Tourney Time
We have reached the part of the basketball season where one loss can end your season. Players and coaches have worked so hard since the summer to get to this point, the first round of the state tournament.
For the past 20 years, the tournament has been expanded, jumping from 16 to 32 teams. This allows for more teams to compete for the state championship from each region.
In AAA girls, the defending champion Beach Lady Bulldogs open up at home against Pike County. On paper, Pike is no match for Beach. It would take a minor miracle for Pike to be successful against the relentless pressure of Beach.
The Lady Atomsmashers of Johnson are looking for a redemption from last year’s lost in the state championship to Beach. Johnson was the top team in the state all season in 2016-17, but they never recovered from the first quarter against Beach. Beach took away the player of the year, Alexis Pierce, and stretched the lead to around 20 numerous times throughout the game.
Johnson is back and better than ever. They split the series with Beach (2-2), while losing tough games to Camden, Laney, and Spaulding. Johnson has been playing some great basketball in January and February. A tough loss to Beach has landed Johnson in the second spot, which would cause them to play on the road in the second round. They must get past Rutland tonight, in order to begin that magical run.
The toast of the state is Greater Atlanta Christian. Led by Robyn Benton, the Lady Spartans are looking to claim something that was taken away in the Final Four last year against Beach. Beach and GAC will collide again in the Final Four provided both teams win out.
On the boys side, there has been a change in the leaderboard. Since Johnson’s title run in 2013, Jenkins has been the toast of Chatham. However, this season, Johnson has won 3 out of 4 against the Warriors. Johnson returns basically its whole lineup this season. The Atom Smashers have travelled over Georgia and South Carolina taking on all competition from all classifications. A tough loss in December against Lithonia and a blowout loss against Jenkins a week later are the only blemishes to a perfect season.
Jenkins has not had to rebuild after the loss of seniors Trevion Lamar and Zion Williams. Savannah High transfers Matt Sams and Daquan Outing have filled those roles nicely. Sai Fisher and Lamont Sams also joined the team. Fisher hails from New Orleans, while Sams played at Johnson. Jenkins has mirrored Johnson on scheduling, playing in tournaments in Georgia and Alabama. Jenkins has a great shot at winning the state championship. They are more talented and experienced than the teams on their side of the bracket.
The best team in the state is Morgan County. Morgan County was the state runner-up in 2017, defeated by Pace Academy. Morgan County won the championship in 2014 and 2016. Morgan has taken down some heavy hitters in the larger classifications, while dominating in Region play. However, Hart County was able to take Morgan to two overtime’s before losing the region championship game.
Games This Weekend - AAA
Friday
Girls
Pike at Beach 6pm
Rutland at Johnson 6pm
Boys
Kendrick at Johnson 7:30 pm
Saturday
Jackson at Jenkins 5:30 pm
All games are $10.
