Oshowen Williams scored 28 points and Stratford Academy earned a spot in the Class A Private semifinals with a 67-57 come-from-behind win against North Cobb Christian in the quarterfinals at Kennesaw State.
Williams had four 3-pointers in the win, as did James Mitchell, who scored 18 points.
No. 4 seeded Stratford (21-5), which is only playing in the GHSA for the second season, will meet Greenforest in the semifinals on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. at Kennesaw State.
No. 5 seeded North Cobb Christian (23-5) was led by Demiere Brown with 31 points and Will Crumly with 11. The Eagles played the second half without guard Nicholas Fleming, who broke his arm in the first half.
North Cobb Christian jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead, with Brown scoring 10 of the points in the opening flurry. The Eagles did little wrong in the first period and had a 19-6 lead.
“I knew they wouldn’t give up,” Stratford coach Jamie Dickey said. “They didn’t really execute the defensive game play. Going zone helped and pressing ... the 2-2-1 has been what’s gotten us back in the game.”
Stratford began to get back into the game by making a series of 3-point baskets. Three straight were knocked in by Williams and the Eagles were within two points at 24-22. North Cobb Christian answered with an 8-2 and eventually held at 33-27 lead at halftime.
Stratford came out and tied the game on back-to-back 3-pointers from James Mitchell. The Eagles took the lead trey by Tommy McCook that gave them a 40-39 lead. Stratford stretched the lead to seven points, only to have North Cobb come back and tie things at 51-51 on Crumly’s 3-pointer.
But North Cobb Christian went four minutes without scoring again and Stratford had a 9-0 run to put it away. A fast break bucket by Williams and two driving baskets by Quintez Cephus sparked the outburst.
“I think we were down 15 points at one time,” Dicke said. “But the game’s a long game. It takes four quarters to finish it off. The press got some turnovers. I know these guys aren’t going to quit.”
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