ajcsportstalk

By Derrick Mahone

February 29, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

After a slow start, Randolph-Clay 44, Dublin 36 at the half. Dexter Ellington had 16 points including 4 long range 3s.

By JZ

February 29, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

Will the games be on television this year? I believe in the past they were broadcast on GPTV.

By AJC DUDE

February 29, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

JZ … according to the GPTV’s web site, the championship games will be televised.

By Larry Hartstein

February 29, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

Mill Creek 22, Marietta 7 at the end of first quarter. Mill Creek forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter, including one on each of Marietta’s first five possessions. Mill Creek’s Porsha Porter had six points, including a buzzer-beating jumper.

By Larry Hartstein

February 29, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

Mill Creek 33, Marietta 14 at half.

Marietta isn’t handling Mill Creek’s pressure. 18 turnovers for Marietta at halftime.

Big all-around game for Porsha Porter.

By AJC's Kurt Aschermann

February 29, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Duluth 29, Parkview 26 after three quarters.

Close, back-and-forth game has potential to go down to the wire.

By Derrick Mahone

February 29, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

UPSET UPSET A very good Dublin team defeats top-ranked and previously unbeaten Randolph-Clay 80-79 in AA. Rashad Smith had 20 points. He is a two-sport standout. In his final high school game, RC’s Dexter Ellington had 27 points. The Red Devils had a shot to win but a running jumper by Ryan Spann missed.

Halftime Girls game, Josey 23, Savannah Christian 22.

By ehall1987

February 29, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

18-8 Dublin 80 29-0 RClay 79 WOW boys

28-1 Portal 67 25-4 Terrell 65 boys

29-1 Terrell 46 27-3 SC Day 38

By AJC's Larry Hartstein

February 29, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

Mill Creek blowing out Marietta, 42-24 after three quarters.

By jhaws5869

February 29, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

Calvary girls are comfortably leading Turner County 47-31 early in the 4th quarter ….. In case anyone missed it, Terrell County boys made one of the most amazing comebacks I’ve ever seen. They were down 48-28 midway through the third quarter and actually took the lead a couple of times down the stretch against Portal. But David Buchannon took their heart out with a layup at the buzzer to win the game for Portal, 67-65.

By cavmam74

February 29, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

How about an update on the Calvary vs Turner Co.

thanks

By AJC's Larry Hartstein

February 29, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

FINAL SCORE: No. 1 Mill Creek 55, Marietta 35.

Top-ranked Hawks marching on.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

February 29, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

That last one was me too, not that it really matters.

Anyway, Calvary Day is wrapping things up here. Girls up 51-37 with 1:46 left. This comeback would be even more astounding than Terrell County’s, if Turner could pull it off.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

February 29, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

Clearly, I read your mind, cavmam.

By cavmam74

February 29, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

Do you have any more on the Josey vs Savannah Christian game.

thanks…..

By Derrick Mahone

February 29, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Savannah Christian 49, Josey 43. FINAL

ANY 5A boys updates?

By AJC's Jeff Haws

February 29, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

If anybody’s wondering … yes, Calvary did hold on to win by 10.

Turner and Central in the earlygoing here in Columbus.

By Tim

February 29, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Wheeler 26 - Berkmar 11, End of 1st Qtr.

By AJC's Robert Haddocks

February 29, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Norcross 42, Northview 33 at half.

Norcross broke open a close game with a 14-2 run to start the second quarter. Al-Farouq Aminu has 16.

By Tim

February 29, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

Halftime Wheeler 48 Berkmar 21

Wheeler is clicking on all cylinders!

By AJC's Jeff Haws

February 29, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Halftime: Turner County boys up 35-22 on Central, Talbotton. No surprise here. Turner’s Tray Pearce and Demetrius Ewing are all over the boards. Pearce has 9 rebounds, and Ewing has 8. Combined, they have 6 more than Central’s team.

By AJC's Robert Haddocks

February 29, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Norcross is pulling away from Northview. The Blue Devils opened up an 18-point lead late in the third quarter.

By Drew

February 29, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

Tim how do you know the score of the Wheeler-Berkmar game?

By AJC's Robert Haddocks

February 29, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this

Norcross up 13 with six minutes left against Northview.

By AJC's Larry Hartstein

February 29, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Wheeler in control, 57-35, late third quarter.

By Tim

February 29, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

I am at the game.

6:00 left in the game: Wheler 67 Berkmar 40

By AJC's Jeff Haws

February 29, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Pretty steady in Columbus. Turner up 55-40 at the end of 3. Ewing has 20 points, 11 rebounds.

By AJC's Robert Haddocks

February 29, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

It’s a final: Norcross 75, Northview 60. Al-Farouq Aminu led all scores with 29, and Zack Lamb had a nice game for the Blue Devils.

By Derrick Mahone

February 29, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

East Laurens 46, Long County 27 Late third quarter.

By Derrick Mahone

February 29, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

East Laurens is running away with it late in the third 55-32. Long County’s best player just fouled out. Got his fifth on a technical.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

February 29, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

After the Terrell-Portal game earlier, I hesitate to say this …. but Turner’s gonna win this one. Up 70-51 with 1:45 left. That’s it from here.

By Devil Lover

February 29, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Norcross 75 Northview 60

Another One Bites The Dust

By Lee Pettis

February 29, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this

Go East Laurens Falcons!!!

By Derrick Mahone

February 29, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this

East Laurens 79, Long County 53 Jimmy Williams Jr. 21 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. Top-knotch point guard. I’m done.

By Bradley Taylor

February 29, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

to AJC. The Towns County Lady Indians defeated the Monticello Hurricanes 71-45 last night in Hiawassee. They march on to play Hancock Central. Go lady Indians!!

By Three In A Row

February 29, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

Norcross did not play their best game defensively but had a good offensive night. So far during the state play offs Norcross has avg 72 pts and only avg giving away 54 pts against three good teams.

By Tony

February 29, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

GO WHEELER

By Phildawg

March 1, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

Wheeler won by 22 and all throughout the second half only had in two and sometimes three of their starters and they still kept Berkmar, with their stud Wesley Witherspoon, at bay. Looks like it could be a long night in the semis for the winner of the Stephenson/Hiram game. Wheeler could have easily won by 40 or more tonight if they had wanted to.

By JY

March 1, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

Kind of funny how things have changed since 1963 Turner Co. beat Norcross for the class B boys championship. Hopefully both can win the boys state this year.

By Three In A Row

March 1, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

how did wheeler Play tonight?

By fosterjoiner

March 1, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this

The Wheeler boys played a great game tonight. If they had played like this McEachern would have been blown out of the gym. This Wheeler team can beat any team they face at Gwinnett Center. They blew out Berkmar 78-56. This Wheeler team is the best Wheeler I have ever seen. I have been around them for 28 years. They play like they did tonight they will be state champions next Friday.

By jon

March 1, 2008 5:20 AM | Link to this

GAME TIME!!!!! WHS 08 state champs baby

By SOUTHERNDAWG

March 1, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

JUST THINK A FALCON TEAM TO BE PROUD OF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO EAST LAURENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By bball fan

March 1, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

screw all the other games, Norcross-Wheeler is the only game worth watching.. i went and saw them play last year ,which by the way wheeler was cheated, and i cant watch any other high school games now, the expectations are too great

By StMomma6

March 1, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

bball fan - stop complaining about last year. I am so tirede of hearing about the end of that game. You do not hear the Norcross fans complaining about the refs from the regional finals game from last year. I guess they don’t need to since they went all the way! I hope if Wheeler and Norcross meet in the final game that the refs are fair on both sides. The refs at the Harrison/Norcross game were the best I have seen in awhile - andy yes, Norcross had a lot of fauls called on them. The calls went both ways. As we all know, on any given night anything can happen. So, Wheeler and Norcross both need to get by one more team.

By ehall1987

March 1, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

GAINESVILLE — East Hall’s senior class is quite comfortable in its own skin.

These seven players that are the catalyst behind the Vikings (24-6) are not hampered by the characterization that they are not as talented as all the other tremendously successful senior classes in recent years at Valhalla.

They heard the doom-and-gloom predictions — people said they didn’t stand a chance of making the program’s sixth straight trip to the state semifinals in Macon. Without a dominating superstar player, some of these seniors even heard the naysayers claim that the Vikings would not be able to compete in Region 7-AAA and into the playoffs.

East Hall’s region title loss to Flowery Branch only helped add some fuel to that fire.

“Everyone thought we would be down this season,” senior Josh Chapman said.

But the Vikings’ seniors have made a very clear statement in the past eight days: they don’t have any intentions to finish their playing careers with a sour taste in their mouths.

“We have a mindset to win,” senior guard Trevor Bishop said. “Our senior class is confident we can win.

“There is nothing worse than losing that last game.”

East Hall needs a win today against Hart County (22-5) in the Class AAA state quarterfinals to become the third consecutive senior class at the school to play in the state semifinals all four years in high school.

Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at Mount Zion High School in Jonesboro.

History is on the Vikings’ side at this point. East Hall boasts a 28-1 record in the first three rounds of the playoffs dating back to 1998 (only loss in that time frame was a quarterfinal loss to Calhoun in 2002), according to East Hall basketball historian Ray Adamson.

Win or lose today, the stamp on East Hall’s senior class is already secured. They know how to win the close games.

Since the playoffs began, the Vikings upset nationally ranked South Atlanta by three points in the first round and then held off Cartersville for a two-point win in the second round.

“Those close games really makes for exciting basketball,” East Hall coach Joe Dix said. “It just shows that there is no quit in this program.”

Last season’s experience of losing a nail-biter in the state title game to Jordan also made this year’s senior class at East Hall more determined.

“We’re out to prove that we’re one of the best schools without having to recruit from other schools,” senior forward Tracey Gardner said. “We’re all homegrown players.”

The level of talent from East Hall’s seniors is undeniable. According to Dix, as many of five of these players may end up playing basketball on the college level next season. Two of the Vikings’ seniors (Ken Wise and Gardner) are going to have to choose between baseball and basketball.

Another area for success for East Hall’s seniors is in the classroom, with three players carrying a 4.0 grade point average. Trevor Bishop and Gardner are part of the school’s National Arts Honor Society. Gardner is also a member of the school’s academic team.

“This group of seniors is well-rounded,” Dix said. “This isn’t just a group of jocks that hang around the basketball court — they are all involved in different clubs and activities on campus.”

The Vikings’ senior class is relatively large in terms of numbers with Wise, Bishop, Kasey Rylee, Gardner, Chapman, Dedric Ware and Patrick Hoggard. The added depth of this group gives Dix more experience with starters and the added bonus of more fresh legs off the bench.

This season, East Hall has 10 different players that have scored in double figures in a game. Wise, Bishop, Gardner and Chapman grew up with the program since their freshman season in 2005 when the Vikings won their last state title in Class AA.

But Hoggard, Ware and Rylee took varied paths to becoming valuable parts of this program.

As an undersized middle schooler, Hoggard was cut in the seventh and eighth grades from the middle school team, before coming back out for the team in high school and developing into East Hall’s biggest player at 6-foot-8.

“He just sprouted like a weed,” Dix said.

Ware was ruled academically ineligible as a freshman. According to Dix, Ware got his priorities in order and started seeing playing time on varsity toward the end of his sophomore season.

Rylee decided to leave the team as recently as the start of his junior season. He decided to rejoin the program before the 2007 season began, and has been a “key player off the bench,” Dix says.

Such different roads to earning playing time makes for an appreciation of the different roles they play on the court. The Vikings have a make-shift star player, a floor general, a couple of big bodies and a player or two that are willing to draw a foul or take a charge for the benefit of the team.

“We’re a very interesting group of seniors,” Chapman said. “I know my job is to go out there and do the dirty work whether it is dive for the ball or take a charge.

“But it gets me playing time.”

And playing for a tradition-rich progam like East Hall has given this senior class the opportunity to play in the playoffs and in elite tournaments in places such as Macon, Tampa and Charleston, among others.

“We’re all family together,” Bishop said.

By Devil Lover

March 1, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Norcross looks ready to end up in the final game. While their defense looks steady their offense is very consistent. Scoring 72, 69 and 75 they are avg 72 per game. On the defensive side they have only given up 49, 54 and 60 for an avg 55 while wheeler has given an avg of 65 pts. Norcross has won each game by at least 15 pts against three good teams two ranked in the top ten and the third beat the no. 3 team to advance.

Their next challenge should be Savannah HS in the semi finals. Savannah was ranked no. 1 for a while and is the only top ten team in GA to have only lost 1 game this year.

While wheeler has a slight advantage on the offensive side, Norcross hold the advantage on the defensive side. For the season Norcross has only avg giving up 45 pts while wheeler has avg 63 pts.

If Norcross can keep Wheeler in the low to mid sixty they will give themselves a chance to win. If not then Aminu will have to score 30-35 pts which he has done on several games.

If it happens it should be a good team and one to remember.

By Steve

March 1, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Derrick:

Come on, man, why no love for my Monroe Area Lady Hurricanes??? They didn’t even get posted in the freakin’ schedule!!! Saturday against Sandy Creek at 7:00 at Mt. Zion!!

The ‘Canes are 24-6, and are making their first trip to the quarters since ‘75. A win tonight and it’s an all0time record for wins in a season in Monroe. That ought to at least merit being posted in the schedule………

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Glenn Hills girls look like they’re in pretty good shape to get into the Final Four, up 42-30 over Cairo with 4 minutes left.

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

Redan 55, NO. 4 Douglass 45 The Raiders were in control the entire game. In the four games they played this season, the teams split. Alisha Andrews had 20 points while Douglass was led by Morgan Jennings, who had 17 points. Jennings is headed to Auburn on a basketball scholarship.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Glenn Hills and Washington Co boys are pounding each other defensively through the first qtr, with Glenn Hills ahead 8-7. Washington can’t get any shots to drop. Early-game jitters, perhaps? Things should pick up at some point, I’m sure.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Washington Co is still struggling from the field, but they’re hanging in there. Glenn Hills leads 21-16 at the half. Nobody particularly notable at this point. The two teams are a combined 1-15 on threes, by my count.

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

What was the Glenn Hill girls score? Thanks.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Wash Co tied it during the third, but Glenn Hills scored the last 7 points to take a 34-27 lead at the end of 3. Shawn Allen has been a nice spark off the bench for GH with 8 points and 4 rebounds.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Glenn Hills girls won 48-36

By Three In A Row

March 1, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

How did the Stephenson game turn out?

By AstroFan

March 1, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

What Astros loose! NOooooooooooooo!

By Stinky McStink

March 1, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Fayette County - 45 Jonesboro - 43 FINAL

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

Hiram 70, Stephenson 65 Clutch free throw shooting by Hiram and turnovers by Stephenson in the last 54 seconds was the difference.

By redelephant

March 1, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

East Hall should have let the Blackwell kid play. Bishop is overated.

By redelephant

March 1, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

East Hall should have let the Blackwell kid play. Bishop is overated.

By KJ

March 1, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

AA in Rome. Anybody heard the Wesleyan Boys vs Pace score??

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

As you would expect, Hephzibah and Kendrick girls are in a tight one in the second quarter. It’s currently 22-17 Hephzibah with 5:10 left in the half.

By kathy

March 1, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Does anyone have score for Wesleyan vs. Buford or Stephenson vs Luella girls

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

Nobody looks like they can pull away here. Kendrick leads Hephzibah 28-26 at the half.

By trm

March 1, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Hi Derrick, Do you think that Hiram can now get some mention in the paper? They have been virtually ignored in the tournament news section.

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

AstroFan Redan played a heck of a game. Jennings and Miller were the only ones on Douglass team that showed any fire.

trm Just got finished with a story that will be in the newspaper and posted later tonight.

Kathy Don’t know about Wesleyan-Buford because I’m in Savannah, but Stephenson is up 31-18 at halftime. Yasheeka Jones had 7 points to lead the Lady Jags.

By Greg

March 1, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

* Wesleyan 59, Pace Academy 52 *

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

Well, Kendrick got up by 11 at one point, but Hephzibah isn’t going to be slayed easily. Kendrick leads 47-44 at the end of 3. Should be a good fourth.

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

Stephenson girls 42, Luella 28 end of the third

By tyke

March 1, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

Anyone have a Coosa Score?

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Kendrick girls move on, still undefeated. 73-65 over Hephzidah.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Kendrick girls move on, still undefeated. 73-65 over Hephzibah.

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Stephenson 58, Luella 41 FINAL. Gwinnett vs. DeKalb in the 5A girls final four.

By william

March 1, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

did glenn hills boys win and did hepbizah girls win

By redelephant

March 1, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

What is the Flowery Branch/Dunwoody score?

By Rob Morton

March 1, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

Fayette County 43, Northside-Warner Robins 42 (girls) final

By Jim

March 1, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

Anyone have an update on the Wesleyan-Buford girls game?

By Steve

March 1, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

Monroe Area - Sandy Creek girls?????

By mike

March 1, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

Anyone got the final on the Towns County Girls Single A game against Hancock Central tonight in Rome?

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Towns County Lady Indians just defeated Hancock Central in OT, 45 -40 at Georgia Highlands in Rome. Final Four Here We Come!!!!!

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

william - Yes, the Glenn Hills boys won, 56-44. Hephzibah girls lost 73-65.

By Rob Morton

March 1, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Riverdale 24, Westlake 21 (boys) halftime

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Towns County Lady Indians just defeated Hancock Central in OT, 45 -40 at Georgia Highlands in Rome. Final Four Here We Come!!!!!

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Towns County Lady Indians just defeated Hancock Central in OT, 45 -40 at Georgia Highlands in Rome. Final Four Here We Come!!!!!

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Towns County Lady Indians just defeated Hancock Central in OT, 45 -40 at Georgia Highlands in Rome. Final Four Here We Come!!!!!

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Towns County Lady Indians just defeated Hancock Central in OT, 45 -40 at Georgia Highlands in Rome. Final Four Here We Come!!!!!

By Rob Morton

March 1, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

Riverdale 24, Westlake 21 (boys) halftime

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Towns County Lady Indians just defeated Hancock Central in OT, 45 -40 at Georgia Highlands in Rome. Final Four Here We Come!!!!!

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Savannah 19, Douglass 17 After one. Douglass is 2 of 8 on free throws.

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

MountainMama - Thanks for the update. There’s a bit of a delay between when you hit the Post button and when it actually shows up. You should, hopefully, be able to trust that it will go up once you hit that button, though. Just keep that in mind for the future. It’ll keep you from posting something multiple times. No big deal, though, either way. We appreciate the info.

By 1979_Red-Raider

March 1, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Anything on the Madison County v Mays game?

By Steve

March 1, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Is there a reported final on Monroe Area-Sandy Creek girls??

By Raider Teach

March 1, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

Madison County beat Mays!!! 67-57!!!

By ATL

March 1, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

Any chance of getting an update on the Dunwoody-Flowery Branch game

By rob Morton

March 1, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Riverdale 35, Westlake 32 (boys) end of 3rd

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

Savannah 43, Douglass31 At the half. Kind of an ugly game with a few good plays in between. Ten players have two or more fouls. Norris Rumph, one of the Blue Jackets leading scorers has three first-half fouls.

By ATL

March 1, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Monroe Area-56 vs. Sandy Creek-49

By Steve

March 1, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Is the Monroe Area score a final????

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Liberty Co 51, Carver-Columbus 43 Carver has been behind the entire second half, but they’re trying to make a little run going into the fourth.

By 1979_Red-Raider

March 1, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Thanks Raider Teach! All the way Red Raiders! Even from afar I’m still pulling for you gals!

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Savannah 50, Douglass 35 The Blue Jackets are in full control. Douglass is struggling offensively and can’t stop Savannah’s penetration. The Astros are getting killed on the boards as Douglass struggles from the FT line.

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Dang…sorry for the multiple postings. I’m excited, but not THAT excited!! LOL (OK, maybe I really am!)

By ATL

March 1, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

It is a final score

By KJ

March 1, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

Class AA in Rome? Anybody heard the final score of WESLEYAN girls vs BUFORD?

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Liberty leads 59-57 over Carver with 4:12 left. Carver just had a chance to tie it with two free throws but missed them both.

By R. Morton

March 1, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Westlake 48, Riverdale 46 (boys) final

By Need Score

March 1, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Any word on the SACA - Wilco game?

By Jeff

March 1, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Any update on the Westlake-Riverdale game ?

By ATL

March 1, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

Wesleyan-64 vs. Buford-42 final

By Steve

March 1, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

ATL, Thanks for confirming that!!!!!!

It’s the first trip to the final four for Monroe Area since the Lady ‘Canes won the AA State Title in 1973 with future Lady Volunteer and Olympian Patricia Roberts!!

Derrick, my brother, can we PLEEEEEASE get a little love for the Monroe Area girls now??

By Mrs. Jones

March 1, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Any word on the Savannah High Douglass final score?

By JY

March 1, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Any word on AA boys Coosa vs Lovett in Rome?

By MountainMama

March 1, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Jeff….thanks for the reassurance. I just thought things were slower up here in the mountains! LOL Well, everything might be slower except our girls basketball team!!! :)

By Saturday Night Fever

March 1, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Derrick. that means Wesleyan has both girls and boys in the final four. That’s pretty strong.

By John

March 1, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

Columbia beats Rome

By AJC's Jeff Haws

March 1, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

Carver-Columbus beat Liberty Co 66-63

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

Savannah 64, Douglass 62 50 seconds left What looked like a SSU blowout is turning into a game.

By ATL

March 1, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

Dunwoody socre??? anybody???

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

The Class AAAA final four is shaping to be great. What I thought were the two best regions have their two best teams in there. How about No. 2 Columbia vs. No. 1 Westlake in the semifinals.

By craig

March 1, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

any update on that douglass and savannah final

By craig

March 1, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

any update on that douglass and savannah final

By ATL

March 1, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Dunwoody-75 Flowery Branch -51

Nice try, but nobody is stopping Dunwoody this year,

By Derrick Mahone

March 1, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

Savannah 68, Douglass 65 Douglass guard Derrick Spear was fouled on a 3-point attempt with :06.8 remaining, but missed the first two and then missed the third intentionally. Douglass got the rebound, but a 3-pointer by Dontavius Dowell missed as time expired.

By craig

March 1, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

who end up pulling out the douglass and savannah game

By craig

March 1, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

who end up pulling out the douglass and savannah game

By AstroFan

March 1, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

Awww man, I need an update. I’m on edge of my seat here!

By Three In A Row

March 1, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

Come on Derrick and quit talking to those girls and give us the Savannah score.

By BlueJacket 96

March 1, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

Savannah mornings news reports Savannah High 68 Douglass 65 final score. Blue Jackets advance……

By gakat1

March 1, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Just got back from watching Dunwoody. They should just give them the trophy and let the other 3 play for runner-up. They should play the winner of the Norcross-Wheeler game. I’ve seen all 3 and it would be a war either way. Singleton had a dozen blocks in the first half and then Dunwoody just played around. They are awesome, and no, I’m not a Dunwoody fan. Just a junkie that watches 40 to 50 games a year. they truly have 3 D1 players.

By Derrick Mahone

March 2, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

AstroFan It isn’t a good day for the boys and girls on H.E. Holmes Drive, but the boys fought their way back after what appeared to be a blowout.

Class A boys This is like the first time in about seven or eight years that at least one team from Region 5-A did not make the final four.

By Prepaholic

March 2, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

AJC, you got the Lovett-Coosa boys score wrong! Lovett beat Coosa in the AA quarterfinals tonight 58-51. Way to get your facts straight.

By Big John

March 2, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this

Westlake 48 Riverdale 46 GO LIONS!!

By J

March 2, 2008 2:29 AM | Link to this

Why is everyone assuming that Norcross and Wheeler will win? Hiram and Savannah High won’t just let up. Remember when Beach High out of Savannah beat Wheeler two years ago in the semis en route to their supposed match w/ Norcross. Stop the love fest w/ Wheeler and Norcross. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Savannah High “upset” Norcross. Go Blue Jackets!

By Killa

March 2, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

SAVANNAH HIGH GONE WIN IT ALL

By bballfan

March 2, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

that beach team a few years ago was very tall, i thnk they had 3 guys of 6’7 and up, including a 6’10 center. but i see wheeler crusing over hiram… but the norcross and savannah game will be much closer, but norcross will win, and we’ll get to see the championship game in the finals this year…rather than in the 2nd round when wheeler played norcross last year

By wildcat

March 2, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

i dont know about 5A but all the hype is around norcross and wheeler as it should be seems like the two programs have the experience. but im a dunwoody fan who went to that game and we cleared that gym out and broke the other teams will. those teams should not have been on the same court. we really should be playing against a bigger school. every game we win people leave saying i bet u cant beat this team or that team but i belive we can beat anyone on any given night. also this website is funny in the fact that all the people who dont live in metro atlanta talk bad about their representation when clearly the name of this paper is ATLANTA JOURNAL which means most of the readers are here if they wrote about every small town they would be out of business. so derrick and ajc keep doing what your doing because its impossible to please everyone

By Jay Live

March 2, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

to J:

Please dont make that drive up here to Gwinnett if you think Savannah or Hiram have ANY chance of advancing to the finals. They will both get ran out of Gwinnett Arena and lost by at least 15+ points.

I mean do you really follow 5A basketball?

By Three In A Row

March 2, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Savannah High 68, Douglass 65

Like a car that just sucked down its last drop of gasoline, Savannah High didn’t have anything left.

Fortunately for the Blue Jackets, the buzzer at Savannah State’s Tiger Arena sounded.

SHS saw an 18-point lead nearly evaporate, but on fumes the Blue Jackets will travel to the Class AAAAA state tournament Final Four in Gwinnett Arena.

The Jackets first watched Derrick Spear miss three free throws and a desperation 3-point attempt by Donatvious Dowell glanced off the iron during a nail-biting 68-65 victory over Douglass before approximately 4,000 delirious fans in Tiger Arena.

SHS (29-2) will meet two-time defending state champion Norcross at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

“The kids just gutted it out,” Jackets coach Tim Jordan said. “I think the fans gave us that little extra adrenalin that pushed us over.”

In a game fans will talk about for years to come, Kevin Williams and Norris Rumph came through when the outcome was decided.

Williams finished with a game-high 19 points, including nine in the second quarter when SHS broke open a two-point game with a 24-point period.

The Jackets led by 12 at halftime and built the advantage to 18 with 3 minutes, 35 seconds left in the third quarter.

That’s when the engine began to sputter.

“We were way up against Johnson (in the Region 3-AAAAA tournament championship game) and let that game get away,” Rumph said. “We talked about playing the second half like men, but we played like little boys. In the last minute, we played like men.”

Savannah made only two field goals during the final 12:15, but made 13 of 21 free throws.

Rumph hit two free throws with 44 seconds left that gave the Jackets a 66-62 lead. Rodney McGert added a free throw with 30 seconds left.

Dowell’s three-point play made it 67-65, then Rumph canned one more free throw with 17.4 seconds left.

Douglass had one more chance when Williams fouled Spear on a 3-point try with 6.8 seconds left. Spear missed the first two to the delight of a deafeningly boisterous crowd before missing the third on purpose.

In the ensuing scramble, Dowell came up with the loose ball and fired, but was off the mark.

It’s been quite a ride for the Jackets, who won only 15 games last season. They’ll be making their first Final Four appearance since 2003.

“I didn’t know what this team could do, but you’re always hoping you can get to the state tournament and then make a run and see what happens,” Jordan said. “You see what’s happening.”

The Blue Jackets had to be encouraged at the start. The frontcourt players, who combined for 37 points in a win over Mundy’s Mill on Tuesday night, followed up missed shots for Savannah’s first three baskets.

Darnell Jackson cleaned up Khiry Waldburg’s miss on the initial possession, and David Waldburg sneaked inside for the next two putbacks.

David Waldburg’s baseline jumper gave Savannah High an 11-6 lead midway through the quarter.

It was at this point tempers began to boil. Jackson was assessed a technical during a loose-ball foul, and the players from both teams nearly squared off.

Officials took their time restoring order, and the rest of the half resumed without further incidents.

But officials began to call the game tighter and closer scrutiny didn’t help the Astros, who struggled from the line, going 7-of-18 in the first half. They made just 11-of-29 in the game.

Three Douglass starters fouled out, including Jarrett Stokes who finished with a team-high 19.

DOUGLASS (65)

Welch 6, Spear 8, Jarrett Stokes 19, Reggie Slaton 11, Waters 6, Dowell 8, Brown 3, Wright 4.

SAVANNAH HIGH (68)

K. Waldburg 9, Norris Rumph 15, Kevin Williams 19, David Waldburg 10, Jackson 6, Shields 3, McGert 6.

Halftime-SHS, 43-31. Records-DHS 21-5; SHS 29-2.

By BJ

March 2, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Region 2AAAA, the strongest region in the state in AAAA. Westlake and Fayette’s Boys and Girls teams advance to the Final Four.

By andre

March 2, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

turner county boy’s basketball, final 4 again,newspaper talking about how deep wilkinson county bench is turner play 10 deep to and don’t miss a beat any one them can score 20 points per night.quick and tall.9 players 6’2 or taller.tray pierce can jump out the gym,d. ewing cause match problems play inside or on the wing.

By southside finest

March 2, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

hey norcross and wheeler better watch out for savannah and hiram. i’ve watch hiram play three times this year and they can shoot the lights out. i have also watched savannah play and they play great team basketball. they shoot well from the outside, their guards penetrate well into paint, their post players box out and rebound well. as a team savannah plays great defense. but, the number one characteristic that i like about savannah is they play well in an hostile environment. last tuesday, they played at the tigers den vs. # 8 mundys mill (clay-co.)! in front of 2000 loud and energetic mill maniacs, they pounded mundys mill by 30 points! i know norcross and wheeler have a lot of pride, tradition, and championships under their belts but they need to beware of savannah and hiram. i can’t wait for thursday!! gotta love high school basketball!!

By Ernest

March 2, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Hey BJ, seems you forgot about Region 6AAAA. True, the Mays girls lost but two boys teams (Miller Grove and Columbia) along with the ladies from SW DeKalb (regular season #1 in writers and coaches polls) will be there. BTW, these are the ‘other’ teams from DeKalb County that will be in the final four. Dunwoody has a good shot in AAA.

Derrick, you may have to have a ‘bloggers’ get together at the Gwinnett Civic Center. If you think that is worthwhile, let us know.

By Hot Wheeler

March 2, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Wheeler got this. My prediction is Wheeler 68 Hiriam 52. Norcrorss 75 Savannah High 55. In the championship game Wheeler 65 Norcross 55.

By No deja vous

March 2, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

after what happened 2 years ago in the game against beach, i doubt wheeler will look ahead past anyone….hopefully they learned from that mistake and will be focused on the task at hand….they played focused against berkmar and it looked like a high school team vs a middle school team basically. thursday should be fun as i have no doubt that savannah and hiram will come to play

By Gemini92

March 2, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

Do anybpody know the final score for Stephenson Vs. Luella on March 1st???

By J

March 2, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

To Jay:

I’m an SHS alum already up here, so I don’t have to make the trip. Yes, I do follow AAAAA basketball. There’s seems to be this notion amongst Metropolitans that only the teams from the Metro area are great teams. This whole state is filled w/ talent. Don’t let the number of D-I signees on a team fool you. Championships are won by teams so don’t count out Hiram and Savannah High just because they don’t have the same name recognition that comes w/ Norcross and Wheeler. Ask the Patriots what happens when everyone picks you to win. As they say in the NFL, championships aren’t won on paper, that’s why they