Photos: Wheeler defeats McEachern in semifinal to advance to 6A state championship

Sports

Photos: Wheeler defeats McEachern in semifinal to advance to 6A state championship

Top-ranked Wheeler boys basketball defeated McEachern on Saturday, March 7 in the 6A state tournament semifinal.

Wheeler's Nigel Matthews (20), Deuce Powell (13), and AJ Bowman (15) are all smiles in the final minuets of their GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game against McEachern Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

McEachern's Emmanuel Alofe (15) and Wheeler's Jaron Saulsberry (1) fight for possession of the ball during the second half of a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler's Amare James (11) drives in for a layup during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler and McEachern players signal their team has possession of ball during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Wheeler Wildcats look on during a foul shot in a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler's Colben Landrew (3) makes a layup over McEachern's Zachary Graves (10) during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler's Kevin Savage (2) makes a jump shot over McEachern’s defense during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game against MeEachern Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler's AJ Bowman (15) and Amare James (11) attempt to block a shot from McEachern's Zion Williams (11) during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

A Wildcat cheerleader performs during the second half of a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler's Lamarrion Lewis (0) brings the ball down court during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

McEachern's Emmanuel Alofe (15) dunks over Wheeler’s defense during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Georgia State’s Convention Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler's Colben Landrew (left) and Lamarrion Lewis (right) fight McEachern's Chase Lumpkin (1) for possession of the ball as he drives to the basket and during the first half of a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Wheeler head coach Larry Thompson calls a play during the first half of a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Wildcats celebrate their 56-52 win over McEachern in a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Georgia State’s Convention Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

McEachern head coach Tremayne Anchrum (right), greets Wheeler head coach Larry Thompson (left) after losing to the Wildcats 56-52 in a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

McEachern's Emmanuel Alofe (15) dunks over Wheeler’s defense during a GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wheeler's Nigel Matthews (20), Deuce Powell (13), and AJ Bowman (15) are all smiles in the final minuets of their GHSA Class 6A semifinal playoff game against McEachern Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Georgia State Convocation Center.(Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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