Hillsman Heavy Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic All-Showcase Teams And Showcase Notebook

The 2nd Annual Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic was held this past weekend in Athens, GA at Cedar Shoals High School. There were nine games in total, eight of which were boys games. The Hillsman Heavy Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic All-Showcase team will consist of the boys that played in these eight games.

Game MVPs were awarded after each game and one game featured co-MVPs. MVPs were not selected on highest scoring output alone however, overall impact of the game, impact of winning plays and upside were all considered with game MVP awards.

The Hillsman Heavy Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic All-Showcase Teams

Here is the Hillsman Heavy Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic All-Showcase Teams.

COACH OF THE SHOWCASE: Marcus Spivey (Central Gwinnett): Spivey is in his first year at Central Gwinnett and it has been a rough season as you would expect with a rebuilding project. Spivey’s team trailed by 11 points and could have folded. He continued to coach his team hard and rally them together to force overtime and come away with the win over Lakeside-Dekalb in the first-ever overtime game in the showcase history.

FIRST TEAM:

Gai Chol (Greenforest): The Mississippi State commit had a quiet night scoring with only four points but recorded 7 rebounds and 8 blocks in a win over Doughtery. Chol’s impact is not always felt on the offensive end, his defense is what stands out the most and what makes him a first-teamer.

Etowah’s Brandon Rechsteiner (Virginia Tech) set the record for Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic points in a game with 31 in a win over Cedar Grove

Brandon Rechstiener (Etowah): The Virginia Tech commit tallied a showcase-record high 31 points and connected on six three-pointers in a win over Cedar Grove.

Caleb Taylor (Lithonia): Scored a game-high 23 points and took home MVP honors in a win over Johnson-Savannah. Taylor continues to be Lithonia’s leading scorer and leader. Look for Taylor to continue to step up his defensive efforts and be a reflection of his head coach as season progresses.

AJ Wheeler (Lakeside-Dekalb): The games co-MVP scored a game-high 30 points, 14 of those in the second half and overtime, connected on four three-pointers and made a number of impactful plays in an overtime loss to Central Gwinnett.

Emmanuel “Manny” Green (Cedar Grove): The fantastic freshman tallied 19 points showing off an array of silky smooth moves offensively to go with a number of sound and effort defensive plays for a short-handed Cedar Grove team. As Green continues to develop there will be no shortage of suitors for his efforts and has the most upside of anyone at the showcase.

SECOND TEAM :

DK Manyiel Dut (Greenforest). The Georgia State commit tallied 8 points 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in a win over Dougherty. Dut continues to impact games even without scoring and his defense is a key to that. Dut has continued to work on his perimeter shooting but reads the game well enough to know what is needed from him on any given night for his team to win.

Dimitri Angelakos (Etowah): Angelakos followed up last season’s record performance of nine three-pointers in a win over Miller Grove by dropping in six three-pointers for 18 points in a win over Cedar Grove.

Darius Reynolds (Cedar Grove): Reynolds had an impressive showing in a loss to Etowah. Reynolds posted a 21-point 15-rebound double-double with multiple second-chance points due to his offensive rebounding activity around the rim. Reynolds’ improvement from earlier in the season was on full display and he could be key for Cedar Grove the remainder of the season as they make their run in 3A.

Alfonzo Ross (Woodville-Tompkins): The USC-Beaufort commit Alfonzo Ross continues to be the steady hand and scoring force for Woodville-Tompkins. Ross tallied 25 points, 15 in the second half in a win over Cedar Shoals.

Frantzyr Chardavione was one of several Paulding County Patriots that had a hand in an overall team win over Greenbrier.

Frantzyr Chardavione (Paulding County): Tallied 18 points, eight in the second half, with timely shooting knocking down four three-pointers in a win over Greenbrier.

THIRD TEAM:

Alex Koch (Cedar Shoals); MVP of Cedar Shoals win over New Faith Christian and tallied 14 points 7 rebounds 2 assists 2 steals and 2 blocks. It was Koch’s fourth game back returning from injury.

Greenforest’s Mike Robinson came off the bench to lead Greenforest in scoring and showed he is ready when his number is called.

Mike Robinson (Greenforest): MVP of Greenforest win over Doughtery with a game-high 15 points and connected on three three-pointers.

CJ Harper (Paideia): The freshman tallied 13 points to go with a number of impactful plays in a win over Luella.

John Mark Avitabile (Central Gwinnett): Scored 13 of his 16 points in the second have and powered the Central Gwinnett come-from-behind overtime win over Lakeside-Dekalb. Avitabile knocked down five three-pointers in the victory.

Kahlil Jones (Paulding County): Jones scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the first half in a win over Greenbrier.

HONORABLE MENTION: Jamil Aleem (New Faith Christian Academy), Devin “DJ” Hubbard (Cedar Shoals), Sebastian Reed (Lakeside-Dekalb), Camden Parada (Greenbrier), Jackson Jennings (Greenbrier), Kenan Orlovic (Paideia), Shariff Kemp (Paideia), Nick Dudley (Luella), Javonne Williams (Paulding County), Mason Etter (Etowah), Elliot Colson Jr (Cedar Grove), Elijah Lewis (Greenforest), Joshua Quarterman (Johnson-Savannah), Antonio Baker (Johnson-Savannah), Maurice Davis (Doughtery), Markell Jones (Dougherty), Mandrell Glenn (Cedar Shoals), Wes Walker (Woodville-Tompkins)

Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic Notebook

Here is a notebook of facts for the history of the Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic.

NUMBERS:

86- Most points scored by a team (Paulding County 2023)

31- Most points scored by a player (Brandon Rechstiener-Etowah 2023)

30- Second most scored by a player (Dimitri Angelakos-Etowah 2022; AJ Wheeler-Lakeside-Dekalb in 2023)

29- Largest margin of victory (Greenforest over Dougherty in 2023)

28- Etowah’s total number of made three-pointers in two games in the showcase

15- Most three-pointers made by a team in a single game (Etowah 2022)

9-Most three-pointers in a game by a player (Dimitri Angelakos- Etowah 2022)

8- Games decided by nine points or less in 2023 (out of 9 games). This includes one girls game in which Cedar Shoals girls defeated Carver-Atlanta 53-50 in the first-ever girls game in the showcases history.

7-Head Coaches that have been a head coach for a team that has appeared in a GHSA state championship game and has appeared in the showcase. (Eddie Johnson-Paideia (Therrell), Jamond Sims-Luella (Morgan County), L’Dreco Thomas-Cedar Shoals, Rasul Chester- Miller Grove, Jermaine Sellers-Kell, Rory Griffin-Greenforest, Jordan Griffin-Peachtree Ridge (Dutchtown)

4- Head Coaches that have been a head coach for a GSHA State Championship team and has appeared in the showcase. Eddie Johnson-Paideia (won state at Therrell), Jamond Sims-Luella (won state at Morgan County), Rory Griffin-Greenforest, Jordan Griffin-Peachtree Ridge (won state at Dutchtown)

2-Closest margin of victory (Cedar Shoals over New Faith Christian Academy 60-58 in 2023)

1- Games decided by more than 9 points in the nine games played in 2023, Greenforest defeated Dougherty 61-32.

1- Number of girls games to be held in the showcase (Cedar Shoals vs Carver-Atlanta in 2023)

0- Losses by a team that has played two or more games in the showcase; Etowah is 2-0.

NOTES:

MORE THAN ONCE: Etowah and Cedar Shoals are the only to teams that have played multiple games in the event. Etowah is 2-0 all-time and Cedar Shoals is 2-1 all time. Cedar Shoals is the first team to play more than one game in the event in one season. Both Etowah (Cherokee County) wins have came over Dekalb County schools (Miller Grove in 2022 and Cedar Grove in 2023).

First-Time Representation: Savannah, Ga area schools Johnson-Savannah and Woodville-Tompkins, Paulding County (Paulding County HS), Greenbrier (Columbia County/East Georgia/Augusta-Area), Henry County (Luella and New Faith Christian Academy) and Dougherty (South Georgia/Albany, GA) were the first teams from their county/areas of Georgia to be represented in the showcase.

Gwinnett County: Central Gwinnet became the first team from Gwinnett County to win in the showcases history. Gwinnett County is 1-2 in the showcase as Peachtree Ridge and Brookwood each played in 2022 and suffered losses.

Henry County: Luella and New Faith Christian Academy represented the county for the first time in the showcase in 2023. Both suffered losses and Henry County is 0-2 all-time in the showcase.

Savannah, GA: Savannah was represented by Johnson-Savannah and Woodville-Tompkins and went 1-1 at the showcase in 2023.

Dekalb County: Dekalb County was represented in 2023 by Greenforest, Lithonia, Cedar Grove and Lakeside-Dekalb went 2-2. Dekalb County is 2-3 all-time in the showcase as Miller Grove represented the county in 2022 and loss to Etowah.

Cobb County: There was no Cobb County representation in 2023. Kell is the only team from Cobb County that has played in the showcase and is 1-0 after a victory over Peachtree Ridge in 2022.

Atlanta Public Schools: Carver-Atlanta girls are the first team from APS (boys or girls) to be play in the showcase and played in the first-ever girls game in the showcase.

Fulton County: Has not been represented in the showcase.

Overtime: Central Gwinnett and Lakeside-Dekalb played in the first-ever overtime in the showcase’s history. Central Gwinnett won 75-69

All-Time Showcase Participant Records:

Etowah 2-0, Cedar Shoals 2-1 (most appearances), Kell 1-0, Greenforest 1-0, Lithonia 1-0, Woodville-Tompkins 1-0, Paulding County 1-0, Paideia 1-0, Central Gwinnett 1-0, Miller Grove 0-1, Cedar Grove 0-1, Greenbrier 0-1, Dougherty 0-1, Luella 0-1, New Faith Christian Academy 0-1, Brookwood 0-1, Johnson-Savannah 0-1, Lakeside-Dekalb 0-1, Peachtree Ridge 0-1

The Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic would like to thank all involved from school administration, coaches, players, sponsors, volunteers, showcase personnel and the avid high school basketball fan. The Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic will return in 2024 and we look forward to having your team, school and community participate.

#SeeYouInTheGym

Redan Falls to Pike County In Finals

The Redan Raiders (29-8) fell in Game 3 of the class 3A state championship 5-4 to Pike County. Pike County won games one and three of the best-of-three series at Coolray Park in Lawrenceville, GA to win the 3A state title.

For Pike County (36-6) it was there second state title (2019) in three played seasons. The 202 season was wiped out by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Entering game three, both teams had scored a total of six runs and the final tally was 11-10 for the three-game series, the closest series of any Georgia state championship series this season.

Redan was seeking its second state title in the schools storied baseball history and first since 2013.

Redan Advances To State Finals

The Redan Raiders advanced to the class 3A state finals for the first time since 2014 with a 6-1 win in game 3 of the best-of-three series and win the series 2-1 over Pierce County.

After dropping game 1, the Raiders bounced back to win game 2, 11-4 on Monday to force the decisive game 3 on today.

Redan (28-6) will face Pike County (34-5) in the 3A championship series. Pike County swept North Hall to advance.

Redan, located in Dekalb County, will be seeking its first state title since 2013 and second in school history and has more than 30 players that have been drafted by Major League Baseball.

Georgia HSFB Notes, Scores Of Interest Week 3

Georgia Week 3 of high school football was played over the weekend with only a handful of games cancelled or postponed due the approaching Hurricane Irma. Most of those games were in the southeastern coastal portions of Georgia after mandatory evacuations were issued. Here is a look at some the games of interest from Week 3 in Georgia

Cartersville’s (4-0) Trevor Lawrence passed for over 280 yards and 3 touchdowns while Rico Frye rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass as class 4A Cartersville defeated 7A Westlake (1-2) 38-5.  EJ Turner caught a pair of touchdown passes for the Purple Hurricanes who won their 34th consecutive game.

Mays (2-1) won its second consecutive game since a season opening loss to Stockbridge with a 32-20 region 5-6A victory over Langston Hughes (2-1). Jaquez Milam connected with Christian Royalston on a 42-yard pass to give Langston Hughes an early 7-0 lead. Later Mays pulled to within 7-6 on a touchdown run by Tyree Nelson. Mays took a 12-7 into halftime after quarterback Jaquez Evans hooked up with Amir Abdur Rahman on a 56-yard touchdown pass.  In the third quarter the team quickly exchanged touchdowns as Langston Hughes’ TJ Portress briefly gave the Panthers an 14-12 lead on a 4-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing kickoff Ihbin Tophia returned it 80 yards for a touchdown for an 18-14 lead. The Raiders expanded the lead to 25-14 on Nelson’s second touchdown run of the game. Antoino Grier block a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown and 32-14 Mays lead in the fourth quarter. Langston Hughes completed the scoring with a Tyrea Swanson 10-yard touchdown run for the final 32-20 margin.

Meadowcreek (3-0) improved to 3-0 for the first time in the programs 32-year history with a 29-27 win over Forsyth Central (0-3). Meadowcreek, located in Norcross, Ga in Gwinnett County, is 73% Hispanic. The Mustangs have one of the largest offensive lines in Georgia averaging around 320 pounds which paved the way for two rushing touchdowns by Chauncey Williams (180-plus yards rushing). Jeremiah Caldwell had a receiving touchdown while Alonzo Howard returned an interception for a touchdown. Meadowcreek led 26-6 at one point before Forsyth Central rallied. The Bulldogs closed to within 26-20 on a late third quarter touchdown run by Devron Orasn. Meadowcreek added its cushion early in the fourth quarter on a field goal by Christopher  Linares to put the Mustangs up 29-20. Forsyth Central added another Orasn touchdown to make it 29-27 however on their next possession were unable to convert a fourth down which sealed the victory for Meadowcreek.

Cedar Shoals (3-0) defeated North Oconee (1-2) in dramatic fashion 13-6. Ken Johnson rushed for two touchdown but it was his 5-yard touchdown with 38 seconds remaining in the game that propelled the Jaguars to the victory. Cedar Shoals has won the last two meeting between the two schools.

Stephenson (1-2) defeated Southwest Dekalb (2-2) 31-18 in a sloppy game featured five fumbles between the two teams . Ira Henderson return the second half kickoff 86 yards fro a touchdown to jump start Stephenson after trailing 6-0 at the half.  Stephenson’s Deshon Stoudemire caught a pair of touchdowns, one from Ga’von Wray another from Daren Parker. Justin Tomlin passed for three touchdowns for Southwest Dekalb.

Georgia High School Football 

Stockbridge (3-0) for the second consecutive week allowed their opponent to score on their opening possession and for the second consecutive week after that they did not allow their opponents to score again. Dutchtown (2-1) jumped out a 7-0 lead after Shanaan McKoy’s short touchdown run capped the Bulldogs opening drive. Stockbridge pulled to within 7-6 after a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Demaje Carter. Marquez Ezzard added a touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the final 13-7 margin. Dutchtown’s final drive ended with an interception to cap another stingy night of Stockbridge defense which has allowed only 14 points in three games this season. It was Stockbridge’s eight consecutive victory over county and region foe Dutchdown. Lovejoy (41.5), Dutchtown (41) and Mays (36.1) are all averaging 36-plus points in games this season when not including their game against Stockbridge in which all were held to single digits (Mays was shutout).

Grayson (3-0) defeated John Curtis (LA) (1-1) 22-9 on the strength of a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. Quarterback DJ Irons rushed for a touchdown then hooked up with Jalen Rivers an 21-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as the Rams overcame an early 9-3 deficit for the win. Grayson collected its second victory over an out-of-state opponent this season and have International School of Broward (FL) and Ramsay (AL) remaining on the schedule.  Grayson has won 17 consecutive games, including two over Alabama power Hoover, since losing to IMG Academy (FL) in their 2016 season opener.

Colquitt County (4-0) shutout Roswell (1-2) 28-0 to win its third consecutive game. Ty Leggett rushed for two touchdowns in the second half while Nigel Hillery rushed for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the final margin.

Dacula (1-2) picked up its first win of the season by snapping  Arabia Mountain’s three-game win streak with a 9-0 shutout victory. Jalen Perry rushed for the lone touchdown of the game and Zachary Gerts connected on field goal for Dacula. Arabia Mountain (3-1) had a short touchdown run called back for holding in the first half and missed a field goal in the second half.

North Gwinnett has won three in a row since losing its season opener to Walton

North Gwinnett (3-1) won their third straight game defeating Norcross (2-2) 35-14. North Gwinnett’s Tyler Goodson rushed for over 240 yards and three touchdowns. Jimmy Urzua, who took over as quarterback for injured starter Cade Fortin in the first quarter of the Milton game, has led the Bulldogs to all three victories. Urzua and Devin Crosby each rushed for touchdowns as North Gwinnett amassed over 330 yards rushing as a team.

New Manchester (2-1) shutout Creekside 23-0. AJ Taylor rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns while Eddie Ellis caught a touchdown for New Manchester. Creekside (0-3) has been been shutout in all three games being outscored 89-0.

Other Scores/Notes of Interest:

Woodstock (2-1) became the fourth Georgia team to score 70-plus points this season in their 77-49 shootout victory over Kennesaw Mountain (2-1). Rockdale County (75 vs Berkmar), Habersham Central (72 vs East Hall) and Mountain View (71 vs Osborne) are the others.

Jenkins (3-0) defeated Liberty County (1-2) 43-41; Jenkins quarterback Javonte Middleton passed for three touchdowns.

Class 7A Tift (4-0) handed former region foe and defending 6A state champion Valdosta (1-3) its second straight loss with a  20-10 victory

Abbeville (SC) defeated Lincoln County (1-2) 28-24

Cedar Grove (3-0) shutout Columbia (1-2) 33-0

Peachtree Ridge (0-3) struggles to begin the season continued after losing 47-28 to Newton (3-0).

McEachern earned its first victory of the season with a win over Jonesboro

McEachern (1-2) defeated Jonesboro (2-1) 49-10

Douglas County (3-0) won it’s region opener on the road shutting out Northgate (2-1) 21-0

Hapeville Charter (3-1) shutout Wesleyan (3-1) 35-0

Games of interest postponed/cancelled due to Hurricane Irma:

Camden County at Glynn Academy

Grady at Ware County

Shiloh at Lowndes; The concern with this game was Shiloh having to travel back Gwinnett County after the game in heavy traffic due to Hurricane Irma evacuations from Florida.

Pierce County at Richmond Hill

 

 

Tough Schedule Paying Off For Lithonia

There are two teams remaining in the Georgia state tournament in classifications 2A-7A that are four-seeds. The Lithonia Bulldogs are one of those two and are the only team in those classifications  with a losing record (13-16). Pardon the Bulldogs if they don’t mind you overlooking them because of their sub-500 record, ask Villa Rica and Riverdale.

Head Coach Wallace Corker has his Bulldogs in the quarterfinals because they did not dodge anybody when it came to scheduling this season. In addition to the tough schedule the Bulldogs only played six homes games all season.

“We set it up the way we did on purpose,” Corker said.” We knew we had a new team coming back and wanted to get them experience against good competition outside of the region.”

The Bulldogs finished fourth in region 5-5A which contains all Dekalb County (Ga) schools. Dekalb County has won a basketball championship either boys or girls for 14 consecutive seasons across multiple classifications.

The region schedule saw the Bulldogs split two games against Columbia (region runner up; Sweet 16, five-time state champs), drop two games to Southwest Dekalb (Sweet 16) and drop three games to Miller Grove (region champs, Elite Eight, seven-time state champs). The Bulldogs also faced improving region opponents Chamblee (split two games) and Arabia Mountain (won 2 of 3 games) that did not make the playoffs.

May the hoop be with you

Lithonia took on all comers running the floor against 7A schools McEachern (Elite Eight) and Roswell (lost in first round), 6A Heritage-Conyers (lost in first round) and Douglas County (did not make playoffs), 5A contenders Eagles Landing (lost in Sweet 16) , Fayette County (Elite Eight) along with quick rising New Hampstead-who loss to Buford in the Sweet 16 on a buzzer-beater. 3A noteables Jenkins (Elite Eight) and Johnson-Savannah (lost in Sweet 16 to Pace Academy), and 1A private St. Francis (Elite Eight).

Roswell, Douglas County and Jenkins were the only games Lithonia won. That is as good of a scheduling resume as your are going to find for a team that did not play an out-of-state opponent this season.

“We knew within our region it would come down to winning one game to make the playoffs so we wanted to prepare the guys for the playoffs and compete,” Corker said.

Lithonia has made the semifinals the past two seasons however this team is different from those teams. The Bulldogs only have ten players and all ten play. Robert Hatchett III and Cortez Robinson provide the senior leadership as both played key roles on those semifinal teams. Zion Cain, Christian Parker and Sydarius Stinson also play valuable roles for Lithonia.

“This team is more team oriented, play well together and the guys really like each other, we haven’t had any issues all season,” Corker said. “They are committed to getting better and our parents are supportive.”

Hatchett III has big game experience for Lithonia in both football and basketball. In football Hatchett threw the game-winning touchdown pass on a Hail Mary against Arabia Mountain to put the Bulldogs in the playoffs. In basketball he did it again to Arabia Mountain this time with a game-winning layup in the region tournament that put the Bulldogs in the state playoffs.

“We joked with him that (Arabia Mountain) does not want to see him anymore,” Corker said.

Nobody may want to see Lithonia if they just simply look at their record.

Up next for the Bulldogs is a trip to Cedar Shoals (24-4) Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

 

 

 

 

Stephenson Holds Off Mays, Wins Region Title

The excitement was in the air Friday night at Lakewood Stadium as Stephenson and Mays squared off for the Region 6-5A championship. Each team couldn’t wait to kick the game off as matters escalated during pregame warmups as both teams exchanged words, smack talk and noise in advance of the opening kickoff.

After a scoreless first quarter, Stephenson opened the scoring with a 29-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Mays would drive right back down the field yet missed a 30-yard field goal attempt. Stephenson then marched 80 yards in 16 plays (14 rushing plays) capped by a Trestan Kinsler 4-yard touchdown run to put Stephenson up 10-0. That score held until halftime.

Mays’ Randrecous Davis is held back by an official during pregame warmups. Davis caught a touchdown pass in the game

Mays opened the second half with a 22-yard field by Trenton Jamison to pull the Raiders within 10-3. After forcing a three-and-out Stephenson’s punt went for minus-2 yards to their own 18. Two plays later BJ Phillips hit Randrecous Davis for an 18-yard touchdown pass however the extra point was blocked leaving the score 10-9 with just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The defensive battle continued the remainder of the game, fittingly it was the defense that won the game in the end for Stephenson. After Stephenson punter Justin Smith mishandled the snap, Mays took over with just over one minute remaining in the game at the Stephenson 25 with no timeouts. Mays was unable to use the miscue as the Stephenson defense, led by Michael Pitts, Aaron Sterling and Amari Andrews, recorded three of the Jaguars 10 sacks on Mays’ final possession including a fourth down sack by Amari Andrews on the games final play sealing the victory and first region championship since 2009. the 10 sacks were the most Mays allowed in a game this season.

Stephenson enters the playoffs 9-1 without a loss a Georgia opponent, as the Region 6-5A top seed and will host Rome in the first round. Mays (9-1) is the No.2 seed will host Creekview in the first round of the playoffs.

Broadwater, Tucker rush past Lovejoy

Chris Broadwater has broad shoulders but it  was his legs that again powered the Tucker Tigers past Lovejoy in a key region 2-6A game in Georgia. Broadwater rushed for over 150 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers victory pulled Tucker into a three-way tie for first in the region with Lovejoy and Newton. Newton as of Friday night has the head up for first place with one game remaining in the regular season.

Tucker (6-3; 3-1) jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half after Broadwater touchdowns of 24, 21 and 5 yards. Lovejoy gained momentum as the first half ended. Santo Dunn returned a kickoff 56 yards and caught a 29-yard pass to the Tucker five setting up a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback Trevaro Hardy for a 21-7 halftime score.

Dunn continued to impact the game stripping Chase Tyson of the ball on a punt return, Dunn returned it 32 yards for a touchdown in the opening moments of the third quarter to pull Lovejoy within seven, 21-14. Broadwater and Tucker answered right back as Broadwater finished the Tigers ensuing drive with a 17-yard touchdown run to put the Tiger up 28-14.

The youthful Lovejoy (4-5; 3-1) team would respond as Hardy hit junior Malik Route on a screen, Route did the rest racing 58 yards for a touchdown to again pull Lovejoy within seven at 28-21 late in the third.

As the third quarter ended Tucker drove deep in to Lovejoy territory but faced a fourth down as the fourth quarter opened. The Tigers leaned on dependable kicker Adam Lippy and the junior delivered with a 31-yard field goal on the opening play of the fourth quarter to put Tucker again 31-21, that held as the final points in the 31-21 Tucker victory.

Tucker will close the regular season next week against Lakeside-Dekalb while Lovejoy will face Alcovy. Newton will take on win-less Rockdale and a shot to lock up the region 2-6A championship to close its regular season. Newton defeated Tucker but lost to Lovejoy during region play this season and therefore hold the tiebreaker going into next week.

Video: Georgia High School Football

Spring football is underway in Georgia and spring games begin to pop up this week. Mays is an interesting team entering the spring. They return key players along with others rated by recruiting services.

Here is a look at Mays at Stephenson in Region 6-5A from 2013.

GeorgiaHSFB MaysStephenson13 Pylon Productions.

Mays finished 2nd in the region, bowing out at Kell (GA) in the second of the state playoffs. Stephenson finished 3rd in the region, won a road playoff game and lost in the second round.

Region 6-5A winner Tucker (GA) completed their 2013 runner-up to Creekside (GA) in the 5A Finals. Creekside and Mays meet as region 6-5A opponents in 2014. Tucker moves up to 6A playing in region 2. Lovejoy is the defending region 2-6A champ.

Georgia 6A And 5A Semifinals Loaded With National Appeal

Class 6A and 5A semifinals may be one of the toughest in the nation as far as semifinal brackets go. Colquitt wins on the road, Norcross is the defending champion, Tucker averaged close to 50 points a game during the regular season yet only 26.6 points per game in the postseason, McEachern has their quarterback back with plenty of playmakers, Creekside is inspired and North Gwinnett plays to the final horn. Those are just a few of the things that the Georgia High School Football quarterfinals offered up.

We begin in 6A where there no undefeated teams yet all are currently ranked nationally ranked or have been this season. 44-7 is combined record of the semifinal teams with all seven losses coming to playoff teams. North Gwinnett is the only one-loss team in the field. North Gwinnett’s only loss was to Collin’s Hill and defeated Norcross in the regular season. Norcross’ non-Georgia loss came to the top nationally ranked team Booker T. Washington (FL). Booker T. Washington is undefeated and are in the Florida Class 4A semifinals. Colquitt County has two losses with only one to a team from Georgia, Camden County. Colquitt’s other loss was to Hoover (AL) who is undefeated, nationally ranked and will face Auburn (AL) in the Alabama 6A finals. McEachern’s losses were to region opponents North Cobb and Hillgrove. North Cobb lost to Colquitt County in the second round and Hillgrove lost to North Gwinnett in the quarterfinals. Hillgrove defeated Camden County in the second round.

North Gwinnett is the only one-loss team in the Georgia 6A semifinals.

McEachern defeated Collins Hill 35-32 to advance. McEachern jumped out 21-3 lead but needed an 86-yard punt return for touchdown by Taj Griffin and a late interception to seal their semifinal slot. Griffin finished with 153 yards rushing and a touchdown. Alizee Chubbs rushed for two touchdowns and Bailey Hockman passed for a touchdown. Ty Clemons returned to action for the Indians coming off an ankle injury passing for 10 yards and rushing for -5 yards. Tyler Herman passed for two touchdowns, Tyler Henderson rushed for a touchdown and Dwayne Smith returned a punt for a touchdown for Collins Hill. McEachern will host North Gwinnett in the semifinals after winning the coin flip between two teams that are both three-seeds out of their regions. McEachern won the only previous meeting between the teams in 2011 in the Georgia Dome.

North Gwinnett did what they have done all season, find ways to win. The Bulldogs came from behind for the second week in a row in the playoffs to advance with a 35-31 victory over Hillgrove. CJ Leggett toted the mail for North Gwinnett rushing 40 times for 141 yards and four touchdowns. In the end it was North Gwinnett’s defense setting up the go-ahead touchdown with a fumble recovery leading to Hayden Sphire hitting Daniel Imatorbhebhe for a touchdown with a little over a minute remaining to give North Gwinnett the 35-31 lead. Hillgrove would have several shots at the end zone on their final possession but North Gwinnett’s secondary answered the bell each time knocking down pass after pass sealing the win with an interception as time expired. Hillgrove’ Richarde Bagley rushed for four touchdowns but was playing at the quarterback spot when he fumbled late in the fourth quarter setting up North Gwinnett’s final touchdown. Justin Denton caught a touchdown pass from Elijah Ironside for Hillgrove. North Gwinnett is a co-Region 7 champion and will play at McEachern in the semifinals in their fourth consecutive road playoff game.

Colquitt County jumped out early on Dacula and cruised to a 42-17 victory. Daniel Mobley passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another. Bull Barge, Colquitt’s leader in tackles, returned an interception for a touchdown and running back Sihiem King rushed for a touchdown. Kiel Pollard caught a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown as the Packers improved to 12-3 in road playoff games since 2009 under head coach Rush Propst. Colquitt will go for their 13th road under Props win next week at Norcross. Norcross defeated Colquitt in a scrimmage earlier this year in August, last year in a scrimmage in Moultrie and in the semifinals at Norcross.

Norcross held Lowndes rushing attack under 100 yards and advanced with a 28-7 victory. Norcross’ quarterback AJ Bushed rushed for a touchdown and passed for two touchdowns while Josh Boyd added a rushing touchdown. Lowndes’ only touchdown came on Austin Dixon to Malik Roberts pass in the fourth quarter. Norcross will host Colquitt County.

In 5A… three of four teams are undefeated and Gainesville, the lone team with a loss, is the defending champion.

Deshaun Watson leads Gainesville into their third consecutive semifinals.

Mundy’s Mill gave Gainesville everything they wanted but in the end it was too much Gainesville and Deshaun Watson. Watson was a part of all six of Gainesville’s touchdowns as the Red Elephants advanced to the semifinals for the third consecutive season. Watson played most of the game with a slightly injured left (non-throwing) shoulder. Rodney Smith rushed for over 200 yards and two touchdowns for Mundy’s Mill. Mundy’s Mill finished the season 8-5, their best record in school history. Gainesville’s only lost was to 3A semifinalist Buford with a victory over ML King (out-of-state win over Florida 7A playoff team Blanche Ely) in the playoffs. Gainesville will travel to undefeated Tucker in the semifinals after Tucker won the coin toss.

Joe Farrar rushed for two touchdowns, Duke Shelly returned an interception for a touchdown and Eric Webber continued his steady work in the kicking department adding two field goals as Tucker shutout Ware County 29-0. Tucker is the region 6-5A champion where three of the four teams in that region advanced to the second round of the playoffs, Stephenson and Mays are the others. The Tigers have a victory over 3A Cedar Grove (eliminated in the second round). Tucker will host Gainesville in the semifinals in their fourth consecutive home playoff game.

Creekside defeated North Paulding 41-14 on the road to advance to the semifinals. Felix Harper passed for a touchdown and Dexter Knox rushed for four touchdowns for the Seminoles. Creekside remains undefeated and will face Kell in the semifinals. Creekside defeated three class 6A teams two of which made the playoffs in Langston Hughes (eliminated by McEachern in second round) and Westlake (eliminated by Camden County in first round). The Seminoles were region champions and defeated playoff region opponents Whitewater(lost to Warner Robins in the first round) and McIntosh (lost to Northside-Warner Robins in first round) in the regular season. In addition to their victory over North Paulding they defeated Harris County and an improving Lakeside-Evans in the postseason. Creekside will host Kell in the semifinals.

Kell jumped up on Warner Robins early and often. After Warner Robins added some late touchdowns Kell advanced with a 52-28. Kell’s Jay Moxey rushed for three touchdowns while Julian Burris and Itabari Mason added rushing touchdowns. Burris also returned a kickoff for a touchdown for the Longhorns. Kell will travel Creekside in the semifinals after Creekside won the coin toss in what will be the teams first-ever meeting. The Longhorns have regular season victories over 6A Lassiter (region champ) and 5A Creekview, both were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Kell defeated Allatoona and Mays in the playoffs prior to downing Warner Robins.

Third Quarter Propels Miller Grove Past Norcross In Scrimmage; Norcross, McEachern Girls Win Scrimmages

It was a regular season tune up listed on both teams schedule as a scrimmage between two of Georgia’s nationally known boys basketball programs. The respect was shown by both teams especially from host Norcross. Prior to the game there was a moment of silence for Terrell Coleman the Miller Grove freshmen who suddenly lost his life during a playing basketball game in late October. The Blue Devils continued to extend their hospitality and thoughts by having a donation box set up at the entrance for the Coleman family the entire evening.

Once the game started you never knew it was a scrimmage as both teams dived on the floor for loose ball, hustled until the whistle and took the game as though it counted in the standings. Gameplay was disjointed at times and there were a number of whistles that either side didn’t agree with preventing the game from developing a rhythm. There were close to 50 fouls called in the game and both teams combined for 40 free throw attempts in the first half.

“We don’t know anything but one speed,” Miller Grove head coach Sharman White said. “We wanted to see where we were and what we need to work on and we got a great opportunity to see what we need to work on.”

After all it was the defending 6A and 5A champions on the floor. It was nip and tuck in the first quarter with Miller Grove leading 12-11 heading into the second quarter. The Wolverines extended their lead to 9 at halftime with pressure defense and offensive rebounding that lead to multiple second chance points for a 35-26 lead.

In the third quarter the Wolverines opened the flood gates racing out on a 7-2 run to open the quarter forcing Norcross to call time out with 5:56 remaining trailing 42-28. The Norcross timeout did not stop the bleeding as Miller Grove would not let up extending their lead to 21 points at one point in the third outscoring Norcross 20-11 in the quarter.

“We just started connecting plays,” White said about his teams third quarter push. “We didn’t make just one play and then not make another one for a couple of trips, defense, offense, we’d get a score we’d get a stop and then we’d get a score and that’s how you get runs and that’s what we did.”

Norcross’ Tim Cameron nailed a three-pointer as time expired for the 64-57 final, that would be as close as Norcross would get after the third quarter outburst by Miller Grove.

The Wolverines finished with three double figure scorers in Keith Pinckney (19), James Walker (12) and Deven Dorsett (11). 13 of Pinckney’s 19 came in the second half. Norcross was led by Justin Kornegay’s 10 while Cameron and Farrar-the only player to foul out, totaled 9 each.

Miller Grove will officially begins their trek for a sixth consecutive state championship when they take on Buford in the Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett on November 23rd. The Wolverines are ranked nationally by Max Preps in the preseason at No. 19.

Norcross begins official play when they travel to Florida to play in the Montverde Championship Series beginning on November 22nd against Osceola and Montverde Academy. Montverde is the top-ranked team in boys basketball poll by Max Preps.

Other Scrimmage Scores:
Girls:
Norcross 56 Tucker 53 Final
McEachern 83 Douglas County 53 Final/Tuesday