Georgia Public Broadcasting presents the 2008 Georgia High School Association's state basketball championship.
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Keep the music live from the arena at Gwinnett Center.
It's the year 2008 for a girls state basketball championship today of the Southwest.
The Cat Lady Panthers at 30th to take on the Fayette County Lady Tigers at 23 and five from the arena at Gwinnett Center.
The atmosphere as rocket and the crowd is ready to roll and a good afternoon, everyone.
I'm Dave Gardner alongside my broadcast partner, Dick Williams today.
Good to be working with you.
And tell you what, we've got a great game here in this first, first matchup of the day.
Great to be with you again, Dave.
And yes, we do.
We've got the dominant kind of team and the quality girls.
That's Southwest, a cab against the underdog Fayette County team, which has which has had a tough effort getting here while Southwest.
The cab really hasn't been tested that much.
They've been putting up some pretty good margins on teams.
Absolutely.
Two teams that have taken two different paths in order to get here And there, you get a look at Shani Stephens, one of the standout players for the Southwest, DeKalb Lady Panthers.
And I noticed that she has really stepped up in these last few games.
The leading scorer almost every time out.
Absolutely.
And for Southwest, the cab in here, as we've talked about with a great record number one in the state throughout most of the season, they are strong and there is their starting five Kawana and Alondra Ribas, the Sisters, Ebony Mitchell, 32 points.
The other night in the semis, Shani Stephens and Michelle Lewis, the junior, the starting five for Southwest The cab.
Meanwhile, is we turn the tables.
Let's talk a little bit, Dick, about the Fayette County Lady Tigers, a team that has had a couple of close games, as you mentioned, the last couple of rounds of this playoffs.
That's right.
And this is not a team with a great girls basketball tradition.
Their region isn't that strong.
You know, Southwest a can't place and probably what's the top region in the state in football they call it the baby SSA.
And I think that's true for basketball as well.
So if they have county girls, I suspect will be a little tight facing these Panthers.
Absolutely.
Tessa Holt, certainly a pleasure to watch her today, Duke.
Yes, indeed.
And she averages ten points and five rebounds and she does that out of the point guard spot.
She's only a junior.
They don't have a dominating player, but I think they look at Tessa to run the show and distribute the points as well as score.
And there's the lady Tigers starting five Dakota Walton.
Tessa, hold as we talked about Janay Brooks, Sasha Sims and the Nuku, the starting five there for Fayette County, let's go to throw it down to the floor.
Our announcer today is Dr. David Withrow from Murray County High School and Southwest, the cap Lady Panthers.
Now let's meet the starting lineup first for Southwest Big DeKalb, starting a guard of five three junior.
A number of Hawks one are River is at guard five six.
Sophomore number ten Alondra River at Guard five six.
Senior number 11, Ebony Mitchell at Center, a61 senior.
Number 12.
Shani Steep is and at forward a61 junior number 45 Look we shot Lewis southwest a cab is coached by Kathy Walton.
Now let's meet the starters for Fayette County and guard a five foot junior.
Number 11 Dakota Wall ties at guard, a56 junior.
Number 21, Tessa Hoop and forward now 511.
Sophomore Number 24.
Sasha says that forward a 510 sophomore number 40 unmarked on Duke to and at center six one senior number 41 Johnny Brooks.
Fayette County is coached by John Strickland.
Let's get it started in here and the base station Run and run and run.
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Let's go and throw it courtside to the other member of our team today, Gerald Oliveira, standing by.
Gerald.
Hey, Dave, I don't know if County already has the t shirts and the hats printed up for state championship, but they certainly got it on their board in the locker room at the end of last season.
They wrote it on the board and Coach Strickland decided not to erase it and use it as motivation throughout the year.
Any time they faced adversity or they've had a hard practice, he's asked them, Do you want me to erase that board?
And Dave?
They responded.
Let's see if they can respond one more time.
All righty.
Thank you, Gerald.
We'll be checking back in with you throughout the game here today.
Again, Dave Garner, Dick Williams with you and certainly looking forward to a great match up right here.
The four girls state championship wide from the arena at Gwynedd Center.
And we are set and ready for tip off and boy, this crowd is fired up that they are ready.
This this building has been rocking for three nights.
Last night was terrific.
And I hope this evening is every bit as good.
Of course, these two teams playing in the semifinals a couple of nights ago on Wednesday.
So they've had a day to rest, unlike some of the other classes there.
So hopefully we'll see a very good competitive game here between two teams that seem fresh out of the game.
Absolutely.
And they look relaxed.
They look ready to go.
Shani Stephens tipping at midcourt alongside Chastity Welch.
And just like that, the Lady Panthers draw first one right off the bat.
That was Alondra Ribas, the sophomore averaging seven points a game.
And she'll certainly be a player to watch today.
Absolutely.
Now, Fayette County runs into a very, very tough little defense set up here by Southwest.
The game.
You see how they attack fit.
Downey averaging 53 points a game offensively the here giving up just 35 and a shot inside here and nice little feed inside to the post player that's Honma another two but it was knocked away Nice defense there by the lady Panthers.
Well you can see games that the Southwest can't Panthers have a distinct size advantage and that should work as the evening goes along.
Patricia Lewis at six foot one.
Stephens also at six foot one.
And when you got up here at Twin Towers like that, try that is certainly tough to go up against.
Take away right there by Alondra Rivers here.
And of course, Sister Kawana have certainly stood out during this postseason here throughout the year.
Big Watkins side, they're highly lady Tigers today.
Brooks That's the way to that's the way to play some defense right there and take Southwest a camp out of their game.
Sophia County also has a little bit of science to, you know, bird stands six feet tall there.
Of course, a couple other players on the roster out at six foot or six foot one.
So it should be a battle of big bodies inside here today.
The Spirit Girls Championship right now, Southwest, the cab is in a sagging kind of a man to man and they'll let them take that shot all night.
Fantastic.
Two nothing early on here.
Lady Panthers on top Southwest, a cab making the trip from Decatur.
They reach a chance out of region six Bay county of the region champs out of region two of course making the trip from Fayetteville.
Here we go to zone the inbound.
Here you get a look at Fayette County Lady Tiger coach John Strickland.
His record, 5825 third season as head coach, although he has been at Fayette County since 1997, it worked his way up through the system there.
Good for him.
Inside the first 2 minutes, three point shot on the way off the mark No good by Ebony Mitchell.
Remember, Mitchell had 32 the other night in that win over West Lake Southwest to cap hanging 90 in that game and there is a big shot number 24 Sasha Sims averaging 6.3 points a game just a sophomore, but six foot tall.
There's one of those big players we were talking about.
That's right.
Now let's see here, fan counties playing zone against them and invite them to shoot it outside, which they did last time.
Southwest.
The cab in turn will respond with a three.
What I thought they should have looked inside, but there it is.
Go on.
Two rivers.
A take away though after the missed ball knock loose though.
But it will be Lady Panther basketball pull up short taken down kept alive by Lewis a61 senior six one junior inside the first 3 minutes tied it two.
Now they're looking inside David and they'll swing it around to the other side, rotate those two post players and try to get an open look near the paint right there inside and a good move there.
Shani Stephens for first points in the game, averaging 11.1, has certainly been the standout of the postseason.
But this is a really balanced Southwest, the cab team with everybody really getting involved right down to the 10th player.
It looks like if you look at the stats, everybody's got a role to play.
Great look right here.
A new crew just unable to finish it, though, off the pass.
A little anxious on that one run.
Shoot.
Stevens, a senior turnaround wouldn't go brought down inside by Onwuka.
Well I think we're getting set what Southwest camp wants to do against that Fayette County zone.
They want to get the ball into the paint.
The two taller girls.
What a drive there by hold left hander wouldn't go though rebound by Stevens and now Southwest to cap quickly ahead.
Neither one of these teams really like to take their time, get the ball up down the floor.
They get it across in a hurry, really prevent other defenses from from setting up from getting set up.
That's right.
Three point shot on the way short.
Someone might have got a fingertip on that ball gets kickout right there by rivers and traveling called on the lady Panthers 2 to 1 two rivers not shy about taking that three point shot.
She's used to seeing Warren go in, I think.
But it's early.
You know, Jake, what these two teams having the size that they have inside, I think it's safe to say that all year long they've tried to use that to their advantage.
I don't know if it's going to work either way, though, this year, with both teams having so many big girls inside there, you see Coach Cathy Walton, the head coach is southwest of here.
She's been very successful, southwest of camp.
And of course, you know, that's the kind of halfway through this first period right here already just for to the advantage in favor of Southwest Cafe, a county making their first trip to the final Four since 1986.
Southwest have their first trip since 1990, although they've been in the quarterfinals the last several years and a finally gotten over the hump and find themselves here in the title game tonight.
That's right.
Three straight trips to the semifinals.
Of course, they were always in behind that great dynasty of, you know, Collins who on those other folks.
Actually, that's quite a but three point shot for Tessa Holt.
And those first points of the ballgame, give the lady Tigers a one point advantage, the three point shot on the other end.
Emily Mitchell, five five senior getting it done and now backward pressure here by the Lady Panthers.
Notice that the last two trip Southwest to campus put the pressure on first in the back court down and a half court trap and they're still at there Russell right there indeed and the lay in by Simon Rutledge versus Rutledge a six foot senior, one of the first players off the bench for Coach Walton.
Now fat count, he gets the mismatch because the pressure broke down there.
They had the classic three on one.
Jake I can't even catch my breath with both these teams up down to four so fast during this opening quarter.
That's right.
Now Luka with that last bucket right there, Stevens and now a whistle.
It's going to be a two shot foul.
I think the way the game has changed just a moment ago with the pressure from Southwest to cap, this didn't look like Thad County was all that comfortable with it.
We'll see if they're able to adjust.
But you're right, the pace is quick and neither team hesitant about pushing it down the floor.
And we'll look at Stevens, the six one senior at the line right here shoot affair comes on the march He's got three points on two Rivers returns the lineup Alondra Rivers her sister will go out Those two like to rotate typically on the other team's best offensive player usually a Stevens here's only a 55% free throw shooter but she made the first second one off the front of the iron.
No good taken down by Christine Walker.
Both teams like to play a lot of different players.
Try to look inside right there.
But Stevens stepped in front of it.
Now here comes southwest to camp pushing it again.
And I think they're going to look inside, pull up Mitchell off the mark.
Wouldn't go and the foul and one for Stevens Wow Shani working inside right there.
She'll have a chance at a three point play.
Let's Southwest to cab inside game has got to be a problem for Coach Strickland our tigers they've got to figure out a way to deny the ball down low this time out on the floor with 219 we'll take one with him 12 seven Southwest two cab leads that early on.
We're back to League One at Arena when we return.
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Back here inside the arena at Gwinnett Center Southwest, the cab leads at 12 seven over Fayette County and the for a girls state championship here, Dave Gardner, Dick Williams with you, Gerald, all are very courtside with us today, along with the rest of the Georgia Public Broadcasting Crew.
And a dig so far, both teams really up and down the floor here in the first 6 minutes.
But I think what we're seeing in early trend here, even though Fayette County, as you observed, is almost as big and a lot of post positions are southwest, the camp, southwest, the camp is more successfully getting the ball down to Shani Stephens.
And she's been rewarded with this with an and one here already.
And you don't see Fayette County successfully getting the ball down low.
Their guards are taking the ball to the basket, but they're not isolating their bigger players for for layups and easier shots.
Stephens already five points today and five rebounds in this first quarter.
The senior shooting, the free throw to complete the three point play and does so she's got six.
She's got more than half her team's points and that's the way it's been in the playoffs for Southwest the Cavs 13 seven Lady Panthers right here.
Fayette County, of course, their first semi since 1986, as we mentioned, have really got it done with defense this year, holding opponents to 35 points a game and the pressure drops back into a two, three zone.
And there's the ball down at the post.
They're successful playing for Fayette County.
The new girl right there with her second bucket, four points, 13 nine.
The score and back inside on the other end, just like that.
Similar rights.
Rutledge adds her second basket here in this first quarter.
If you're the Fayette County coach, that shot was too easy and there's a pull up jumper.
Christin Walker knocks one down the other team can miss here.
It's right up traveling to the call right there in Mitchell.
A little bit of indecision on her part as to where to go with the pass got caught.
But I think there's pressure right here applied at the half court Mark by Southwest.
The camp is changing the way Fayette County plays that time this one over at number get inside And that was Ginny Brooks, number 44, Fayette County staying in a two, three zone, trying to keep Sharon Stephens away from the basket.
great.
Look inside Shani Stephens with another bucket.
She's got AIDS and she's almost in her game average.
A great pass on that.
Rutledge That was great.
Low post passing.
They've certainly been able to hook up with Stephens, half the Lady Panthers here in the early going.
That shot too strong taking down both teams really won an out and either team able to get a second or third opportunity and just like that points on the other end by Mitchell Evans Mitchell pretty easy layup good defense early on both schemes one and done you can look at coach Kathy Walton southwest of cap head coach has done a remarkable job with the Lady Panthers this year that one tip away and I tell you what I don't know if Fayette County has had too many uncontested passes here so far.
Well, that's right.
I think it changed when they began to put the pressure on at half court.
And the fact County has not reacted well to that, though they did get two promising looking layups here in the last couple of possessions.
But but they're not comfortable with that half court bracket.
Jasmine facie, 12 in the lineup, you saw her, the five six senior for Fayette County.
She has the basketball right here.
The corner Rivers is playing her very tough and the double team all rolling around over there.
Fake county keeps it in play.
The lady Tigers wins by winding out here.
5 seconds you see southwest to camp with that double team Almost had to take the reins.
They threw it up.
Going to have to throw it up there at the buzzer and the shot fell short.
So an action packed first period here inside the arena, Gwinnett Center.
And it's the Southwest, the Cavs, Lady Panthers 19, the Fayette County Laker Tigers 13.
We're back with quarter two when we return.
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Dave Gardner, Dick Williams with you right here live on GPB.
It's me for a state girls championship game, Southwest.
A cap leads it over Fayette County, 1913 after one as we get set to start the second quarter here.
And Dick, among your many talents, you are also a basketball referee and have been for quite some time.
Sure have, in fact, worked many a state tournament myself and am pleased to see one of my partners, Roy Lee Honeycutt, as the crew chief in this game.
Terrific official.
So we're also looking forward to your expertise here today as well.
I guess that might be some people don't know about you that you've read that much basketball?
Well, very few people do, actually.
I think they're they're amazed to find out that I've been doing it as long as I have.
I don't want to give away my age here, Dave.
I don't want these coaches to know how old I've got.
I hear you.
Well, meanwhile, Shani Stephens with eight points in that first quarter dig for Southwest.
The Cavs off to a pretty good start.
Yes, I think Stephenson Rutledge down low for southwest a cab or the difference in the first quarter.
Fayette County is going to have to make some adjustments and that's a good start with a steal on defense.
But like we said, you know, neither team has really had an easy go inside.
They're having to get up and down the floor quickly.
And pretty much everybody's been one shot an out and been a lot of second chance opportunities here for either team especially inside.
Now once again day at the double team work it was a very late double up on that player and she lost her footing there on the sideline and that's working very well for Southwest to the last three or four possessions for the Lady Panthers averaging 61 points a game this year.
You see number 40 in the lineup.
Jimmy Sharp, the five two junior.
Now it looks like Fayette County wants to challenge a little more on defense.
That's Jasmine Stacey out there challenging the ball a little more aggressively in the world.
And again, another steal field goals.
We saw them right there.
Both teams shoot pretty well there in that first quarter.
Off to a good start.
A lot of times it works the other way around.
They're normally a little jittery here inside this building.
But again, both teams playing here the other night or used to the atmosphere in the confines of the Gwinnett Arena.
And now they take the ball to the basket and man, almost to reward and Sasha saves nearly had a chance at a three point play right there but she will shoot a couple loose.
So wow, this is basketball is a game of a lot more strategy than most people realize.
And coach streak on the fan count, he just made an adjustment on his defense.
This result, in fact, getting two turnovers from Southwest to catch.
They're going to look at six numbers this season, averaging over six points a game over six rebounds, 3.3 blocks.
And again, just a sophomore missing on a first.
The second one on the way knocks that one down.
She's got three and it's 1914 now man to man pressure inside shot in traffic the nice job there by Blake who does draw all the whistle which early picks up her first shot some of the officials in the house here today there's a bunch of them got their hands full I know with this championship crowd as well.
You see the first one down by Blake situations numbers on the year 3.2 points, a game a little over three and a half rebounds for the junior who's had an excellent season.
Well it's a little go southwest to camp stats we mentioned this they've got really only two players in double figures, but they've got a lot of players averaging five and six and four points a game.
They spread it around.
It's a team effort.
You know, I think when you get to this level, certainly you're going to have your superstars.
I mean, we've seen them over the years, especially in girls basketball like Maya moore and Natasha Humphries.
But we always say, you know, you can take the other four players off the court, they're not as successful.
And this has really been an overall team effort this year for the Lady Panthers.
And I'm looking forward, by the way, to quit a final later today because both of those teams are team units as well.
One of the rare times today a team has had a second chance opportunity that went off the mark by Tessa Hall, who initially shot the three.
She gets to her own shot batter, her second shot into the corner right here trying to feed the post.
And over the back, it looks like goes to Mr. Blake.
That will be her second.
The lady Tigers trying to go inside the bass haze, the sixth one senior lady for the second, 80, second, third counting depends on the scoring of Tessa Holt and on your crew and Southwest.
The campus is holding them in check fairly nicely.
They're the only two double figure scorers for the fans.
Counting giant Sam's will inbound it into the corner.
That's Christine Walker, 32, at the basketball.
The five six senior inside turn around shot shot wouldn't quite go for Hayes the follow and the foul on you two will go to the line I'm on who who actually leads the team in points this year again averaging over 12 points a game as you saw Kayla Lewis number 22 shot picking up the foul there.
You can look at those numbers this year.
Also over seven rebounds as well, was just really been a dominant player inside this year for the lady Times.
But again, Fayette County, that time looked good working the ball inside.
That's what they've got to do to open up the shot for the shooter.
Tessa Holt, 2115 six point game right here, five and a half to play in the first half.
They've got her.
Dick Williams with you, two year old Olive Berry, courtside.
We'll say hi to all the guys in the track as we officially open up another season, another championship weekend right here on GPB.
Appreciate all you, the viewers tuning in and checking out some high school basketball, which arguably I think towards the high school basketball is right up there with everybody else in the country right now, especially with the exposure we've got.
It absolutely is.
And especially Georgia women's high school basketball.
So that's what we're on.
I mean, what states have Maya moore, what state has had Kelly came from Saint Pius, who's at Tennessee.
The list goes on and the list goes on and on and on.
Georgia's roster alone.
And we're seeing the next set of superstars here today.
There's Kayla Lewis knocking down the a free throw.
When you talk about some of these players like Shani Stephens, she's over 1400 points for her career has gotten it done.
Lewis knocking down a pair of free throws right there.
Meanwhile, a new COO and Chris Tesla hold of it stand out players for fantastic on the other end quickly in the bucket right there by the numbers when you look at Shani Stephens southwest to cab you've got to look at the 11 points a game average but also ten rebounds against.
Right.
That's a very balanced package for that young lady mentioned the blocks and steals and everything else and all the other havoc she creates.
There's a three point shot right there by Elijah Rivers.
She's got five on the day, Georgia, five foot six, a sophomore, one of the smaller players on the floor.
But don't let that fool you.
Three point shot back.
Khadijah Moten was long back on the other end, shot off the mark by Rivers, taken down nicely there by Simms.
That's the whole dribbling, trying to kick it inside there.
It looks like Lewis got a hand on it.
Hayes had that one blocked by Sloane Rutledge back on the other end.
Tough shot right there.
Wouldn't go for a longer rivers and all alone on the other end and Euclid lays it up and in big Shani Stevens is getting a rest right now.
And notice the change in the game, right?
With her on the bench, little things start to happen.
Southwest to Cab has really got more to a perimeter game with her out of the lineup, but they haven't been able to get the shots to fall.
And now back on the other end of the screen there Walker You couldn't couldn't finish it.
Now, Southwest, the Cavs going to settle the offense down into that little halfcourt set for once today.
And I noticed Stevens was coming back.
That is a short last three point shot off the mark by Rivers though get the lob itself kicks it back out.
Offensive reset.
336 to play here in the second quarter moving right along in this 40 girls state championship both teams coming off a big wins on Wednesday night in the state semifinals right here in this building.
And inside good looking hoop right there.
That was Lewis knocking it down.
Lucretia Lewis, six foot one junior, all kind of size stick on the floor.
You look at it.
That's right.
But but again, Shani Stephens makes things happen inside that set up.
The younger players aren't able to and she works so well with Simon Rutledge that will rattle around in there that out at the it will stay with the Lady Tigers right here, 2819 and it looks like we do have a time out on the floor right here.
Well, go ahead, step aside.
302 left here in the first half.
You're watching the four girls state championship on GPB.
We're back in a moment.
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Southwest.
The cab leads it 2819 over Fayette County here.
This for a girls state championship.
We welcome you back after a short break.
And there are some of the crazies in the house right here.
So much fun about these high school games.
The kids just act the fool.
Have a good time again.
I was here last night, watch several games.
The students had a great time.
No, no funny stuff.
No nonsense.
Just good old fashioned joy about their game making it to the Final Four.
Well, that's what it's all about.
For the Fayette County fans.
They're pulling double duty here tonight.
So the boys are up next in the Euphoria Boys State Championship.
And they're not used to this in basketball.
No, that's not meant to dismiss Bad County in any way.
They're just not used to this kind of basketball success with both teams going to have both of in the state championship game on one night, one venue.
I tell you what, it's remarkable.
That'll draw a crowd.
Coach John Strickland, you can't say enough about the job he's done in his third season overall as the head coach of the Lady Tigers.
He's been there since 97. that turnover hurt for another turnover.
That's a hole, stripped it away and converts it into points.
he's got five 2820 17. game right here Now Rutledge and Stevens both back end for Southwestern Cab now so I think we'll look for them to go inside more.
You got it.
There there is.
And there is.
Stevens points nine and ten.
Shani already in double figures.
Fayette County having a hard time guarding him with just one player shot from outside is off the marker.
You know, Dick, I know that this is a pretty spread out you know southwest of 15 everybody contribute It's hard to believe that Stevens is are only really averaged 11 points a game he's already got ten here tonight that was my biggest surprise preparing for this game because she had been scoring so well throughout the playoffs and they had 20 points the other night in the semifinals of the state of South Carolina signee.
Take another look at it right here, back all ago.
Go there.
The Take Away by Tessa Holton beautiful steal by Holt's beautiful steal on the other end the A shot off the back there by Mitchell But Stevens guess who is there with a follow She's got a dozen to Shani Stephens standing out as advertised here in this first half and all of a sudden at eight point game becomes an 11 point game and puts Fayette County in some trouble here.
But they steal it again.
Unbelievable.
Lay it right there by Jasmine facing I think I called her Stacy's it earlier but it's Jasmine facing There's Rutledge crosscourt pull up jumper off the mark by rivers taken down by Hayes back and running the other way as Holder quickly gets it down to the floor.
great.
Look right there.
And the roll wouldn't go for Tracy.
Hope gave a great walk.
That's a shame that layup didn't drop it.
30 to 23 minute 22 point here in the first half moving right along right here it's been a pretty clean game.
A team close to the bonus at this point.
You see Phil Kenny sitting back in that zone again to protect against the two post five early on Southwest, the canvas not hitting the outside shot and there's a midrange jumper that doesn't go off the mark by Louis Stevens with the follow.
We'll go to the line right here.
Stevens a chance for a three point play.
There were a moment it looked like.
All right, Coach Strickland right there facing the floor.
Let's see.
You had three rebounds.
That's offensive, right?
Yes.
Fayette County was not doing the job on the glass and that allowed Southwest to camp three cracks at the Apple.
He was misses on the first try here 23 chance he done in the lineup for Southwest Academy What you see here the number 44 Fayette County that's a new move back into the lineup for the lady Tigers and Stevens numbers 12 points, eight rebounds here today.
Big first half missed on the first second one right here gets the roll in a baker's dozen today for Shawnee under a minute to go in the second quarter.
High tempo a lot of energy Nice little spin move right there and a great look inside to a new good beautiful basketball beautiful basketball on with 11 510 sophomore plays more experience than a sophomore, that's for sure.
And both these teams do play a lot of young players.
And there's a two point shot.
Number 23, Chancey Dunn, who just came out of the game.
It's nice to know if you're Coach Walton, that you can bring a player right off the bench and knock down a shot that quick.
And again, a smaller player steals the rebound away.
No turnovers Southwest to Kat Holt unable to connect on that three point shot although they get it back Still fighting Got it out of their whistle as we ready for the one point southwest to camp has three big post players in the game right now the quick shoulder the Samoan drop and Shani Stephens that that's tough for Fayette County three point shot from way out there off the mark by Holton that will do it this time lines down here in this first half southwest a gap 35 Fayette County 25 a ten point ballgame but still plenty of basketball to be played here today.
Both teams fighting hard here in this first half.
Jrue Delivery standing by courtside, Gerald Haywood calls Reggie Walton.
How would you assess your team's play in the first half?
I'm real raggedy.
I think we're just not together yet.
Okay.
What are you going to tell them at halftime?
Just calm down.
Play our game.
All right.
Well, good luck in the second half.
Back over to you, Davis Hardy.
Thank you, Gerald.
Coach Walton, Not a lot to say right there, but should try to rally the troops at halftime.
We'll step aside.
Be right back.
Halftime here at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, 3525.
And this for a girls state championship.
We're back in a moment.
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Welcome back to halftime at the Arena Gwinnett Center, the girls Quarter Championship 6 minutes in the books, top rank, Southwest, a cab up 1035 to 25 over Fayette County.
Thanks for watching.
This is championship game number one of 11 that you will see over the next 31 hours here on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Thanks for watching as well as those of you watching live streaming on triple W GPB, Dawg.
I'm familiar territory for both of these schools.
Southwest of Cab hadn't even been in the playoffs in 17 years and they're going after their first girl's state title.
An even longer drought for Fayette County 1986 was their last time this deep in the playoff picture.
Tempo 90 points put up on the board for Southwest a cab tempo looking more like Fayette County's version 445.
That's the way things are going so far.
Fayette County's Got Tempo.
Let's head to the principal's office and Gerald Delivery.
All right, thanks a lot, John.
I'm here with both principals from Fayette County as well as from Southwest a cab.
We'll start over here with Mr.
Prince from Southwest.
The cab.
I know you must be really proud of the girls basketball team.
You have a rich tradition with the track and field, with the football and now the girls basketball team.
Yes.
We're very, very proud of our our coaching staff and our young ladies on our path out with our Panthers basketball team.
Our young ladies are excellent athletes, but they are also excellent scholars at Southwest Girl.
So our young ladies both excel in athletics and in academics, so we're very proud of them.
Speaking of academics, I know you're also doing a lot right now to get ready for graduation.
Talk about some of the programs you have going on.
Yes, we have afterschool tutorial programs.
We have Saturday school and we also have tutorial programs going on during the school day to prepare our schools to be successful on the Georgia high school graduation test.
As a matter of fact, Southwest's Camp High School has made AYP four years in a row, and we're going for a fifth year in a row this year.
Congratulations on net.
Let's head over here to the other principal, Charles Ward from Fayette County.
Now, I know you must be extremely happy about the athletics going on.
You've got the boys team.
You've got the girls team.
Just talk about the the excitement going on at the school right now.
we're delighted.
Everybody's excited about it.
And we're just so happy to be here.
And it just continues to be a great year at Fayette County High School.
And we're so proud of our student athletes for what they do on the court and what they do in the classroom and the integrity that they show.
And it's just been great to see the community's support.
Our students are excited.
We've got the we've got the best student group I ever saw the tailgaters, and they're here in force to say afternoon.
And so we're just looking forward to the rest of a great game.
But athletics have been great this year in particular, and we're also excited about how the academics are going.
Now.
I understand you have a special program going on tomorrow, a Hall of Fame induction.
Tell me more about that.
That's correct.
Fayette County High School began in 1925, and we have a rich and proud history.
And so our Fayette County High School is the high school that your great grandparents would have probably graduated from.
And a number of years ago, the Hall of Fame was begun to recognize and honor the achievements of alumni.
And to be a candidate, you have to be out of school minimally ten years often.
Candidates have been out of school a long time, but we do recognize those who are former student athletes who were not only great while they were in school, but went on to be great in college or professionally.
And then we also recognize those who have done well in non-athletic areas such as doctors and authors and so forth.
Well, we appreciate you spending some time with us and I'll be speaking to you in the next game.
Right now, listen to back over today and get ready for the second half party.
Thank you, Geraldine.
Indeed, an excellent first half, both teams up and down the floor.
Dick, in that first half, a lot of action I'd like to thank Kathy.
Richie Walton said that the players were raggedy.
Let's see, they scored 35 points in the first half.
That puts them on pace for 78 wins.
And go ahead, take a look back at the first half.
They're a little bit.
And Shani Davis, of course, had a huge first half for south with Gap.
Right.
But they're penetrating deep and finding her free.
And she is also a very good passer, as you'll see right here, as she tosses the ball to some of Rutledge.
It's double trouble for Fair County.
The two taller girls are effective together.
Fav County's best efforts come in transition in the fast break using their quickness.
A very quick pass inside to Arnaz on a Newkirk and she has a very quiet 13 point stretch enough Yep and you see the steal there by Tessa Holder has also been active in the first half.
Did you see the stats right there?
Again, field goals, 52% for Southwest, the Gap, 40% for the county.
Both teams shoot the ball pretty well there again, rebounds 19 to 10.
So the advantage going to Southwest, the gap on the boards right there turnover six apiece points off a turnover still low at this point but a Stephens 14 points nine rebounds in that first half and indeed a strong half for Shawnee and the Lady Panthers.
Well there you go.
The stage is set for the second half, a great ballgame here.
A ten point lead for Southwest to Cavett.
The Lady Tigers might have something to say about that.
We're back with the second half in a moment.
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This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station, and now back here inside the Arena, Gwinnett Center.
Let's throw it to Geraldo Rivera standing by with Coach Strickland.
Would you tell your team in the halftime?
Well, you know, I told them that we got to you know, we down ten, I think, and I said, hey, we got to make a push.
You know, we didn't come here to lay down.
We came here to fight.
And that's what we're going to do.
We want to play our display good basketball, you know, So some things we'll address at halftime, hopefully going to make some adjustments.
And, you know, we got to get we got to get on the boards.
We got to box out more and just do the fundamental things right know, and it would be okay.
All right.
Well, good luck in the second half.
Coach, back over to you, Dave.
All right.
So again, Coach Strickland's Lady Tigers trail by ten, but we've seen a lot of teams in this postseason throughout the state tournament and all classes come back from from big margins.
Ten points is certainly nothing that Lady Tigers can't come back.
I like the point he made that if got to push, they have been very tentative when they push the ball they're scoring in transition.
I think his analysis is absolutely correct.
That's why he's the coach and that's where we've seen a lot of the newcomers points come from.
Again, Onomah with a big first half out of 11, you know, kind of quietly there was on the receiving end of some transition, some good passes right here.
And they're certainly going to need more of that here in the second half.
Absolutely.
Now we've got Conor Rivers shooting two free throws, one, two held scoreless here so far today.
The five five junior at the line puts up the first and gets the roll.
And her sister Alondra with five points in that first half and California records her name in the Scorebook here the second one on the way off the mark.
No good taken down by Simms, Sasha Simms, certainly a player that stands out six and a half points a game on the season right here.
Now let's see a sack, right?
Yeah.
Southwest.
The Cavs going to apply the pressure again as they did to start the second quarter, pressuring the ball, looking for the double team.
Rivers jumps over there and that puts the pressure on the Fayette County Tigers.
They've got to make every pass count or it gets tipped out like that and the ball goes to Southwest again.
Yeah, that was all about Ebony Mitchell making that play happen right there.
And then off the fingertips of Dakota Walton, the five three junior out there as she trying to keep in bounds but could pressure defense but Fayette County has had a few transition buckets here getting up and down the floor.
I think Fayette County wants Southwest to camp shooting outside.
They don't want that ball going to the post players inside spot up shot right there is good It's a two point shot put on the line for Dakota Walton.
So that was Debbie Mitchell I believe there I guess knocked it down 635 to play here in this third period of pressure.
Again, the pressure leads to a takeaway and a breakaway and Mitchell off the glass wouldn't go back the other way though.
A whistle and a foul.
Mitchell really wanted that bucket right there and everything was 7.6 points.
Here you see Coach Walton and Kathy Richie Walton wants to hit on the arm.
Yep.
And the offensive smiles gently at her.
You says you may have a point, Coach.
Go today.
Brooks, 44, back in the lineup for the lady Tigers right here now while they bring the ball up the court.
You know my biggest disappointment here is that the Southwest, a camp band, isn't here again, right?
That's Band of the Lab.
I really thought they'd be here rocking out a little bit.
You talk about the tradition of the athletic program as a whole.
Of course, that was one of the things that Terrell talked about there at halftime, you know, the football coach and all the different things.
But the basketball, the girls basketball team looking for that first state title.
They've been here in the big dance several times.
Of course, the advanced semifinal, the last final four was back in 95 into the quarter finals last few years there.
But they're trying to capture that first state title here today.
And the roll would go right there for Christine Walker on the ball.
You it's quite a sight to see that Southwest, a cab band arrives for a football game.
You saw that seven busses all backed by instruments, the dancers.
It's really a show you don't like that You don't like sports.
Here you go, Lady Tigers inbound all that ball nearly through the hands of Tessa Holt right there and out of bounds.
You gets it, Boy, that's great.
Look.
But Backboard cut right there.
You the what?
Right there.
Quick enough.
As you see our officials today, Roy Lee Honeycutt, Eryn Swan, Yay!
And Lauren Bass, the three officials here today.
And as I say really Ronnie cut a pass finish my professional of the year award winner one of the best in the state.
I'll tell you, I'll take your word for it you're an especially you know these guys you know whether we got a good for now but I've heard you know only to impress I think every Mitchell with a three point shot and everybody is certainly warmed up after that 32 point performance the other night in the semis against Westlake.
Of course, Southwest, a cab won that game 90, 63, and she averages only 7.6 points a game.
But she she's taking a lot of three point shots.
She's comfortable there.
Solomon Stephens there in the finals, Stephen Stevens with their first two of the second half.
She's got 15 and eight time out on the floor with 505.
It's a full time out pulled by the county Lady Tigers.
As we take another look their last bucket in Mitchell with the shot would go but Stevens in position was take time out with a504 left 4325.
We're back in a moment.
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Dodge hopes you enjoy the game playing Southwest.
The Cavs leads at 4325 over Fayette County.
This girls for a state basketball championship game again live here at the Arena, Gwinnett Center, Dave Gardner, Dick Williams with you, Gerald.
All are very courtside with us here today with the rest of the GPB broadcast crew.
Wall to wall action championship weekend right here on GPB and we're certainly excited about it.
Got a good game right here.
Southwest cap trying to pull away a little bit here though in this third quarter.
Well, I think they did this eight point cushion.
They've opened up from a ten point lead at halftime is due to a smaller lineup.
They've gone to a smaller, quicker lineup.
And the only tall player in there is Shani Stephens.
Now Rutledge is back, but they had a much smaller lineup in to run up that eight point spread.
That's a whole little floater right here in the lane.
Tough shot right there wouldn't go follows her own shot puts it up and one of the lady Panthers I believe it might have been Rutledge who got a hand on it.
Heavy Mitchell.
Great feed right there.
That's a tough shot over a tall player.
Wow, That was a tough shot over Janay Brooks.
That's not an easy thing to do.
Brooks, Of course, a six foot senior again, ball pressure, you see that they're just not going to let the Faith County try to dribble the ball around rim, making them think about every single pass.
Again, I steal takeaway right there.
Rutledge knocked it away.
Great look, feed inside there and good defense by a new threw on the other end to prevent the points.
That's a whole pull up jumper off the front of the iron bars.
Their own shot off glass gets it.
Nobody blocked traffic.
The shot simple basketball Michael Rivers and Allen taken away there by looking at it This is look good in the transition as we come in at halftime Walker tough shot right there wouldn't go look she had to shoot around the bigger rebels who held her ground now going to be on team Walker you see the turnovers again fast down the ten southwest to cap seven the first and that's why those those fat county turnovers began with that pressure defense in the second quarter 2645 27.
You're going to look at number 20 shattering a trailer of the five seven senior in the lineup, 345 left here in the third quarter.
Of course, Fayette County is battle tested in this postseason.
The last two games decided by a point, the North side, Warner Robins in round three, 43, 42, and of course the other night semifinals over Madison County and game the team down the final possession their 4544 that county back on a man to man two to try and do something different because the zone was allowing the bigger girls to get the ball inside a nucleus consistently they're going to double figures the entire postseason 16 in the first round 14 and round three 416 the other night.
So she has been good for double figures throughout the season and that certainly hasn't stopped in the playoffs.
And I would say this she's a quiet player.
You don't notice the points piling up that she scored on and has been almost as many as Stevens, but she's just not as noticeable.
13 fouls now on Southwest a cab there you get a look at Jasmine Facey, the five six senior knocks down the first 50% free throw shooter is Jasmine and you look at number 45 back in the line here that's look we shall Lewis in show business first of all this is six one nothing one of us goes out right exactly how a nearly thrown away right there Taylor Lewis 22 with the basketball for Southwest.
It tapped and it knocked away though good hands right here by Facey who's been very active defensively and tries to hold on the other end alone right there.
Great shot.
Great Right on you go with two more.
She's got 13.
And Hooker was not quiet on that play.
Dave that was pretty basketball.
Good job.
And you notice the defender was coming.
She didn't even put the ball on the floor.
She just caught it twisted.
It was one right here that prevented it from being a contested shot, essentially.
So now the tide is showing a little life, a little more energy, trying to get back in this game, 15 point lead right now.
That shot off the mark, Curl back the other way and the whistle.
But if you're going to get loose for that one base, to lose those two on those three team fouls on the Lady Panthers, a lot of fans say, well, she traveled well.
She had an assist in the back travel in the system.
At one point.
That's right.
And Aaron Swan here saw that play.
One of the most active players on the floor for Bay County has been Christine Walker, one of the shortest players on the floor at five foot six.
But we've seen 32 dribbling through traffic all day right now.
Now Southwest, the Cavs dropped back and it was on, but at the start, it's still going to steal a lot of them.
That fast bounce pass contact.
No whistle right there.
And Shani Stephens hits the deck hard.
She still down, down, down at the other end.
Meanwhile, Tessa Holt playing right here as action continues.
Three point shot on the way and it's there for balls and Tessa, double figures with ten on the clock will stop there with 155.
And Shani Stevens has lost, I guess, the time to let her get settle down.
It's a full time out on the floor right here with 155 to play here in this third quarter.
And the lady Tigers try to make a game of it slowly climbing their way back in this thing, just a 12 point game.
Well, they have been more active.
They're pushing the ball and up.
And you're right, the quickness of their guards is starting to have some effect.
Here you go with that quickness we talked about.
And that one leads to a three point shot, which which gets them back within 12.
They were down as many as 15.
So I think that's I think they've got a shot if they play with energy and they push it, well, it's viewers like you that help make great local programs like these high school basketball games possible.
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Dave.
How about the fact that the football finals will all be in the dome this year?
Absolutely.
All five classifications in the Georgia Dome broadcast on GPB.
that's something to look forward to.
Looking forward to it, indeed.
Of course, it's pretty much a year round deal between the football and the basketball league.
First folks to become members and they could look at all the free point numbers right there on the screen.
It was just a whole hitting that last win there for the Lady Tigers staff was the cap four of eight.
They're counting to seven so far.
It tried it felt, well, I guess I misspoke when I said Fayette County, one of them shooting outside.
But I think they have to pick their poison, higher percentage run laps inside, shot too strong here from the corner whistle, though.
And of course, inside going to be called on the Lady Panthers three increased chance chance does it's 14 fouls now southwest and as Walker reenters the lineup for the lady Tigers and into her right here from the corner shot off the mark wouldn't go a little over a minute left in this third period so they're two of eight from three is Fayette County in that it's tough to win ballgames with that kind of shooting.
They're a team that's going against this bigger team.
They need the three that three off the mark by Louis kept alive, though both teams looking for that first state girls basketball championship.
One of them will be crowned a little bit later on here in a little over a quarter crowd making noise, knocked away inside.
And Tessa Holt with a numbers right here three on one play and a new hope to a nucleus.
The best weapon that the Tigers have got on the new 3510 sophomore with 15 points wins back a ten point game and on the other end the block right there by since they got 30 seconds left in the period I don't think they'll play for one shot.
I think that puts it in a hole and a three point shot.
It looks like one of the Lady Panthers might have got a hand on it back on the other end.
That shot wouldn't go well and they will try to keep it in play the third quarter able to do so.
And it will be Fayette County basketball.
No fear they're not going to knock it off that three shot, that three point shot with time running down the screen.
Take another look at it right here in your living room.
Let's hold to a nuku.
That's the best play the fancy County Tigers had tonight.
A new crew getting out on the break.
And Holt, a good little ball handler getting the door in the clear Lady Tiger crowd is helping this team get back at it.
It seems like they're feeding off of that momentum a little bit right now.
3 seconds left.
That's a whole three point shot from way out there.
Gets it to go.
Are you kidding me?
Wow, what a comeback here.
13 points for Tessa Hall.
And that's a ballgame as we in order number three, we're back with the fourth and final period.
And this for a girls championship at Southwest, a Cat 45, Fayette County, 38 career coming soon to Georgia Public Broadcasting broadcaster.
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A seven point game as we start the fourth and final period in this for a girl's state championship.
Dave Gardner, Dick Williams with you, Joe Dollar Barry courtside with along with the rest of the Gp-b team.
And Dick, I tell you what it's a game right here.
The lady Tigers feeding off of that Fayette County crowd.
A while ago there were chanting faco in the house.
And indeed they are here, no doubt.
Well, you said that.
You said the Fayette County Tigers chief weapons were Tessa Holt and honor.
And you two, they have delivered in that third quarter on an eight an all runs and narrow the margin to seven points.
If they continue to push it and apply pressure, they can make this a ballgame.
You don't run in the last 3 minutes, as we saw right there in.
That's why we're at a seven point game.
If there's a ten point lead at halftime for Southwest to capitulate at 3525.
But, you know, Lady Tigers have been able to cut that margin a little bit.
A follow up is Walker.
I do what I like Stevens, but I'm going to handle that one and and it was a tentative shot attempt.
I think she saw the defender coming.
The first one, she was tentative, the second one she got.
BLOCK How about that?
Southwest a cab crowd.
They've also traveled good enough this year, this afternoon as well.
Yes, they have their glass as well.
They do.
And you go again.
And that was a beautiful interior pass.
That's the way it looks like.
Sean Stevens there with that back 17 for a UConn, it's a five point game and they pull up on the other end by corner Evans she's got five She loves that little shot against the bigger player inside She's not afraid to go up that's for sure.
Both the river systems, the ten points combined here today, both teams with four timeouts to start this fourth quarter out to tie fouls to play accounting is called for Southwest to cancel foul something on it not in the picture yet.
an open basket on the other end but the shot and able to go to foul is there that Shani Stevens just found a way knock that one into the basket last time down for bad kind of the interior pass didn't want it was the same idea but it wasn't executed even though the initial shot would hit right here if you take that, you don't stop the basketball.
Right.
Got a two shot at the bucket.
That's an adjustment.
I think that's going to talk to schools about back as happens in with hold against hope.
That's one way to stop her from penetrating and dishing 14 fouls.
Now that went on for one two rivers his second in targeting back here hawks with a floater then going up five and your momentum is going away from the bucket shot like that to go number 12 Japanese face faces back in the lineup southwest of camp now with the bigger lineup with with both Stevens and Rutledge in the game 6 minutes left 4940 Ebony Mitchell with ten points here today for county fans want something to happen they want to stop and in the three they want to get loose and go game has been up.
Had it knocked away though into the hands of Bassey, there's the stop back on the other end Sasha Sims with it but certainly not one shot from three point range here today.
You know no ball back outside coaches this only 25% from three down.
The Tigers showed some patience right here three point shot just off the mark.
Got one of those to go right at the end of the third period.
Just brought it to within a seven point lead.
Here's chatter on one of these things comes in great defense there at the sims that the defense right there and in fact on the way up and running Stevens with 19 points for Shani 5140 just like that an 11 point game that's a whole round and got to roll out this that's a hole with 15 points has hit over her average today back to a nine point southwest a cab lead now some pressure from fantasy.
Well, the main weapons have been the defense here today.
Everybody is pretty much lived up to their season averages and point totals and things like that.
And saying always is, you know, in big games in the quarter, step up.
And for both sides that has been the case here today and there's a nice turnaround move there by Stevens 21 points for John and that was a big time Portsmouth falling.
One of the reasons that Stevens has only averaged 11 points because I think they probably falter early a lot of games because they have been far ahead with a 32nd timeout on the court called by Coach John Strickland, 5342 a second look at that last one.
That's just a nice step down to a right side, right hand off the glass.
The defender had a play to go to the other way.
It was a beautiful move by Shani Stevens time.
You look at Southwest, a staff huddle in 67 point seconds.
So, you know, the Fayette County Tigers only have two players in double figures for the season and that's Tessa Holt and Newkirk.
And they have played excellent games and by rights, they should do better.
They're going to look at what's coming up next.
The Fayette County Boys in the house here at 23 and nine, and of course, Columbia Eagles at 23 and nine.
Coming up next, immediately following this game a little bit of later on this afternoon here, stay for a boys state championship.
So this Fayette County crowd will be able to stick around and cheer on the other half of that equation.
And the Columbia Eagles and coach Phil McCrary, they live in this building.
I think this is their third trip to the finals over so yeah so solid that he just he doesn't rebuild.
He just relays.
Exactly.
Yeah that's the old saying and they certainly did this year.
It's a wonderful basketball team.
Halfway through this fourth period after the 32nd time out.
And now and taking away the pass away quickly down.
On the other hand, Ebony Mitchell catches up to it as they will move.
They're being guarded nicely, though, by Terry.
It's a three point shot it's a lot for Rivers for that three beautiful basket, eight points for rivers, 5642.
It's a big momentum bucket right there.
It's you see them working inside, had it knocked away.
They're going to call the foul.
I'm going go against Stevens, it looks like.
So what we're seeing is southwest of camp bending.
But there are no way break in.
That nine point margin is where it was.
Now it's 14.
They bend a little bit.
And you're right, that was a dagger that last three pointer The foul against Stevens for the basket called it on Rutledge I believe 34 for that foul went pick one.
Yep.
I just see the free throw by Sasha Simms There is face is set to step back as see both teams like to rotate the players in and off the bench.
Going to look at Simmons numbers here today four points one of six from the field just a sophomore.
She's having trouble with the bigger Southwest opponent players inside knocks down a pair of their 325 to play 5644 again, Fayette County pressure the quickness of those guards try to keep southwest a cab outside Mitchell five say 5 seconds ball coming southwest it down The lady tigers have been consistent not only the regular season but they've done in the postseason what they did all year long.
They have averaged about 50 points offensively held teams Toronto out 35 points.
See that one knocked away right there.
Good say the most apples.
The cab has averaged 75 points a game in the postseason, giving up 51.
With numbers like that, it's no wonder they've been the number one team the state all year long.
The dance fantasy makes the great Steve and then unfortunately misses the three school much.
John Strickland, his team winners of ten straight games coming in here this afternoon in the state championship game have been on fire lately, but have run into a tough Southwest to cap team here with 247 left to play still 5644 get down for a good post defense nearby southwest advanced that's a hole shot off the mark would go right out Stevens back on the other end all alone and the lay in a alone that was Rivers Alondra Rivers with points nine and ten so Landry in double figures today averaging seven and she's hit 15 so for us to Kansas close was such a tough region Marist ranked two in the state southwest you can't beat them twice say Pius defending state champions Southwest you can't beat them twice in the southwest you can't just play tough competition every night in that league.
So the battle tested, as we were talking about earlier and in toughness, it's just a terrifically north road team, talking about the tight games that that county has had throughout the postseason.
It's been really a contrast on the other side.
I wouldn't say I'm sure that football would appreciate the same threes in this championship game because I know that it's been a lot of work and they've worked hard to get here.
But when you look at their scores, 71, 46, 68, 53 for 74, 63 in round three, Park Central.
And then of course the other night, 90 points beating Westlake 9063.
I mean they really have cruised into this championship.
It would be okay to say that they skated into the game.
Well, maybe they skated.
Yeah.
We'll find out what we can say about Cal.
Certainly hadn't come without a lot of hard work.
I can tell you that much.
Gary.
Gary.
Yes, that's a point.
And has an official that's a point of emphasis this year.
It seems like we've seen a lot more hearing calls for high school basketball.
absolutely.
Kids, I call it the Allen Iverson effect.
It started with him back when he was at Georgetown.
And all the guards want to want to put their palm under the ball and cradle it as they drive stance with their left hand.
They're driving around baseline move, kick back out here, clear cut low and kept alive by home taking away again the tigers have another inside Here's Ebony Mitchell on the other end lays it up and in every with a dozen 6044 with a little over a minute left and the lady Panthers have broken it open here a little bit now with a minute 11 and 16 point lead you don't have a lot of options.
You're going to have to put the ball up a little more.
I think there have to be a little less selective in the shot.
Foul right here.
Nice job by Simms to take it inside and get a lot of new teams in the playoffs this year.
Some new folks at the state championship games this weekend.
These two teams right here battling for their first state title Southwest, a cab a little over a minute away from clinching it.
There you get a look at them knocking down the free throw line and just offer additional live information on the game.
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For more info again go to score ATL dot com also GPB dawg websites to visit this week right fab Kenny trying to stop the clock now dance pressure a foul they're not supposed to camp not yet in the bonus so they've got a couple of more fouls to give or Atlanta now that's R.J. Rosenberg my friend and turnover right here off the fingertips look kept alive by Walker there along the baseline and good defense by Simon Rutledge Rutledge with four points here today.
But what she's meant defensively to this team is certainly unparalleled, as she has certainly been defensive in rebounding.
She's really quite sharp against Stevens, are really one two punch with that size and her strength is facing her secondary South west, the Carolina Panthers.
The feeling was they had the band, darn it, Where's the band?
Smiles on the bench right here indeed for Southwest the cab as they look to just run out the final 28.9 11 rockets after that elusive first day champion.
You go along with the great athletic tradition that has taken place in the last decades at Southwest High School.
yeah.
There's going to be a fine here after this one.
You know, Dave, if you go to YouTube and you just put in three letters S.W.
Day, the schools got huge arts programs, dance teams, bands, music, video after video comes up.
There's even a video by the Southwest to camp drum majors, a rap video.
They, they they get into their sports, their music.
6046 right here again, a time out on the floor Southwest a cab looking to close it out.
Take your hats off, though, to the Fayette County Lady Tigers.
In here today is the number one team out of region two for a just a great, great game here today.
Coach John Strickland doing a remarkable job.
Tessa Holt needed 18 points to capture her 1,000th career point, and she's only a couple away from that.
So she could maybe get a shot right here that she's 15 and on Yuko is with that 20.
She got 17 points there.
One two players deliver.
You shouldn't have a strength at the other positions to compete with this big, strong Southwest.
You can't change.
You off the inbound right here after the timeout Lady Tigers playing right down to the final whistle right here Southwest a tad, playing a little.
Keep away.
And I guess that county was not going to foul.
Yeah.
See, as I say that of course the foul cafes came out right there and got the girls about 30 foot heavy Mitchell at the line right here, you see Coach McCarthy, Reggie Walton seems a little bit more relaxed that she was there in that to see that at first as well.
We can't say that southwest a calm breeze to this victory, though.
It's a 15 point margin.
This was a hard fought game.
Now the clock will count down from about 15 seconds to inside him right there.
Shot wouldn't go ball still rolling around in there, 5 seconds on the floor picked up and that should do it the final seconds tick off the clock in the southwest the Cavs Lady Panthers are your 2008 for a girl's state basketball champions here in sports.
And the celebration is on the floor.
All smiles for the Lady Panthers who captured the school's first ever state girls basketball championship.
What job by these players?
Shani Stephens, 21 points in the ballgame.
Alondra Rivers with ten points and Ebony Mitchell with, 13.
Let's go ahead courtside.
Gerald Olivesi is standing by with the winning coach, Herald, coach Richie Walton first state championship.
How does it feel?
Hey, it's great.
They said we have quite a tradition in Southwest, but be the first.
You know, it's really quite an accomplishment.
Talk about the player Sandra.
She was big out there today.
Yeah, she knew it was her time.
And we look to her for leadership and she came up big for us.
Now they start to come back a little bit in the third quarter, but your team fought back.
Just talk about to play your team in this game.
Well, I know they had a lot of heart.
I knew they believed in each other and they believe in themselves and they believe that we could get it done.
Congratulations on the win.
Back over to you, Dave.
All right.
Thank you, Gerald.
Again, an excellent ball game right there.
Once again.
Hats off to the Fayette County Lady Tigers, but Southwest to have a little bit better here on this afternoon.
Your 28 state champs will take a timeout.
Be right back.
More from the Arena Gwinnett Center when we return.
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Welcome back to the Arena Gwinnett Center, the first championship in the books.
And we've got a first timer, girls, quite a state champ, Southwest, a cap top ranked beating Fayette County 62 to 46.
That is the first championship of the day.
Coming back in a little bit.
The boys side in quarter Columbia going for their third appearance in a final four, third appearance in the championship, their second in the last three years.
And it's a busy day for the folks in Fayette County as the boys team gets their shot at a state championship, Columbia and Fayette County.
Coming up next for your class, a championship with Fayette County.
The way things gone with them, they've never been in the playoffs.
And we're coming back and with we'll come back with more after this.
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