The Calhoun boys are well on their way to getting rid of the sour taste left in the mouth from last year’s early exit from the state playoffs.
The Yellow Jackets improved to 20-0 on Friday after a 79-49 win over Gordon Central. It’s another step in the team’s determined march to overcome the memory of last year’s unexpected loss to Cedar Grove in the Sweet 16.
“That put a sour taste in everbody’s mouth and we were we were going to have to come back hungry,” coach Vince Layson said.
The success is not unexpected. Calhoun lost only one starter from last year’s 22-4 team, that coming when football player Landon Rice opted to enroll early at Auburn. Two years ago the Yellow Jackets reached the AA championship game before losing to Greater Atlanta Christian.
“Our ultimate goal this year is to win the state championship,” Layson said.
Calhoun has an outstanding nucleus, starting with leading scorer Kaelan Riley and floor leader Jireh Wilson.
Riley, a 6-foot-4 senior, averages 16 points and 8.5 rebounds and is the centerpiece of the team. Riley, who signed a football scholarship to play at Mercer, is a four-year starter who scored his 1,000th point earlier this season.
Wilson, 6-foot senior, is the captain of the team and plays point guard. He averages 14 points and three assists. Earlier this year he became the school’s all-time assist leader, adding to the 1,000 career point mark he reached last year. “He’s our leader vocally and with his presence,” Layson said.
Ray Reeves, a 6-2 shooting guard, is the lock-down defensive player. Layson said the senior, who averages eight points, “has come into his own this year.”
Chapin Rierson, a 6-5 junior, is a basketball-only player. He averages 13 points and seven rebounds and his long, lanky build has started to attract attention from college scouts.
Junior Malik Lawrence is a quick guard who defends well and fits into his role.
“We’re scoring pretty well, but our defense has been consistent,” Layson said. “You can afford to have an off night on defense.”
The Yellow Jackets finish the season with games this week against Coahulla Creek on Tuesday and at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe on Friday. The Region 6-AAA tournament will be at Ringgold.
“Our challenge is to stay hungry going into the playoffs,” Layson said.
In other news this week:
No. 500 for Dawson coach: Dawson County girls coach Steve Sweat got the 500th win of his career on Friday, a 59-35 victory over Lumpkin County. The Tigers (20-2, 8-1) scored 32 points in the first quarter to secure the emotional win for Sweat, who has been at the school for 33 years.
Orr reaches milestone in Banks win: The No. 10 Banks County boys (20-2) won their eighth straight game on Friday, beating Franklin County 55-52. Senior Zac Orr grabbed his 1,000th career rebound in the win and point guard Zez Stephens, who scored his 1,000th point earlier this year, scored 26.
Haralson County streak reaches 22: The Haralson County girls (22-1) won for the 22nd straight time and clinched first place in Region 5-AAA with Friday's 66-52 win over Callaway. The Rebels have a balanced attack led by sophomores Alexis Boykin and Tori Causey.
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