MACON -- Among the seemingly sure things in life is that Wilkinson County will play basketball deep into the state playoffs.
On Saturday afternoon, the Warriors’ playoff pedigree was on full display as they outlasted a tough and talented squad from Terrell County 75-68 to finish undefeated (28-0) and win their fourth Class A title, their fifth basketball state championship overall. Wilkinson County won the Class AA championship in 2002.
The Warriors, 197-17 since 2005, sported their championship muster in a variety of ways, including the huge contingent of fans who made the short drive from Irwinton to Macon. Wilkinson County coach Aaron Geter Jr., acknowledged the crowd during a TV interview after the game.
But it was the Warriors’ senior savvy and depth that made the difference.
“[The seniors] don’t talk about winning a lot,” said Wilkinson County senior Vashone Jones, who finished with a game-high 27 points, 19 of which came in the fourth quarter. “We just talk about playing hard. If we play hard, the wins will come.”
Early on, it was senior guard David Whipple setting the tone with two 3-pointers and a total of eight points in the first quarter, to lead Wilkinson County to an 18-11 edge.
Then it was Jarvis Williams’ turn. The mid-season transfer from Baldwin County, also a senior, scored seven points in the second quarter -- punctuated by a thunderous one-handed dunk after a strong drive down the lane -- to pace a 10-4 run that put the Warriors’ up 28-15 midway through the period.
But Terrell County wouldn’t go away. The Green Wave, which gave Wilkinson County its only loss last season -- 51-50 in overtime in the state quarterfinals -- went on a 13-2 run to close the second quarter and start the third. The spurt narrowed Wilkinson County's lead to 30-28 with five minutes left in the quarter. Terrell County senior Terel Hall scored six of his team-high 19 points during the run.
The Warriors eventually extended their lead to a comfortable 12 points, at 58-46, after a bucket by Jones midway through the fourth quarter. Terrell County answered by turning up the pressure on defense and trimmed the lead to 62-58 with three minutes left to play.
Jones then closed it for Wilkinson County. He scored the Warriors’ next seven points to give them a 69-61 lead with 1:11 left in regulation.
Jones also led the Warriors’ solid free-throw shooting in the fourth quarter. The team shot 74 percent (14-of-19), with Jones going 7-of-8. Meanwhile, Terrell County was a woeful 4-of-13 (31 percent) from the line in the fourth quarter.
“When you have a team full of talented seniors like we do, you expect them to step up and make plays, especially when you’re playing a team as good as [Terrell County],” Geter Jr. said. “That’s what our seniors did tonight.”
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