Wheeler cruises past Harrison

Some wins come from a dominating performance by one player. Others are by committee. Wheeler was much like a track relay team Saturday night in cruising past Cobb County rival Harrison in the first round of the state tournament, 84-66.

It was one run by a different player, then another, then another and then another. Most coaches would be impressed by such balanced play, but Wheeler coach Doug Lipscomb is a tough educator.

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Allen Sullivan/aesullivan@ajc.com

Tahj Tate scored a team-high 26 points for Wheeler in the Wildcats’ 84-66 win over Harrison in the first round of the Class AAAAA state playoff tournament.

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“We’ve got to do a better job of being consistent,” said Lipscomb, whose 21-7 team will play Peachtree Ridge in the second round.

Four players in double figures and an easy win? Not consistent? That’s why Lipscomb has four rings and is in search of his fifth — he demands more.

The Wildcats certainly did a good job of finding the player with the hot hand.

Richard Howell scored most of his 12 points in the first quarter. After that Ari Stewart picked it up when Howell got into early foul trouble, finishing with 19.

In the second half, Phil Taylor heated up, and Tahj Tate finished with a flurry, including a 360-degree dunk that brought the rafters down. Tate scored a team-high 26 points.

Harrison (16-13) couldn’t keep pace after Wheeler tightened up on Casey Belli, who had 12 first-half points and finished with 15. Vince Martin led the Hoyas with 28.

“We just had to identify who the shooter was and get in his face, because he was knocking them down in the first half,” said Lipscomb.