Americus-Sumter is making big noise in this year’s playoffs and their takedown of Upson-Lee and St. Pius in consecutive rounds is bringing a big spotlight to Saturday’s showdown with Sandy Creek.
In its win over the Golden Lions, Americus-Sumter jumped to a 31-13 lead before stamping a 63-46 victory. Joshua Lusane, a 6-foot-8 forward, finished with a game-high 21 points.
Sandy Creek is on a quest the program’s first-ever state title and carries a 17-game winning streak into the matchup. The Patriots have looked like a well-oiled machine this season, with versatile big man TJ Bickerstaff leading the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game.
Across the bracket, Woodward Academy will take on Carver-Columbus. The War Eagles scored a 58-50 win against Denmark in the quarterfinals. Michael Whitmore had 21 points and Walker Kessler finished with a triple double after posting 14 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocks. Also, teammate Jacorrei Turner registered 10 points, eight rebounds and a pair of assists. Carver-Columbus comes off a dominant 72-47 win over Cartersville. The Tigers built a 55-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter and were led by a 27-point night by AJ Watts. Jalen King chipped in with 13 points, Devin Flowers dropped 11 and freshman DJ Riles finished with nine.
Defending girls state champion Spalding squares off with Luella in Saturday’s opener. The Jags’ notorious defense that fueled last year’s run to the state crown has been seen throughout their current postseason run. After defeating Thomson 57-40 in the first round, Spalding held Hardaway to just 27 points and Marist to 30 points.
Luella’s offense is capable of explosive scoring bursts as was seen in the Lions’ 63-53 win over Sandy Creek in the quarterfinals. The Lions used a 16-6 run in the second quarter to grow a 24-14 lead and maintained pace in the second half to earn its first-ever trip to the Final Four. Across the bracket, undefeated Carver-Columbus (30-0) has looked unstoppable all year. The top-ranked Tigers have nearly doubled their opponents through the first three rounds with an accumulated 223-114 margin of victory. Flowery Branch, however, may be up for the challenge. New to Class AAAA this season, the Falcons are building off last year’s run to the Class AAAAA state semis and carrying their own impressive resume. The program defeated St. Pius 67-19 in the second round, held off a very talented Henry County squad 57-50 in the quarterfinals, and like Carver, are yet to lose to a Class AAAA opponent this season.
Semifinal Schedule
(At Fort Valley State)
Saturday, March 2
GIRLS: Spalding vs. Luella, 2 p.m.
BOYS: Americus-Sumter vs. Sandy Creek, 4 p.m.
GIRLS: Flowery Branch vs. Carver-Columbus 6 p.m.
BOYS: Woodward Academy vs. Carver-Columbus 8 p.m.
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