By Score Atlanta
The Class AA third-ranked Holy Innocents’ boys had top-ranked Pace Academy on the ropes Tuesday night with a 47-34 lead entering in the closing minute of the third quarter. But the Knights rallied to tie it at 66 and with 2.7 seconds left senior Elijah Holifield drilled a game-winning pull-up jumper to give Pace Academy a thrilling 68-66 road victory in a packed gym at Holy Innocents’.
“Elijah is the best closer we’ve got in the state of Georgia right now,” said Pace Academy head coach Demetrius Smith moments after the game, his team now 19-2 and 11-0 in Region 6.
Holifield took over down the stretch, netting 14 of his game-high 29 points in the final quarter including huge three-pointers that cut the deficit to 61-56 and later 65-61. After Holifield cut the lead to 65-61, teammate Zack Kaminsky connected on a three-pointer with 59.9 seconds left to make it a one-point game. Holy Innocents’ (18-4, 8-3) drew a foul and Sam Asbury made one of two free-throws to extend the lead to two but 6-foot-10 Pace Academy sophomore Wendell Carter Jr. hit a lay-up to tie it. Holy Innocents’ got the ball back and drew another foul but Cole Smith could not dial up from the foul line and with the score still tied, gave Holifield and the Knights a chance to close the game and complete a 32-19 scoring advantage in the quarter.
Carter Jr. scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter while shooting a perfect six for six from the foul line. Holy Innocents’ was led by Asbury’s team-high 17 points and Smith’s 15 points.
Tucker 79, Lakeside 49: Class AAAAAA's No. 6 Tucker Tigers (22-2, 8-0) rolled at home in Region 2 action behind a trio of players with 16 points. Bryce Brown, Jon Stephens, and Ayinde Russell all led the Tigers in scoring. Lakeside (5-13, 3-6) received 23 points from Najee Kemp to lead all scorers.
Cherokee 48, Milton 44: The Warriors (14-8, 8-5) scored a big Region 5-AAAAAA win at home behind Jovan Morris' 18 points and Willie McClure who scored 11. Harvard-commit Chris Lewis led Milton (12-9, 9-4) with 18 points.
Johns Creek 85, West Forsyth 61: Johns Creek (12-10, 10-5) banged home nine threes in the second half to cruise on the road against West Forsyth (10-11, 6-9) in Region 6-AAAAAA. Mark Lancaster connected on four 3-pointers en route to 20 points to lead Johns Creek. The Wolverines were led by Jimmy Staiti, who finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Miller Grove 71, Southwest DeKalb 49: No. 1 ranked Miller Grove (20-3, 12-0 in Region 6-AAAAA) blew past No. 7 Southwest DeKalb behind Alterique Gilbert's 22 points, seven assists and nine steals. Lamont West posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Keith Gilmore scored 23 points to lead the visiting Panthers (17-7, 8-5).
St. Francis 110, Pinecrest Academy 59: St. Francis, Class A's No. 1 team, overwhelmed the visiting Paladins. All five starters scored double digits for the Knights (18-3, 8-0) as Malik Beasley had 22 points. Pinecrest Academy (8-13, 3-6) received 18 points from Ryan McCarthy and 12 from Nick Palmer.
Johnson-Gainesville 81, North Hall 53: Ty Cockfield and Rod English led the way again for the undefeated No. 2 Knights (21-0, 5-0). Cockfield poured in 30 while English added 26 points. Visiting North Hall had two players in double figures with Carson Heinen scoring 24 and Evan Easton chipping in 10. The Trojans (11-12) are now 2-4 in Region 8-AAAA.
Hillgrove 60, Kennesaw Mountain 54: No. 10 Hillgrove was able to hold on at home against a tough Mustang team in Region 4-AAAAAA action. Collin Sexton scored a game-high 23 points to help lift the Hawks (17-4, 9-2) to victory. Antonio Wade contributed 19 points, 11 in the first quarter to get Hillgrove going. Nigel Hayes led the Mustangs (16-6, 7-4) with 19 points.
South Paulding 77, Lithia Springs 52: Joe Williams scored 20 points and Anthony Brown posted a 10 point, 11 rebound double-double as the Spartans advanced to 17-5 overall and 11-4 in Region 5-AAAAA. Kinsey Burgess also chipped in 10 points for South Paulding. The visiting Lions (12-9, 7-8) were led by Daqaun Huff's 20 points.
North Gwinnett 56, Collins Hill 55 OT: The visiting Bulldogs behind Kam Calhoun's 32 points, continued to stay hot winning their fourth consecutive game moving them to 10-11 overall and 5-6 in Region 7-AAAAAA. Calhoun scored 16 of his points from the foul line while missing just three free throws. No. 8 Collins Hill (17-5, 7-4) let the game slip away shooting just 3 of 10 from the line in the fourth quarter and overtime combined. Jalen Mitchell scored 15 points while Kai Lambert pitched in 12 to lead the Eagles.
Duluth 77, Mill Creek 73: Duluth (16-6, 7-4) picked up a big Region 7-AAAAAA win on the road which now pulls them into a tie with Collins Hill for second place. Kahir Jeffries led all scorers with 18 points nailing four 3-pointers. Anthony Showell added 16 points while Joseph Gordon chipped in 12 and Obinna Ofodile scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Mill Creek (14-8, 6-5) received 13 points from Scotty Chadwick and 11 apiece from Charles Botchway and Sha Powell.
Allatoona 54, Hiram 42: In Region 5-AAAAA, No. 6 Allatoona (20-2, 15-0) defeated host Hiram (9-13, 7-8) behind Kevin Perry's 17 points off the bench. Bradley Brevet scored 11 while Rodney Brown and Trey Doomes both pitched in nine points. The Hornets were led by Demiere Brown's 21 points, 16 of which came in the second half.
Girls
Hillgrove 50, Kennesaw Mountain 19: Hillgrove (12-9, 5-6 in Region 4-AAAAAA) held visiting Kennesaw Mountain to six points in the first half and was led by Tene Thompson's 11 points and 13 rebounds. Kennesaw Mountain (10-12, 2-9) got seven points from Anna Stewart.
McEachern 80, North Cobb 51: Seventh-ranked McEachern (16-4, 9-2 in Region 4-AAAAAA) had four players in double figures led by Tea Cooper (Tennessee commit) with 20 points, 11 assists, and six steals while Chanel Wilson had 18 points, Jada Lewis scored 16 points and Lyndsey Whilby finished with 14. North Cobb (16-6, 6-5) was paced by Kyrie Chandler's 18 points.
Holy Innocents' 78, Pace Academy 33: Erika Cassell scored 12 of her game-high 19 points before the half as Class AA No. 1 Holy Innocents' (22-0, 10-0 in Region 6) exploded for 48 points and cruised past visiting Pace Academy (5-14, 0-8).
Norcross 61, Peachtree Ridge 27: Eighth-ranked Norcross (19-3, 10-1 in Region 8-AAAAAA) held visiting Peachtree Ridge to two points in the first half. Bash Perry led the way with 18 points and Ty Gillespie added 13. Peachtree Ridge (4-17, 3-9) got 13 points from Melissa Bowman.
Parkview 64, Grayson 40: Third-ranked Parkview had three players in double figures at home against Grayson. Raven Johnson went for 13 points, Makenna Pouengue scored 11 points and Vickie Harris added 10. Parkview (16-3, 12-0 in region 8-AAAAAA) opened the game on a 22-6 scoring run. Grayson (14-7, 7-6) was led by Shakara Burton who scored 18 points.
Douglas County 48, Langston Hughes 45: Visiting Douglas County outscored Langston Hughes 25-17 in the second half. Douglas County (15-6, 9-1 in region 3-AAAAAA) was led by Arsula Clark, who scored 12 points. Tay Faust scored 11 and Amira Atwater, who scored eight. Langston Hughes (15-3, 8-2) was paced by Kendricka Glover and Anesha Smith, both with 17.
St. Francis 80, Pinecrest Academy 53: Top-ranked St. Francis (16-2, 8-0 in Region 6-A) opened with a 23-9 run in the first quarter and led at half 43-26. Kasiyahna Kushkituah led the way with 22 points and 12 rebounds. She was helped by Abby Grant with 14 points and Jala Jordan with 12.
Southwest DeKalb 49, Miller Grove 40: Ninth-ranked Southwest DeKalb (18-6, 12-1 in Region 5-AAAAA) put the game away on a late run as Daisa Alexander had 14 points and Chantz Cherry and Michaela Bennefield each had 12. Miller Grove (11-8, 8-4) was led by Imani Richardson's14 points and Chrystal Ezechukwu added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
High School Basketball Scores
Boys
Albany 56, Dougherty 45
Alexander 62, New Manchester 54
Allatoona 54, Hiram 42
Americus-Sumter 50, Monroe 46
Athens Christian 91, George Walton Academy 35
Calhoun 76, Adairsville 42
Carrollton 65, Whitewater 42
Cartersville 71, Gilmer 55
Carver-Columbus 62, LaGrange 59
Central-Carroll 56, Callaway 43
Creekview 55, Cass 44
Dacula 62, Central Gwinnett 60
Dodge County 67, Pierce County 35
Duluth 77, Mill Creek 73
Excel Christian 51, Trion 39
First Presbyterian 58, Mt. de Sales 50
Gainesville 78, Flowery Branch 55
Greater Atlanta Christian 70, Wesleyan 68 (OT)
Harlem 88, Dublin 61
Harris County 51, Hardaway 44
Hillgrove 60, Kennesaw Mountain 54
Houston County 59, Bleckley County 51
Jenkins 79, Southeast Bulloch 59
Johnson-Gainesville 81, North Hall 53
Lithonia 53, Grady 43
Manchester 100, Bowdon 91
Marietta 56, Harrison 55
McIntosh 83, Stockbridge 78
Mt. Zion-Carroll 78, Mt. Paran Christian 70
North Clayton 73, McNair 28
North Forsyth 59, Habersham Central 57
North Gwinnett 56, Collins Hill 55 (OT)
Oglethorpe County 61, Washington-Wilkes 45
Pace Academy 68, Holy Innocents’ 66
Pebblebrook 77, Newnan 34
Pope 54, Etowah 47
Rockdale County 81, Alcovy 50
Rutland 97, Jordan 74
Savannah 57, Islands 43
Southwest 57, Spencer 40
Southwest Atlanta Christian 88, Landmark Christian 84
St. Francis 110, Pinecrest Academy 59
St. Pius 50, Stone Mountain 45 (OT)
Starr's Mill 53, Dutchtown 41
Taylor County 46, Dooly County 44
Treutlen 78, Claxton 68
Union County 60, Riverside Military 58
Vidalia 54, Jeff Davis 42
Walton 57, Lassiter 63
Washington County 58, Josey 56
Wheeler 67, Roswell 48
Woodward Academy 57, Troup 54
Girls
Alexander 37, New Manchester 34
Archer 64, South Gwinnett 43
Bainbridge 57, Westover 51
Beach 48, Johnson-Savannah 43
Buford 68, Monroe Area 24
Calhoun 60, Adairsville 36
Cambridge 51, North Atlanta 30
Central-Carroll 56, Callaway 43
Cherokee 38, Milton 28
Creekview 45, Cass 23
Dacula 54, Central Gwinnett 49
Dodge County 65, Pierce County 60 (OT)
Eagle’s Landing 49, Eastside 40
Effingham County 58, Richmond Hill 19
Elbert County 44, Jackson County 34
Etowah 57, Pope 51
First Presbyterian 51, Mt. de Sales 26
Flowery Branch 59, Gainesville 36
Gordon Lee 66, Chattooga 51
Harrison 45, Marietta 34
Hillgrove 50, Kennesaw Mountain 19
Holy Innocents’ 78, Pace Academy 33
Houston County 51, Bleckley County 34
Lambert 48, Centennial 45
Marist 42, Chamblee 25
McIntosh 51, Stockbridge 20
Northeast-Macon 43, Macon County 42
Northgate 52, Ola 42
Our Lady of Mercy 44, Strong Rock Christian 34
Pebblebrook 35, Newnan 28
River Ridge 49, Dalton 44
Savannah 52, Islands 24
Sequoyah 54, Woodland-Cartersville 22
South Forsyth 69, Northview 30
South Effingham 54, Bradwell Institute 35
Southwest 68, Spencer 55
St. Francis 80, Pinecrest Academy 53
St. Pius 51, Stone Mountain 42
Tattnall Square 45, Stratford Academy 38
Tucker 70, Lakeside-DeKalb 43
Valdosta 61, Colquitt County 58
Vidalia 50, Jeff Davis 32
Wesleyan 84, Greater Atlanta Christian 33
West Hall 56, Fannin County 50
Wheeler 41, Roswell 33
Whitewater 43, Carrollton 40
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