real story is that Wheeler had AAU coaches secretly taping the Norcross game last night. They got caught and the GHSA took the video card. Ask Lipscomb about that.
By Defense King
March 7, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
“It doesn’t really matter who we play, but I really don’t like them.” -Wheeler forward Richard Howell speaking of Norcross.
WHY DOESN’T RICHARD LIKE NORCROSS? here are a few reason why.
RICHARD, ARE THESE THE REASONS YOU DON’T LIKE NORCROSS BECAUSE??? WELL TOMORROW YOU WILL HAVE A BIGGER REASON NOT TO LIKE US.
By Three In A Row
March 7, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
HEY Dekalb. Norcross would not allow Savannah to play good. Don’t you get it. We did do something good. It is called defense. Norcross held Savannah 20 pts below their avg.
By Ugly Truth
March 7, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Neither of these teams would be worth mentioning if they had to play those sorry whiteboys that actually live up there. For entertainment’s sake I’m sure glad they recruit some real talent from the real metro area. Doesn’t matter who loses, because the real winners are the families living in subsidized apartments to register their AAU superstars in the appropriate school district.
By Dekalb
March 7, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Three in A Row, there is a difference in a team playing good defense or a team playing horrible offense. Norcross just sat in a zone. SHS did not try to penetrate it, shoot over it, or anything. They just stood around and passed the ball until somebody took a rushed shot. Not saying Norcross could not play defense, but last night was not a great defensive effort as much as it was a horrible offensive effort from SHS. If Wheeler contains your PG from outside, I think they win easy.
By risris89
March 7, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
NORCROSS WILL BEAT THE HELL OUT OF WHEELER JUST LIKE LAST YEAR! I am an NHS ‘07 grad at Bama and I would love to be there and watch or even in georgia and watch but i cant (it wont show the game in alabama)…it should be an AMAZING game but of course Norcross will come out and win the whole thing for the 3rd time in a row! Wheeler is so overrated its ridiculous…last time the two were in the state championship together was back in ‘05 when they won but this year NORCROSS will take revenge! GO DEVILS!!!!
By Cat Fan
March 7, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
to Wheeler does cheat…when did it become illegal to scout and videotape an opponents game? if there is a direct rule about this i’d like you to post it for us here, scouting is part of coaching and game preparation
Defense King: what is your obssession with national polls. theres probably less than 1% of voters in those polls who have actually seen norcross and wheeler play a game…
By Go Cats
March 7, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Three in a row: no one here is claiming that wheeler played better than norcross last night….everyone pretty much agrees that norcross looked better last night… but its a new day and an even bigger stage tonight…its not last night, nor last year, in the 1st round… its time to settle this debate on the biggest stage possible…i myself cannont wait til 845
By TauEpsilon01
March 7, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
2.87 FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY: Flash photography is prohibited at all indoor GHSA state playoff events unless permission is obtained from the GHSA office on a case-by-case basis. Flash photography at outdoor GHSA state playoff events is at the discretion of the onsite game officials.
2.84 GHSA Broadcast rules and regulations for State Playoff events: (a) Broadcast rights and copyright privileges to all state playoff events (i.e., after region winners have been determined) belong to the Georgia High School Association, and the GHSA has the right to determine if any of these events may be broadcast, televised, tape recorded, filmed or photographed for any “commercial” purposes.
This was taken from the GHSA Constitution.
What I gather from this is that it is OK during the regular season but has to be approved during the playoffs etc.
By NHS07-12
March 7, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Stop hate’n on Norcross…talk is cheap…the Blue Devils will speak with their “game” tonight!! Enough said!
By Just Another Championship
March 7, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Go Cats…you are right. it is a bigger stage and it is one we are accustom to since we have won the last two championships. However I wonder how Wheeler very young players will feel tonight since none of them have ever played on such a big stage….14,000 people are estimated tonight!!!!
By Cat Fan
March 7, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
thanks for the post Tau, looks like its more GHSA wanting video rights than worrying about illegal new england style video taping
By Go Cats
March 7, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Just another: i’m not terribly familiar with norcrosses roster, how many players from last years starting 5 return? just Aminu, maybe another? so at most norcross has 2 players maybe that played a significant part in last years game? i’d even argue that last years first round game between the 2 was a bigger stage then the game norcross played in the finals, even though it was for a state title
By Savannah living in Atlanta
March 7, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Neutral:
“Finally, South Georgia fans need to stop whining about metro area favoritism after the EMBARASSING performance by Savannah yesterday. Reasons why metro teams are better: 1. Defense 2. Shooting 3. talent 4. size 5. coaching 6. discipline 7…”
You forgot best recruiting (including Tech and UGA)
I grew up in Savannah and played against Da High many times in high school. While I was disappointed with how they played last night, at least they played with the players that grew up in their district. A true high school team looked a step slow and confused against a recruited all-star team, what a surprise. Neither Wheeler nor Norcross has players that actually grew up in those districts. I wonder why the same two teams make it year after year…oh yeah, they just get the best player in the state or the South or the country to move into their district. I wonder how good either of these teams would be if they played with the kids from their district?? Guess we’ll never know!
I will be there tonight to watch a tremendous basketball game, but I find it a little ironic that they are calling this the high school state championship game when we all know that this is simply the AAU championship.
By Just Another Championship
March 7, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Go Cats…good try but will not work. 2,000 fans last year, 14,000(+) this year…MUCH BIGGER STAGE THIS YEAR.
GO DEVILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Go Cats
March 7, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Just Another: you missed my point, the comparison was not to this years title game.. the comparison was wheeler/norcross 1st round being a bigger game than norcross/centennial title game last year..i asked you how many players norcross returned from last years team that played a significant amount of minutes, with significant being the key word. you never answered me, so i assume aminu is the only one? you keep bringing up experience on a big stage when aminu is probably the only one from norcross with a great amount…i’d hardly call that a big advantage
By Norcross
March 7, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Wheeler is a good team. Norcross is better. So shut the F%#! up!!!
By Norcross
March 7, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Wheeler is a good team. Norcross is better. So shut the F%#! up!!!
By Underdog Devils
March 7, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Go Cat good point. Two starters, fifth man and two reserves who saw some good action plus the coach who now has coached two consecutive championships. In my book that is a big advantage.
By Just Another Championship
March 7, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Cat Fan. You kown as well as I do that everybody has seen wheeler and norcross because we make it easy by both playing 8-10 games all around the country. And you know important it is if not just bragging rights to be high in the polls. Also, go to hoopusa and you will see that Norcross is ranked 4th in the country and wheeler is way behind at 10th.
By WHS State in 08
March 7, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
lipscomb has 4 titles martin has 2, so why keep bringing up the coaching aspect….martin won his titles with great talent, not decent talent that he “coached up”…the coaching aspect is equal IMO, it will come down to execution and intensity tonight…we should all just hope for a great game, i dont want to sit in traffic for 2 hours and watch a crap game, regardless of who wins, though i obviously want wheeler to win
By Underdog Devils
March 7, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
WHS State in 08 because it is relavent and were the last two championships not when my father was a player.
By haha
March 7, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
i hope Norcross’ team comes out as cocky as their fans. it will make for an excellent game. No one has won that contrary to your beliefs.
By New Yorker
March 7, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
You’re gay. Honestly who has Norcross played? Oak Hill. Oh yeah they lost. Why is Norcross so gay? If you think you have already won, then there is obviously no reason for you to show up to the game. Go die your parents don’t love you.
By WHS State in 08
March 7, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Underdog: i didnt realize 02, 03, and 05 was a generation ago, thanks for correcting me
By NORCROSSdevil08
March 7, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
New Yorker~ we may have lost to oak hill LAST YEAR, but we beat Helen Cox, THIS YEAR. and BOTH games were on ESPN. our team this year is much better than last year and years before. NO team in the state has beat us….yeah, your parents dont love YOU.
haha~ yes our student section may be cocky, but we’ve also been told we’re THE BEST student section in the state, by OTHER schools; Collins Hill, Peachtree Ridge, Duluth, our own rivals know we’re better and more spirited than everybody
i have never missed a game in the past 5 years, and this is the 4th year Norcross Blue Devils have been in the state championship. Norcross is obviously the better team, look at rankings! look at our players! one name : Al-Farouq Aminu.
GO NORCROSS!! 3peat baby!
By erich
March 7, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Wheeler, will hate Norcross more because couldn’t get AJ Hawkins. He will be the x-factor of this game.
By New Yorker
March 7, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
I never said your student section was bad im saying that you are cocky and have already decided the winner. That is dumb. You lost to Oak Hill 68-65 this year. Don’t believe me check your school’s website. And i hope Al-Farouq Aminu can score enough points for the entire team because you basically said that all you need. It brings joy to my heart to see what stupid people brag about.
By norcrossyay
March 7, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
norcross will winn bi a billion!! go go go!! cats are made of little girls. im gonna t bag all your fans!