Class A Public Boys

8 p.m.

Montgomery County (27-3) vs. Wilkinson County (25-6)

          Be prepared for a little extra emotions for whoever doesn’t come out on top. It’s been awhile since either one lost.

          Defending state champ Wilkinson County has won 14 straight, last falling to rival and Class 4A semifinalist Baldwin 64-50 on Jan. 13, a day after losing in overtime to Stratford.

          Montgomery County is on a 17-game winning streak. The last loss came on Jan. 6, 60-59 to Class AA finalist Vidalia.

          Both know how to win close games.

          Montgomery County beat Lanier County 81-74 in overtime in the quarterfinals, then edged Calhoun County 80-78 in the semis. Since that loss to Vidalia, the Eagles have won nine games by 20 points or more and four by single digits.

          The Warriors opened the season with losses, 71-56 to Swainsboro and 69-65 to rival Hancock Central, losing for the first time to Baldwin (58-51, Dec. 16) and then to Dublin 77-75 on Dec. 29 in an odd game where both head coaches, Aaron Geter of Wilkinson County and Paul Williams of Dublin were ejected.

Since that loss, Wilkinson County has the two losses, but also seven wins by 20 or more while going 60 in close games.

Daveaun Goglin, the Region 3-West player of the year, was clutch in the quarterfinal win, with 25 points, Shaw Robinson chipping 19 and Jahleel Wilson 17, 10 in the fourth quarter.

Robinson and Wilson were also both first-team all-region picks, while DaQuan Jackson and Darique Williams making the second team.

Jaylen Lamar, a 6-3 guard, was a first-team all-region choice in 7-West, Devin Jones a second-teamer, and Jacob Crockett honorable mention.

The Warriors are going for their third straight state title, having vanquished Hancock Central 56-42 and Calhoun County 66-53 in their last two title games.

Montgomery County was a 6-seed last year and lost 72-62 at Clinch County in the quarterfinals, a year after not making the postseason.

         

Championship notes

Neighborly meetings

          There are several matchups of teams familiar with each other and not far apart.

          On Wednesday in Macon, Laney and Josey are about two miles apart in Augusta and will have to venture east. On Thursday, Flowery Branch will get on I-85 at exit 12, while Buford will do the same at exit 8, and then proceed about 118 miles to Macon.

          Region 5-A rivals Holy Innocents’ and Wesleyan are about 15 miles apart, in northwest and northeast Atlanta, and play at Georgia Tech. Spalding and Henry County are about 15 miles away, and will venture to McCamish on Saturday as well, although Macon is closer for each.

          In 7A, Norcross and Meadowcreek are only a few miles apart around exit 102 on I-85, and they’ll venture southwest to Georgia Tech

 

News ‘n Notes

          The two 8 p.m. games in Macon almost assure at least one capacity crowd per day.

          Wednesday’s action could have another quality audience for the Class A public girls game with Greenville and Marion County.

          Greenville, east of LaGrange, is about 90 minutes from Macon while Buena Vista, home to Marion County, is about 10 minutes closer.

          With both the boys and girls advancing and playing back to back on Thursday, Greater Atlanta Christian is likely to bring a solid crowd.

          Miller Grove fans have a fairly easy ride to Macon from Lithonia, about 90 minutes, for a postseason rematch with Warner Robins.

 

 

GHSA State Championships

Wednesday

Macon Centreplex
2 p.m.: AA Girls - Laney (31-0) vs. Josey (29-4)
4 p.m.: AA Boys – Vidalia (23-8) vs. Thomasville (27-3)
6 p.m.: A Public Girls - Greenville (27-2) vs. Marion County (25-5)
8 p.m.: A Public Boys - Montgomery County (27-3) vs. Wilkinson County (25-6)

Thursday

Macon Centreplex
11 a.m.: AAASP Wheelchair Game
2 p.m.: AAA Girls - GAC (25-4) vs. Johnson-Savannah (22-6)
4 p.m.: AAA Boys - GAC (27-3) vs. Jenkins (25-5)
6 p.m.: AAAAA Girls – Buford (28-3)  vs. Flowery Branch (26-6)
8 p.m.: AAAAA Boys - Miller Grove (22-7) vs. Warner Robins (27-3)

Friday

Georgia Tech
2 p.m.: A Private Girls - Holy Innocents' (29-1) vs. Wesleyan (26-4)
4 p.m.: A Private Boys - St. Francis vs. Aquinas
6 p.m.: AAAAAA Girls – Lovejoy (31-1) vs. Harrison (26-4)
8 p.m.: AAAAAA Boys - Gainesville (25-6) vs. Hughes (26-5)

Saturday

Georgia Tech
2 p.m.: AAAA Girls - Henry County (29-1) vs. Spalding (27-3)
4 p.m.: AAAA Boys - St. Pius (28-3) vs. Upson-Lee (30-)
6 p.m.: AAAAAAA Girls - Newton (28-3) vs. Westlake (29-1)
8 p.m.: AAAAAAA Boys – Norcross (28-3) vs. Meadowcreek (26-3)

 

Returning defending state champs

6A boys, Langston Hughes

5A boys, Buford

5A girls, Buford

4A boys, Upson-Lee

AA girls, Laney

A girls private, Wesleyan

A boys public, Wilkinson County

 

Finals Info

* All games will be streamed on the NFHS Network. An all-access for a month is $9.95.

* Tickets: $15 per day. Tickets for McCamish games available on gofan.co/app/school/GHSA

* Parking: There will be no cost to park at the Macon Coliseum. There is a charge to park at some facilities near McCamish. https://gatech.clickandpark.com/event

* No outside food or drink will be allowed into the arena
* No noisemakers will be allowed into the arena
* No posters or signs larger than 8.5" x 11" will be allowed into the arena
* No drones will be allowed into the arena
* No bags over 10" x 12" are allowed inside the arena

Other items prohibited at McCamish

http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-baskbl/policies.html

 

Other info

https://www.ghsa.net/ GHSA: 706-647-7473. Macon Centreplex: 478-803-1593. McCamish Pavilion: 404.894.5447

http://www.maconcentreplex.org/coliseum/

http://www.ramblinwreck.com/ot/mccamish-pavilion.html