Welcome to Macon, Georgia for the GHSA boys five a state basketball championship game.

It is presented by Breda Pest Management, the official sponsor of high school basketball.

As we step inside the Macon Coliseum with a 29-2 Alexander Cougars of Douglasville take on the 25-6 Woodward Academy Warsh Eagles of College Park.

And good evening.

I'm Matt Stewart, joined by former McDonald's High School All-American Georgia Bulldogs point guard and college basketball assistant coach Sean Golden.

And Sean, we got real star power in this game tonight.

Three of the ten players that made the GPB sports all all classification team will be playing in this game tonight.

We've got future college basketball players maybe some future NBA players in this game and these two teams.

This will be the fourth consecutive year that at least one of these teams has played in the state finals.

And this year, both of them are playing in the state finals.

This is a big time matchup for both teams, and I think I like about tonight's contest two different teams but same styles.

Alexander has five seniors.

These guys want to cut down net, but at the same time Woodward comes in, they want to cut down.

That.

Probably the youngest team in the entire tournament.

So we're going to have a dandy tonight with a great team's great energy, great effort threes dunks.

Let's sit back and enjoy this one.

Let's start with Woodward Academy and their five star Bentley Lusakueno who's rated the number one power forward in the country in the class of 2028.

Lusakueno is special.

At six foot nine, the number one power forward.

As you said in 2028, he's a stud.

He's a stretch four, but has post skills that he's a guy that's getting better each and every day.

They're going to need a big game for him tonight.

And for Alexander, one of those seniors you were talking about is Pops Dunson.

He's signed with Colorado State.

He is a three star and he's already the program's all time leading scorer and all time assist maker.

Coach Slate has been coaching for 29 years.

And he said, this pops Dunson is the greatest point guard that he ever coached.

All time leading points leader and assist leader at Alexander High School and an All-State going to Colorado State averaging 18 points, almost three assists and three rebounds.

Let's have a good one tonight, young fella.

Let's have a good one.

Last time these two teams played.

Sean the 2024 semifinals and Alexander rolled to a 29 point win.

But Coach Thomas is you know really has pushed his team to the limit to the max.

And he feels good about this year's squad even though they're young.

But they're talented and talent sometimes does do better with experience.

But experience is something that that you can't teach.

You know, time and score situations.

Understanding the magnitude of the game.

This is going to be a good one tonight.

And how about Jason Slate?

He has put Alexander on the map.

They're playing in their third state finals in the last four seasons.

He's in his 15th season at Alexander.

They won the state championship in 2023, their first ever.

They're going for their second ever here tonight.

Woodward won their first ever in 2020.

They also are going for their second ever.

And Alexander in the black will start on offense.

As Torian Greene on the dribble for the Cougars, they swing it around and Dunson takes the three and misses and the rebound is controlled by Bradyn Elder and it comes to Myles Hayes swings it around and now Elder in the dribble up around the logo.

And the ball knocked out of bounds as you take a look at the starting five for Woodward.

Lusakueno Elder, Johnson, Hayes and Hayes, the two brothers, Hayes Jr.. Jarvis is a junior and Myles is a sophomore.

Their daddy is the former Georgia Bulldogs great star.

Jarvis Hayes and current Georgia State assistant coach.

They've got a good history.

Those two Hayes brothers, along with their pops and uncle.

They understand basketball runs deep in the family.

They've got a bright future ahead of them both.

Starting five for Alexander Dunson, Crawford, Leslie Moore and Greene.

Jayden Crawford is headed to Georgia Southern.

Less than ten on the shot clock now.

Dunson out there on the line being guarded by Lusakueno.

That's a tough shot.

Got it up over Lusakueno and misses it.

Rebound is controlled by Alexander three ball on the way.

Well that's Crawford Jayden Crawford.

He's a three point shooter.

He's the top defender on the perimeter.

But he showed us his range.

With his 22 footer deep from the corner.

Sean that's his team leading 743 pointer this season.

And a foul is going to be called on Alexander.

And this is going against Marquise Leslie.

We talked about experience Matt and those experienced guys.

They're going to play with a chip on their shoulder.

You see Alexander coming out showing a lot of tenacity defensively and offensively.

Nearly a steal by Greene, who coached Slate, calls the most underrated guard in the state.

And there's a three pointer.

Let me tell you, Jarvis Junior.

, he can play.

He's a he's a stud.

He can play, and he's only going to get better.

That's the scary thing about his skills and his talent.

Crawford for three.

He nets it.

And he can play.

He's going to Georgia Southern.

You talked about Georgia Southern the way they shoot threes.

They just got another stud.

They can put it in the basket.

Did a game in the Sun Belt tournament last week where they hit 23 threes in one game.

Set the program record spin move.

Lusakueno the miss and the rebound controlled by Leslie.

And that's a move that Lusakueno he makes that move each and every game.

Once the rhythm gets under control, the game gets under control.

You see him starting to hit that soon.

Crawford's got the hot hand launching again.

Jayden Crawford 33 pointers in the first 2.5 minutes of the game.

Elder has it knocked out of his hands.

A foul is going to be called on Dunson.

Man, I like Elvis and Elvis.

Got a nice looking body, but this young man right here Crawford three threes are already knocking them down, stroking it with confidence.

As a senior, you want to go out on top.

And that's exactly what he's saying.

I'll show you better than tell you with my leadership on the court.

He's not only a volume three point shooter but very accurate 40% on that three point line as Elder knocks down the first free throw.

I like him averaging 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Elder he has a nice size junior.

He's going to be he's going to be somebody's roster.

In years to come.

Yeah.

And that's one of the things Jason Slate said to us.

He says look don't get caught up on Lusakueno and the Hayes brothers because Elder and some of those other guys can beat you to.

Foul over there on the far side.

Going to be against Woodward.

And this is going to go against Bradyn Elder.

95 lead Alexander opening less than 3 minutes into this game.

Dunson looks to the bench, gets the.

Gets the call sign.

Coach Slate it's.

A 122 zone by Woodward.

He's trying to slow down the offense from Alexander.

Crawford another three this time a little bit short and the rebound controlled by Woodward.

And then Crawford commits a foul in the backcourt.

And a time-out on the floor opening 3 minutes in the five.

A state championship game.

Alexander with a 9-5 lead.

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

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Jayden Crawford.

Jayden Crawford can really score the ball.

He's provided all the offense for Alexander to start this game.

Well, it's three factors that he possesses.

Number one, he's quick.

Number two he defends.

Oh by the way he can shoot the three-point shot with those three combinations.

And a player.

You want him on your team.

And I'm saying Georgia Southern got someone who can defend on the ball.

He's strong.

He's athletic.

He's got strength.

But he's got the confidence and the will and the want to knock down threes.

And that's a that's a that's a trait that develops over time.

People want to shoot the three.

But you got to be effective with it.

And that's the one thing that he does.

Shooting over 40%.

And Alexander has him for another 28 minutes.

And they hope that's going to bring them a state championship.

Hayes Lusakueno dumps it inside for Jarvis Hayes junior rebound by Myles Hayes put back and he gets fouled.

And the one thing I like about the Hayes brothers, they compliment each other.

If one is going to shoot the ball, the other one goes to the offensive glass.

If one is going to rebound, the other one's going to be on the outlet.

They work well together.

Great combination between the two.

Myles Hayes at the free-throw line.

Been a tough day in the Hayes family.

Word out reports are out there that Jonas Hayes has been relieved of his duties after four seasons as Georgia State head coach and of course, his brother, twin brother Jarvis and the father of Jarvis Junior.

And Myles is an assistant coach, which probably means he's gone, too.

It's part of the journey.

I was a head coach for three years as well, so I understand in that profession it's part of the process, but I'm sure he'll bounce back and get some land on his feet.

Miles, both of them had Georgia's state among their offers, as naturally you would believe, since their dad is an assistant coach and their uncle the head coach.

We'll wait and see what happens with that.

A long time to go.

And this is the story of the state championship game tonight.

Dunson on the drive, kick out Greene who misses the three hits the top of the backboard.

But I do like that possession by Alexander.

Even though Greene missed the shot, there was good penetration by the guards and.

And that's what you want.

Penetrating the gaps.

Dunson hit it out.

Kicks it out.

Even though there was a shot missed.

It was good basketball action.

Ball dumped inside and miss up close and the put back in.

Johnson Donovan Johnson.

And then it's stolen by Jarvis Jr.. And they will have a whistle that stops play.

And I believe we're going to have a foul coming up here on Alexander.

And it will be on Alexander.

And it'll be on Greene.

And you go back to Johnson, you know he said to be the warrior on the team.

The m I p the most important player.

His dad played for the Atlanta Hawks and College of Charleston.

Anthony Anthony Johnson, great basketball player.

Got to know Anthony when he played for the Atlanta Hawks.

If Donovan's anything like his dad, he's a great player.

Yes, he is.

There's Jarvis, and for me, just a special moment.

I first saw Jarvis and Jonas playing together and playing for the Douglas Astros.

Oh, so that makes me a seasoned play by play.

Announcer 225 certified.

Don't call me old.

Just season.

So now I'm calling.

They're calling their nephews.

And their son's here.

Yes.

An exciting moment for me personally to watch these young men play.

And Dunson got fouled on the play.

And the foul is going to go to they're going to call this on.

I think they're going to call it on Johnson.

Okay.

Okay.

Does he go to the bench.

He's the one going to the bench.

Was it called on him.

We'll wait and see.

I believe it was.

It was on Johnson.

It's his first personal foul and the second team foul on Woodward.

Good action inside offensively great ball movement.

Torian Greene stops right inside the elbow.

And now.

Great action.

Just an unfortunate miss.

But Ashton is really good by Alexander what they're doing on the offensive end.

We haven't seen much of an offensive impact from shooting the ball from Lusakueno so far, but he can do so many things.

He's doing a lot of ball movement.

But that's kind of the tale that I've heard people talk about is he's got to be more aggressive, not at the end, but at the beginning of the game.

Set the tone, be aggressive, be assertive.

He's been facilitating on plays early on and the rebound is controlled by Alexander and Dunson races up the floor being guarded by Elder.

There's contact that's going to be on Elder.

And that's going to be another foul on Elder.

That's going to be his second personal foul.

So some early foul trouble.

On the very important junior guard Brayden Elder.

Sub coming in for Woodward.

This is going to be Nehemiah Cupid coming in and Elder with those two personal fouls that get him off the floor.

He's got a check in coming to the box.

Now he can come in.

Let's make it formal.

I understand the rule.

I don't I don't like the rule all the time, but I understand.

Cross the t's, dot the I's inbound.

Look at the elevation right there.

You're talking about Christian Moore.

Some rockets on those shoes.

Christian Moore with.

A huge dunk.

Back the other way.

Rebound knocked around Alexander.

Got it.

Greene comes over here and stops the ball.

Going right into our team.

Now that's what I didn't see coming.

Christian Moore.

But man was he up there in the clouds.

He had the elbows at the rim.

Wow what a dunk by Christian Moore there.

Senior post player who averages six points per game, one point lead for Alexander.

Inbounds for Woodward right in front of us, down to 254 to play here in the first quarter.

Myles Hayes basketball.

Man big time shot right there.. Isolating right there at the high post.

The free-throw line that is very hard to defend.

Myles Hayes was the one who hit the big three pointer as they knocked out previously undefeated Gainesville in the semifinals last weekend.

There's the drive by Dunson and the putback blocked by Jarvis Jr.. And Jarvis Jr.

Has it.

Great court awareness, great court vision by junior.

There's Myles who's going to take a long 3 miles.

Serious.

Are you serious.

Shoots Woodward Academy into the lead 15-11 Listen he hit he hit the shot to beat Gainesville.

And that confidence is carrying over here to the championship game.

Dunson misses the jumper.

Jarvis Hayes Jr.

Has the rebound.

Brings it up the floor behind the back.

Nice move.

Jumper from the wing.

Three pointer off the mark.

Cupid gets it to Lusakueno misses up close and the rebound.

Alexander.

Dunson on the drive.

Contact with Lusakueno and Coach Slate applauds his approval.

They pick up the first foul on Lusakueno right there.

And this is just a nice stroke elevating at the top peak of his stroke.

That kid is really good.

It's hard to defend a 66 guy that's athletic.

That's skill that has the freedom to just make big plays.

And he's just a sophomore.

Yeah.

When you get those that elevation at the three point line and Dunson hits the first free throw and he'll get another Dunson is rated as high as a three star and the number 22 point guard in the class of 2026, he signed with the Colorado State Rams.

Over 17 other offers, including Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State and former Alexander star Brayden Liu, has had two great seasons with the Kennesaw State Owls.

Ball is thrown away.

Dunson picks it up, passes to the wing and a traveling call.

Yes.

Yes, Martin just didn't have his feet set, but I want to go back to Lusakueno.

Mat.

Two plays earlier, he missed the point blank.

Simple layup, which he should have capitalized on.

And then a turnover here.

He's got to be more assertive sometimes play inside the paint versus on the perimeter to get the engine going.

Foul holding foul is going to be on Alexander.

And that was a great call.

That's something that Lusakueno hasn't done all night long.

It was a give and go.

All you gotta do is pass it to the top of the key mat.

Simple.

Cut to the basket and he had him beat for easy layup.

Picked up the foul.

Nice.

Aiden Allaire was called for the foul.

Lusakueno taking free throws here.

And he's a really good shooter for a big man sometimes.

You know big men aren't really good at the free throw.

But Lusakueno has got it down.

And the skill mat.

When you think about the NBA, you can be seven foot six and shoot the three.

It's height is one thing, but to be more diverse, you know, that's one thing I love about Wemby.

He can play inside and out and I like to see Lusakueno be a little bit more inside versus out, especially at the high school level.

Let's take advantage of what the defense.

Gives you.

Lusakueno is the prototypical stretch for the next level, 76% free-throw shooter.

He's hit 43 pointers this season, so he's averaging more than one a game.

Kind of skill set you don't typically see at this level from a man who's 69, a young man who's 69.

But in the championship game take your skills out and do whatever it takes to win.

I think that's one of the things that so many people focus on.

Focus on the strengths that you have against your opponent.

Whatever the opponent gives you to make it your strength.

That's my bread and butter.

Ball comes in to Dunson final minute of this first quarter, and Woodward Academy leads by four and a foul fighting through the defense and a foul is going to be called on Donovan Martin.

He's picked up two now.

Yeah he was trying to.

That's going to be his first.

He's trying to fight through the defense.

And I think it was Miles.

Miles did a great job of getting in his path.

And instead of cutting he just kind of tried to push himself up to the top of the key.

Now Alexander has taken Dunson off the floor for the final 48.5 seconds of this first quarter.

Get him a little bit of extra rest with the break between the quarters and foul before the ball can be inbounded.

And this is going to go against Alexander again.

And this is on Ethan Miller.

And there's that puts Woodward Academy in the bonus.

So bonus here for Woodward Academy before the quarter can end.

There's a little secret I'm going to tell you, Matt.

I offensively, offensively when she's got him right there bam.

The offense has the advantage.

You can you can create that foul offensively.

Just being smart.

Jarvis Hayes Jr.

With the free throw.

He and his brother have combined for 12 of Woodward Academy 18 points.

Anthony Thomas played at Woodward Academy.

He's coaching at his alma mater.

Jarvis Junior with the second of the two free throws, and it is a six point lead for Woodward.

0:45 to go here in the first quarter.

One first quarter fast pace.

Greene on the drive.

Tried to go down to the baseline and it goes off the legs of Alexander.

Apparently Woodward might have touched it last.

So it's going to be inbounds.

Alexander on the baseline 21 seconds on the shot clock.

Ethan Miller will be the trigger man almost underneath the basket.

Gets it right.

Inbounds up and in.

Nicely executed as Donovan Martin gets the easy bucket.

Great execution by Alexander and the Alexander Cougars because the first action was there.

The second action there.

But they lured the defense to sleep to get the easy layup.

Out of bounds plays.

You got to practice those things.

They can be easy points if you execute your plays well.

Perfecto plays.

A traveling, no traveling Alexander bench is screaming.

For his pivot foot.

He held his pivot foot.

He's long.

He talked about Junior Phillips.

This young man.

He's getting better.

He held his pivot foot the entire time.

And Phillips will come off the floor and Lusakueno back on for the final 16.6 seconds.

Comes in to Jarvis Hayes.

Junior goes around to the other side and takes a long three pointer.

Lusakueno with the rebound and the put.

In again.

He's.

Now he's taking advantage of the opportunity at 69, 610.

You're the tree amongst the bushes and.

That's going to be the end of the first quarter.

8 minutes done here in Macon and the five a state championship game.

Woodward Academy has the 21 15 lead going into the second.

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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?

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.

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Five a state championship game.

Road to the championship for Woodward Academy.

They blew out Lanier Central and Houston County in the first three rounds and then the semifinals faced undefeated Gainesville.

A lot of people thought this was going to be the year for the Red elephants.

They were undefeated, going to the semis and Miles Hayes hit the three pointer to catapult the War Eagles to the victory in the semis.

How was that?

That game?

That was a really good game.

Intensity from the beginning to the end.

And we just came out on top in the end nicely from the corner by Miles.

Woodward on offense to start the second quarter.

That's Shawn Golden.

I'm Matt Stewart, thanks for joining us here.

Day three of the four day GHSA basketball championships.

Jarvis Jr.

Missed the shot rebound controlled by Crawford.

Gets it ahead to green.

Greene going to stop and then get it back up top to Crawford who launches right away and just missed the three pointer.

Had it bounce off the rim.

Spin move.

Myles Hayes gets to the rim flips it up there.

Battle for the rebound and Jarvis throws it up there.

He got fouled.

No Lusakueno Lusakueno who got the rebound and threw it up there.

He got fouled on the play.

Let me compliment Lusakueno for doing the little things early in the first quarter.

Man he was out here amongst the three point line.

The last possessions on his shot taken by his teammates.

He's in there getting the rebound.

That's exactly what this team needs from him to rebound on the offensive end.

15.1 points per game 6.4 rebounds per game.

Named to the GPB sports All-State all classification team.

Allaire will come off the floor for Alexander.

Lusakueno four points, three rebounds here in the first 8 minutes.

Three quarter Khork one, two, two.

Press.

Here's the trap.

Good.

Baskerville drive all the way.

Torian Greene good basketball.

Nice hesitation.

Nice rotation out of the trap.

First bucket in this game for Torian.

Greene driving back the other way and Johnson got fouled on the play.

Nice strong move.

Nice strong move by Johnson.

Once the ball is reversed against any type of press the defense is shifting.

And that screen just being patient dissecting the defense and getting to the rim for an easy layup.

Donovan Johnson taking free throws.

He's getting two shots here 69% free throw shooter 8.2 points per game.

It's the first.

A warrior a warrior.

This Woodward team has so much star power.

Guys like Brayden Elder and Donovan Johnson sometimes get lost in the mix.

They do, but it's a part of the puzzle that is needed for this team.

You have to have some senior leadership with these young studs in your program.

Free throw make makes it a seven point lead for Woodward.

Here it is the one, 22 press.

Dunson behind the back being marched by Miles Hayes.

He's got great length.

There you go.

That's the attack.

Into the rim.

Rebound was there for Christian Moore, but he couldn't hold on to it.

But now Alexander's got it back.

Crawford three pointer hit the iron.

Lob ahead for Myles Hayes.

Hayes rises up for the 3-0 but net.

Let me tell you something, Matt.

Really shoot the ball.

That is a bad boy.

Myles Hayes man, the kid can just flat out play.

Man ten point lead for Woodward Academy.

2 minutes into the second quarter and the War Eagles have a double digit lead here in Macon.

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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?

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.

Six 0-7 to play in the first half.

Woodward Academy now with a ten point lead on Alexander.

Road to the final four for the Cougars beat Morrow Sprayberry and then Decatur in the first three rounds, then eliminated the defending state champions, tri cities, in the semifinals as the Tri Cities team that beat Woodward Academy in the state finals a year ago.

Alexander.

With five seniors starting mat.

They're just hungry for a championship title.

They won a title.

, won it for the first time ever in 2023, when Pops Dunson, who's bringing the ball up the floor, was a freshman on that team and played significant minutes.

Now a senior trying to book in his career with the championship as a freshman and now one as a senior, comes around the curl from Moore on the screen set by Moore Dunson working against Lusakueno has no place to go with it.

That's good basketball.

A three-point shot basketball Ethan Miller basketball Dunson and penetrate too deep.

He lured the defense just good enough to get the ball shifted outside for the jump shot.

For the.

32720.

Woodward on offense with the lead.

Myles Hayes off the back.

Iron rebound controlled by Crawford.

Here comes Alexander.

Gregory pops Dunson takes the three rim out.

Hayes has the rebound, clears it to Lusakueno in the open floor.

Corner three Jarvis Jr.

Ball tipped up into the air and Lusakueno comes down with it.

Johnson misses the three.

It hops over the backboard.

I can see Coach Slate one of his guys to pick up the tempo defensively.

And I agree with him.

Guy's got to be more physical.

We got to check out.

We can't leave these shooters open because they're going to be efficient.

The way they shoot the basketball.

Jason Slate has been a head coach in Douglas County for 29 years, 14 the first 14 at Lithia Springs, the last 15 at Alexander.

Went to two zone.

See, the thing is, if there's an odd front defensively, you want an even front offensively.

So that way you get into the gaps of the defense.

There's a mismatch.

There's a high low.

Reverse it.

Get to the gaps.

Miller misses badly on the three-point shot.

We have a whistle underneath.

And see that's the thing.

I think a lot of young players don't understand basketball.

Yes you understand man to man.

But versus a zone you got to get to the gaps and the defense and tag the gaps.

And then the baseline is going to be wide open either for a shot or you got great penetration.

Once you get into the gaps.

Mac subs coming in for Alexander.

Donovin Martin comes in and for Woodward Academy Bradyn Elder back on the floor.

Nice inbound Moore.

Oh, this time he didn't dunk it went for the layup and missed it.

Foul going to be called on Alexander.

This is going against Donovin Martin.

Second personal foul on Donovin Martin.

Yeah that was a handshake.

He's got to move his feet in the next defensive possession.

Just move his feet.

Three team fouls now on Alexander here in the second quarter.

Johnson being guarded by Crawford tightly.

And a time-out is going to be called by Anthony Thomas and Woodward Academy.

Now if you remember back to our earlier boys game today when we were talking about guarding tightly.

Yes that's guarding tightly right there.

But that's guarding tightly and moving your feet versus Crawford coming out.

Excuse me.

Hayes coming out now.

Excuse me, I apologize.

Crawford coming out and grabbing.

You can't use your hands to kind of hand check.

That's not that's intimidating, but you can move your feet chest up with your body to keep the offense in front of you.

And that's one thing that young people have to work on that's just playing back up, back up.

Backyard basketball, one on one basketball versus skill development 247 247.

So coming out of the time-out, 19 seconds on the shot clock for Woodward Academy and Jarvis Hayes junior will be the Inbounder.

19 seconds.

Move your feet.

Good, good.

Ball tonight at Lusakueno and Moore coming over the back.

Committed to the foul.

And that will be the fourth team foul on Alexander one.

Moore will put Woodward in the bonus for the rest of the half.

Johnson will inbounds on the baseline.

Myles Hayes Jarvis Jr.

His brother missed it off the iron rebound.

Long one leads to a run out for Alexander poked away from behind as Elder recovers on defense and snuck in the back door.

And mat.

That is something that's not taught enough as well, even though there was a transition opportunity.

But Woodward came in with a simple back tip.

It's called don't give up on the play.

Dunson stopped on the baseline.

They've done a pretty good job of containing him so far.

Elder on the dribble, gets to the paint.

So the ball is sticking.

The offense isn't moving.

Everybody wants to go one on one.

Now between the legs, between the legs.

ISO basketball.

Dunson is zero for five and now he's zero for six.

Throwing it up there.

And Cam Jackson ends up on the floor.

They're going to call a jump ball.

Not a foul jump ball.

And it's going to be Alexander's ball on the arrow.

Crawford off the inbounds.

Misses the three.

And Moore is there to put it in.

Christian Moore that athletic forward playing to his strengths getting the offensive rebounds, getting the put backs, playing solid defense.

And the ball dribbled out of bounds by Elder turnover for Woodward Academy.

And mat.

When you put the energy, you put the focus on defense.

Good things happen.

I mean, if people got to understand that if you put energy into your defense, if you focus on your defense, then things start to go your way.

If you make it an offensive game, you're going to create turnovers and create more happy.

You know, and I don't know that Alexander would run any players plays for Moore, but they need to try to get him more involved offensively.

Crawford got clobbered on the three-point shot.

Thompson just lost control of himself right there and rolled in to Crawford as he was taking the three pointer.

Proffitt was good.

He's getting up on that jump shot.

He's stroking it.

He's been a great addition for Georgia Southern.

27 22 three free throws coming up here.

Jayden Crawford in and out on the first tough break.

It's almost like one of those trick rims at the carnival.

That was tough shot right there.

He was right on the money.

That was a tough shot.

Last shot not as not as good.

He's now oh for two.

Good catches with him.

Not so concerned about Crawford and shooting the basketball.

It's just catching up with him.

Gets that one.

And now it's a four point game with.

Some pressure by Alexander.

Lusakueno spin move to the rim and it goes in.

That was a big time finish.

A big time move.

Lusakueno now has seven.

Ball thrown out of bounds by Dunson.

I like what Lusakueno is doing here with.

Avoid the charge.

Use your body.

Use your athletic ability to get a point blank range.

Jump shot, teardrop.

Showed a nice touch on that shot as well.

Johnson backing in against Elder.

Elder really defending him tightly.

Lusakueno trying to dribble.

He got stripped.

It's hard to put it on the floor when you got those young those small guys out there.

Cam Jackson stripped him of the ball.

Dunson good penetration.

Scoops it up and in his first bucket of.

The game.

Nice hesitation.

Alexander down for after the bucket by Dunson his first of the game.

Stopping.

Johnson missed it.

Rebound Elder Elder is a bundle of energy.

Pushed the ball, pushed the ball.

Alexander.

Don't be so cool and comfortable.

Dunson three nothing but net.

Alexander cuts the lead to one.

Jolt of energy here for Alexander as they trailed by as much as ten, they have surged back to within one point.

Matters started with their defense.

Do you defend well?

Good things happen.

You shoot the ball better, you get stops.

You get steals, you get deflections, you feel better.

And then when you start getting into a rhythm offensively the ball goes into the net.

And pops is one of those players.

You know he's been here before.

You know he's just going to keep working and keep working.

And the kid's got a great body strong.

He handles it.

He's ready and he's confident in his skills and ability to make shots like that.

Name to the GPB sports All-State.

All classification team, all time leading scorer and Alexander history.

More assists than anybody else in Alexander history.

And as you already said, Coach Slate says he's the best coach, best point guard he's ever coached.

Yes.

Great body, great court awareness, beautiful shot and a great leader.

Ball nearly stolen underneath.

Myles Hayes reverses to the other side and puts it in off the glass.

Oh this great court awareness by Hayes understanding the block was coming on the blind side.

Use the rim to protect it.

Oh, I'm in love with him.

He's 65.

What do you think he's going to be?

He's a tenth grader, right?

Yeah.

He's got a he gets a 68.

You think.

He could if he gets a 68.

Ooh that's some Penny Hardaway.

Money time.

Might be money time anyway.

Yeah.

And he's going to get better.

Closer to Hayes brother.

They're going to get better.

It's just a matter of time of how they have to improve on their game.

Dunson hits the free throw.

Makes it 31 29.

Pops Dunson now starting to heat up after getting off to a slow start, missing his first six shots.

Gets one more.

One point game that.

He can tie it right here at the free-throw line.

And Dunson is a 76% free-throw shooter.

And yes, I did jinx him.

Lusakueno gets the rebound.

Elder rises up for the three on the wing and knocks it down like nobody's business.

He can play Elder young fella.

You can play.

34 30.

This team is loaded.

And just to think, they got everybody coming back.

Nice give and go.

Passing it back to the open.

55.6 seconds left in the half in that three by Elder.

Gives Woodward a four point lead.

He'll go to the bench.

They want to protect him.

He's got two personal fouls.

Yeah this is a big time possession for both programs.

Woodward needing a stop going into half time.

If you Alexander you need a bucket.

Dunson directing traffic working against Lusakueno locked up and Moore with the finish.

That was a big time bucket.

Big time play from Fox.

Seeing the back door lob there.

34 32 corner three.

And there's the answer from Johnson and Woodward Academy 0:18 to go in the half.

Let's see if Alexander plays for the final shot.

No way.

Dunson goes right at Lusakueno and Leslie.

The foul is going to be on.

It is going to be on Lusakueno.

That'll be his second personal.

So they already got Elder off the floor with his two personals.

Let's see if Anthony Thomas is going to get Lusakueno off the floor.

I think they want to.

That that sequence of basketball was probably the best we've seen all tournament long from both teams defensively, offensively the transition, the tempo, the great plays.

Just good solid basketball.

They set up Elder back in along with Jarvis Hayes junior, but they keep Lusakueno on the floor.

And there's the rebound controlled by Myles Hayes 10 seconds offensive.

Possession which is a smart decision.

Hayes goes all the way Posterization.

Are you serious?

And that is the end.

Of the first.

Half.

Ends with fireworks.

Exclamation point.

A cherry on top.

Matt.

As I will say, but his friends don't say ooh, what is Mama gonna say?

Ooh, my baby.

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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.

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Welcome in to our GPB half time show.

Georgia Public Broadcasting is your home for the 2026 GHSA boys and girls high School basketball, state championship games.

We're currently in day three of our four day extravaganza of crowning state champions right now.

It's currently half time of our last game of the evening.

It's the five A boys Woodward Academy over Alexander right now 39-32 Number three Myles Hayes.

He put the exclamation point on the half with that dunk.

Nelly, is he going to be in the dunk contest tomorrow?

Because he should be.

That was awesome.

I'll have to check my list.

Nikk.

I don't think he is, but we will have to maybe, perhaps see if he's gotten permission from head of school doctor Chris Freire.

If he gets to be in the slam dunk competition in future years.

Oh, absolutely.

So I don't know.

So he has executive permission from this side.

So that's half of the equation.

We also have Miss Laura McAdams who's principal from Alexander.

And the two of you.

You folks were just no surprise.

But you folks were just living and dying by that second quarter with all the back and forth.

Yeah.

Well.

That's that's the nature of basketball.

The runs.

You was telling me about the runs.

What's it been like for you to be here?

Oh it's amazing.

I this is my third time in four years.

So the first year is Addy.

We won in 2023.

We came back in 24 state runner up.

And here we are again hoping to bring it back.

So so ladies first.

Since we believe in chivalry here what's it been like to, to get to this point and to see the support and everybody coming here on a drive from West out i20?

It's been amazing.

Our team's always show up.

Our student section is always packed, of course, making the 2.5 hour drive down was was a little a little worrisome as to how the turnout was going to be, but with three full charter busses actual a virtual day today so that our staff could also make the drive down.

So I'm extremely happy with the turnout.

Golf canceled, track canceled.

Everybody canceled today.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The musical is still happening right now, but they are live streaming from the Green Room.

So everybody's participating tonight.

Okay, so Charlie and the chocolate factory.

Hi.

Good to see you.

What else is going on?

You mentioned a lot, but what else is going on?

Folks need to know about.

Lots of stuff at Alexander.

Our CTE programs are up.

We just had Georgia power out videoing commercials and some.

Georgia Power out.

Georgia power out.

Correct?

Correct.

Georgia Power was at our school filming an instructional lesson in our hallways.

So that's what the CTE department, all that stuff happened in Alexander.

But of course, right now this is the focus.

This is where all the energy has been for the past couple of days.

No doubt about it.

Let me come over here to the flip side.

And Dr.

Freire, you know, it is it is great to see once again, Woodward in the last game of the year.

And I know that once again, great support as always.

What's it like to to get to this point to chase after another title.

Yeah.

I mean it's been a recent history.

It's been great to us as well.

We you know, won our first title, believe it or not in 2020.

And as a school, that's 125-years-old.

It was pretty crazy that we waited that long for our boys to win a title, but we had two NBA kids on that team with Walker Kessler and Will Richard, who now plays for you know, the jazz and Golden State.

But you know, to be back again after, coming up just a little short last year to tri cities is pretty exciting.

But I'll say it has so much to do with our coaches.

The kids really reflect the head coach, Anthony Thomas, who's actually a Woodward alum, class of 98.

And he bounced around the hardwood and he is in our hall of Fame.

He's a pretty amazing leader.

And the kids really reflect that along with the rest of the coaches.

So it's a great group.

Knocking off Gainesville and holding on with that late, that late bucket to make sure that you could get here.

Yeah, yeah.

Away from the fields of play.

What else is going on folks need to know about?

Yeah.

So I mean, similar to Alexander, our theater is you know, had some great productions this spring and musicals.

Are they streaming and simulcasting?

They our spring break, you know, in independent schools, spring break is always a little earlier.

They call it ski break.

So we're actually just coming off of our spring break.

And so musical was actually back in February.

Okay.

But no, everyone at school is made their way down here to Macon.

So it's been really great.

Very, very cool.

Dr.

Freire, miss McAdams, they can stay here if they wish and watch the second 16 minutes, but we're going to send it back to Midtown.

Nikk what else is on your mind?

Thanks so much, Nelly.

Love hearing about all the wonderful stuff going on over there at Alexander and Woodward.

We'll have more of our GPB halftime show coming up.

We'll be back in just a few minutes.

Keep it right here.

We'll see you soon.

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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, your home for the 2026 girls and boys high school basketball state championship games.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer and we've been witnessing some incredible basketball over the past three days.

However, we know the great state of Georgia has some pretty amazing student athletes across the board.

We want to show you a little bit about Caroline Maxwell.

She's a tennis player out of Bainbridge High School.

Thanks to our friends over at U-save at pharmacy.

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She's got a great serve.

She's got a phenomenal forehand.

She has the talent, but she could sit on her talent and not grow it, and she wouldn't be near where she is because she chose to put in the work.

She will reap the rewards at the end.

She's always wanted to win and she's always had that drive to do so.

And if she didn't, she wanted to know what she could do to get there.

But to be at the top of your game and still have room to grow and have college scholarships already on the table, and more interested, that's a big accomplishment.

And another great story from our friends over at Youssefben Pharmacy.

All right, tomorrow is day for the last slate of games for this championship extravaganza.

We kick things off tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.. The two A girls Murray County against Hardaway at 1:00 P.M.

It's the two A boys butler versus Morgan County at 3:00 P.M.. This is the wheelchair basketball.

This is so great.

West Georgia versus Houston County.

And then at 530 we've got the six a girls North Paulding versus Grayson.

And then our nightcap, our last game of our four days of coverage of these championship games.

This is six a boys at 730, the Wheeler Wildcats versus Pebblebrook Falcons.

So tomorrow is going to be an incredible slate of games.

Our Hannah Goodin will be holding it down in Midtown.

This is our last half time, so we're going to be signing off from Midtown in just a few moments.

We're going to have the last 16 minutes of the five a boys state championship game.

Who's it going to be?

Alexander or Woodward?

We're about to find out.

Matt and Sean are on the other side of the break.

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Back at the Macon Coliseum, Woodward Academy leading Alexander 39 32.

Here in the five a state championship game.

Matt Stewart and Sean Golden and Sean.

Do you think Alexander comes out and gets the full court pressure here, which has kind of been a staple of the Jason Slate team here in the second half as they're down by seven?

Well, I believe they need to focus on some of the small things, not just the press, but how they attack offensively.

They're down in the free throw category, so they need to attack the rim versus shooting the three pointers.

Arena still buzzing after that.

Posterization dunk by Myles Hayes at the end of the first half.

He leads all scorers with 14.

Well the thing about both teams they're playing pretty much pretty much even.

But the Hayes brothers are coming out.

They're executing offensively.

Myles is shooting threes.

Lusakueno is getting inside the paint.

And then when you can finish the transition in basketball and a half like that, that's a statement going into the halftime.

He has 13 points.

As you take a look at the halftime stats what jumps off the page at you.

An indicator as we look forward to the second.

Half when a team shoots more free throws than you attempt, when they make more free throws than your attempt match, that's going to be a hard uphill battle.

The second half Alexander attack the rim, cut back on your threes and you will have some success in the second half.

Myles Hayes xAI said he.

Had 14.

He has 13 right now and that leads all scorers.

Jayden Crawford the leading scorer for Alexander with ten.

He had his first 3:03 point attempts in this game, but has not hit one since.

Inside, they go to Johnson.

Johnson had a shot blocked from behind by Torian Greene.

Inbounds underneath for Woodward Academy 24 on the shot clock.

And Johnson will be the trigger man.

Donovan Johnson the senior guard.

Good looking prospect in his own right.

Inbounds comes to Hayes.

And Myles Hayes has it roll off the rim.

Johnson the Inbounder had the offensive rebound had it knocked away.

Here comes Alexander.

Crawford all the way through.

Scoops it up and in with the left hand.

Crawford again transition basketball attacking the rim.

That's the kind of atmosphere that Alexander needs to get his game going.

39 34.

Lusakueno straight on three.

Hit the iron rebound.

Alexander that opens the door for a quick run out here to see if he can get back in transition offense before Woodward gets set.

Dunson with the feed and the dunk by Moore hit the rim.

Bank shot up and in Marquise Leslie it's a 39 36 game and Woodward throws it away.

I love the energy.

By Alexander Coach Slate.

I'm sure that halftime speech was very energetic.

Matt.

Sean you would have thought that Woodward would have the energy after that dunk by Hayes at the end of the first half.

That's not been the case to start this third quarter.

Ball goes to the other side three pointer.

Dunson knocks it down.

That's his first three of the game.

Matt the seniors are responding.

Coach Slate has the energy and they're starting to look good here in the second half.

Tied at 30:09.

Johnson gets to the far wing.

Hayes on the drive with the left hand.

He is a pro prospect.

And he's only going to get better.

Are you talking about a sophomore?

Matt that kid is something special.

I think he grows a couple more inches, man.

This guy, he could be seeing this guy in the NBA sooner than later.

Jump shot in and out.

Dunson battle for the rebound.

Tie up and the possession arrow pointing in favor of Woodward.

I believe it's going to be in favor of Alexander.

Dunson just doing what he does best.

Being the leader on this team.

Dunson comes around on the girl, gets the handoff from Moore, takes the mid-range jumper and kicks to the corner and gets it.

And we're going to have a foul called on Alexander and Crawford right in front of us.

And Jason Slate is going nuts with the official.

Blocking foul called on the floor on Crawford.

It was hard to see that action.

Matt.

What happened?

Should official pretty much saw everything.

How it developed.

Here's a look at it.

Watch Crawford right here.

It's on the right side of your screen.

They called a blocking foul on him.

I don't think he was set defensively.

But then there's the turnover.

Macon.

Are go back to the previous play.

You got to give the offense some one step.

You got to give him a step.

And.

Give him a step.

Now that was a good foul call by the official here.

It wasn't a makeup call.

It's good quality officiating.

Two point lead Woodward Academy Dunson with the ball.

Alexander with a chance to tie or take the lead.

Crawford for the lead.

There it is.

And shoot the ball.

He has something special.

With the.

Rock.

For a three pointer for Crawford.

Lusakueno jumper.

43 42.

Dunson on the drive.

No one got in front of him.

He lays it in and a time-out called by Alexander.

And a time-out on the floor.

We got a battle in the five.

A state championship game 3 minutes into the third quarter and Alexander with the one point lead.

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

Jacket.

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3 minutes into the third quarter, Alexander with the one point lead on Woodward Academy, Jayden Crawford and Pops Dunson have combined for 29 of their 44 points.

Well, it's a two headed monster between those two.

But the thing that Jayden Crawford is doing, he's defending as well.

Matt, the young man can go out here.

He can extend the floor defensively and he's running off screens and hitting those downtown threes.

He's four for eight on his three-point shot with a two point shot as well.

A layup at the rim with the left hand.

He's got a Team-high 15.

Jarvis Hayes junior got the role.

Nice touch.

Under control as well to Matt.

He didn't put himself in a position to pick up the charge.

Nice floater.

Woodward back on top by a point.

Dunson a double team.

They give it up to Moore.

Moore elbow extended.

Misses the jumper.

Lusakueno the rebound.

Johnson ahead.

It comes to Jarvis Hayes Jr.

On the run.

Shot it over the hoop and Crawford's got the rebound.

Run opportunity here for Alexander.

The Dunson Dunson in rhythm three.

Yes.

Alexander back on top by two.

And it started with defense Matt when you defend well your offensive efficiency picks up.

Lusakueno turn around.

Oh that is a tough tough shot.

But where was that in the first half?

I've always said the thing about him is he turns it on in the second half.

Rebound Woodward Academy they come down the floor a chance to take the lead again.

Johnson all the way through puts it in and one just like his daddy used to do.

This is a basketball game and nobody's taking advantage.

Both teams are playing efficient.

They're playing effective.

They're attacking rim hits.

Johnson gets to the cup with a possibility for anyone.

That was his daddy's ball game.

Anthony Johnson at College of Charleston and then in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks.

He would get to that rim and draw that foul.

Built like his dad.

Yes he is.

Missed.

That first free throw.

49 47 Woodward Academy two point lead.

Here's Alexander winning a seesaw with that score right now.

Nice patience by Alexander.

Not a rushed possession.

Crawford backing up, being guarded by the longer Myles Smith.

Myles Hayes pardon me now.

Myles switches off and gets Greene and now Moore with the shot clock all the way down.

Had to take it.

Ball is loose.

Alexander picks it up.

Dunson rebound.

Greene back up.

Hustle plays.

Tied at 40:09 and a time-out called by Woodward.

What a game.

Hustle plays Matt the team.

The team that wins the hustle plays.

And those are stats that you don't see on the stat sheet.

Usually the team that gets the W in the end.

Torian Greene getting after it on the offensive glass.

We told you earlier, coach Slate says he's the most underrated guard in the state.

Came up with a big play right there.

But he plays without the basketball.

And so sometimes you kind of get put in the shadows of everyone else who's dominating in basketball, getting offensive rebounds and put backs.

That's a trait that a lot of people don't possess or the job that people don't want to do.

And Sean, with Torian Greene Greene is one of those guys.

He hasn't had a lot of offers, but Coach Slate feels like he's going to end up being a D1 player one day.

He might have to go like a lot of kids have to do these days.

Start lower level and work your way up that ladder.

The way college basketball and all of college sports basically has become.

Yeah, you're right.

But his athletic ability is high major.

His heart and his hustle is high major.

He's going to have to work on his skill development a little bit more.

And it may take him a year or two to get to that next level.

But the kid is special and he's a winner.

Well, the knock on him coming into the season was he couldn't hit the three-point shot.

He's really worked on that.

He's up to 40% on his three-point shot.

We haven't seen that from him here today.

But he just had a big offensive rebound and putback.

We're tied at 40:09.

Jarvis Jr.

Gets in there and gets the foul as well.

Woodward really feeding on those.

Antoine's right now.

Whenever you have a skilled player in the high post of a press offense, that person can attack.

They can facilitate the ball, pass the ball.

In this case, you can attack the rim as Hayes did, and score the ball for a three point play opportunity.

So Jarvis Jr.

Comes to the line.

He's got 11 in this game with three rebounds.

He's four for four at the line.

Make it five for five.

And Woodward has a three point lead 2.5 minutes to play here in the third quarter.

These two teams combined at least one of them has been in the finals every year.

Last four years.

And they're playing like it here tonight.

Last time they met, semifinals.

Two years ago.

And Alexander wore him out.

But it's been a fantastic game here in the finals tonight.

Some full court pressure drops back.

Elder gets it across.

Now Dunson pardon me.

That was Miller, I said Miller.

Miller under two to go in the quarter.

Ethan Miller gives it up.

Here's the attack.

The shot in the paint.

The follow and look.

There's the guy to clean it up.

Relentless on the offensive glass.

Donovan Martin gets the bucket 52 51.

Woodward back down the floor with a one point lead.

Three in the corner.

Elder is a player that's going to get better.

He's strong.

He's solid handles.

He's got he's a big point guard with a nice stroke from the perimeter.

1 minute to go in the quarter.

We're headed toward a fantastic finish here in Macon.

Almost every one of our games girls and boys has gone down to the wire here in making this week.

The drive by Dunson tried to flip it up over his shoulder and he got tied up.

That's a jump ball.

It's going to be Woodward ball.

Matt probably the right call because we didn't see the angle.

Here you are.

That ball right there.

That ball all ball.

That was a great call.

That was a very good call.

You can see they had ball no foul had ball 45 seconds to play in the quarter.

It comes kicked to the corner.

Elder another three point attempt off the mark.

This time scramble for it.

Alexander's got it.

Comes down the floor.

Chance to cut into this four point deficit.

Moore with the finish at the rim.

More running to the rim.

That kid is athletic.

Someone's going to pick him up.

I mean that kid has.

Something I do.

I really do as well.

Like his pink shoes too.

Foul is going to be called on Alexander in the backcourt 19.7 on the clock.

That is just the fourth team out with Alexander.

So not yet in the bonus.

No more.

Reminds me of Bam Adebayo.

Maybe not as skilled, but Bam Adebayo got to Kentucky.

He was more of a rim runner and a dunker and he just got better over time.

And now look at him.

He just set the second most points scored in an NBA game.

When he went for 83 the other day.

Bro.

Kobe's record Kobe was number two behind Wilton.

Still.

10 seconds to go in the period.

Jarvis Jr.

Hit the iron.

His brother tips it up in the air.

Dunson got it a chance.

Gets across half court from the logo.

Yes what a shot by pops Dunson from the logo.

You can see it materializing right in front of you.

Yes, money.

With time to spare.

Alexander on top by a point.

As we head to the fourth.

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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.

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Head to the fourth quarter in the five.

A state championship game in Alexander leading Woodward 56 55.

Matt Stewart, along with Sean Golden and Sean.

We said from the get go, from the very top game full of star power and we've seen star power play.

Star power playing hard, solid, great basketball.

One point game going to the fourth.

One of the things I'm seeing, Matt Alexander is out rebounding with BI one on the offensive end.

And that's a credit to what Coach Slate has communicated with his team at half.

It's almost a double possession right here.

After Dunson hit that three from the logo, the half court logo, they get the ball to start the fourth.

So you double up.

It's almost like in football when you get that extra possession.

The drive up there by Miller and hit the deck hard.

But he got fouled.

Ethan Miller will be going to the foul line.

Kind of like in football when you play for that final possession knowing you're getting the kickoff to start the second half.

Yeah, exactly right.

Matt.

And the one thing I'm looking at Alexander, they're not taking those quick shots.

They've been a little bit more precise in getting to the open crevices that they can see the knife, the knife and will themselves to the defense.

Ethan Miller hits the free throw.

It's a two point lead for Alexander.

Miller comes off the bench.

He's a senior combo guard.

But Coach Slate says look when he comes in the game there's no drop off.

Great form three point lead.

Alexander.

Lusakueno back to Johnson.

Johnson spinning in the paint and he gets fouled.

But man, if you can pause and look at the screen.

That was a great mid post up by Lusakueno.

But as the play was developing he's at the three point line.

He's six foot nine.

He should be Hamby double back and get an offensive rebound and putback.

Donovan Johnson at the foul line.

He has nine points now.

He has ten.

He is three for four at the line.

And Woodward collectively as a team is 14 of 17.

Going back to what you were talking about earlier Sean.

They've made more free throws than Alexander has attempted.

Exactly the formula for success.

And it's hard to win a game when that category speaks for itself.

A lot of traffic Dunson he has to give it up.

Miller gets it back to Dunson Dunson for three on the wing.

That's his shot.

That's his spot.

Didn't hit it that time, but Miller gets the long offensive rebound.

Under seven to play in regulation.

One of these teams will get their second ever state championship tonight.

We'll have an illegal screen called Alon Alexander.

That's on Aiden Allaire.

And one of the good things, Matt, when it comes to the game of basketball, when you're playing against a team that shoots threes, the key is guard's got a rebound as well too on the defensive end.

And that was a good call by the official.

It was the right call.

Allaire picks up his fourth personal foul.

He's the first player to get to that number in this game.

Lusakueno out there on the wing being guarded by Allaire.

Plenty of times getting him out there.

Nearly lost the dribble and a scoop shot up and in by Elder.

Ethan Miller gets into the paint.

Has to give it up.

Pass to the corner.

There's the three ball.

That was.

A great basketball match.

Great basketball.

Brayden Elder with another three.

Pardon me.

Cam Jackson with the three pointer and the ball on the deck.

And a whistle stops.

Play and a time-out coming up.

549 left in regulation Alexander holding on to a 61 58 lead.

A big three by Cam Jackson in the corner.

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Never knew how strong I was joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

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And here's a look at our schedule for the fourth and final day of the GHSA Basketball Championships.

We start at 11:00 A.M.

With class two A in the girl's Murray County, and Hardaway.

And then the boys will go at 1:00.

Butler and Morgan County will have some breaks there in the middle.

We got the some other action and contests going on in the middle of the day.

North Paulding and Grayson in the 68 girls game at 5:30, followed by Wheeler and Pebblebrook at 7:30.

To cap our action.

Ball tipped out there running Blake Crawford back there and missed up close.

We're going to have a foul called Marquise.

Leslie is going to be going to the foul line.

Mat.

As I write down my notes and I think about what Alexander is doing offensively.

Alexander.

Matthews.

They got to get paint touches.

Those last possessions.

The the guards have penetrated into the paint, which is effective for them offensively.

But defensively they want to get every loose ball off the deflections and all the steals.

And it's been successful for them.

So successful so far.

Lusakueno picks up his fourth personal foul as the first player to get to that number.

That's a big one right there.

If Lusakueno has to come out of the ball game, he's played every minute so far tonight.

Leslie with the free throws.

A couple of them and it's a 63 58 lead for Alexander.

They'll get Lusakueno off the floor with those four personals and they bring in number 11.

Junior Phillips.

Spin move Myles Hayes.

There is the mid range jumper.

He is so sweet.

Nicknamed Candy.

I like that.

And nice jump shot from the three point wing for Alexander.

And Leslie is starting to get going.

Five consecutive points for him and a six point lead for the Cougars.

Nice move by Jarvis Hayes junior to get it up and off the glass.

The right players are making the right plays, then an overpenetrated they're not over shooting, they're just taking their time and making the easy plays.

Pass to the wing.

There's the penetration and Greene ends up on the deck.

And there's the follow by Moore to stick it in.

I thought that was a great no call by the official.

Under 4.5 to go.

Johnson gets in the paint.

Kick out.

Long three pointer for Myles Hayes in the miss this time Crawford brings it across for Alexander.

They've got a six point lead.

Corner three.

Greene off the mark.

Rebound Jarvis Hayes junior.

They'll race up the floor.

Jarvis with the one hand did not get the bounce that time, the foul is going to be called on Alexander.

That sequence of basketball for Woodward.

Matt.

I'm sure it's very frustrating for the coaching staff.

Coach Thomas because nothing was fluid.

Everything looked forced.

Everything looked kind of out of control.

And it's good to see the big guy come back in, but it's sad to see him come back in on the defensive situation because he can pick up that extra foul.

Well, Phillips picked up the foul on that most recent possession and so they got Lusakueno back on the floor.

It's a tight ball game.

They're down six.

The season clock is running.

Sands are slipping through the hourglass.

And under four to go.

Rising up and off the mark.

That time the follow however by Moore.

And there's that guy.

Offensive rebound.

That's good.

That's huge.

The young fellas are looking at the basketball and experiencing.

Players are going to get the basketball.

Christian Moore is playing with so much energy tonight.

He has ten points and Greene comes down with the steal and gets fouled by Jarvis Hayes.

Junior.

We talked about youth and experience in the opening of the broadcast, and one of the things experienced players know offensive rebounds, especially post players, is just like a pass.

Big time basketball.

Alexander Cougars.

2:53 to go.

Dunson on the dribble being guarded by Myles Hayes.

Coming up to the top is Crawford.

Crawford stops at the foul line, hits Jayden Crawford with a huge bucket for Alexander shoots it into a ten point lead with 2:42 to go and a time-out on the floor.

As we're headed down to the wire in Macon.

Alexander gunning for their second ever state championship following their one in 2023.

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Alexander on a 6-0 run over the last 98 seconds in Woodward now has gone over 2 minutes without scoring.

How do they close the gap and cut this ten point deficit?

Well, it's one possession at a time.

It's called gritty basketball.

Gritty basketball starts with defense deflections and steals and charges and turnovers.

And then offensively you have to reward yourself with simple basketball easy plays versus the home run.

It's not going to happen all at one time.

It's going to happen step by step by step.

Woodward one on one all time in the state finals under Anthony Thomas.

They won it all in 2020, lost to tri in the championship game a year ago, playing in it back to back.

Can they rally and get the win?

Anthony Johnson brings it across quickly.

Any time to work with Lusakueno straight on three high off the rim.

Hit the top of the backboard.

Alexander's got it.

Probably needed something a little bit more in depth than that.

Quick shot from the top of the three point line.

And Lusakueno can hit that shot, but there's a time in scoring right then.

It wasn't the time to Greene will run the point.

Gets it back to Dunson.

Under 2:00 to go and six on the shot clock inside.

And Moore went for the dunk and got fouled.

I have been so impressed with this young man.

Christian Moore the 67 senior post.

But that entire offense possession mat was a foul.

Coaching and patience and having a senior laden team.

They didn't force the action.

They let it.

They let the play develop over time, leading to the shot clock.

I don't know where he's going, but this is a college basketball player.

He's not polished, doesn't play right away.

But you look at his size, his length, his ability.

He's got a game you can work with.

I'd say he's a low mate.

He's a low level for low division.

One big South area, something of that sort.

And he could be special.

Just playing a solid role of defense and rebounding and then just get better and develop, as you said.

73 62 under 1:50 to go.

Johnson knocked the dribble away.

Scramble for it.

And a out of bounds.

It's going to be Woodward's ball.

That one play mat is a reason why Alexander has an 11 point win.

An 11 point lead right now.

That one play.

All the way.

Elder missed the scoop shot.

Layup.

Really needed that one.

Now.

Alexander and Dunson on the dribble.

Foul's going to be called on Myles Hayes.

And Alexander shooting the bonus with 90s left in regulation.

Dunson with a 20 point night, four rebounds, five assists, four of ten on his threes, four of seven at the line and a big one as he rattles it in.

The lead is 12.

You don't become the coach's favorite point guard just because you think of what this young man has accomplished.

And how well he's playing tonight.

13 point lead going to be very difficult for Woodward Academy at this point.

Johnson for the three misses.

Rebound.

Elder back to Johnson.

Elder pump fake on the three.

Going to step back.

Give it up to Johnson.

Goes inside.

Lusakueno and he missed the jump hook but got fouled.

Might have turned his ankle.

33 that's the action that should have been implemented in the first half.

The second half the third quarter and fourth quarter.

That inside post presence is something that this team needed in the beginning.

Lusakueno alkaline money on the free throw and it's 75 63 70s and Woodward's down 12.

Sean Ingram the junior comes to the scorer's table.

He will check in for the defense and Lusakueno will come off the floor and Ingram comes in for him.

Remember, Lusakueno has those four personal fouls with an 11 point game.

We'll see how quickly Woodward fouls.

If they don't immediately get the steal.

Not right away.

Dunson beats the defense down the floor and Moore with the left handed jam.

And the horse might have just galloped right out the barn.

I just saw the best point guard we've seen all weekend long.

M.potts Dunson.

He's smart, he's heady and he makes the right plays at the right time.

And when you got a guy like Christian Moore athletic enough to finish it the way he can, that's just a formula for success.

Big reason why he was named to the GPB sports All-State all classification team.

Myles Hayes puts his hands on Dunson had to foul him right there to stop the clock.

And now the senior Dunson, the all time leading scorer and assist man in Alexander history, steps up to the line to try to ice this championship, their second in his career.

Missed it though.

Still a 13 point lead despite the miss.

Money on the second 78 64.

Woodward's got to go in a hurry.

Elder rises up for the three and hits it.

That's a three pointer.

Brayden Elder yeah big time shot.

Matt and Elder we've talked about him shooting the way he can shoot and he's going to get better.

Matt I mean he's a junior.

He's already he's already good.

But he's going to get better because this is a learning experience not just for him but for all the young guys on this basketball team.

For Woodward Academy.

The leader behind the three point line for Woodward tonight he's three for four.

Has 13 points.

All five for Woodward Academy all five starters in double figures.

But it doesn't look like it's going to be enough.

Championship teams have some type of grit and grind about them, and that's the one thing that Alexander they mirror their coach.

He's a gritter.

He's a blue collar guy.

Talking about Coach Slate the way that he coaches and the energy that it brings to the sideline.

Sean, he came on our Zoom call.

He had a whistle around his neck like he was going to conduct practice with us.

I love it so old school.

I love.

It and I think some of these young players, they miss that type of coaching, that type of, you know, communication because there's a level of love and respect that comes with it as well.

Alexander now just 49.1 seconds away from their second state championship.

They'll be the second straight year that Woodward falls in the finals.

Dunson into the frontcourt, gets fouled by Hayes and more free throw attempts coming up here for Dunson.

For.

Two shots Dunson now with 23 might not get to the 30 points, but might get there the way they're having to foul it.

The one thing that I. If I'm a Woodward war Eagle, one of the things that they're going to have to kind of work on is leadership.

Matt.

And that's that maturity mindset as they continue to get better over the off season into next season.

86 87, 13 point lead for Alexander Jarvis Hayes Jr.

Flips it up there.

Rebound out of bounds off of Lusakueno.

It'll be Alexander for.

Apparently Alexander must have knocked it out of Lusakueno hands because Woodward's going to get it on the baseline inbounds.

Myles Hayes three pointer hits the iron.

Long rebound.

Alexander has it.

Crawford now gets a chance to shoot free throws.

Lusakueno fouls out, but remember the name rate as high as the number one point.

Number one power forward in the country in 2028.

He's got a long way to go and he's going to be talking to a lot of different schools along the way.

He's going to get better.

He's just 15-years-old.

He's got to mature.

His body hasn't developed yet.

His IQ of the game has hadn't even reached close to half amount of the cut.

He's going to have a bright future.

Currently has eight offers, including Georgia Tech, Georgia and Georgia State, but a long way to go in his recruitment.

In college, basketball is so fluid right now, who knows what the future holds with legislation perhaps coming that's going to greatly impact the way college basketball, college football, all of college sports looks a year from now.

Yeah, it's going to be challenging.

I wish I had the n I l when I was playing.

Crawford hit that free throw and Alexander is going to win the state championship game final 20s ahead it comes.

And the Miss back out.

Woodward's got their reserves on the floor, getting a chance to experience the state finals.

Alexander has it.

No more shots need to be taken.

Alexander their second state championship.

What a game.

And Jason Slate wins his second title as a head coach in his 29th year as a head coach.

Well, congratulations to him and the Alexander High School program.

The community, because he's put his heart and soul into this team and to this program and for them to cut down next to get a championship match, that's just a credit to what he does and who he is as a coach and as a man.

And they finish their season with their 30th win, 32.

That's a big number to get in high school basketball season.

30 wins is a lot, but the way that he loves his players, man, I mean it's so you talk about the old school, the intensity that he brings.

He holds him accountable at every aspect of life and it pays off on the court also because he builds quality men within his program.

Alexander continues to celebrate in front of their bench.

The culmination of an incredible season for the Cougars as they knock off Woodward Academy by a final score of 81 67 and Pops Dunson, the greatest player in Alexander history, goes for 25 in the state championship victory.

He's a big time player and I'm going to enjoy watching him at the next level to see how he develops at the next level, because the young man, he can turn it on anytime he wants to.

He's got a strong body and he's a very, very good looking basketball player.

Sean, you'll have to stay up late for those mountain time zone games because he's signed with Colorado State.

Yes, it will be interesting to follow his career.

What a great career he capped here tonight.

His Georgia high school basketball career, the all time leading scorer in Alexander history and top assist man and Alexander, celebrates the state title at Jon Nelson.

Thank you very much, Matt Stewart.

Time to present the final trophy for day number three here at Macon Mandelson the Macon Coliseum and do it.

It's been a couple of years since the first time we did it for this particular school, and to do it for this time.

It's executive director of the Georgia High School Association, Dr.

Tim Scott, and our friend from Breda Pest Management.

I left both these teams a big round of applause.

What a great game.

Congratulations to Woodward on a great season.

And now to present the trophy.

Breda Pest Management will present the trophy to the 22026 state champion Alexander High School.

Let's go.

Hey.

It's been a couple of years since you were able to do that.

You have a trophy and a basketball in your hand.

How tough was this year to finish with 30 wins in another state championship?

Very tough.

You know, I told you the other day five a Walz was deep.

It was deep.

They were really, really good teams in five a and you know, these guys, this was this was planned.

But they had to fight to get it at the same time.

It was back and forth for a while.

And then second half you put the pedal down.

What was the difference?

Well, we've been saying it all year.

You four quarters, you ain't going to last.

I mean it just it is what it is, sir.

Third and fourth quarter.

We're going to get you.

Yes sir.

And the guys were able to do that again today.

Tag out.

Speaking of four.

Pops if you would please tag out with talk to pops here for a second.

If it's possible, go ahead and swap out.

Oh.

I know that is not the heaviest thing that you have ever felt in your life.

You know, you do three sets of 12 with that.

I think you're okay.

I think I'd be good.

If you were part of the group that did it as freshmen, and now you're part of the group that's done it as seniors.

What's this ride been like for that group?

It's been a great ride.

You know, knowing that watching the seniors from the year that we won, they just gave me a lot of advice.

So coming here, being a leader for this group and we just stayed together through the whole game and we took the W. Take me into halftime knowing that this game was as back and forth as it was.

What was the talk at halftime to put the pedal down and get this one over the top?

The talk at halftime.

Everybody know we've been here before.

You know what I'm saying?

We've been down before and we just stayed together and we follow the rules.

We listen to our coaches and we stay together.

Staying together.

The equation with that, the other side of the equal sign means state championship.

Once again, seniors Alexander state champs.

Last trophy for number three.

Enjoy the moment, young man.

Wow it is so much fun.

Puts a smile on my face.

See a kid like Pops Dunson bookend his career 11 as a role player on the freshman team.

Wins, one as a senior as the star player in 2026.

We talked about youth and we talked about experience at the beginning of the broadcast and it showed tonight.

This was a big time play, big time opportunity for Alexander, and this program really took it to the next level.

A lot of fun here.

How about Pops Dunson and what he was able to do?

I don't know what Alexander does going forward because they just graduated basketball wise.

Their top scorer and top assist man.

An all time program history got him a state championship.

So celebrate that.

They worry about the next season later on.

Well I'm Alexander high school.

I'm focusing on right now.

We just won the state championship.

We'll think about next year another time.

Absolutely.

What a performance by Pops Dunson.

And that was the three that he hit from the logo.

To finish up the third quarter how about that.

An 81 67 victory for Alexander state champions.

Now for the second time in four seasons, I'd say they got themselves something going on there in Douglasville.

Back to wrap it up in a moment.

Matter of the season.

Breda works to protect the inside and outside of your home.

Breda Pest Management.

They handle bugs and critters.

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.

Half of the nation's opioid overdoses happen right at home because people don't understand the dangers of taking an oxy or perc with a glass of alcohol for stress or to sleep.

Learn how to protect your family from opioid overdose at opioid response.

Dot info.

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.

Create your account today and explore the possibilities at GA futures dot.

I said I never joined.

Never knew how strong I was.

Joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

Team filing off the court headed to the locker room and our post game interviews there with pops and with Coach Slate were presented by Breda Pest Management, the official sponsor of high school basketball.

Wrap up our third day here in Macon and it's always fun for me to watch these teams after they win that championship, they start celebrating.

Then the family comes out and starts getting in the hugs.

Yes, yes.

I mean, just what Pops Dunson has done and his father and his grandfather.

I mean, like I said, the community is so excited for this team and I'm excited for Alexander because I've seen Coach Slate.

He started with his coaching career and didn't cut down nets tonight.

Just so excited for that team.

Doesn't mean you don't have to clean up your room tomorrow.

That's exactly right.

Tonight you celebrate the championship.

Trophy.

Exactly right.

So Alexander 81 67 winners over Woodward Academy in our five a state championship game to wrap up our third day, a full day in day four.

We're going to start a little bit earlier than usual.

We get going at 11:00 A.M.

On Saturday morning, so make your plans to be with us for the fourth and final day of the Georgia High School Association Basketball State Championships here at the Macon Coliseum.

Our director has been Vincent Hurley and our producer, as always, Glenn Diamond.

And now for my partner, Sean Golden, and our entire spectacular GPB sports team.

I'm Matt Stewart so long for now.

We'll see you tomorrow.

I said I never joined.

Never knew how strong I was.

Joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

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.

Half of the nation's opioid overdoses happen right at home because people don't understand the dangers of taking an oxy or perk with a glass of alcohol for stress or to sleep.

Learn how to protect your family from opioid overdose at opioid response.

Dot info.

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.