Favors scores 38 in South Atlanta win

Macon — South Atlanta coach Michael Reddick told his team he wouldn’t wear a suit unless it was the state championship game. The Hornets made sure the extra fashion measure was worth it.

Getting 38 points from Derrick Favors, the Hornets (29-3) jumped to an early lead, then put the game away with a 9-0 burst to start the fourth quarter, beating Westover 81-62 Saturday night for the Class AAA championship.

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Jason Getz / AJC

South Atlanta’s Derrick Favors (34) grabs an offensive rebound against Westover’s Brandon Benton (23).

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• Photos of Favors, the game

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“Guess I’ll wear [a suit] more often,” said Reddick. “We’ve been knocked out in the first round the last three years, and this was a great way for Derrick to go out.”

Indeed, with his coach dressed as if it were commencement, Favors passed his final basketball exam before heading to Georgia Tech, also finishing with 15 rebounds, eight blocks and four assists.

He was in complete control from the start.

“That was my whole mind-set since I woke up this morning,” Favors said. “I think I played pretty good.”

Nick Watkins added 16 points and seven assists for South Atlanta, which never trailed.

The Hornets led by as many as 16 in the first half and were up 38-27 at intermission.

Westover (27-8) got 16 points from Terrance Noel and 14 from Greg Green and got as close as eight in the second half.

That was at 46-38 before Watkins scored a basket and followed it with a pair of free throws to push the lead back to 10, and the Patriots never threatened again.