Hancock Central tries to bring back the state championship to Region 7-A

          Region 7-A has taken a lot of state championships in GHSA Class A Public boys.

          Usually, it’s Wilkinson County,which usually has to go through Hancock Central every year.

          Now, it’s Hancock Central’s turn, as it faces Treutlen in the championship Wednesday night at the Macon Coliseum.

          Treutlen is looking for its first state title. The Vikings have wins over Central Georgia teams Wilkinson County (78-69, 84-73) East Laurens (97-61), Dooly County (72-64), and Dublin (50-42, 73-71).

          Hancock Central is also a regular state championship contender, having won the title in 2008.

          The 27-3 Bulldogs went 17-0 at home and 1-0 on neutral courts, and finished behind Wilkinson County in Region 7-A, earning a third seed and first-round bye.

          The losses are to Wilkinson County (64-61 on Nov. 30), Baldwin (67-59 on Dec. 7), and Lincoln County (57-56 on Jan. 11).

          Leroy Wilson leads Hancock Central with 16.2 points a game with Jamal Taylor right behind at 15.6. Four more players get at least six points a game.

          Hancock Central knocked off defending champ Calhoun County –which ended Wilkinson County’s three-year run last season – in the quarterfinals.

          Calhoun County beat Treutlen 69-67 in last year’s championship, the Vikings entering that game with one loss. They had a three-point lead inside the final 90 seconds and it was tied with 8.8 seconds left, only for Calhoun County to win it just before the buzzer.