Welcome to this evening's GHSA Basketball Championship game presented by Breda Pest Management, the official sponsor of high school basketball.

Another outstanding championship tilt is on tap right now.

The girls championship.

It's Heritage High School out of Catoosa.

The Generals at 27 and for taking on the Patriots of Sandy Creek High School.

Welcome in once again here.

Larry Smith and Kelsey Rogers.

You know we had two great games.

Went right down to the wire so far.

Game three tonight.

And here we go.

A couple of teams right now looking for their first championship.

Yeah absolutely.

This is going to be just as exciting.

But two different styles of play Heritage more defensive minded Sandy Creek more offensive minded.

So let's see which team comes out on top.

Yeah, absolutely.

As we want to take a look at the players that we want to watch right now, first off, a player who scored 46 points in the semifinals for Sandy Creek.

Yeah.

There you see her Morghan Reckley three a region two player of the year.

And coach can't brag about her enough.

Just being a generational talent and such.

The epitome of a great teammate.

She averages 24 points per game.

And as you mentioned 46 points, eight rebounds and six assists in that semifinal game.

Does it all for the Patriots.

On the other side, you always have to have a player who will do anything and that's Tori Epps for Heritage.

Tori Epps there you see her points 12 points per game four assists five rebounds per game.

One of the selfless players coach refers to her as the G, D junkyard dog.

She's going to get after it today and let's see what she can do.

That's right.

How about the coaches?

Meanwhile, first for Sandy Creek six years there four years as head coach.

Tishay Lewis was just so entertaining to talk to her on the phone earlier this week.

She was and I mean, she's no stranger to the game.

And at a high level, she played at beach down in Savannah, played at UT chat and played over in Europe as well.

So she understands what it takes to be at this level and compete at a high level.

Absolutely.

On the other side, Greg Elkins.

Meanwhile, won his 300th game of his career earlier this year.

And that's not an easy feat, you know, from year in and year out.

It's not like you're recruiting players at the high school level and picking the ones that you want.

You get what you're given.

Right.

And so to to get that notch and he comes over from the boys side several years ago, he wanted an opportunity to coach his daughter, who's on this team.

Number one, Kennedy Elkins.

And he's done a fantastic job with this program.

Yeah, talked to him earlier.

I said, coach, what do you think?

He said, man, this is cool.

I'm just taking all of this in.

So excited to be here with his team right here.

Heritage and the Generals, by the way, our officials, we should give them a shout out.

Jared Dickey, Dominique Dawson and Terrence Schönholzer as well.

Shin is what they call him as we're getting ready here for this class three a tilt on the third of four championships.

It's the boys three a championship coming up later.

Our fourth of four games is we're just getting started.

We're here every single day through Saturday night, bringing you the state championship competition.

Okay.

Sandy Creek is in their home.

White, Heritage and blue, and we're about to get going here on GPB.

Glad you're with us here on this Wednesday evening.

And the tip is up.

And it goes to Heritage Paisley Collins with the recovery.

And now we go, here's s. Ema Tanner number four averaging almost ten points per game.

Good defense there.

Khork inside good active hands by Sandy Creek rejection and the lead out to Deyla.

McCoy for the first basket of the night.

Kandyce.

Hopkins with that huge blocked shot to make that fast break happen.

Now full court press by the Patriots.

We got a hurry.

10 seconds.

Call 10 seconds.

Call two possessions, two turnovers.

Very quickly here for Heritage.

There you see that block again.

That leads to that transition layup.

Sandy Creek now with Kandyce Hopkins number 11 by the way with that block almost threw that ball away.

Tori Epps here on the trip.

Nichols now Coach Elkins off the bench after that.

Thought she was legal on that play.

Morghan Reckley just inbound.

Madison's sister.

Yogi Boynton looking at a three to take it away.

Epps.

Going up.

Court hesitation there.

Nice job by Emma Tanner to get the bucket in.

And we're tied at two.

Good court vision there to pitch that ball up the floor.

And a carrying violation there by Morghan Reckley.

And hesitation.

Nice move here.

Good look by Epps.

Perfect throw as well.

Four white shirts in the area and Tanner.

Good patience to get that basket.

Madison Reckley with some tight defense there.

Look at her.

The 55 junior 24 points per game.

It's what she she does it all for this Patriots team.

Both of our top players now picking up their first foul.

Will that change and adjust the way they play.

Switching hands is Paisley Collins get up with the right hand, switched to the left hand and put it in.

Very nice.

Reckley for three.

It's off the iron and no Epps the rebound.

Didn't have numbers.

Stops and brings it up.

Get it back to Epps and reset the offense.

Heritage out of Catoosa, North Georgia Epps Massie.

She traveled.

Full of motions here to start this class three A championship on both sides.

Yeah.

You know, you get on this stage and sometimes you gotta.

It takes a few minutes to get those jitters out of you.

McCoy on the drive off her foot.

It's a turnover.

Sandy Creek coming with that full court pressure again.

Very quickly now for Sandy Creek.

Epps working on Reckley.

That'd be a good matchup for this game.

Georgia Gracy gets it, gets it back puts it up.

And she was fouled on the shot.

A couple of free throws now.

Now here's a problem.

That's foul.

Number two very quickly.

If it's on Madison Reckley.

It is.

And that is her second personal.

That's tough for Sandy Creek.

Gracy misses the first.

And so Reckley comes out.

Lauryn Ferguson a 59.

Sophomore comes in.

Tylin Madison Reckley again, not just a 24 points, seven rebounds and assists.

Five steals per game.

She does so much.

She takes a seat now with two fouls.

Second free throw goes in for Gracy.

So a 52 score now for Heritage.

Madison Reckley is out.

Number three Morghan Reckley is going in and they'll call an offensive foul on the.

On the pick.

Here's another look at it.

Yeah.

One more look here.

Here we go.

The two players from Heritage that ran into each other.

Did you hear the reaction from the crowd?

They're watching the same replay we're showing you here at home.

And that's why the referees are huddled up to talk about it.

And this is this is a huge point in the game.

If Morghan Reckley picks up a first foul, Madison Reckley already has two and had to go sit down.

Okay.

Inadvertent whistle basket by Morghan Reckley is good.

And so that's.

And they got it right.

That is.

They got it right.

How.

However, the whistle blew so I don't think the basket should count but should just go back to Sandy Creek.

I think that's the conversation now.

Okay.

So yeah, they're going to count the basket even though you're right, it did come after the whistle.

So 54 is now the score.

Full court press now by the Patriots.

Got to get it across.

They've already gotten 1:10 second call early here in these first couple of minutes.

Gracy for three.

That's in.

That's the emotion that you're looking for right there from Gracy.

84 Heritage opening minutes of this class three A championship.

Back in the hands of Reckley.

Off to the side for Boynton four, three, two hard Gracy the rebound.

Epps bringing it across.

Up top for Collins.

She's already scored in this game.

Epps goes behind the back and she'll get a foul drawn on Deyla.

McCoy.

And that'll bring us a time-out for 28 to go here in the first quarter.

Heritage looking strong so far.

The three pointer by Gracy double G gets it to go Heritage on top.

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Heritage.

Catoosa.

They call them that so they don't get confused with other Heritage schools in the state.

Just a big win over Dougherty.

To start things off, you can see they're all the way down to Pickens in the Final Four last week.

11 point win there, 46 35 to get here to the championship game.

Yeah you know coach is ready for this opportunity.

He felt like the girls were ready for this opportunity.

They they had a great summer.

They had a great fall league playing in Sandy Shields fall league.

And then he just had some dogs on his team.

He has three players on this team that were on the softball championship with a three-peat.

And one thing I know for certain is you can't teach players how to win.

So having that winning mentality already in your locker room, in your culture, that just adds value to what you're trying to do here now on the basketball floor.

And he talked about that.

He said really?

He thinks that state championship in softball has fueled this run in basketball.

His three pointer there by Gracy off the time-out.

Reckley very quickly up court.

Oh good speed left hand and can't get it to go.

What a move.

Switched it up midair from hand to hand.

Gives it up to Gracy.

We're seeing now she's handling the ball a little more.

Defense is keying on Epps good hands.

There.

Back into the hands of Collins.

And it's in Paisley Collins.

Her second basket of the night.

Basketball 101.

Never save the ball under your opponent's rim.

Just like that, the Generals up by six.

McCoy up top.

Now to Ferguson Reckley shooter from 15.

That's not good.

Gracy the rebound.

Heritage right now four of five shooting to start this game.

An early 104 lead.

Throws it away trying to get it over into the hands of Bailee Hollis.

On the floor for Heritage now.

Georgia Gracy Ema Tanner.

Tori Epps.

Bailee Hollis and Paisley Collins.

Abby Wilson set to check in in the moment and she will come in.

Junior replacing Hollis, the senior.

For our first substitution.

Now for Heritage.

If you're just joining us.

Star junior guard for Sandy Creek Madison Reckley picking up her two fouls in the opening minutes.

She's been on the bench ever since her sister Morghan Reckley number three getting past the double team.

Deyla McCoy dig their hands by Collins.

Gracy again knocks it out of bounds.

It'll stay Sandy Creek ball 13 seconds on the shot clock.

Here's another look again.

Great defense by Heritage there.

There you see the emotion by Georgia Gracy.

Reckley left hand.

No Gracy trying to save it in.

And she does.

Epps knocked away by Reckley trying to get it to Tanner on the fast break, but great defense there by Reckley otherwise that's another basket.

Absolutely great defensive play there.

By Morghan Reckley to get that deflection.

Let her teammates come back down and set up there.

You take another look that athleticism to get up there and deflect that ball.

Morghan Reckley 57 sophomore.

Ball knocked away.

Turnover number three for Heritage.

That's hurt him so far.

The winning the rebounding battle 51 here in the early minutes.

Coach Elkins trying to urge on his Generals up ten for.

Hopkins directly working inside.

Nice move.

Left handed in.

Great change of pace right there.

Both.

Both teams showing some ambidextrous moves.

Switching hands near the basket.

Collins working inside now to Epps.

Abby Wilson can't get that to go.

Rebound and very quickly the Patriots back down.

Reckley trying to go coast to coast and she lost the ball out for a foul.

I think that's a great no call by the official.

There.

Defense vertical the entire time.

There you see a look at the play before with Reckley getting to the basket changing hands again mid-air finishing strong.

Full court press again at Sandy Creek.

Token.

Bailee Hollis getting it across.

Back in the game.

She checks back in for Wilson, going inside for Tanner.

No.

Tanner gets it back somehow.

And the right place at the right time.

What a first quarter for Emma Tanner so far.

The senior puts her team back up by six again as we're under 90s to go here in the first quarter.

Steel Gracy.

Heritage trying to build their lead to eight.

Approaching the 1 minute mark.

Epps on the drive and they'll get Reckley on the reach end.

Morghan Reckley going to be called for her first personal foul.

Coach telling her right now talking to her.

You cannot foul.

That is a silly, undisciplined foul.

Tanner coming out of the game and in.

For the first time, the sophomore number 14 Sunshine Davenport for Heritage.

Nice play there.

By Reckley steal on the inbounds and in for the basket.

What a heads up play there.

The way she turned her body defensively to tap that ball towards her basket.

Knowing she was going to go run it down and then picks up her second personal foul.

That's tough.

Watch that tip.

She tips it back to knowing she's going to grab it herself for that layup.

But you got to be smart on the other side Larry.

You can't have a play where you foul.

You make it up and then you come foul and get your second personal.

With 50s left in the first quarter.

And now the question is now she and her sister, both with two fouls each as Epps hits the free throw.

Raquel Walker now in the game for Sandy Creek number 30.

Lawson the freshman about to check in for Heritage and she does as Epps hits both free throws a 148 lead.

Now Collins comes out of the game for Heritage.

Going to keep Morghan Reckley in with the two fouls.

There's a lot of trust.

It is.

Down six you wonder how long will they keep Madison Reckley out of this game?

Walker, the sophomore.

Reckley inside for her.

Blocked by Davenport.

They're going to get on the foul and line to shoot two.

Take another look there.

Great.

Heads up.

High IQ pass.

But the block is right up top.

But the body Larry she's got to go straight up and down.

First free throw is in 58.

Sophomore Raquel Walker misses the second.

Epps picks it up gets it ahead to Hollis.

Over to Davenport.

Nice passing.

Trying to hit Ansley Lawson the freshman who just came in, but she's fouled.

That's going to go against Raquel Walker right on that contact.

Great ball movement here by Heritage.

Foul.

Ansley Lawson doing a good job cutting that lane.

Still running hard.

We call that the rim runner.

She's running straight to the basket.

Lawson just a freshman.

Big moment here for her 22.5 to go and bounces around and off.

Deyla McCoy coming back in replacing Raquel Walker.

So McCoy Reckley and.

Ferguson and Boynton in.

And Hopkins as well.

Second free throw and that's off the back iron no good.

Hopkins the rebound 20s to go.

They can wait for one final shot.

Morghan Reckley to step back and hits it.

Smooth shot 0:03 to go.

Tori Epps from beyond half court and a little momentum right here at the end of the first quarter for Sandy Creek 14 11.

For the early lead.

Tanner with the basket here, the Generals leading the way 8 minutes into this championship tilt.

Back with more after this on GPB.

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So.

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Girls.

Class three a championship tilt about to begin the second quarter here.

Heritage out of Catoosa on top 14 11 on Sandy Creek out of Tyrone.

Fayette County southern part of the city of Atlanta.

Great basketball tradition.

Athletic tradition overall.

So many great players coming through that system in different sports.

Saw the boys team here.

Football won a state championship a few years ago in the Georgia state campus.

Rival Cedar Grove girls basketball, trying to get a championship here.

Madison Reckley back in the game number two with two fouls.

Ernestor Morghan Reckley with the ball.

Also with two fouls.

Trying to get to Hopkins if she hasn't.

Madison Reckley that's off ball tips back in the hands of Reckley up and that won't go good.

Rebound here by Gracy.

Great second and third chance opportunity.

I love the hustle.

You got to be able to convert some of those baskets though.

And the Tanner back in the game now to Gracy.

Good active hands by Boynton.

Epps.

Inside.

Rejected.

Kandyce Hopkins came into the game 54 blocks very quickly.

Up top.

It's Reckley the other way.

Reckley her sister gets that up and in Madison Reckley with the basket.

Good thing for Madison being there.

Morgan had no business trying to go to the left side of that basket.

She had a wide open, right handed layup.

Made it harder than she had had to.

Exactly.

Sandy Creek cutting the lead down to one.

Epps stepped through for Collins.

That's going to be a foul.

Traveling violation.

Travel okay.

Good defense by Deyla McCoy number one.

Yogi.

Boynton Patriots have a chance to take the lead.

Reckley the rebound and it rolls around and no.

Great rebound by Reckley.

But again, missed opportunities in that second chance opportunity.

Over and back against Heritage.

Heritage coaches don't like that.

She stepped back across before she caught it, but they're not going to reverse it.

They're going to call that backcourt violation.

Maybe we get a replay on that.

Saying her last status was in the frontcourt and she jumps to the backcourt.

So had to establish herself yet.

That's right.

Okay.

The turnover gives it back to the Patriots.

Reckley.

Got a foul defensively I believe that's on Collins and it is.

Paisley Collins.

That's her first foul.

Lurs.

Collins.

Reckley trying to get it inside for.

Hopkins back out to.

Boynton.

Hopkins too long.

Gracy the rebound into the hands of Epps.

Generals one to run.

Trying to square up and face the basket.

Trying to get it inside for Tanner.

She does Tanner with the spin move that won't go.

Battle for the rebound.

Tanner brings it down, almost taken away by Reckley.

Collins inside.

And she'll go to the line.

It's going to be Hopkins first personal foul.

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Holy Innocents, the defending champion with three stars fouling out in the fourth quarter.

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Teasley missing them.

Oh.

Tanner back up.

That's no good.

But she'll go to the line.

Miss foul now will be on Boynton.

Shine Lewis is not happy with the effort.

That'll bring Lauryn Ferguson back in shortly for Sandy Creek.

Ema Tanner at the line, shooting a pair.

Lawson goes.

Tanner is a 71% free-throw shooter.

Ferguson comes in.

Boynton goes out.

Can't let the offensive team get the rebound off of a free throw.

Hitting them both.

Good defense.

They're good hands by Gracy almost got the steal shot attempt by McCoy is up and in for three.

Good ball movement there.

McCoy the senior from the corner knocking it down.

Good defense again by Reckley in the steal on the court.

Full court pressure.

And McCoy on the drive.

They're going to get a foul here on Tanner.

And we've got a got a bench warning here on Greg Elkins.

Heritage.

We've got a time-out in the court right now for 42.

We'll clear that up and have more after this.

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So.

You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh hey what's up man?

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted?

Driving isn't a game when you lose on the road, it could lead to a crash.

So when you get behind the wheel, put the distractions aside, drive hands free and save lives.

Heads up Georgia.

Back to live action and a quick shot of the Heritage bench in their coach Greg Elkins talking to his team.

He was hit with a bench warning right before we went to the time-out for jumping onto the court to contest that last call.

Yeah, I thought it was a great call by the official to warn him, right?

Like there's going to be plays throughout this game that players and coaches don't agree with, but there's still a sportsmanship level to this, that you have to have that composure on the sideline, especially as a head coach.

So it was it was warranted for a bench warning.

And he didn't argue the call.

He right away.

Yeah he wanted the call that was on the floor.

Right.

That's what made him so upset right.

Right.

Enjoy talking with him this week.

It's one of the one of the things we really enjoy all week long is any chance to talk to all the coaches.

Live action now.

Ferguson spin move.

Stop there.

Al-Hoda Reckley plenty of time on the shot clock.

Nice dish.

Two point attempt here is no good.

That's why Ferguson on the hands of Epps.

Knocked away great hands.

There.

Little bit out of control right now to get the ball back.

Reckley working inside now.

Gets it to McCoy for three.

It's in second.

Three of the quarter from that corner for McCoy and Sandy Creek takes the lead.

1960 McCoy averages ten points per game and those are two timely three pointers from that corner.

Another ten second call.

There's a look again in the corner for three.

And the defense keeps losing her.

And Sandy Creek keeps making him pay.

And you've got somebody you're worried about.

You know this slashing and you try to help him with corner.

That leaves that shooter open.

Reckley the step back three off the backboard and in.

I know she called the bank.

I know she did.

22 16 now Sandy Creek with its biggest lead of the game, Heritage breaks the press this time.

Good aggressive defense inside.

Collins gets it up and in.

That's a great high low.

Look there.

And one on the other end quickly.

That's Madison Reckley with the bounce on the fast break.

Paris didn't get back on defense in time.

Full court press again causing problems.

Getting across 1 second to go.

Nice job there.

By Epps.

Great job by Heritage to respond to that.

Up and in.

McCoy again getting to the basket.

Here on offense both teams being aggressive on defense.

Full court and the other team making him pay Epps with the miss Reckley goes behind the back, but they say she stepped out of bounds.

And basketball is a game of runs, right?

Who can sustain the longest run or stop the opposing team from having that long run?

And right now we're just trading baskets.

So one of these two teams is really going to have to step up.

And and defensively say hey, we've got to get a stop here.

Yeah.

Time-out on the court by Sandy Creek with 2:35 to go 26:20 at halftime.

Back to the studio and check in with all the scores and updates here as we continue our first day of coverage here, the GHSA Championships live here in Macon at the Coliseum.

So much history.

Talking to some of our staff members, thought about the games seen here.

The concerts all the time.

I was in here last spring, my son's graduation from Mercer University.

The storm bringing it inside from the football stadium over on campus.

A lot of history here and we'll have more made here this week.

Wet spot here on the floor.

We'll get that taken care of if we get back to live action.

I'm impressed with Sandy Creek Madison Reckley coming back in the game and playing this entire quarter.

With two fouls.

She has.

And coach says she takes on the task of guarding the opposing team's best offensive player, which means there's a level of aggression.

But when you pick up those two fouls now you have to temper those aggression levels.

When you're playing defense, because her being in this game is more important than her getting one or two steals.

Absolutely.

It's hard to tell a competitor, though, that when that's their DNA is to be aggressive and compete like that, it's hard to tell them to back off some.

Knowing that the minutes, the accumulation of minutes on the floor mean more than that.

One or two steals, right?

Exactly.

Right over here by Sandy Creek to get back in this game, to come back here.

And her composure Abby Wilson back in the game.

Number three for Heritage.

Collins looking inside out to Epps for three.

Left side.

No that's Reckley the rebound.

Up to McCoy three on one break and she can get it to go.

And she cannot over the back with Wilson.

But no call.

Chance again to get into this league.

Patriots by six.

Tanner inside blocked by Hopkins.

She has been outstanding defensively here in this game.

Hopkins several deflections.

She's got a block.

Really disrupting that offense on the inside of the paint.

There.

Gracy on the wing.

Shot clock now down to eight.

Gracy double teamed Tanner with the shot partially blocked there.

Deflected.

Active hands gets it inside for Collins.

Rejected again by Hopkins.

Her third block of the game.

Ball out of bounds.

It'll be two Sandy Creek.

Bailee.

Kandyce Hopkins you mentioned coming in 54 blocks on the year and again like you said, three already here in the half.

For.

Reckley off the board and no another rebound for Tanner.

Still got to get it across again.

Yeah.

Too much time in the backcourt.

They going horizontal.

Need to go vertical.

Epps throws that up no Tanner no Reckley three on one break.

But she almost lost it to her sister.

Reckley spins and turns and no Epps with the rebound.

Heritage been stuck on 20 points now for quite a while.

15 second differential on the shot clock.

They have not scored in over 2 minutes.

And now that's Yogi.

Boynton picking up her second foul.

So that's three starters with at least two fouls.

We saw this in the first game we did earlier.

Caused some problems in the second half.

Boynton with the steal.

Kind of a lazy pass by Epps.

But a great dig by Epps to knock that ball away.

It'll stay Sandy Creek ball but great job there.

By Epps.

I love that effort.

Right?

It's not about the mistake that usually gets coaches mad.

It's what you do after those mistakes or those turnovers and Epps right there showing, hey, we're going to get back on defense.

We're going to put in that effort.

Ten turnovers already by Heritage, six of them by Epps here in the first half.

Holding for the final shot.

0:15 to go.

Sandy Creek went into halftime with the lead.

The question is how long?

Two hands on a ball handler absolutely going to be called a foul.

We saw that in the first game.

We've seen it already in this game.

Not a shooting foul.

So 0:09 to go.

That foul was on Hollis.

Reckley to Reckley inside and in Morghan Reckley with the basket.

Epps has 3 seconds.

Wanted a foul on the three point attempt.

Nothing was called and it'll be a 28 20 lead for Sandy Creek here at halftime.

Tishay Lewis and her Patriots what a job they did in the second half to come through and break this game.

Open 176.

Advantage in the second quarter.

We played through 16 minutes so far.

The Patriots marching forward with the lead.

Halftime is next here on GPB.

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You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh hey, what's up man?

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted?

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Your home.

Welcome into our GPB halftime show.

Your home for the 2026 GHSA boys and girls high school Basketball State Championships.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer and if you're just now joining us, we're currently in our third game of the day.

That's right.

It is officially halftime of the three a girls state championship game between Heritage Catoosa and Sandy Creek.

There you have it.

The Sandy Creek Patriots are leading 28-20 over the Heritage Catoosa Generals.

But there is still 16 more minutes of basketball to play in this game.

We're cruising through day one of four of our state championship basketball coverage right here on GPB.

Now, both of these schools are are more than basketball, if you will.

And John Nelson, you're currently with the principals from both of these respective schools, and you have a chance to see what's going on.

Truth.

It's the time to get into the principal's office.

Matt Phillips off to my right.

As you sit there and you want to look at the entire screen.

Tasha Oliver, she's done this before, so she knows she knows what to expect in all of this.

And so I'm going to go to the new guy first.

Oh man.

I'm going to come to the new guy.

So you are the new guy?

Literally.

How many years have you been at school?

So two years at Heritage High School.

It's been awesome.

But yes, this is just my second year.

So what?

So what's it like for everybody that you've seen come down here from Ringgold to to be a part of this and try to be the first ever Catoosa County school to win a hoops title?

Yes.

It's huge.

And I'll say this, I honestly think we're louder down here than we have been in our home stadium.

They're so pumped up to be here.

We're the only the only, I think the third team in Catoosa County history to make it to the title game.

And if we win today and no no offense, Tasha, I hope we do.

But in any case, if we win today, we'd be the first in history.

So everybody understands it's a really, really big deal.

Okay.

So let me swing over.

Here and talk to the veteran of this conversation.

This is almost an expectation.

This is old hat to kind of let everybody see the consistency that's there at Sandy Creek.

And this time out, it's on the girls basketball team.

Yeah.

You know, there is some expectation, but there's also some newness here.

So much like Matt, I've only got two more years on you as a principal.

So this is my fourth year, but this will be our first title for girls basketball in Sandy Creek history.

So we're really excited to still be able to accomplish some firsts.

Hopefully here tonight.

Like I said, I'm just look I'm Switzerland in this and y'all can say whatever you're going to say about all this stuff.

What is the response been like on campus with the first time ever with the girls team chasing after it the way they are?

It's been overwhelming, you know you know, our boys got put out, you know, pretty early in the playoffs, which was totally unexpected.

But our girls have really just shown up and they've risen to the occasion.

We're really excited.

Coach Lewis will be the first head coach to have two state titles, one in volleyball, one in basketball here tonight.

And it's Women's History Month.

We're you know we're really excited just celebrating all things women.

So we're really excited.

All right.

Coming back over to this side of things.

What else is going on up there at Heritage Catoosa that folks need to know about?

Gosh, what else isn't going on?

It's spring, right?

I mean, so you got track, you got basketball finishing out.

I mean, we got baseball in full swing.

Soccer.

We're preparing for our spring musical.

I mean, spring at a high school is like somebody trying to come by and grab you, but they don't stop.

Okay?

So like, it's like catching, you know, catching a ride, but they don't stop to grab you.

They just hook you with a hook and you just try to climb in the car for the next two or three months.

So there's a lot going on.

It's a fantastic time to be a general, and it's a great time to to be in Catoosa County.

All right.

The veteran we know what's going on at Sandy Creek now.

We know what's going on at Heritage.

Catoosa.

That's the rundown here.

Let's send it back to Atlanta.

Nikki Palmer with the rest of halftime.

Thanks, Nelly.

That was a fantastic analogy.

I think we feel that way during football and basketball season.

Oh, I love it.

Well thanks again.

We love hearing all the wonderful things that are happening over at those two respective schools.

Well, we're going to have more high school basketball state championship coverage for you coming up.

You want to keep it right here on Georgia Public Broadcasting, your home to all of these state title games.

Stick with us.

We'll be right back.

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You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh hey, what's up man?

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted?

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Welcome back to our GPB Halftime show.

If you're just now joining us, it's halftime of the three a girls state championship game between Heritage Catoosa and Sandy Creek.

Right now the Patriots are leading the Generals 28-20 We have 16 more minutes of basketball coming up for you after the break.

Matt and Sean are going to have you covered in just a few moments.

And don't forget, you can follow us all all week long, if you will, through Saturday on social media.

We've got you on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitch and of course our handy dandy GPB sports app.

You can also watch us live on GPB sports.

16 minutes of more basketball coming up for you right here after the break.

Matt and Sean, they'll have you covered.

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Welcome back to.

The Macon Coliseum.

It's halftime here at Sandy Creek on top 28-20 If you take a look here at the halftime stats.

Larry Smith and Kelsey shares with you.

This was one really again, just like we saw in the earlier game between Holy Innocents and and Hebron Christian.

Just a game that really changed in the second quarter and Sandy Creek with a big a second 8 minutes to take control of this game.

It did Sandy Creek shooting 44%, getting higher percentage shots, 16 points in the paint.

A lot of that.

Again coming off of that defensive pressure, getting out and running in transition and getting those easy points.

Yeah, they have been really outstanding this.

And they did it again with a couple of their players in in foul trouble.

Madison Reckley we talked about coming in how she has been the star of this team, 46 points in the semifinal win that they had and only 10 minutes into this, she sat out much of the first quarter because of foul trouble coming back and contributing four points.

Morghan Reckley 13 points, by the way, to lead all scores in this ball game right here for Sandy Creek.

And right away, a turnover by Heritage.

Their 11th turnover of the game.

That's a problem.

Yeah.

Ten in the first half alone he said number 11 right now and a chance for Sandy Creek to take its biggest lead and build on it gets a. Double.

Defense there by Gracy.

Hopkins with the ball.

What a night Morghan Reckley has had so far.

13 points.

Trying to add to that.

No rebound bounce around.

Gracy has it.

Reckley goes in and ties it up and it'll belong again.

If I'm Coach Lewis, I'm like please don't.

She has two personal fouls already.

However, she's just got those quick hands that get in there.

But you're playing with fire a little bit.

Yeah, yeah.

When she is so athletic she's made a couple of great defensive plays already to help spark this team in the first half.

And look they're at Coach Lewis.

You mentioned the very top six years at Sandy Creek.

For years as the head coach.

Resetting the shot clock here trying to get it right with 24 seconds.

McCoy bounced off her foot.

And so a turnover for Sandy Creek.

And he goes back to Heritage.

Deyla McCoy.

She transferred in to the county this year.

Has experience at that Final four.

And Coach Lewis said how valuable that experience has been to her locker room.

She is part of that team that Fayette County High School just down the road from Sandy Creek there in Fayette County.

Ball back in the hands of Epps up with the runner and gets it to go.

Epps now with six points there.

And if Heritage is going to win this game, they're going to have to rely on her offense and she has got to get that thing going right now.

Reckley for three.

That's no good.

Tanner the rebound for Heritage.

Got into some trouble a little slow getting the ball across the timeline.

And they finally do here.

But a steal Reckley two on one.

She got Reckley ahead of her.

Nice pass.

Too hard off the backboard.

Stolen by Reckley up and in.

Morghan Reckley again getting all over it defensively and then finding a high percentage shot again right there at the rim point.

And that's tough.

Let's take a look at the last couple of baskets here in this game.

Epps on the runner than the other side.

Again just the aggressiveness on defense though.

Watch this.

She has the rebound.

But the two Reckley sisters take it away.

Morgan was up for the basket.

Those quick hands again by Morgan Reckley disrupting.

When Heritage brings that ball down they've really got to talk about securing the ball off of those rebounds and meeting their passes.

Here.

The Sandy Creek Huddleston 25-6 coming in 16-0 in region play 18 game win streak.

Talked about going out and just playing some tough games early on.

They did that averaging 67 points per game.

What a run they have been.

You know this is a team that really they won just ten games two years ago 23 in the 2023-24 season.

Now here they are 25 wins.

Beekman rowing that semi in the semifinals.

The final 48569 and a chance here to win a championship up by eight here in the second half.

And Larry there's a theme between our first teams that played in Hebron and Holy Innocents and Sandy Creek and Heritage, both all four teams have said they went out and scheduled hard and it prepared them for being in this moment right here.

That's a theme that we see quite a bit when we get to teams at this level.

In the final game.

They don't shy away from challenges.

Just trying to get something going now back down by eight again.

Epps with a spin move and up with the left hand and no Reckley does it again.

The rebound and she's off and running.

Fans want her to carry on that.

No call back up and in.

It won't go Da'Maris Shields couldn't get that basket to fall in for the first time.

Pass deep in for Tanner off her foot and it's out of bounds.

Reckley plays that ball right where Shields needed it but could not finish.

And Shields is coming out of the game and Kandyce Hopkins is right back in the ninth grader.

You can.

You can tell as a ninth grader in Hopkins she's still coming into her own body.

Her athleticism, but she's.

She's played some valuable minutes for this team over the season.

She has.

Hopkins now to Boynton in the game.

She's got a couple of fouls.

Nice attempt there on the steal and no Bailee Hollis with the good hands.

Your softball pitcher right there so understands the tempo call selections where she needs to be.

Looks like a softball player out there.

Hopkins with the jumper it won't fall.

Tanner the rebound.

Tanner with six rebounds.

Now.

Having a good night.

Collins inside.

No good defense there by Ferguson Reckley the other way.

Euro move up and no.

But she's fouled and she'll shoot a couple.

Time out on the floor will take one as well.

4:46 to go here in the third quarter.

Sandy Creek maintaining that lead here in the class three A championship.

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You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh hey what's up man?

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted?

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Heritage Generals out of Catoosa in North Georgia.

Trying to figure something out.

14 points in the first quarter, but only eight points scored in 11 minutes.

Plus since then and down right now, eight here in the third quarter.

Yeah.

And it's coming down to the turnovers.

Heritage with 15 turnovers right now they're they're missing opportunities around the rim.

And they're not protecting the basketball.

And so securing those rebounds meeting those passes.

If they can do the little things and score around the basket when they get the opportunity to they can get back into this game.

It's an eight point deficit right now.

Yeah we've watched Sandy Creek really speed them up.

I hear ever since that those that opening 8 minutes and that's that's been a big difference.

Can't say enough for what she's done.

Yes.

Yeah.

Morghan Reckley is 74% free-throw shooter only a sophomore.

We're looking at a sophomore right now.

She's doing some amazing things out here on the floor now with 17 total points.

Out of the 31 for Sandy Creek almost matching Heritage by themselves.

For the full court press.

This has caused problems for Heritage all night.

Once again, they've got a hurry.

And a foul there on Morghan Reckley.

It appears that will be her third.

Madison Reckley Madison Reckley.

Excuse me.

But that is her third.

You are correct.

Again, that's that aggressive defensive mentality.

That's just ingrained into her.

Now she's telling her sister, no, you go guard Epps.

I've got three and I want to stay in this game.

Right.

You go do the hard work.

Epps trying to go inside and she does Tanner no.

Collins.

Yes.

Paisley Collins with the follow.

Excellent second effort right there.

Reckley bringing it up.

Morgan.

The sophomore.

Madison the junior.

That's Madison with the ball.

Inside for Morgan.

Gets that up and in.

Morghan Reckley.

Terrific night continues.

Trying to get it inside for Collins.

And it's a jump ball.

And you know whose hands are in that Morgan Reckley.

She's all over the place there.

You see the replay, the follow the finish there by Paisley Collins.

She leads this team in scoring averaging 13 points per game.

Currently with eight.

Georgia Gracy has been quiet here since.

The bucket earlier in the game.

She's got four points.

Double team on Epps leaves Tanner open for the ball.

Nice roll from the basket right there.

Heritage pulls within eight and they get Morghan Reckley on the carry.

This is what she did earlier.

There was no call and this time she blows the whistle in the turnover.

There's a look again.

Epps down to Tanner got the roll.

This has been the problem here again, speeding them up.

This time they beat it.

No problem.

Back to Collins looked at a jumper, decides otherwise.

Sunshine Davenport back in the game.

Epps on the drive.

No.

She was bothered by the Twin towers inside.

Morghan Reckley again with the carry.

Just a hesitation.

And she.

She thought that McCoy was open over in the corner.

That one wasn't a true like she carried the ball, but she wanted to make a pass off of that and realized she was going to have a turnover by passing that.

She ended up with a turnover anyways.

Lauryn Ferguson out and Madison Reckley is back in now for the Patriots under 3:00 to go in the third quarter.

Now to Collins Heritage meeting the press for the second time in a row.

Look at that for Tori Epps the scoop and the score.

Epps now with eight points and six rebounds.

Morghan Reckley no rebound is to Heritage.

Epps.

Has to cut this deficit down to four.

They get the ball quickly across the timeline.

Now they're going to set up their half court offense again.

That is their game.

That fast pace up and down is not an and one right there from your pitcher.

Bailee Hollis with the basket and a chance for a three point play.

One more look at it.

Hollis finishing with the left hand.

Fake on the.

Pass.

Coach said she has a lot.

She plays with a lot of passion.

She's emotional.

You can see it right there after that.

And one play.

Chance to cut this lead down to three.

They were down ten.

Foul was on Boynton by the way.

That's her third for Sandy Creek Collins.

Offensive rebound.

Oh Hollis the three.

And it's a one point game.

And that quote the crowd up back here.

What a comeback by the Generals calling their way back into this game.

McCoy on the drive.

She picks up the foul.

There's another look.

Hollis from outside.

There you go.

Give it a little slingshot there.

That's right.

You earned that one.

Bailee Hollis with a five point trip down the court by herself.

As McCoy gets the first of two to bounce in.

Tanner back in the game.

Collins coming out for Heritage.

Coach Elkins, you mentioned earlier getting his 300th win earlier this season back in January.

Second one is true for McCoy.

Clear out for Epps.

McCoy.

Richins got some quick hands.

Great job by Epps to get it back.

Hollis great defense there.

By Hopkins with the steal.

Madison Reckley loses the ball tied up on the floor.

Possession goes to Heritage.

Georgia Gracy getting on the floor for that ball.

We asked coach if she was going to play on it the next level.

He said, I think she she has a little job at the rodeo.

You know, like in my head I'm thinking the grittiness and aggressiveness she is showing out here matches anything she's doing at the rodeo, wrangling cows and horses and whatever else.

No fear, no fear at all.

And.

They actually on the possession, it should be Sandy Creek ball.

They reversed it.

Sandy Creek on the inbound.

Nice tip away by Epps.

Nice job by Reckley to get it back into the hands of McCoy.

The three ball goes in, around and out and back end.

What a shot by Deyla McCoy.

McCoy three for three.

Now from behind the arc.

Good kick out.

Squares up feet set and gets the nice little roll.

A couple looks at it there.

Oh and the pressure causes problems again.

Nice good hands there by Gracy trying to get it back.

And she does great effort by Gracy.

After throwing that ball away on the inbounds to save it.

Get it back the other way now.

McCoy on Reckley.

Ball is up and no good Hopkins directly too quick.

No basket, no basket.

It's a foul before the shot.

Foul on Gracy gets her first.

Third of the quarter for Heritage ball out of bounds.

Lauryn Ferguson the ball.

Madison Reckley quiet night for her three ball attempt in Lauryn Ferguson the sophomore.

It's back up by nine.

One of the captains on this team.

That's tough if you're Heritage ball your way back and a couple of three pointers and all of a sudden it's a nine point game in the final 30s of the third quarter, Collins puts it up and she's fouled.

Hamnet Morghan Reckley one more look at that last shot.

Those corner threes over there.

Lauryn Ferguson she's Love the corner.

McCoy has Love the corner three.

That foul is going to go against Morghan Reckley.

That's going to be her third personal right here with 18 seconds left of the third period.

So both she and her sister Madison, the two primary ball handlers on the Sandy Creek Sandy Creek team, both with three fouls.

As Collins makes the second of 218.4 on the clock, they can hold for the final shot.

What a game for Morghan Reckley 19 points, six rebounds.

Megan Reckley make that Madison Reckley with the three point attempt.

It's off the mark.

We're through three quarters.

Sandy Creek the Patriots.

What a job!

By Bailee Hollis there.

But the three-point shooting by Sandy Creek has been the difference in this one.

Up by eight with one quarter to go.

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So.

You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh, hey, what's up man?

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted?

Driving isn't a game when you lose on the road, it could lead to a crash.

So when you get behind the wheel, put the distractions aside, drive hands free and save lives.

Heads up Georgia.

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Three quarters in the books here.

In this three day championship, the Girls Championship Sandy Creek is on top 42-34 Looking for a state championship here for this program.

And again, we've talked about the sports teams there and the great history.

Megatron Calvin Johnson junior once playing football for them way back in the day for the all time great receivers right.

A little history here in these next 8 minutes for the Patriots women's team.

During that intermission of third quarter Sandy Creek coach Lewis say stay locked in eight more minutes and we go home.

Champs.

Another turnover there.

17th on the night for Heritage Reckley to Reckley and it's N ten point lead 40-4 points for Sandy Creek.

And they were telling us the number four is big for them.

They got it.

They want to score more than 44 tonight.

Obviously.

Hollis another three.

Hollis.

Bullseye baby.

Let's go.

Love the moxy.

Quick answer and Heritage again.

Pulling back within seven.

Coach Lewis now using some of that clock.

You know the keys to her game were to get up in your face and pressure defense.

And she said one of the concerns was if Heritage slowed it down, we saw them speed them up earlier on, but now they're taking a chance and slowing this thing down.

There's the three by Hollis again.

She's had a nice game tonight.

Hollis with eight points.

No Heritage player in double figures yet as McCoy hits her first free throw.

Suddenly she has 15 points as you mentioned, three for three from outside the arc.

Second free throw bounces in and back to a nine point advantage.

Now for the Patriots.

And now if you're Heritage, you've got to be more aggressive as they were right there to beat the stress that's causing so many problems tonight.

Nice cut there by Tanner for the hoop.

And coach told him at the end of the third quarter, be patient if you don't have the shot off the drive bring it back out.

There a very disciplined team.

Heritage is.

So if they don't have that drive, they can find their shooters.

Tanner is shot from the outside.

Obviously Hollis has made a couple from the outside.

That's the second foul on Epps.

By the way.

Ball out of bounds after Sandy Creek.

Hopkins with the catch now.

Reckley Thompson.

Oh boy did everything but go in.

Rebound up and no Collins the rebound.

Epps Mace down pass down court but it's picked off by Madison Reckley.

She circles it back, hits the deck.

You're going to have a time-out by Sandy Creek a full time out.

But Larry, that's just not a smart pass.

If you're Heritage, you're going all the way across court with a very athletic team.

Yeah, yeah, you've seen this too many times tonight.

And again you're within seven points and you just gave the ball back right then.

So time-out Sandy Creek will take a break as well.

6:22 to go here in the game.

And it's the Patriots up by seven.

I said I never joined.

Never knew I was strong.

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Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

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Dot info Brad Delp.

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That's why Breda works to protect the inside and outside of your.

Home with boots on the ground and suspended mid-air.

Our line workers are everywhere behind every turn switch are those who put it all on the line to illuminate lives down the line.

Their job is as honorable as it is rigorous.

As we look on with admiring eyes, we want them to know we are grateful.

Georgia's electric Membership Cooperative celebrate the life sustaining contributions of our line workers.

Storm or shine.

Thank you for being our lifeline.

Georgia's MCs so much more than electricity.

From ninth grade through graduation.

Georgia Futures provides tools to help you plan and pay for college, as well as prepare you for your career beyond high school.

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Back here.

Live in Macon here for the GHSA Basketball Championships presented by Breda Pest Management.

Sandy Creek on top right now.

46 39 you're just joining us.

A Heritage jumped out to the big lead in the first quarter, actually leading 14 11 after one.

It has been all Sandy Creek since then.

Their defense full court has really caused some problems.

But give credit to Heritage, they have fought and scrapped and they are still right there very much in this game with a lot of time on the clock.

And coach Greg Elkins knew that if they were going to have an opportunity in this game, that they were going to have to do all the little things that got him here, and that's the defense.

You know, very disciplined, not speeding up, not getting sped up.

They've done a good job competing.

But this Sandy Creek team is a solid team.

When you have a player like Morghan Reckley on the other side of the ball, it's tough.

She makes things really difficult.

She really does.

That was a foul, offensive foul.

Called that on a trip.

Called on Kandyce Hopkins.

So that gives Heritage the ball.

But Epps Tori Epps with the travel on the other end.

And boy that really hurts again.

You make another stop on this end and you don't capitalize on the offensive end.

Turnover 19 for Heritage and Coach Elkins is not happy about that call.

Sandy Creek now taking their time.

Reckley that's short, but look at the hustle.

As she knew the ball was going to be off.

Rushed in to try to get the rebound.

Ends up knocking it out of bounds.

It'll be Heritage.

I can appreciate that effort.

You don't see a lot of players these days following their shots right there.

Madison Reckley definitely following her shot.

Full court press again for Sandy Creek.

How does Heritage handle it?

Epps this time she's on Madison Reckley facing her.

Got to get it across quickly and she does Tanner now in the front court.

And they're going to get Lauryn Ferguson on the reach foul against Georgia Gracy.

Only her first personal foul team.

Second.

Epps left handed gets it.

Go.

Good screen and roll.

Dropping that on a dime.

Bounce pass to Epps.

Epps now with ten points in the game.

Heritage within five.

Under five to go.

You can see it on Epps face right there.

She is tired.

She has worked extremely hard.

Lurs now it's Gracy.

Here's that basket again for Epps.

Georgia Gracy called for the shooting foul as McCoy was driving and.

First to go true on those free throws.

Five for five from the free-throw line.

Deyla McCoy averaging 10.1 points per game.

She's got 18 in this one, hitting both free throws.

Back to a seven point advantage.

McCoy now at 19 points after that last free throw.

Hollis trying to go inside for Collins and she does and gets that to go.

Those last two possessions that screen and roll has really worked for.

Heritage Teasley Collins now with 11.

Back to a five point game.

Reckley to Madison Reckley.

Fadeaway oh it goes in.

What can she do tonight?

Morghan Reckley.

What a game.

The way she creates space to get her shot off is very impressive.

Epps pick up the foul on Madison Reckley and that'll be her fourth.

How about this play by her sister Morghan Reckley.

Step back off the 1 ft.

Second time out now on the court and we'll take one.

125043 is the count.

Right now Sandy Creek is on top with 3:50 to go, but Heritage is not done.

We'll see what Coach Elkins draws up for his Generals when we come back here on GPB.

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Larry Smith Kelly Algiers.

You're going to see here coming out of this time-out.

Kelly.

Well, Heritage has got to pick the pace up right.

So they're down by seven right now.

Again patience is good.

Discipline is good.

But at some point you've got to make sure you're putting points on the board and stopping Sandy Creek on the other end.

That's been the biggest problem is there.

They're able to score, but they're not getting stops on the other end.

Yeah.

Good 0.7 point lead right now.

3:50 to go.

Heritage coming in a 14 game win streak.

Get it to Epps.

Back to Collins driving inside and in.

What a play.

Well drawn up.

Well executed by the Generals.

And they're back within five.

But now your point.

They've got to make a stop on the other end.

Yeah.

There's not enough time to continue to trade baskets at this point.

Madison Reckley being guarded closely by Hollis.

Nice rejection there.

Good defense.

Now they got to hurry and come down.

And Elkins wants a time-out.

Coach Elkins for Heritage.

To your point, you got a chance to make the stop.

He had four time-outs left.

He's going to use one here.

Look at that play.

This is a great play.

Coming up we'll show the replay coming out of the time-out.

This is the way they drew it up.

Absolutely.

I mean you start with Tori Epps having her have the ball in her hands and then dropping it off to Paisley Collins, who actually leads this team in scoring with 13.

She averages 13 points a game.

Tori had ten points a game.

So again between that tandem right there, I want the ball in their hands every single possession.

Now.

Minson Epps.

Just playing this all the way through.

She's played all 29 minutes in this game ten points seven rebounds but also nine turnovers.

And a lot of that is just again the pressure in the backboard.

It's not so much turnovers.

Not all her fault.

It's just the team.

Not having an answer for that.

Full court press at Sandy Creek has had on really for the past 2.5 quarters.

Yeah.

That Sandy Creek defense has been phenomenal.

The pressure and I mean Coach Lewis told us she likes to press and get in your face.

That is the style of basketball they play.

They have shown that whether, you know, fouls are being given.

At the same time, she's had confidence in her players to say this is the style.

We're not changing it up.

Yep, ten steals by the Sandy Creek defense as they take a five point lead here into the final 310 of the game.

A local coach, Elkins Heritage Generals, talked about again, he coached boys basketball for so long, and then boy Gracy turned her back as Hollis threw it in and a bucket on the other end and a 21st turnover of the game.

Just like that.

Back to the seven points.

Hollis threw the ball in, but Gracy turns and set a pick.

Turned away from the ball.

Didn't see the ball inbounded and the turnover.

Coach Elkins just shaking his head and rubbing his face because he just called a time-out deliberately to set up that play.

And it wasn't executed nicely.

There gets a basket by Tanner and a quick time out for Elkins and Heritage.

They're back within five points.

They have not been able to get inside of five points.

Really.

This whole second half.

It's been a struggle.

It feels like.

Let's take a look at this last basket first here.

There's Tori Epps with the ball.

You want it in her hands that that screen and roll has really worked.

And Tanner being able to score right there at the basket.

But to your point, it has seemed like all game Heritage has worked extremely hard for all of their points.

So this deficit right here seems much larger than five points because of how hard they have to work for every single point.

Whereas Sandy Creek, it's really been coming naturally off of their defense.

Absolutely.

Paisley Collins she's got 13 points leading scorer in the game for Heritage.

Out of North Georgia from the Ringgold area.

And now it's Heritage with the full court press for the first time.

Reckley has no problem beating that, going coast to coast for the layup.

And that's not going to work.

If you're Heritage, you got to find a different way.

Reckley now with.

23 points back to a seven point lead.

Epps with the scoop that won't go Tanner and she's fouled.

Kandyce.

Hopkins will pick it up.

She'll be shooting two.

I like that call by the official there.

We saw a block earlier where there was body contact but the block was clean.

This is very consistent from what they've been calling in the game.

And as a coach that's what you're looking for is consistency right.

If we're going to let them play through contact let them do that the entire game.

I thought that was a consistent call block was great body though for Hopkins not so much.

Manama Tanner with the free throw that's in 13 points for her.

Three for three at the line, seven rebounds as well for Tanner.

Senior good night for Heritage.

Second is around and out.

Ball is out of bounds.

It'll be two Sandy Creek so one of two at the line.

Still a two possession game.

That's trying for the steal from Reckley to get it to go.

Reckley now weaving through the defense.

Gets it inside for his sister.

Reckley that won't go Gracy the rebound for Heritage.

Inside now for Hollis.

Still got to get it across.

Epps Tanner three-point shot away by Gracy.

Noem Collins inside for Epps and she scores four point game.

Great put back right there.

But they've got again.

They've got.

This is a crucial possession right here to get a defensive stop.

Reckley calling for the screener.

Yukit Paisley Collins on the block.

Collins.

That's her fourth foul.

Both teams now in bonus on that next foul.

So we'll be shooting free throws from here on out both ways.

Oh my goodness.

Morghan Reckley.

She's going to get called for a technical foul.

Absolutely.

She makes the basket and a little too much after that and bumps Gracy down.

Here's the replay.

There's another look at it right into your screen right into your living room.

It's just not necessary at this point in the game, right?

You make a phenomenal play.

And Coach Lewis is telling her right there.

Every possession matters so much.

And now you give Heritage an opportunity to score two points without the clock running and then get the ball.

Time out here on the court while the one of the officials.

They're looking to.

Yeah, they're talking to see if that was her fourth or fifth foul.

Send him.

To the bench.

I think that's her fifth.

I know.

For sure she has three for.

We all on the same page.

Okay.

We got two shots in the mall.

Now they're saying it's her fourth.

Correct.

So three personal fouls and you pick up a technical foul which counts as a personal which would be her fourth.

Okay.

Yeah.

Her sister Madison already has four.

Morgan now has four.

And Emma Tanner at the line to shoot the technical.

And the first one's in.

After this, if she can make this chance, make it a one possession game on the offensive series to follow.

And she does.

So Tanner hits both free throws 15 points in the game for her.

She's leading scorer for Heritage and now the Generals get the ball inbound.

Lauryn Ferguson coming back in Yogi Boynton going out for Sandy Creek 1:27 to go.

Classic V8 championship on the line.

Epps the junkyard dog for Heritage to Gracy for three and it's.

In there.

It is.

Gracy knocking it down again.

It's a one point game.

Morghan Reckley 25 points of the night.

Fantastic night for her.

Sandy Creek close it out.

McCoy.

Madison Reckley 16 on the clock in the drive.

Ball is out of bounds.

Stay with Sandy Creek.

There's that three pointer.

And now coach Lewis for Sandy Creek is going to be warned.

I think she's yelling at the official that she wanted a time out.

It wasn't recognized.

It's loud in here.

So you you got to show not just scream, but you got to give a visible time-out as well.

You got both fan bases now yelling 12 seconds on the clock.

Morghan Reckley with the scoop.

No Collins the rebound.

Can they save it inbounds?

They do.

But to Madison Reckley.

What a missed opportunity right there.

If your coach Elkins, you're going to look back at this film in the missed opportunities you have and the fight that you had down by one.

Right now.

So many 21 turnovers and yet you're down.

It's a one point game here in the final 30s double team on Morghan Reckley trying to find some space.

Fadeaway jumper is good.

Reckley with 20-7 It's a three point game.

And a time-out for Heritage 12.2 on the clock.

Morgan Reckley wrecking.

Does Heritage team.

Done what she has done all game long?

27 points.

And again the separation she has on that step shot.

So effective so efficient.

And she's only a sophomore.

Yeah.

And I'm looking at all the college coaches here and the looks at their faces and the notes they're taking.

Salivating at the mouth like, can we get her sooner?

She's got two more years left of high school.

Exactly.

Can I get her now?

And keep in mind getting this done because big Sister Madison again, early foul trouble in the first couple of minutes, she was going to be the ball handler.

Instead.

We heard from coach.

Yeah, Morgan.

She'll handle the ball some when Madison's not in the game.

Well, she's taking over this game.

And both on offense and defense.

Yeah she had to to your point right.

Madison got in that early foul trouble picking up two quickly.

And Morgan really has taken over.

And you see parts of her game that are immature like that technical foul.

Right.

But when you weigh out the pros and the cons here in a game like this, she's got to be on the floor and the ball has got to be in her hands.

Yeah.

But if you're Heritage you're four from seven from the three point line.

You're not out of this game by any means.

Georgia Gracy two for four.

Hollis two for two from behind the arc.

You know, Tori Epps can see the floor so well.

Get the ball in her hands and find one of your shooters outside the three point line.

And Coach Lewis didn't like the way this was set up, so she now runs down to midcourt to call.

A time-out.

That's right.

She got her attention visually.

That's right, that's right.

That's it.

But to your point, we've seen Greg Elkins call some outstanding plays out of time-outs and they haven't always been executed.

But we could but but but the play was there in terms of the play call and the design of it.

And so I'm looking forward to seeing what he calls here with 12.2.

Yeah.

You know, Coach Elkins in my opinion has a very high IQ for this game.

So, you know, we get the pleasure of sitting closer to his bench.

So every time out, you know I take his headset off and listen to what he's doing.

Very high IQ knows what he's talking about, his sets that he draws up again.

Why not always execute it properly?

He knows what he's talking about, and it's part of the reason why they're probably in this championship game is because he's probably out coached a lot of his opponents.

Absolutely, absolutely.

Yeah.

You go through and look 12 wins by 12 points or less.

So not a team that really blows a lot of teams out.

But again, technically sound fundamentally right.

They're in it.

Let's see what they come up with here at 12.2 left one possession game for Heritage.

Need a three to tie.

Gracy with an.

Is going to call a time-out now.

So.

He's in Holland also two for two.

Like you said she's got a couple of three point shooters there.

And the chess match now between the coaches.

I don't know if Coach Elkins facial expressions you know Tori was going to take that ball out.

And she's like what do I call a time out now.

So you know as coaches, you spend so much time with these young women that you get to know their body language.

If they they're coming out of that time-out looking confused or hesitant.

And at this point, you can't take any risk.

You have fought so hard to be in the position that you're in right now.

You need to make sure that they are locked in and they know exactly what to execute.

Coming out of this time-out.

Absolutely.

So 12.2 on the clock 58 55 Sandy Creek class three championship is on the line.

Heritage coming in again.

27-4 ten and two in region play.

Sandy Creek 25-6 We talked about them.

They began the year 0-2 lost to Creekside by four and lost North Paulding at six.

A finalist in overtime early on and coach again.

He's coached.

Tishay Lewis said, hey, we're going to play some of the best.

And the reason why you do that, you get to this point here, your championship ready come March.

So Heritage with no more time-outs left, Sandy Creek still has 112.2 left.

Epps to inbound.

Watch for number four.

Tanner number 12.

Hollis.

This is Collins.

Back to Epps.

Now for Hollis.

Gracy for three and Georgia Gracy a three pointer, 1 second left and Heritage is your state champion.

We're going to overtime.

I'm sorry.

It's going to overtime.

It's a two pointer, not a three.

It is a three.

I'm sorry.

It's a three.

Heritage not your state champion.

It is a three pointer.

Tie the game.

Somehow I had him as a four point shot.

Kelsey, thank you for bringing me back to earth.

Hey.

It was about as exciting as a four point shot.

Should be right there.

Oh my goodness.

I'm not sure that's who they drew that shot up to be.

But Gracy over there.

Wow.

One more look at it.

Three pointer.

They needed a three to tie the game.

Heritage is not your state champion.

Hollis was at the top of the key.

You pass it over to Georgia Gracy there.

Oh my gosh, you talk about excitement.

Wow.

Gracy three for five from behind the three point line.

But those are the two you were trying to get it to.

They both had a touch Hollis and Gracy.

Absolutely.

And what a selfless pass by Hollis.

Although she was about a foot and a half outside that three point line, and if it was me, I would have jacked that shot.

But to have the awareness to find her teammate Gracy over there, that had a better shot than she did and had that confidence in her.

Yeah, that's a really selfless play.

So Heritage the play of a champion, though they are not champions.

It is tied at 58.

What a game.

So we have overtime.

4:00 to go.

Tied at 50:08.

And they win the toss.

How about that.

The great tip from Hopkins Morghan Reckley takes it in.

It's a two point lead now for Sandy Creek.

Heritage did not set up properly on that.

There's no way that Morgan should be on that side by her basket by herself.

Right.

Yeah.

That's right.

McCoy going to be called for that.

Her second personal foul.

But again, as we mentioned in regulation both teams are in bonus.

So free throws it could come down to who's going to make their free throws.

Sandy Creek nine for ten.

Right now Heritage nine for 17.

You saw her in the clutch.

Just hit two free throws off that technical.

And that rolls in.

What a game.

And we have one more still to go.

Pitts and both Tanner with 17 points.

And we're tied again at 60.

They are on their feet here.

Both sides of the arena here.

Great defense there.

That ball is tipped.

But he hit the underside of the basket.

So out of bounds it'll stay standing.

Sandy Creek ball.

That's a good pickup by the official.

Both official's whistle went off and it was deflected and hit underneath the basket.

Reckley system stopping to tie their shoe at the same.

Why do I feel like that was a decoy?

Because they were talking the whole time.

Yeah.

Locked eyes.

Reckley for three.

No Gracy the rebound.

Heritage a chance to take the lead.

3:00 to go in half or in overtime.

Barely got the ball across the timeline in time.

Collins.

Back out to Tanner.

Plenty of time on the shot clock.

Good ball movement.

Here's the patience that Coach Elkins is talking about.

Collins inside for Tanner knocked away and stripped by Reckley again.

Three on two break.

Reckley to Reckley up and in and the foul chance for a three point play.

Madison Reckley and double.

This is a double technical foul.

Something against Sandy Creek.

So we have an.

And one situation.

And then after the play.

She goes and bumps her again.

So the question is as the referees are huddling up right now talking about this.

The question is is it either way if it's a foul or technical.

That's her fifth foul.

It is, however, a technical is an ejection because she already had her first technical for doing that same bump earlier in the game.

So the first common foul is going to be on Georgia Gracy.

For the foul on Gracy.

Now we're listening in to see both coaches in to talk about it.

So we don't have to tell 18 times.

But I'll tell you one time what's going on.

I'm sorry.

I thought he was done.

So.

The basketball shoot, one shot.

Okay.

So it appears there's no foul against Sandy Creek.

They're saying just the one shot to free throw to be shot after the maid bucket by Madison Reckley.

It does appear that it's going to be Morghan Reckley out of the game.

So they are going to have a technical foul on number three.

Morghan Reckley.

And she's leaving the game now you can see her sitting down on the bench.

She's out.

There trying to sort this out.

So a common foul on number two from Heritage Georgia Gracy which was an and one situation for Madison Reckley.

And after the play they're saying they have a dead ball technical foul on number three.

Morghan Reckley which was her fifth.

Now none of the officials said that she was ejected, though.

Right.

Which Madison Reckley misses the free throw that's on the and one.

So that's done.

Okay go ahead.

And so now Tanner for Heritage is going to shoot the two shots for the technical foul.

And Heritage will receive the ball at half court.

My confusion is that was the second technical foul.

So while.

And maybe they just didn't use the word ejection, she has to sit out anyways because that was her fifth personal foul.

Maybe because with the technical you get the free throws where it was a common foul, you would not correct.

That's the difference.

Correct.

Okay.

But that is the second technical foul.

Yeah.

Okay.

So she hits one of two free throws there as we're figuring this out.

We have more conversation now with the officials.

And now the official is saying it right now.

She went to her partners and she said that is two technicals.

That is an ejection.

Okay.

And so now going over to the Sandy Creek bench he said something to coach Lewis.

For officials.

Jared Dickey Dawson, Terrance Shawn Hoder I appreciate their work sorting this out.

Okay, so it's a one point lead for Sandy Creek 35 to go Heritage now with a chance to take the lead.

Georgia Gracy driving gets that shot up.

No, Tanner didn't hit the rim, but I think the shot clock reset.

Hollis for three short iron.

So now you're in a situation.

Larry.

2 minutes left in this ball game with your leading scorer on the bench.

Now.

And your go to player.

Yeah.

And she's been doing everything on both ends.

Now it's McCoy handling the ball.

She's not only your leading scorer and Morghan Reckley she's also your leading distributor to making sure the ball gets in her teammates hands, in the right place at the right time.

Yeah.

Just three pointer there by Boynton.

The ball is rebound out of bounds and it'll go to Heritage full court press Hollis.

She's been a problem.

But again, you don't have Morghan Reckley anymore.

But it doesn't matter.

Steal by McCoy.

As she draws the foul on Gracy and she'll shoot a pair.

For.

Gracy now with four personal fouls.

For her ten points.

Eight rebounds.

Look here at McCoy 21 points.

Now her first miss from the line.

She had been six of six so I didn't jinx her.

Wasn't my fault.

One more freebie.

And it's a two point game again 22 points now for McCoy.

Tori Epps almost loses it again.

Gracy gets it across.

Now to Tanner.

Epps on the drive up.

That won't go.

Rebound taken away by Tanner.

Tanner again.

Collins inside and it's a tie game again.

Just the hustle and heart right there for those second and third chance opportunities.

Paying off.

Both of these teams grabbing their shorts, exhausted.

Boynton on the drive.

Shot is short.

Rebounds by Gracy.

Gotta get across the timeline.

2 seconds.

Gotta hurry.

Time out by Coach Elkins.

He was about 1 second away from getting another ten second call in the backcourt.

Coach Elkins Kalshi was in trouble, made the call.

And that's smart because you have a time-out to use anyway.

You've got a chance here.

You're tied up 11 second differential on the shot clock.

Call your play, get the play that you want here with a chance to win a title.

Yeah you have plenty of time here.

There's no rush.

But again, handling the pressure and securing the ball.

They cannot have a turnover right here.

And we've seen the hands of McCoy and Madison Reckley deflecting back tapping.

And so right now Heritage has got to meet their passes and ensure they get an opportunity to score at the basket.

No unforced turnovers and no turnovers in general.

Absolutely.

How about this?

Sandy Creek defense 14 steals.

They forced 23 turnovers in this game.

To your point.

Active hands all night long.

They don't have their star player.

You're just joining us.

Morghan Reckley a fouling out of the game.

But boy what a game that she had.

She was fantastic on both ends of the court 29 points six rebounds five steals as well.

And there's a good look at her.

She's got to watch these final 36 seconds from the bench.

Three pointer by Georgia Gracy to tie it up in the final seconds of regulation in Generals.

Now with a chance to win it.

Epps hounded by McCoy.

Good meeting the pass there by Gracy.

Now Tanner 13 on the shot clock.

Epps inside Collins scores.

What a play!

Right there.

Time out!

Sandy Creek.

Paisley Collins coming off of that screen, curling around and them getting her the ball as she curls around.

In stride in motion so she can go right up and score that layup there you see the screen.

Patience.

Absolutely.

Epps waiting waiting for the play to develop.

That was just smart.

Coach Lewis said on the call.

One of the concerns that she had about this Heritage team was that they are so disciplined.

Those are discipline plays.

You know, Heritage understands they might not be the tallest or the quickest, but what they do is they are executing and having discipline with their stats.

All of a sudden now they're shooting 52% from the field.

They have dominated the boards 38-19 in this game to offset all those turnovers, 11 offensive rebounds for them tonight as well.

And now they have the lead.

They were down by as much as ten in this game.

Battling, scuffling and clawing their way back.

And now they're up by two 19 seconds left.

Now on the other side Morghan Reckley is out with 29 points.

McCoy has 22 points.

Madison Reckley eight points for only four of 12 shooting.

We've seen what she can do offensively.

What do you do here if you're Sandy Creek.

Again you got to go downhill right now.

And it's really it's either going to be McCoy or Madison.

Now I think a shot.

You don't want to wait till the end.

You want to get a chance to get a rebound just in case, right?

Absolutely.

Down to eight.

Good hands there by Epps McCoy.

And they collide.

I like the no.

Yeah.

Reckley.

No.

And that's it.

The Heritage Generals come from behind and win it in overtime.

And they are your 2026 state champions.

Wow.

What a finish.

What a finish.

You talk about excitement.

That first game was exciting.

This overtime game right here.

Sandy Creek had all the momentum for the majority of this game.

But the fight and will that Heritage showed is unmatched.

And they come out as champions.

Sandy Creek was leading early in the fourth quarter, 44-34 But you give Heritage credit, clawing their way back.

The three pointer at the end of regulation to tie it up and then in overtime to survive and come through.

And the great play there, the patience by your junkyard dog.

And they just had a fantastic all around game for all their players.

It was going to be a collective effort.

They knew that.

We knew that.

Their fans knew that.

And everybody showed up for this team.

Gracy with ten points and nine rebounds.

Tanner 18 points and nine rebounds.

Tori Epps 12 points, seven rebounds.

But I tell you what, the way Tori played that didn't show up on this stat sheet, the heart that she brought, and then she fed off that emotion of Bailee Hollis and her other teammates.

Absolutely.

How about Paisley Collins 17 points, nine rebounds as well.

Three assists.

And again the game winner there in the final seconds.

Let's go to John Nelson for the trophy presentation.

John thank you very much.

Larry Smith.

The trophy has been presented.

I think you can finally catch your breath.

Oh no.

Kind of horse.

Down double digits.

You come back, they go back and they get another big lead.

You come back.

You've referred to this group as a bunch of junkyard dogs all season long, and they came through on the other side.

What does this feel like for this first ever Catoosa County Championship?

Yeah, I'm not sure.

Yet.

I'm sure it'll sink in after a minute.

I, I just these girls, everybody underestimated them from, from the beginning of the season till now.

We never did.

We knew what we had.

Parents knew what we had.

And they trust the coaches and we trust them wholeheartedly.

And they are junkyard dogs.

It ain't always pretty sometimes, but we grind and and work real hard at practice.

So I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm happy for them, obviously.

And the program, but I'm, I'm also happy for all these people right here that traveled all the way down here.

And I'm happy for Heritage high School because we've become the first team in history to win a basketball state championship.

And this is for all the players that have played here before that never got to experience this.

It's for all my players at Ringgold and Heritage who I coached, who never got to experience this, and I'm just so happy, so proud of these girls, man.

They are.

You want to know what toughness looks like?

Just take a look over there.

It's toughness.

And we're certainly done that all night long.

Congratulations.

Heritage Catoosa state champs.

Send it back over Valerian Kelly.

Jon Nelson.

Thanks so much.

We want to make sure everyone understands and knows that this coach's interview presented by Breda Pest Management.

You don't have to be afraid of bugs.

So proud of what Breda does and thankful for their support of high school athletics here on GPB.

And what a night it is for these Generals.

From Heritage first ever title game appearance in their first ever championship.

As we take a look at the photo op that they've got right there, here's one more look at that final game winning play.

There you see the curl play right there.

The Collins Tori Epps giving the assist.

Knowing she didn't have to be the one to take the shot.

But it was going to go through her.

And how about Epps?

She butted heads with the defender with the team player from Sandy Creek was dazed, still had the wherewithal to fall back into defensive position.

This is one again where it's never over.

Like we said, a ten point lead for Sandy Creek in the fourth quarter, but give Heritage all the credit coming back in and and getting getting the win for players in double figures.

Again we have had three championships so far and three thrillers.

Both the earlier games going down to the wire, this one going to overtime.

Who knows what's going to happen here in this next three A boys championship.

All delivered.

People are getting their money's worth at home.

And if you're watching and listening right now, these games have been exhilarating.

And being right here courtside, the emotion you see these young women have practiced and have gone through a lot of adversities throughout the year.

And so that's just a special extra nod to Heritage getting this win because again, Sandy Creek, if, if Morgan does not foul out of that game, I don't think Heritage comes up with this win.

I agree, I agree, I think at least it's another overtime.

They just they found a way defensively every time and time again.

I tell you what I'm so impressed with players from both of these teams.

And I can tell you the college coaches watching, they were as well to see them watching and taking notes here.

We have three in the books today and stay with us because we have much more to come.

Yet another championship game and in a moment, John Nelson will talk once again with the coach Elkins and Corey Epps from the Championship.

Heritage Generals.

What a night it has been here in this class CJ championship.

We got everything, boy.

We had emotions.

We had great defense.

We had timely offense, clutch shots, technical fouls gamesmanship with time-outs back and forth.

In the end, we have a champion.

Kudos to Heritage at three a championship as they get the title here for the first time in program history.

Much more to come here on GPB after this.

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I said I never joined.

Never knew I was strong.

I was joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

Hey there everyone and welcome in to countdown to Tip Off.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer.

We're live on Georgia Public Broadcasting over the next four days.

Bringing you the best of the best of the 2026 GHSA boys and girls high school basketball state Championships.

If you're just now joining us, we have crowned the official three a girls champion.

Oh my goodness.

Sandy Creek Patriots they lost to Heritage Catoosa Generals 65-63 Now, if you didn't have a chance to watch this game live and in person, trust me on this one, you're going to want to go back and you're going to want to watch this one again.

It was a thriller.

We saw a little bit of everything.

The Generals came from behind Jon Nelson.

Oh my goodness.

And they did it in such fashion and finesse.

I hear you have with you right now the leader of the Generals, the leader of the Junkyard Dogs and our player of the game, and Tori Epps.

Yes, that is in fact very true.

Evidence that you have presented is in fact, correct.

The leader of the J. S it is Tori Epps, the senior and the head coach of all of the everybody in the Dogpound.

Greg Elkins, I got to ask you how it feels.

And it hadn't quite sunk in.

I don't know if it's going to until you come home with the trophy which has disappeared.

It has gone that way and has not been found.

What has this ride been like for you to get to this point, knowing that you could do this and now you've done it?

I think it's been.

Super fulfilling.

I think.

For one.

You know, at the beginning of the year, we kind of knew what we could achieve.

Thought, you know, it was a process going into the season, but just to watch the girls grow, you know, through some adversity, a couple of injuries early in the year and then fought through some tough losses along the way.

But you know, rebound.

Here's the thing, like we're consistently having great days at practice.

And I think that when you have players that can that can compete every day, that's one of our commitments.

You know, we're going to compete every day.

They came and competed every day.

We tweaked some things mid-season, started executing a little bit better offensively.

But defensively we've been pretty solid for a few years now.

And I think this this game, even though they scored 60 I think it was 62.

I mean I'll take it.

I mean it wasn't wasn't our best.

But that I mean obviously number three Reckley for them is just an incredible player.

So like holding her, I mean, if you can keep her quiet in the first half like we did, I'll take it.

But I'm just so happy for them.

I think we talk a lot about the difference in happiness and joy, and we need to find joy every day in coming to practice and working hard.

And this is the one.

These girls are.

They're so unique because they they actually enjoy guarding.

They enjoy the gritty part of the work.

They enjoy you know how much time we spend on shell drill and different defensive calls and our sets and defensively and all that stuff.

But I feel like they just, I'm so happy for them to see us, these five seniors, to see their career out like this.

You know, last year ended in such heartbreaking fashion for us against Baldwin to, to make it back to somewhere the school has never been.

And to actually get a state championship, I'm sure once the season, once we get back to Ringgold and once I'm taking it into my, my bonus room upstairs watching March Madness, I think it'll sink in at some point, but just so happy for them.

I'm so happy for the coaches.

I'm so happy for the school, all the fans, all the parents that trusted us with the program.

Man, it's just, I don't know.

I'm speechless really.

I'm I'm so happy.

All right, so let's come over here and talk to our player of the game.

We went through.

It was ten, 7-7 Yet we're contributing in a bunch of different ways this season.

It's been a lot of close wins.

And you've come out the other side.

A lot of games that were tight.

You're down early at the half, you're down.

They outscore you by 11 in the second quarter you're down I think eight at the break.

But there was no give up in this bunch.

You're down double digits.

You come back no no give up.

You come back.

What's it like in the huddle knowing that you're that confident that you can come back in a situation like this?

It's just.

Us focusing on what we're needing to do next and not overly focusing on what the past mistakes were and all the stuff that we've done wrong.

And just playing the next play.

So then you let me ask this.

You're tied going into overtime.

What was it?

What was what was he saying in the huddle in overtime to make sure that, okay, everything's back to zero.

Everything's square.

What was the talk going into overtime?

He was saying like, shut her down.

Yeah.

We will not let her beat us.

Just stop her from scoring and play our game.

Have you ever.

And I'm going to go over here.

Last question.

Have you ever been in a game like this before where you've come out the other side quickly?

I think, yeah, we played Dalton a couple years ago and he hit a bank, shot three to tie it up and send it into overtime and then went into a double overtime.

But never in a setting like this.

No, it's a first for me.

So this is going to be one for the ages that we can tell our our, you know, they can tell their kids about remember all the way through history.

But I'll say this, I also told them in the huddle, like, everybody here gets free basketball.

So yeah, we managed to fight back and give everybody 4 minutes of free basketball.

So it's always good.

Amazing stuff.

Coach Greg Elkins congratulations my friend on getting the title.

Congratulations on being player of the game.

Trophies long gone Nikk.

I don't know where it is.

He's going to have to go find it.

Big win for Heritage Catoosa first ever Catoosa County School to win a basketball championship.

And Nikki, it's all yours.