MACON ROUNDUP

The Class A-AAA state championship games were held at the Macon Centreplex on Saturday. Here’s who came out on top:

The Wesleyan girls started things off by successfully defending their 2008 state title, which they won in Class 2A. The championship—won over Savannah Country Day—in the state’s smallest classification was the program’s fifth overall (all since 2002). The game capped off a magnificent prep basketball career for Wesleyan's Anne Marie Armstrong, who will continue playing basketball at the University of Georgia next season. In the boys Class A game, Whitefield Academy won its second state title under head coach Tyrone Johnson, defeating Turner County in the final by the score of 69-53.

In Class 2A, Buford completed an impressive season by cruising past Model, who was without its leading scorer on the day. The 66-35 victory gave Buford its first-ever state title. It was no first for Dublin in the boys game, however; the Fighting Irish won a Class 2A title back in 2006. This year’s banner comes courtesy of a 79-64 win over Blessed Trinity, which was making its first appearance in the championship game.

The action in Class 3A concluded the high school basketball season, and the final two games of the year did not disappoint. Carrollton came into the girls title game with a mission, having lost in the championship game last season. The Lady Trojans dispatched an upstart Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe team by the score of 51-31. And in the season’s very last game, Naismith Award-winner Derrick Favors and his South Atlanta Hornets finally got their state championship, pulling away late from a gritty Westover team and winning, 81-62.

Thanks for staying with Score Atlanta and Georgia Public Broadcasting throughout the state playoffs! 

High fives all around for the South Atlanta Hornets

Final South Atlanta 81,Westover 62

The South Atlanta Hornets win the 2009 boys 3A state championship with a decisive victory over the Westover Patriots. It was the perfect end to a season led by the best high school player in the country. In his last high school game, Derrick Favors had 38 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Coach Reddick's Hornets were certainly deserving of the trophy.

The end is in sight

With four minutes left, South Atlanta leads Westover 72-50.

Rebound and dunk for Favors

Favors just rebounded the ball over three Patriots and dunked. He drew a foul as well. He made his free throw to expand the Hornets lead to 61-42 with 7:00 minutes left in the game.

South Atlanta closes quarter on a run

56-42, South Atlanta is in front entering the fourth quarter.

No quit in Westover

Westover has cut the South Atlanta lead to 46-38 with 2:30 left in the third.

Malone's first points

Andre Malone has scored his first points of the game with 4:45 left in the third quarter. South Atlanta 46 Westover 33

Westover within ten

Westover has cut the lead to single digits once again 42-33 at the 5:30 mark in the third.

First half analysis

Westover has played exceptionally well and even cut the lead to six late in the second quarter. The energized Patriots have created havoc for South Atlanta, most notably Andre Malone who has been a non-factor to this point. Much of Malone's problems can be attributed to the outstanding defense of sophmore gaurd Rashad Green. Though he is giving up four inches of height, his quickness has kept Malone from being able to drive to the basket. Favors and Nicholas Watkins led the way for South Atlanta's offense in the first half.

Well played half

At halftime, South Atlanta leads Westover 38-27.

Patriots on run

The Patriots have cut the Hornets lead to nine. 34-25 with 2:00 left in the half

Too much fire power for South Atlanta

The Hornets are expanding the lead as Favors sits on the bench with four minutes left in the second quarter. Hornets 34 Patriots 18

Comfortable but not typical South Atlanta dominance

South Atlanta leads Westover 23-13 after one. The quarter ended with a Favors open court dunk and a three for Rodrick Pitts. Pitts went 2 for 2 from downtown in the first quarter. His shots couldn't have been more timely. They have really given South Atlanta a boost.

Westover plays tough

After consecutive turnovers, Westover converts four foul shots to cut the lead to 13-6 with 3:00 minutes left in the first.

The dunk and the foul

Derrick Favors just threw down a monster jam and finished the three point play after he was fouled. Hornets 13 patriots 2- 3:30 left in the first quarter

South Atlanta starts to pull away

Four minutes left in the first, Hornets lead 11-2.

South Atlanta trying to find groove

Two minutes into the game and South Atlanta is winning 2-0. The patriots have found grittiness on defense that Gainesville could not solve and now its giving the Hornets trouble.

Boys 3A Finals Preview

Time to see if South Atlanta can close out a season in which they have dominated their 3A opponents. Westover would love nothing more than to shock the highly favored Hornets.

South Atlanta


South Atlanta reached the finals in dominant fashion. The Hornets average margin of victory in their previous 2008-2009 state tournament games was a little over 35 points. In the first two games, South Atlanta won by 41 and 43 points. Make no mistake about it, all eyes are on senior forward Derrick Favors. Recently awarded the prestigious Naismith Award given to the top High School hoopster in the country, there would be no better way for Favors to go out than to lead his team to a state title. Players like Andre Malone are an added threat on offense and defense for the South Atlanta attack.

Westover

Westover enters the game with three defeats in 3A on the season at the hands of Monroe, Cairo, and Crisp. Though they are giving up size to South Atlanta, the Patriots are tenacious. They have already avenged one of those regular season losses by beating Monroe in tournament play. Coming off a win against Gainsville, in which Westover was considered the underdog as well. The team was able to dig deep and hustle their way to a close win. Westover will surely look to Rashad Green and Greg Green to lead the way in their bid for another upset.

Carrollton uses second half to blow by Lakeview

The game was incredibly close at halftime. With a one point lead, the game looked like it would be hard fought by both sides till the end. Turns out, it was just the opposite. The Lady Warriors came out flat and the Lady Trojans came out hot. They limited Lakeview to only seven second half points in an emotional 20 point victory. Final score: Carrollton 51, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 31

No chance for Lady Warriors

Carrollton is cruising 47-29 with 2:20 left in the game.