Buford wins first basketball title

Macon — Another monster has been birthed in Buford.

After building state-champion juggernauts in football and softball, Buford (31-1) claimed its first basketball title — girls or boys — Saturday with a dominant 66-35 victory against previously unbeaten Model (31-1).

It also was the first state title for coach Gene Durden, now in his fourth season at Buford. Durden had made three previous trips to the state final as the head coach of Dade County, where he spent 14 seasons.

“Coaching isn’t all about winning championships, it’s about developing kids,” Durden said. “I couldn’t be happier for these kids and for our school.”

Model came in without arguably their best player, forward Janaye Jasper, who tore an ACL in the team’s semifinal victory against Henry County. The Blue Devils needed every one of their weapons against Buford’s relentless attack on both ends of the floor.

The Wolves led 13-0 before Model got its first field goal at 2:30 of the first quarter.

“We felt like we could pressure them some, and we did,” Durden said.

Two big examples of Buford’s grit were its defensive effort and the tough inside play of senior forward Jocelyn Danley.

The Wolves held Model to just one field goal in the fourth quarter, even though they were leading by 30 points and played nearly the entire roster.

Danley led all scorers with 21 points, despite playing with slight stress fractures in both legs.

“We weren’t even sure she’d be able to go,” Durden said. “For her to come out and perform like she did says a lot about her.”