All season, Berkmar has looked to and been led by senior forward Wesley Witherspoon and guard Demarion Gordon. To go deeper in the tournament than they have in seven years, the Patriots relied on less-renown talents Tuesday.

A defense so stifling it allowed just four second-half baskets and outstanding contributions from guard Nick Henry and forwards Jerome Raymond and Curley Williams helped Berkmar dismantle usually rock-steady South Forsyth, 51-37, to advance to the Class AAAAA quarterfinals Friday against Wheeler.

"I'm very proud of the kids," Patriots coach Tommy McWhorter said. "All week we were told and we saw on film how well they shot the ball. So I'm proud we won the way we did."

That is, with effort and energy on defense against a South Forsyth team that runs a precision offense predicated on setting screens and backdoor cuts.

South Forsyth led 24-17 late in the second quarter and seemed in control. But Witherspoon (12 points) scored and Raymond, a senior football player, had consecutive offensive rebounds and layups to move Berkmar within 24-23 at halftime.

"I'm so happy for Jerome," McWhorter said. "He's been in the doghouse. But I told him to bring that physical [nature] he plays with in football. And he did."

After the break, the Patriots broke South Forsyth. The War Eagles went just 1-for-7 with four turnovers for just two points in the third period. "Unreal," McWhorter said.

Leading the way was Henry, a 5-foot-7 guard who had two steals and four of his 10 points in the third quarter, when Berkmar took a 34-26 advantage. Henry was equally effective in the fourth with another steal, two layups and a foul shot.

"Coach really challenged me to step up," Henry said. "He pushed me real hard. I know I'm capable, but with the dynamic duo we have of Wesley and Demarion, I've sort of been in the shadows.

"But it's the playoffs and coach said he needed me to be a factor. Whatever coach wants, coach gets."

It got better for Berkmar in the fourth, when South Forsyth made just three of 13 shots. Also significant to the Patriots' cause was Williams, who had two big blocked shots in the third and fourth quarters and a key basket, too.

"This was really a big win for us," Henry said. "Big for the program, big for the school. We've been pushing all year, playing tough defense to get us where we are. Now we just got to keep it going."