Time to say goodbye to basketball season, with a salute to our four state champions, including a special nod to Turner County girls coach Tasha Kimble (more on that later).
On Friday we move to spring sports fulltime. Your humble scribe will handle all things track and field, so send any notes, accomplishments or big meets you want to plug to s.thomascoleman@yahoo.com, or vent in the comments section.
But now, back to basketball.
Public Girls:
Turner County 55, Terrell County 38. While all the teams, coaches and communities are proud, no doubt, of their championships, none is more so than Turner County's Tasha Kimble.
The three other programs that won state titles over the weekend had all done it before. But Kimble, who was born and raised in Turner County and played for the Rebels in the mid-1990s, brought her alma mater its first state championship in basketball and did so in style. The Rebels are the only girls’ team to go undefeated (31-0) this season.
After graduating in 1997, Kimble spurned college basketball opportunities to focus on her studies and enrolled in Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, down Highway 41 in Tifton. She eventually transferred to Albany State where she graduated with two degrees – a bachelor’s in 2008, and a master’s in 2010, both in health/physical education.
But all the while, basketball and Turner County stayed close to her heart. In fact, while a student at Albany State, Kimble worked as an assistant for five seasons under the leadership of Sherri Harris. When Harris left to take over at Coffee County in 2011, Kimble became the head coach at her alma mater.
The Rebels made the state playoffs in each of Kimble’s first four seasons, and advanced to the finals last year, before losing to Taylor County in the championship game, 67-54. In an emotional locker room after that loss, Kimble and her team vowed to get back to Macon this season. She talked about the journey to the state championship and what that means to her, the school, and the community.
How does it feel to bring a state title to your hometown?
“It is absolutely priceless. I’ve always wanted to coach, and there can be no more gratifying feeling than to get to coach in your hometown and be successful.”
How has working with boys’ coach Tyrone Kellogg helped you?
“I first worked under Sherri Harris, and she was an unbelievable leader. Coach Kellogg has been a great mentor. Even now, when I break down film I can call him and he helps me understand some things. He has been so supportive, and we have built a great bond with our programs. We have a family atmosphere and that is why I believe we have been so successful. We believe in each other and stand by each other as a family, no matter what.”
When did you know this team was good enough to win a state championship?
“I never thought about us being good enough. I knew this was a special group, and if we kept pushing and working hard, we could be successful. But I knew from the look on their faces last year when we lost, that they were determined. They all said it was the worst feeling they ever felt. That pushed us to get back to Macon, through the summer and preseason workouts, we always ended practice talking about how we didn’t want to feel that feeling again.”
After becoming a favorite to win the title this season, how did you prepare the team to be ready to take every opponent’s best shot?
“We felt like we still were not respected, like we were never given the credit we deserved, even after making it to the championship game last year. Everybody still thought they could beat Turner County. We were determined to practice hard and play hard and never let anyone think at any moment during this season that they could beat us.”
Who were the major contributors this season?
“I have to go back and acknowledge a couple of players from my first season. Antonia Graddic and Zenia Coley were big contributors who helped lay the foundation. And all of my seniors were outstanding this season. (Guard) Mylashia Yancey has broken all types of records, Xariah Office, Shalonda Burwell, Brishauna Barnes, Tynesia Whitehead, Kaneisha Gilbert and Triana Pickett. All of them deserve a lot of credit.
What kind of impact do you hope this win has on the community?
“I know I’m not an easy person to be around every day, because I’m so passionate about what I do. I want to be a role model and change these girls’ lives. This is bigger than basketball. I want them to take what they have learned from me and from this game, and apply it to their everyday lives to help them be successful in college, in their work life, when they become a wife and a mother.”
What part of winning the state championship makes you the most proud?
“I’m so proud of this team because of how hard they worked to be successful. Sometimes you can get the feeling that you are stuck down here in a small town. This lets them know they can accomplish anything, no matter where they are from. And it’s not about getting out of Turner County. It’s about being determined to be successful, because you can do that right here. They showed that. I knew I wanted to come back and make a difference in there girls’ lives and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity.”
Public Boys:
Wilkinson County 55, Hancock Central 42. Wilkinson County (26-6) was led by 6-7 junior Greg Couson, who scored 16 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked three shots. The teams split during the regular season, but the Warriors seized control early in the rubber match and never let go, winning the school's eighth state championship under the leadership of head coach Aaron Geter. His son, junior guard Aaron Geter III, added 10 points in the win.
Private Boys:
Greenforest Christian 78, St. Francis 66. The Eagles (30-2) avenged last year's loss to the Knights (23-8) and thwarted their attempt for a three-peat, by jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. Greenforest senior John Ogwuche, who has signed with New Hampshire, finished with 27 points and five rebounds to lead the way. St. Francis' heralded McDonald's All-American Kobe Simmons, heading to Arizona, was held scoreless in the first quarter, but managed to lead all scorers with 31. The win was the second state title in four years for the Decatur school, the first for first-year head coach Larry Thompson.
Private Girls:
St. Francis 63, Greenforest Christian 37. The Knights (31-1) flipped the script on Greenforest (27-1) in the girls' game, as St. Francis won its third title in four seasons. The contest was never in doubt, as the Knights' big three – all of whom return next season – led the way. Junior forward Maya Dodson had 22 points to go with 10 rebounds, junior guard Taja Cummings added 14 points, and sophomore forward Jala Jordan chipped in with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Greenforest, which had the best season in program history, was led by Chioma Nnamani's 17 points and nine rebounds.
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