5A Girls:
After losing in the semifinals in three consecutive years, the dominant group of girls from Stephenson finally put it all together in '08, defeating Redan 58-43 in Friday's State Championship showdown. Leading the way for Stephenson was senior Jylisa Williams with 15 points, while Yasheeka Jones and Hiydaayh Williams each scored 10 of their own. In the end, the Stephenson size and athleticism made the difference, as Redan simply could not keep up in the physical matchup. Another significant factor in the Stephenson win: The girls had more blocks against Redan than I have ever seen in a girls basketball game. In fact, LSU signee Taylor Turnbow blocked nine shots all on her own. And despite the final 15-point deferential, Stephenson's fluid team basketball and overall athletic play made the girls 5A Finals an exciting event to witness.
5A Boys:
The boys final featured the two best teams in the State of Georgia, as Norcross defeated Wheeler 57-54 in what turned into an epic battle. For the most part, the game was played above the rim, with ferocious dunks numbering in the double digits. The victory also represented the third-straight championship for the Blue Devils. For Wheeler, Miami commitment, Dequan Jones, along with Ari Stewart kept the Wildcats in the game. Stewart led all scorers with 18 points, while Jones converted on a number of memorable dunks and played physical defense down low against Norcross star Al-Farouq Aminu, who with 17 points was held six below his season average. In the end, however, Aminu's physical all-around play made the difference, as the all-american also recorded six blocked shots. Forgetting about the outcome, the final quarter of play displayed two immensely talented teams playing basketball at a phenomenal level rarely seen in the high school game. And what a joy it was to watch that kind of play.
Scott Janovitz can be reached at SJanovitz@scoreatl.com
Showing posts with label class 5A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label class 5A. Show all posts
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Class 5A Finals preview
If you're looking for boys and girls 5A basketball results as well as a preview of tomorrow's finals, well then you've come to the right place. As we all expected, and hoped for, the Wheeler boys took care of Hiram rather easily Thursday evening, winning 68-54. The game wasn't close for long, as Wheeler pushed away with a 21-2 second-quarter run. The Wildcats were led by the usual suspects, as Richard Howell put in a healthy 22 points to go along with 22 rebounds, while Dequan Jones scored 17 and Ari Stewart 15.
In the same way Wheeler took care of business, so did the Norcross Blue Devils, crushing Savannah on Thursday 79-46. Denzail Jones led all scorers with 19, and Al-Farouq Aminu came through with a strong 17-point showing.
This is exactly why I argue against upsets in the NCAA Tourney. In a single-elimination tournament, it's so rare that you get to see the two top teams face off in the end. Well, Friday, we will get just that, the showdown we have been waiting to see all season, as Wheeler and Norcross, easily the state's top two teams, do battle. This SHOULD be an absolute classic and I can't wait for tip-off.
On the girls side of things, just like on the boys, neither matchup was very close. First, Redan (24-7), or should I say Alisha Andrews, defeated Duluth 62-50. Andrews was simply amazing for Redan, scoring 28 points to go along with eight rebounds and a game-changing seven steals.
Justice was maintained in the second girls game as well, when Stephenson notched its place in the 5A state finals. No team has been better than the girls from Stephenson all year; the finals just wouldn't have seemed right without them in it. And you couldn't have asked for a better final matchup than the one we will get Friday night. What's better than watching an amazing talent and competitor like Alisha Andrews go against a true heavyweight the caliber of Stephenson? I think Stephenson will be "cutting down the nets" in the end; however, either way, we should be in for one heck of a ballgame.
Check back here at 7 p.m. on Friday for live updates on the girls 5A finals, and again at 8:45 for live updates on the amazing boys action as well. It should be a night to remember, no doubt. Until then....
In the same way Wheeler took care of business, so did the Norcross Blue Devils, crushing Savannah on Thursday 79-46. Denzail Jones led all scorers with 19, and Al-Farouq Aminu came through with a strong 17-point showing.
This is exactly why I argue against upsets in the NCAA Tourney. In a single-elimination tournament, it's so rare that you get to see the two top teams face off in the end. Well, Friday, we will get just that, the showdown we have been waiting to see all season, as Wheeler and Norcross, easily the state's top two teams, do battle. This SHOULD be an absolute classic and I can't wait for tip-off.
On the girls side of things, just like on the boys, neither matchup was very close. First, Redan (24-7), or should I say Alisha Andrews, defeated Duluth 62-50. Andrews was simply amazing for Redan, scoring 28 points to go along with eight rebounds and a game-changing seven steals.
Justice was maintained in the second girls game as well, when Stephenson notched its place in the 5A state finals. No team has been better than the girls from Stephenson all year; the finals just wouldn't have seemed right without them in it. And you couldn't have asked for a better final matchup than the one we will get Friday night. What's better than watching an amazing talent and competitor like Alisha Andrews go against a true heavyweight the caliber of Stephenson? I think Stephenson will be "cutting down the nets" in the end; however, either way, we should be in for one heck of a ballgame.
Check back here at 7 p.m. on Friday for live updates on the girls 5A finals, and again at 8:45 for live updates on the amazing boys action as well. It should be a night to remember, no doubt. Until then....
Scott Janovitz can be reached at SJanovitz@scoreatl.com
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