State tournament: Wheeler boys cruise

The boys basketball team of the decade is Wheeler.

Ari Stewart, a Wake Forest signee, scored 21 points and had 14 rebounds in a 73-53 victory against Milton in the Class AAAAA boys final.

Richard Howell scored 20 and had eight rebounds. Howell is going to N.C. State.

“They showed why they’re going to ACC schools,” said Wheeler coach Doug Lipscomb. “That’s why they’re on that level.”

It was Wheeler’s fourth title since 2000 and fifth overall. Only Southwest Macon, with four in the 1970s, has won as many in the highest classification in one decade since World War II.

Consecutive 3-point plays by Howell and Stewart were part of a 16-4 run to begin the second quarter that put Wheeler (25-7) up 27-14. Stewart had eight rebounds in the quarter.

Milton (24-8) got within five in the third, but no closer.

The victory was Wheeler’s third over its Region 6-AAAAA rival this season and made amends for a heart-breaking loss in the 2008 final to Norcross.

“It was our last go-round,” Stewart said. “We had to leave it all on the floor.”

Milton center Julian Royal had 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Dai-Jon Parker scored 14. Milton started three sophomores and a freshman.

“I’m proud that we made history,” Milton coach David Boyd said. “It was the best team in the history of Milton. You hope we’ll learn and come back more determined.”