Rockdale County will appear in the state championship game for the first time since it won and later had to vacate the title in the 1987 season.
Rockdale County's Bernard Thompson scored five of his team's six points in the final 90 seconds of a 66-64 win over Fayette County in Wednesday's Class AAAA semifinals at Gwinnett Arena.
"Hey, what a beautiful ending," Rockdale County coach Alvin Williams said. "Every time we play that team, it's no more than two points deciding the game. It's always close."
Thompson came to the rescue in the game's final minute to help Rockdale County avoid an improbable loss. Rockdale County led by as many as 19 points in the second half, only to see Fayette County rally to within a couple of points at the end.
Rockdale County had a 62-59 lead and possession with 1:30 left and tried to run some time off the clock. Thompson got the ball and decided to attack the basket, making an acrobatic layup.
About 20 seconds later, Thompson scored on another layup. He also made one of his two free throws with nine seconds left to secure the win for Rockdale. Thompson, who averages 18.5 points, finished with 14.
"Bernard does what's needed when it's needed. I love that kid. He has saved my rear end a lot," Williams said, while nearly out of breath.
Former Rockdale County and Georgia basketball standout Rod Cole was one of several members of the 1987 team that showed up to watch Wednesday's game.
That year, Rockdale won the state championship over Marist. Two months later, Rockdale coach Cleveland Stroud discovered that he had used an ineligible player for a total of three minutes during the basketball season. Stroud self-reported the violation and was lauded across the nation for his honesty and character.
The GHSA later ruled that Rockdale County had to give up the title and reports it as "vacated" in the official records.
The game appeared to be over when Rockdale County's Darion Clark dunked to give his team a 44-25 advantage with 6:45 left in the third quarter. However, Fayette County, which struggled mightily in the first half on offense, never gave up.
With 2:40 left in the game, Williams made a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 60-56. On Fayette County's next two possessions, Williams made the front end of foul shots to pull within two with 1:35 left. That's when Thompson took over the game for Rockdale County.
Tennessee-bound recruit Kevin Ware led Rockdale County with 18 points. Fayette County was led by Maurice Williams with 17 and Adam Smith with 16.
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