Welcome to Macon, Georgia.

Side of the GHSA one a D two basketball championship game.

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

As we welcome you inside the Macon Coliseum as the Portal Panthers at 26-5 take on the 28-3 Clinch County Panthers and good afternoon, I'm Matt Stewart, joined by former McDonald's High School All-American as Georgia Bulldogs point guard Shaun Golden.

And Shaun, for both these teams, this is already a good day, making it to the finals for one of them.

It's going to be a great day.

Portal trying to win their first ever state championship.

They haven't been in the finals since 1957, and Clinch County going for their first state championship since 1989.

What's the process, Matt?

We talk about the journey, the road that you travel with, determine the value of the prize.

Both of these teams are winners.

One person, one team is going to cut down the nets.

But the process of getting here, you got to understand and embrace this journey.

Embrace the challenge.

Fight hard today and we'll see if it becomes the champion.

Clinch County led by Kamarion Johnson, their junior guard averaging 14 points per game.

He's a big time player.

They need him to make big time plays.

Today at 14 points, five rebounds a game.

He's a team captain.

He's the leader.

He's strong with his body the way he defends.

But he also uses his body and his ability to get to the rim and make points.

Portal, led by their junior guard David Thomas, his dad's an assistant coach on the staff at 6:03.

He's got the size and the length to get a shot off over defenders.

Well, it was a football player at first ACL.

He bounced back for that, averaging 16-6 He's one of those junior guards at six foot three can score over the top of the small.

Guards can defend.

They're going to need a big night out of him to be able to cut down nets today.

So looking forward to this one.

The one a D two title.

And there is Coach Brannen Jeff Brannen, the head coach of the Portal Panthers.

He played at Statesboro High School and then at UNC Wilmington.

He's been the head coach now and done a good job with this program.

Prior to this season, the best they had done.

The state semifinal finishes in 2008 and 2013.

You know, both of these coaches were excited about getting their teams here because the community is excited as well.

To the teams, the school, everyone wants to win a championship, but I'll talk about it more.

Getting here is part of the process and they hopefully they take this experience with them for the rest of their lives.

Terrence George head coach at Clinch County 11th consecutive season in the state playoffs.

Best season yet 2017 state semifinals finishing 26-4 They're going to try to win it all today.

Clinch in the white.

Uniforms will start on offense.

Portal in the Navy blue.

These teams have not played for quite some time.

They're not on the regular season schedule.

Then a couple of years since they met up.

On both these teams are very similar in size and athletic ability, and the rebound is controlled by McQueen.

Well, they use the word control.

Both coaches call it controlled chaos.

They want transition basketball.

They want to get quick shots.

It's about protecting the basketball and limiting turnovers.

Three pointer off the mark by David Thomas.

And here comes clinch back the other way.

JaKyri Posely on the dribble.

And now Traviian Miller averaging right at 15 points per game.

He's a sophomore guard.

He's on the dribble looking inside.

Swing it to the other side instead.

The Kamarion Johnson who we just talked about a few moments ago.

But I love the patience by Clint.

Not trying to get the early basket.

Let's see what the defense gets.

You move the ball side top side reverse and penetrate.

When the opening is there.

Three pointer to beat the shot clock and off the mark by Posely and McQueen got another rebound.

He averages 4.3 rebounds per game and 9.1 points per game.

McQueen is one of only two seniors on this Portal team.

He was a member of their fourth straight region championship seasons last year.

They took a step backwards with a young team, won only 12 games, and now here they are this year in the state finals.

McQueen will take the three and the rebound is controlled by Portal up and in KJ Hunter with the basket.

He's the glue guy.

He's always around the ball.

His coach says.

When there's a rebound opportunity, he's there.

When there's a loose spot opportunity, he's there.

Great put back by the big fella, Sean.

He averages 3.5 offensive rebounds per game.

That's a big number.

That's a huge number for him.

And the foul is going to be called on Portal.

He'll have shots coming up for Clinch County.

Hunter being strong with the put back.

Hunter may be undersized, but he has a heart of a lion and he likes to fight for position down low in the paint.

Free throws for Shane Burns.

He hits the first.

Despite being only a 37.5% free-throw shooter.

You look at their shooting percentages.

They're not a great shooting team.

Well, both teams depend on their defense, Matt.

It's about defense, a scoring transition.

They're like in so many ways, it's almost like they're practicing scrimmage against themselves.

Tonight he hit 50% of those two free throws which is better than his usual average.

So it's a 21 game.

David Thomas down to the baseline.

It goes.

And a turnover for Portal back the other way.

Great elevation shot by JaKyri Posely.

That was a beautiful shot.

Great body control in transition.

32 lead clinch on top.

Thomas on the drive.

His shot was blocked.

Miller got a piece of that.

Transition basketball Matt we're going to talk about it all day long.

Getting to the rim.

Here's Posely 11.4 points a game.

He's crafty in the air.

He avoided the charge.

Got a great mid range pull up layup in between.

But he finished up with the two points.

KJ Hunter just a 41% free-throw shooter.

Hits the first.

But here we go again.

We talk about the glue guy.

He's always around the ball.

Two possessions.

He's getting baskets.

He's getting putbacks.

They're going to need a big night from him this afternoon to get a W. Hunter hits them both and it's a 43 lead for Portal opening 3 minutes.

There's a trap at midcourt.

Flynn breaks.

It gets to the paint and missed a layup and the foul is going to be called.

So Traviian Miller very aggressive to the rim and he'll be shooting free throws.

Miller's 14.4 points a game guy, skilled scoring machine as his coaching staff says.

And he just showed it right there getting to the free-throw line to knock down two.

Traviian Miller despite the fact he's 14.9 points per game, only 56.1% at the free-throw line, and he misses the first.

Well, Matt, what we're talking about is if it comes down to free throws, it's going to be a nail biter.

Somebody's going to hit him.

Miller hits the second and we're tied at four.

But I love the spacing by Portal the patience by Portal.

It's not about taking the bad shot, but as I say that I thought there was a bad shot there because the ball never reversed and made the defense shift a move.

Thomas has now missed 23 point attempts in this game.

There's the drive and there's the bucket by Miller.

That was a nice move.

A very nice move.

Coach George says.

He's got a lot of skills in that tool bag of his, and he's showing you some of them here in the first quarter.

And there's the steal.

Kamarion Johnson takes it in gets the layup.

Controlled chaos.

That's what they talked about.

Coach George said.

The entire game we want to create pressure defensively and attack offensively and transition.

84 lead for clinch opening four plus minutes now.

That's CJ Harden on the dribble.

Goes around the screen gives it up.

Inside they go.

Pass down to the low block.

Got kicked.

So it will be Portal ball.

And we'll have a time-out on the floor.

It's our first time out of the day.

Clinch has been aggressive to the rim.

Great ball hawking skills there.

By Kamarion Johnson and an 84 lead for Clinch County.

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Portal Panthers.

Trailing Clinch County eight for Panthers have won 11 straight games dating back to January 30.

And here's their road to the championship.

Beat Twiggs County in the first round.

Taylor County in the second.

Mitchell County in the quarterfinals.

And then Washington-Wilkes in the Final for the semifinals, 60-48 to reach this championship game.

And Sean is their first state finals since 1957.

And before that, the only other time 19:48.

That was back when George Mikan and Bob Cousy were the NBA stars.

Exactly right.

Basketball was just getting started in the peach basket.

But, you know, you look at both of these teams now, there's two words.

We're going to talk about turnovers and transition in a two way mindset bad shot turnover shot clock violation turnover missed layups turnovers.

So both teams want to limit those.

Capitalize on the other person's mistakes and get buckets.

Inside they go.

And the jump hook by Joshua Coleman.

That was a good move.

Good pass good feed inside.

They called him the smaller version of big Glen big Baby Davis because of his, you know, his wit and his ability to use his body.

I've done some work.

With Big Baby.

Yeah, he's a smaller version.

Pass into the paint jump hook.

Kamarion Johnson off the mark, and the rebound is controlled by Joshua Coleman and Portal to get it across half court.

Good patience by clinch defensively.

Eight on the shot clock and a long three pointer.

Knocked down by CJ Harden.

And see.

I like the patience.

By Clinch County defensively not trying to get the steals.

But you got to fight through the screens.

And when you don't do the fight through the screens you got to Harden knock them down.

The long three.

First shot of the game for Harden is an area code three that he knocks down, and a one point lead for Portal.

Kamarion Johnson gives it back up to Miller.

Miller will take the three and Miller will miss it off the iron and the rebound controlled by Portal.

David Thomas slings it ahead to McQueen.

Now.

Thomas in rhythm.

Back to back.

Three pointers.

Portal of America is open Kobe for three.

Four point lead for.

Portal you gotta call that.

That was a horse shot.

Matt.

Kamarion Johnson pass is intercepted.

Knocked out of bounds by McQueen.

And we talked about scoring at will and doing little things.

His Portal there's McQueen knocking down the three.

And guys when it's off the bank from between two feet.

That counts for four.

That should count for a four point shot.

I want you to watch on defense and Joshua Coleman in the middle of that defense there.

He got beat on the play but they missed the shot.

The next time down the floor.

Watch him on defense number 15 in the middle of that zone.

And this is what coaches are talking about when they say they want their players to communicate.

He's barking out instructions to his guards who are out in front of him on defense.

Well, in a 23 zone, whenever the post player is in the middle, his presence in the paint, he becomes almost a point guard of the defense.

Had it knocked away, here comes Kamarion Johnson racing down the floor.

Spin, move.

Pass the ball to Miller.

Foul's going to be called on Portal.

These young men are getting after it.

You can't fall asleep defensively in any possession.

No more games in this season.

This is the last one.

This is.

It.

Kamarion Johnson at the foul line.

Missed that one poorly.

Just a 50% free-throw shooter.

I tell you what you look at these free throw percentages and these 50% are going to come back and get you in this game.

Well unfortunately I think both teams pretty much shoot the same percentage.

So it's even.

He gets one for two.

So 50% right there.

And it's a 129 game.

David Thomas attacks the right side of the lane.

Kicks to the corner.

There's a three point attempt and this time it's off the mark.

Coleman battling for the rebound.

And it's claimed by clinch.

This would be a real good timing possession for clinch to get to get some points.

Up top it goes.

And the three pointer by Posely.

Anytime you can make make the offense turn the ball over.

Get stuck with a three-point shot in transition.

That's a dagger match.

Great first quarter as we close in on the final 16 seconds of the first, we're tied at 12.

5 seconds on the shot clock.

Got to do something with it.

And a long three point attempt by Coleman.

And that is going to be the end of the quarter.

Sean 8 minutes in the book.

We're tied at 12.

What do you think?

I think it's a great game.

Sit back, relax, get your popcorn because we got three more quarters to go.

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

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

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So why would you drive a car while distracted?

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Second quarter of the one a D2 state championship game.

Clinch and Portal tied at 12 here at the Macon Coliseum.

Matt Stewart and Sean Golden.

Here are the road to the Final Four for clinch.

County beat Marion County badly in the first round, then Screven County in the second.

Wheeler County in the quarterfinals and then Chattahoochee County beaten in the final for the semifinals, 53 44.

Coach Eugene or pardon me, coach Terrence George says the turning point of the season, though, came in January when they beat coffee at five, a school at home, 61 47 beat them on January 24 after losing them on the road 18 days earlier, 69 51.

It was a kind of see what we can do kind of moment.

We're really kind of convinced these guys that they had a team that could really go a long way.

Foul's going to be called on Portal.

But Matt, the interesting thing is with young people, it's more mental than physical.

Sometimes you have to give them confidence within themselves, and that's what coaches have to really focus on.

You know, you can coach them all day long, but they don't mentally grasp what you're speaking of.

It's hard for them to take it from what you say and to the hard work.

Brian McQueen at the foul line misses the first free throw.

That's the first miss for Portal at the line so far today.

They're now two for three.

I asked Coach George, was it nerve wracking playing an opponent that you haven't played yet or haven't played in a long time?

Portal and he said, well, not for me, but for the players.

It is.

Yeah.

But if you were to take the names and just focus on our stats and our notes, these two programs, these two teams are identical.

Yeah.

You know, when it came to the keys to the game, it was identical.

Both teams want to play with energy.

They both want transition offensively and defensively.

And they're both going to rebound and play physical.

It's the same game plan.

Shane Burns back to the basket.

Going to pass out of it.

Calling for it again.

It's a man to man almost like a zone.

Kamarion Johnson with it across the lane.

Now it gets into the hands of Miller.

Miller Air ball.

CJ Harden up the floor.

Ball knocked away as they get back to Harden now goes into the backcourt.

We'll have a foul called on Kamarion Johnson and Clinch County.

And what's happening is when you have a post player on the wing after the penetration up top by Posely your three point shots not going to be there.

So what they need to do is almost run a double horn and put your guards on the wing and let the post player stay up top.

Another player slides down low.

That way you create a high low opportunity.

If not, you got the threes from the corner.

Portal is two for six on their threes.

Clinch County one for three.

Don't expect to have a lot of three pointers in this game.

And there's a three point attempt with 11 seconds on the shot clock.

David Thomas comes up short follows in the mid range and the ball batted up into the air.

And the rebound and the put back.

Blake Shipmon.

He may not be an outside shooter, but he was relentless on the offensive rebound and was solid with the put back.

To back down.

And now a whistle comes late.

Has a little bit of a late whistle.

I thought.

He's a late Wilson.

McQueen is going to be called for the foul.

It was more of the.

Once he fell to the ground, the intertwining of the legs pretty much got him on the defensive hold.

So two team fouls.

Both teams opening minute and 37 seconds of the second quarter.

11 on the shot clock.

Still plenty of time.

Ball knocked away from behind.

Quick hands from Zeke Percell.

Well, you saw that possession defensively.

Portal took it to another level.

They extended the pressure beyond the three point line.

They help.

Defense was there and they knew.

They know that sometimes in the half court.

Defensively it can be more challenging.

Miller got fouled on the shot.

Sean yeah so Matt you got to look at it like both teams want transition.

But how do you execute in the half court.

And sometimes you got to put more emphasis on your half court defense than your full court defense.

So Traviian Miller the sophomore guard at the foul line got three points so far today and one for two at the foul line.

Missed another free throw.

And clinch is now three for six on their free throw attempts in this game.

15 13 Portal on offense.

In the paint whistle and one David Thomas connects through contact.

Penetration combo guard at 63.

See this young man has basketball in his family.

His brother Joe plays an Arkansas little rock.

His dad played for Indiana Bobby Knight in that championship game and team.

I've heard of.

Those guys.

And the thing is he's fought through adversity.

Coming back from an ACL in football.

Now he's focusing on basketball.

If he keeps playing this way as a junior, he'll pick up some scholarship opportunities here.

Going to his senior.

Season, and he's an 83% free-throw shooter and connects completes the three point play.

And it's a five point lead for Portal 18 13.

See the defense that Portal is playing.

They're playing three point line.

And in they're not going for the out on the perimeter.

They want to defend and keep away penetration.

Kamarion Johnson got some hops.

He got fouled on the play.

He'll go to the line shooting two.

He's a beautiful looking athlete.

Beautiful looking basketball player.

And the thing is as a junior guard just work on your game a little bit more.

It's Mckenzie looked good.

You know his bass was great at the free-throw line.

He's got to get the confidence in it and to shoot it more efficiently.

Yeah he's two for three at the line so far in this game.

Perfect from both 18 15.

Thomas matched up with Kamarion Johnson who's tracking him as he moves along the top of the three point line.

They're ball goes to Coleman.

Coleman passes out to Shipmon.

Shipmon banks it in.

I'm telling you.

First of all, it's Bank of America.

Now it's Chase Bank right from the top of the free-throw line.

2015.

Here's the drive right on through through the contact.

Johnson.

No whistle that time.

And the put back up and in Kyiis Mingo.

Mat talk about physicality.

I mean these young men are playing very physical in the paint.

I applaud the officials for letting them play that way too.

They're accustomed to playing that way all season long, getting to the championship and play your style of play.

David Thomas stroking it from behind the three point line.

Thomas has nine of their 20 points, nine of their 22.

That was a Lou Williams three.

That was a beautiful, smooth stroke.

Former South Gwinnett Comet.

Not to mention 20 years in the NBA.

Exactly.

I like the physicality down low.

Johnson misses the three and a foul is going to be called on Portal underneath going for the rebound.

This will be on Shipmon.

And we'll take a time-out with 359 to play in the half.

Portal looking for their first ever state championship leading clinch by five.

I said I never joined.

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Saying never actually is.

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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.

Jon David Thomas has scored eight of their first 22 points in this game.

We talked about him briefly.

Combo guard at six foot three, a junior averaging 16 points and six rebounds a game.

He's a tough kid to tear your ACL and bounce back from that.

To be effective as he is scoring the basketball.

But as I spoke earlier about his family, it's in his blood.

His dad, who played at University of Indiana with Bobby Knight, one of the championship, his brother at Arkansas, Little Rock.

So he understands basketball.

But being able to bounce back from an ACL, that's a level of toughness, and that's a strength of his.

And that was a big reason why they slipped back to 12 wins last year after winning four consecutive region titles.

He was out with that knee injury.

They had five new players starting lineup, brand new nucleus.

The good news about that, the bad news is you only had 12 wins last year.

The good news is those that experience those guys got paid off this year, but not fun while you're going through it.

No, it's not fun.

My daughter told her twice, once in high school and once at Vanderbilt.

So I saw that up close what it was to deal with the ACL surgery.

Free throw rimmed out.

Tough luck for Shane Burns right there.

Gave it the old toilet bowl action and spun out.

David Thomas air ball might have been touched by clinch.

I thought it was touched.

If you had a chance to replay Clark it was tipped there right off his fingertips.

The officials didn't see it that way.

It'll be clinch ball.

Well, that was a quick shot.

He's been shooting and playing really, really good, but probably not a wise decision with it being just 3 minutes and 30s here going into the second quarter.

Ball knocked out of the hands of Kamarion Johnson by Zeke Percell.

Kamarion Johnson finally gets it in bounds.

Hard shot off the backboard and the follow underneath.

Up and in by Miller.

Traviian Miller is there to clean up the trash.

A scoring machine.

When people.

When you score the basketball, you score the offensive rebounds.

You scored in transition.

You scored on sets.

He's a young man looking for the ball, trying to get into the basket.

22 19 nearly stolen by Miller.

And then the jump shot back the other way by Harden.

Big time shot.

That young man is looking good.

Very good.

Big time shot 17 feet.

Good pressure.

Didn't call it pressure.

Containment.

You don't want to go for the bad steal.

You want to keep them out of the paint.

Keep away penetration.

Miller goes around the screen.

Hop in the paint.

And two shots coming up here for Miller.

Johnson.

Portal side of the stadium disagrees.

It was off balance shot.

That's the first thing was off balance shot initiated by the offense by Johnson.

And Thomas was there to try to stop the penetration and I guess the official thought that Thomas created more friction with his body.

And now you got to Johnson at the free-throw line.

Kamarion Johnson now three of five on his free throws and Clinch County collectively six for 13.

Comes back and gets the second.

It's 24 20.

Long three pointer off that side iron and goes out of bounds.

Quick shot by McQueen there to stop the offensive set in his tracks.

I spoke about it.

Turnovers bad shots.

It's just like a turnover.

You had two offensive possessions by Portal without 3 seconds going off the shot clock there, keeping it from 22 and 23 feet.

Move the ball.

You've been effective.

When the ball is moved the ball is reversed and the defense shifts.

Posely comes out to get it.

Now he'll direct the offense.

He'll attack the paint.

He'll get the layup.

Strong move by Posely.

Strong move splitting the defense.

Playing off two feet with good balance and the two points.

David Thomas misses the three ball ends up in the hands of clinch.

They can come down and tie and take the lead.

Kamarion Johnson drops it off for Miller.

Game tied and one.

And just like that Matt.

You know Portal kind of put them shot themselves in the foot with bad shots.

And then when you get back you give up.

We call it Matador defense.

Step in there.

Take the charge.

Stop the ball.

Great assist by Kamarion Johnson and Traviian Miller with the finish.

And now a chance at the three point play to put Clinch County on top.

Miller has 824 points to start this game.

Clinch on top 25, 24.

Score machine 149 a game.

So this is a. This is a very important possession for Portal.

Be patient with the basketball.

Get a good shot.

Offensive foul on Thomas.

He was out of control as he drove into the paint and ran over the defender before he passed the ball.

Three possessions in a row where Portal has rushed their offense and every possession.

Two bad shots equals a turnover, and that there.

The charge was a turnover, three turnovers in three consecutive possessions.

That's not good basketball for the Portal Panthers.

And David Thomas will come off the floor for Portal for the first time today.

And Rasheen Jackson will check in for him.

Thomas is their leading scorer.

It's his first time on the bench today, as we're now under 2 minutes to play in the half.

Miller off the back iron fighting for the offensive rebound.

Got it.

Still fighting for that offensive rebound.

Didn't get it this time.

This is better.

Patience by Portal.

Harden misses the three.

Coleman tries to save it and he did slapped it back and went off the clinch.

So that's four possessions.

And you hear the coach saying be patient, move the ball.

But for whatever reason the players on the court, everyone wants to do their own thing and as a result it's put them in a position to be down going in to a minute here into the half.

Ball is snagged out of the air by clinch.

Chance to build on their lead now.

Johnson lost it.

Busby ahead.

And that's going to be an offensive foul on Portal.

Five possessions.

Matt five possessions.

Offensively you're getting two bad shots and three YL buys.

Play three bad shots and two turnovers.

Yeah Kayden Busby gets called for the foul right there.

What's happened with this team.

It looks like they've been sped up.

And I think they've sped themselves up.

I tell you this I think it's the success that Thomas had.

He came down and did a heat check.

And once he did a heat check and missed it, everyone else decided to do their own thing.

Afterwards.

Scramble for the ball over here in front of the Portal bench and let's see what the call is going to be.

Did they knock it out of bounds or did they get a time-out?

No, they knocked it out of bounds.

It'll be clinch his ball.

And see this is where leadership comes into play.

There's got to be a player on the court that controls the chaos from Portal.

Nobody's communicating on the offensive end.

It seems like they just want to play defense and go 100 miles an hour on offense in transition.

28 seconds to play in the half.

Only six on the shot clock.

Remember that ball went out of bounds.

The clock is not reset.

That is a long Steph Curry three-point shot.

And it hit the iron.

Kind of got stuck having to take that shot because they lost track of the shot clock.

When that ball went out of bounds.

It happens a lot.

Of times.

Yeah that's very unfortunate because they've been playing very well.

Talk about the Clinch County Panthers.

Ball crowd disagrees.

12.9 and Kamarion Johnson hasn't touched it yet.

And now he will.

Clock starts moving.

Traviian Miller step back three open look and buried it.

No one went out there for the closeout.

One second and Coleman hits the iron as the horn sounds.

And that is the end of the first half.

Clinch County Jon finishes with a flourish and they've got a 28 24 lead.

As we head to the locker room.

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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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Your home.

Welcome in to our GPB half time show.

GPB is your home for the boys and girls.

GHSA High School state basketball Championships.

If you're just now joining us, I'm Nicki Noto Palmer and we are currently half time of our boy's single, a Division two game between Clinch County and Portal.

Here's a look at the scoreboard.

The Panthers are leading the Panthers, but to be more specific, it's Clinch County.

They're winning right now.

They're up by 420 8-24 over Portal now.

Jon Nelson is live from the Macon Coliseum.

Nelly, we know these schools are so much more than basketball.

And with you right now from the Coliseum, you have the two esteemed principals of these Panther programs that are battling it out right now for a state title.

I know it's like Red Panthers and Blue Panthers.

That didn't quite hit me until I saw it in the graphics.

So it is time to catch up with both sides.

It is AP Rance Morgan.

He's hanging out with us from Clinch and doctor Julie Blackmore.

She's hanging out with us from Portal.

Let me start Mingo ladies first.

We believe in chivalry here so let me go.

Ladies first.

Okay.

This has been something that has never happened since 19:57 First state final for this for basketball.

And you're laughing the whole time because I mean, what has this been like?

It has been amazing.

It has been such a journey.

And I we have a small school, so we have 500 students, 300 high schoolers.

When you talk about the community, you're talking about our school.

And this has been a community.

I mean, it has been amazing.

The community has come together to support us.

But for my coach, he has coached 34 years without coming to the championship, and he's coming this year.

We get to see that and for our boys and for our students and staff.

It's just been something that we haven't experienced and it's been amazing.

Let me go to the flip side over here and catch up with Coach Morgan.

Championships in basketball in 87-89 But for those that know class A, they know about the pedigree in other sports.

Jim Dickerson, dear friend of mine and I know what you know, with Coach Dickerson and the Tysons and everybody, Cecil, Barbara all the way back in football, what has this been ride been like in basketball getting to here?

It's been great.

Coach George is a really good friend of mine.

So I get kind of, you know, get an inside look a lot with him and I'm excited for him and for the boys and the program.

They they've had a lot of energy.

He does things the right way.

And I have a lot of respect for Coach George.

And I'm glad he's here on this stage.

So then let me ask you this.

When it comes to what it means to Homerville, on the whole, what is a moment like this and coming to this event and being in the last game of the year, you know what it means in other sports?

What does it mean meant this time around?

Well, it's been 37 years, so it kind of pumped some fire back into the program.

You know, we've had some good teams.

Last year we won the region.

We got upset by Mitchell.

I think second round last year.

It feels great to be back on the stage and hopefully we'll see a lot more of it.

37 years this way first.

So 56, 43, 43 that's like a 69 year.

I'm trying to do math and that's just not good when I haven't had lunch.

I mean, so what else is going on?

And I've been to Portal in the past.

And so I coach Collins all the way back.

So I've been there to see what's going on at Portal.

What else is going on there?

In a very tight knit community and a tight knit school.

What else do folks need to know about?

Well, if I was going to say something about our school, I'd say I'm very proud.

I know this is out of the athletic realm, but we have kept our graduation rate in the 90% or higher for the last decade, and that means our dropout rate is very low.

So us helping our children to get into college career service I feel like that is such a strong suit for us.

And I think it's that small community, you know, kids by name and, and what the kids do within our community and even, you know, outside of our little town is amazing.

So yeah, and I get to catch up with Jason occasionally during football season too.

All right, let me come back over here and find out what's going on outside of basketball.

It's spring break.

Are we in break or are we out of break?

Are we there yet?

We're still we're still in school.

We start 6 April, so we got a little ways to go.

You know, the teachers are ready to get there, I'm sure.

So.

All right.

So what else is going on around school?

Folks need to know.

About it.

So we're similar to Portal.

You know, we have about 350 kids.

We we have a new culinary arts program that's really good for us.

Construction.

Our academics are good.

Our graduation rate is always pretty high.

And in the 90s we have a brand new school.

It's our second year in the building.

So we're working on all those kinks and learning everything.

I think this year, you know, everything's been smooth sailing for us.

You know, like I said, it's important with a lot of like, we I know people from Portal Brooks Brown, I played against them, played with them.

You know, Portal and Clinch County are a lot of like, we're just hard working people and we you know, want to see people in that career side and going out and being productive citizens.

Well, thanks to both of you, I know that it is a nerve wracking day because it's been a lot of years since dot dot, dot.

Coach Morgan, great to see you, my friend.

Give my best to everybody down there in Homerville.

And Dr.

Blackmore.

She has been living and dying here.

Nikk.

I will say this.

She has been living in.

She got here early.

She had about a minute and a half to go in the second quarter, and she was living and dying here.

They both they both have been living and dying here.

Second quarter.

It's been fun to watch just as a neutral in this one.

But second half, if we had spot shadows or just like separate cameras that we could ISO on these two, I think it'd be great.

Let's send it back to you in Midtown.

Oh, listen, Nelly, those principles, the players, the parents and teachers, we're all ready for spring break.

So a championship will be coming for one team, and then everybody will get to relax on spring break.

No one's going to relax on spring break.

Did you know that.

I am?

I think the teachers are too Jon.

Let's be honest.

Oh no.

Then they're going to sleep and then nothing.

Thanks so much, Nelly, and good luck to to Portal and Clinch County.

Only one of those will be winning over here in the next 16 minutes.

Well, you can follow along the journey that we're having through Saturday on social media.

Be sure to check GPB sports out however you like to interact with social media, you can find us on Facebook.

You can find us on Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, and of course at GPB dot sports.

We'll be streaming all the games.

We also have a GPB sports app that you'll definitely want to download, and we'd love to connect with you over there.

Let's go ahead and take a look at our scoreboard before we close out this halftime.

Right now, we're in the half of the single a Division two boys state championship game between Portal and Clinch County.

Right now it's the Clinch County Panthers up by four over the Portal Panthers coming up, we have 16 more minutes of basketball.

Well, let's go ahead.

We'll look at the remainder of the day schedule.

All right.

We're in halftime right now of Portal and Clinch County up after this game.

We've got the three point contest at 530.

We have the for a girls game Marist versus Kell.

And then the nightcap tonight is the for a boys a 730 Pius versus Pace.

All right.

So that's your look for the remainder of the day.

On the other side of this break, halftime is officially over.

We've got 16 more minutes to find out who wins this single.

A Division two game state championship game.

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

We'll be right back.

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Never knew I was strong.

I was joining the Navy.

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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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Back at the Macon Coliseum, halftime with Clinch County on top of Portal 28 24, Matt Stewart joined by Sean Gold and Shawn, your thoughts on that first half?

Portal pretty much controlled most of the first half until things went a little bit off the tracks there.

In the last couple of moments, and clinch was able to grab the lead before halftime.

And you talk about helter skelter basketball.

Both teams have to play a little bit more wisely instead of trying to make the pace of the game up and down, helter skelter, play smarter, play wiser, limit your turnovers.

Traviian Miller, the leading scorer in this game.

He's got 12 for clinch.

Well, he's a good player.

The young man is all over the place.

He's scoring, he's rebounding.

He's offensive putting it back.

And then you talk about Thomas on the other end eight points but two fouls and those fouls came off of when he made bad shots.

And bad shots are just like a turnover.

Here's a look at your halftime stats.

What jumps off the page at you.

What's an indicator for the second.

Half turnovers.

Portal has six and and clinch has one.

I mean that's the name of the game.

Bad shots or turnovers.

You add the bad shots into that.

It's probably 12-1 So both teams need to slow down.

Be patient almost be methodical the way that you play and be precise about your decision making and make quality shots and don't take bad shots.

Mat and clinch has a lead here at halftime, even though they've missed seven free throws in the first half, they're barely shooting 50% at the free-throw line through the first two quarters, and they'll start on offense.

There you go.

Turnover on the opening possession.

Yeah it's an unforced turnover.

Bad communication.

And if I'm both coaches man or zone I'm going to run some kind of man action.

Create some movement.

Force the players to play basketball.

Forced the players to play team basketball.

Also Coleman inside tried to muscle it up there, got the shot off but it wouldn't fall for him.

Clinch comes back the other way.

It's a 32 zone 122 zone excuse me.

122 zone Runyon man offense.

It's okay.

Great ball movement.

Right in the middle of that zone.

They missed a shot in the paint.

And the rebound comes out to Portal.

That was Mingo who missed the shot right there in the paint.

Had a good look at it.

CJ Harden on the dribble.

Gives it up to McQueen.

Don't let the ball stick.

David Thomas back in the game.

Going to take a three straight on.

Hits off that iron rebound.

Posely and man that wasn't a bad shot.

It was early in the possession.

Not a bad shot but I would have moved the ball just a little bit more.

Kamarion Johnson playing through the contact, puts it in.

He can score the basketball.

That young man, he's strong.

He's athletic.

First points for clinch in the second half.

He's got eight points total in the game himself.

And we'll have a foul called.

On Portal.

And this is going to be on Harden.

Pardon me.

The foul is going to be on clinch.

Let me flip that around.

Posely is called for the foul and KJ Hunter shooting free throws here.

Free throws bad.

And I'm not trying to be negative on both teams.

But eventually down the stretch that could become a problem if one or the other doesn't step up and be more consistent from the charity stripe.

KJ Hunter with the free throw, he's got five points in this game and it's 30 25.

He's a three quarter court press trying to create some pressure with the defense.

Good ball movement.

Kamarion Johnson kicks out three pointer off the mark by Simon.

Simon follows.

Missed again.

Offensive rebound stick back mat.

That was one of the best offensive possessions of the entire game.

By Clinch County, even though they were missed shots on the perimeter with the ball.

Did is every time the ball is shifted, the defense has to shift and the offense can get in on the backside and get the offensive put back for a three point play.

Traviian Miller has been so good on the offensive glass for clinch.

He's got three offensive rebounds, six total rebounds, 14 points.

Make it 15 points.

33 25.

Clinch up by eight here in the state championship game.

Turnovers.

Clinch on the break.

Has to stop and get the ball.

Johnson goes back to Simon.

He picks it up.

Had it knocked out of his hands and it's off of Simon.

So it will be Portal ball.

I would have loved to have seen Johnson pull up with that jump shot where they're in the paint in transition.

That's something he may think about in the next transition.

Fast break opportunity.

David Thomas will take the three and the rebound controlled by clinch.

Natanz Kamarion Johnson up the floor.

Miller attacking the basket.

Gets inside.

Got spun around on the reach end.

And so Miller's going to take free throws.

But it looks like mat.

It looks like Portal wants to play off their offense versus creating opportunities off their defense.

If they're missing a shot they walk back in transition.

If they get a turnover, they're walking back in transition.

And what happens is now you've got clinch moving the ball.

They're getting into the spaces.

They're making shots.

They're making their free throws.

And as a result it's a nine point game.

Miller is now eight.

Make that six for eight at the free-throw line.

Has 17 points ten point lead for clinch.

Portal Kaant falling further behind.

I don't think it's getting a little tough situation here for him.

And a fast break for Miller.

Miller with the left hand missed the layup.

Rebound.

Portal got to get back in sync here.

The floater and the miss.

Rebound.

Clinch has it.

Portal gets it back.

Coleman inside puts it in.

That's a big move.

Big body move by Coleman.

Big body move by Coleman.

Time-out called by coach Brannen.

Portal gets a much needed basket from Joshua Coleman cuts the clinch lead to eight.

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Org.

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.

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Georgia's emcs so much more than electricity.

458 to play in the third period and clinch leading Portal 35 27 Matt Stewart, along with Sean Golden.

And that was a big basket by Coleman right there.

But Portal just hit a little bit of a funk in this game.

What have they got to do to get back in it?

Well, first of all, Matt, what they need to do is cut down on your turnovers.

Slow down offensively.

Be precise about your offensive decisions.

Cut down on the turnovers and the other person.

The top player of the team David Thomas.

His leadership needs to show up.

Be more verbal.

Get guys in the right spot.

Don't force every shot.

Every time you shoot the ball.

Cannot be a home run.

Make it simple.

Yeah, he has not hit a field goal since the two minute mark of the first quarter, and he's now three for 11-1 for six on his threes.

He got off to a great start.

But that has not lasted.

And see the patience by clinch is very good.

It's paying off.

Everyone's making plays.

Johnson with the dish.

Now it's one possession after one possession and easily could be a 20 point game which we don't want because both teams are playing very well with good energy.

But the decision making by Portal is almost a thorn in their side.

This afternoon.

That basket last time down the floor was the first for Causey.

And the crowd wanted him back.

But that's not the case.

That ball had been touched by the defense.

Now Bunny shot right there and Hunter left it short.

Got to convert on.

Looks like that.

So, you know, Clinch County is playing solid basketball.

Defensively.

They're not gambling.

They're just staying solid.

And Portal is pretty much shooting themselves in the foot.

Their turnovers on offensively.

And it's almost like they're giving up their effort defensively and allowing clinch to score at point blank range.

Back to back buckets by Causey.

Clinch has their largest lead of the game, 39 27.

Thomas on the drive, hits the floater.

And that's not a bad play.

Instead of shooting the three you're being patient.

You see a little opening, hit the floater, get better rhythm and now you got a ten point game.

Shoot a higher percentage two point shot.

The three is going to come back to you.

Johnson there's contact foul on Portal.

Johnson on the drive gets fouled by KJ Hunter.

But it's going to take one possession at a time.

And right now if you Portal it's about getting a defensive stop.

You want to secure the rebound.

And then in transition in the offensive end make better plays offensively.

Johnson on the drive gets it up and in.

Kamarion Johnson now in double figures.

He has ten.

And see what happens.

Matt when you're starting to lose a little confidence your defense your energy everything starts to become a little slower.

And it's like a parting of the Red sea offensively.

Clinches is diving and driving to the rim.

Thomas he initiates ball gets kicked to the corner and out of bounds.

And it will be portals ball I believe side out of bounds there in the corner.

Or is it going to be clinch.

It's going to be Porter.

Portal has been outscored 13-5 here in the third quarter.

Pass for Thomas Mann.

They had a layup.

Couldn't hold it.

He gets it back goes low post.

Coleman turns around to face the bucket and rim out.

Kamarion Johnson rebound.

And with the bad that wasn't bad.

Action.

Getting it to the big fella inside just rimmed in and out.

Johnson out of control.

And so is Miller coming over the back.

Traviian Miller is going to be called for the foul.

This is a big possession for Portal.

Very big possession because with 2:00 to go, if you score, you get a stop.

You come back and score.

Now you put yourself into a better contention going into the fourth quarter.

41 29.

There's the drive up rebound.

Coleman missed it and a chance at a three point play.

If that drops.

I like Kobe.

He uses his body.

He creates space and he wants to win.

You know he's he's fighting.

He's doing everything he can to get the offensive put back.

They've got to capitalize on those put backs.

If you don't get the three point play you make the two.

You got to hit those free throws.

Portal five for seven, five for eight.

Now with that miss by Coleman at the free-throw line.

Missed them both.

Got to capitalize on every opportunity we're down to just less than 10 minutes of regulation left in this game.

Pull up in the mid-range and the bank shot.

And Posely.

Clinch is playing great basketball.

They're being patient, inside out shot fakes getting to the rim.

Bank shots at 15 feet.

Every player is playing at their strength for Clinch County.

Causey goes up and gets the rebound, clears it out here to Posely.

Posely attacking trying to get to the left lane and couldn't.

Still dribbling now.

Johnson's got it.

Let's see if they double team him.

He's waiting for that double team to pass it.

It doesn't come.

He'll take the shot.

Missed it.

Portal do.

How would they capitalize when they get to the rim or shoot a three.

44 seconds to play in the quarter.

Less than that.

Great basketball.

Get it inside.

The big fella has been very effective.

Coleman got fouled on his shot, but he missed his last two free throws.

And now he's back at the line with 37.7 to play in the quarter.

And Portal down 14.

But Matt what they're doing now you're getting the ball inside.

You're putting deep pressure on the defense where he's going to get to the free throw line.

He's got to make him.

That was a good stroke there big fella.

Now that's following it up with another one.

Set the press defense and be almost play controlled defense.

You don't want to go for steals now unless it just falls into your lap.

Because you don't want to jump into the passing lane and give up.

Wide open layup to Clinch County.

Only got one.

It's a 13 point lead for clinch.

33 seconds to play in the third.

Here's a zone 122 zone.

A difference of 3 seconds.

Shot clock and game clock.

Here's the third quarter winding down.

Six on the shot clock.

Johnson spin move.

Fires inside for Causey.

Missed up close shot the shot clock Buzzer and 1.3 in the quarter.

And a foul is going to be called.

That play by Johnson up top.

And the dish was beautiful.

You know they ran the shot clock down at 1.3 seconds.

So they won't give up Portal chance to come back in transition and score.

But just playing good basketball.

This Clinch County team is when your best players are playing smart.

It's hard to beat a team when your best players are playing smart and playing hard and playing together.

Traviian Miller with his team high 18 point now going for 19, left it short rebound Thomas.

That is the end of the quarter.

Three quarters in the books and Macon the Clinch County fans rise to their feet.

Give him a standing ovation.

Panthers Liège Portal 44 30.

We're heading to the fourth and 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.

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We're heading to the fourth quarter in the one, a D2 state championship game and clinch seeking their first state title since 1989, leading Portal 44 30.

Matt Stewart and Sean Golden, third quarter clinch didn't clinch the game, but they've taken control, outscored Portal 16-6 in that quarter.

Well, the way that clinch played Matt, they didn't force anything.

They took their time.

They saw what the defense gave them.

They waited.

They were patient.

And when the gaps opened up they penetrated and they made passes.

They made probably eight or nine assists in that in that third quarter, which is huge.

Now.

Portal, on the other hand, you got the first 3 minutes.

Don't rush the ball.

Be smart with your decisions and stay disciplined.

What can Portal do here to get back in this game?

If not win it.

Run this action here.

Get the ball reversed.

Move.

Cut screen.

Pass it to your teammates.

Thomas takes the three.

It hits the front iron.

Rebound controlled by clinch.

Probably not going to get in the game.

That way.

You're not.

Even if he had made it he was going to come down and heave it the second time.

You've got to be more of a team oriented, especially when you're down 14.

Stolen away.

Percell gets the layup.

That's a good start.

That's a great start.

That's a great start.

Stay solid.

Be sound.

44 32.

Miller on the dribble.

Drop it comes to Kamarion Johnson 7:00 to go in this game.

Inside the miss the follow shot blocked.

Coleman send it back.

Thomas on the drive.

Puts it in back to back buckets by Portal.

Cut to ten.

Started with the steal and the layup by Percell.

And then a rim run by Thomas.

I said I never joined.

, never knew how strong I was joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

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.

Breda Pest Management knows it's the bugs inside that you want gone.

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.

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We are 6 minutes and 48 seconds away from crowning our second champion of the day.

Already today, the Wilcox County girls won the one a D2 title, knocking off Washington-Wilkes and here clinch leads Portal by ten.

Coming up later on we got two more fabulous games in class four A the girls Marist led by the GPB sports All-State player of the year Kate Harpring, maybe the top prospect in the entire country goes against Kell Larry Smith and Kelsey Rogers will be back for that call.

Of that one at 530.

And then Sean and I will stick around here in the arena awaiting the four.

A state championship game between St.

Pius and Pace Academy.

The Golden Lions a historic 32-0 season.

Can they go undefeated and win the state title?

That's going to be a fun one to watch.

My friend.

Got to try to beat Pace, one of the top programs, not only in the state but the nation.

Big possession for both squads.

If you get a defensive stop Portal, that's going to lift your confidence even more.

But if you can be patient as clinch, take your time and get a good shot.

Not a great shot and get a good shot.

You'll stop the momentum.

The momentum of Porter.

Five on the shot clock.

When a foul is called on Portal.

And they played great defense for 30s.

Then commit the foul.

And man, you're right.

A lot of times as I said this in my notes, don't you want your defense to become your offense if you're Portal, you shouldn't allow your offense to dictate your energy.

And I think that's what they felt at the beginning of the game.

If they score points, it'll control their defense.

No.

Let your defense and energy be one.

Off the inbounds.

Mingo that was a great cut to the rim by Mingo.

12 point lead for clinch.

That was just the second bucket for Kyiis Mingo in this game.

There's a lot of big.

Screen to black screen.

Thomas fading in and out.

Tough shot.

Had a great look.

Went down and came back out.

But again though that was a no pass offense.

You just came down.

The court made a move to the mid mid mid area.

Pulled up for the jump shot.

Mid range jumper.

That's a two point shot.

Posely with the bucket.

And now the lead is 14.

And so you're going to see Portal if they don't score here.

I think this could be the nail in the coffin for them.

Because you've had two possessions back to back that just couldn't capitalize offensively.

Long three pointer hit the top of the backboard and clinch has the ball.

They've got the lead.

They're in control.

Approaching 5 minutes left in regulation.

Miller walks it across and clinch going to bleed the shot clock down under ten before they initiate I would think nope I'm wrong.

Bucket inside.

Well you got to stay in attack mode Matt.

But you want to get good shots.

That's a point blank range shot.

Take it.

If the defense is going to give it to you take it.

And that's Shane Burns who gives clinch a 16 point lead.

Portal running out of time.

Back in the state finals for the first time since 1957, Shipmon misses the shot and the rebound controlled by clinch, and the offense has disappeared for Portal.

They've certainly ten points here in the second half.

Offensive foul on Johnson.

For the physicality of the game is going in favor of Clinch County.

How they're defending their rebounding and to a degree offensively they're cutting hard.

But then there was bullet ball opportunity and it was just a man against a boy with his size and his strength of Johnson.

But you know clinch is playing solid basketball.

And Porter unfortunately kind of shot themselves in the foot because instead of playing team basketball they started playing ISO basketball.

In the corner.

The miss you made the point in that late in that second quarter, Portal had the lead.

I think they felt pretty comfortable with that lead, even though it wasn't a big lead.

Thomas came down, shot a quick three on the shot clock, airballed it, and then he picked up his second personal foul.

It's been all downhill ever since.

Exactly.

Inside with the left hand.

That was a. JaKyri Posely.

Slicing through the Deese Posely one of three in double figures.

There's the shot clock back the other way by Burns field layup.

Time-out.

Coach call a time-out.

Rolling is Posely back to back buckets and the lead swells to 20.

Time out.

3 minutes and 33 seconds away from crowning a state champion.

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Blanche has now outscored Portal 26-10 here in the second half, pulling away now.

The lead is 20.

They've almost got to that point where they win the game.

As long as they don't do things that are stupid.

Well, it would be hard to lose the game with 3 minutes and 33 seconds, but more importantly, if it's Portal, stay disciplined.

You don't want to get out here and just heave the shots up, heave it up, take basketball.

What got you here is team basketball.

Stay consistent with how you play with your dominicg demeanor and your energy.

Move.

Cut screens moving inside your Portal.

That's the shot.

You got to take that shot.

Pass out through.

The three point line.

That's big.

Bailey Hunter.

That's a big fella with no ice in his veins.

Shoots the three.

He was only two for eight the entire season on his three-point shot.

But that was good action.

Inside out.

That was ball movement.

That was cut ball reversal.

Perfect action.

Lob inside.

They've been eating them up with that play.

And Burns with the basket.

Stay disciplined fellas.

Stay disciplined.

Move the ball.

Heat check.

Good pass.

Turns into a pass.

Pass.

And not only is he a post player and shoots the three.

He throws alley-oop from the three point line.

How about that.

That was a Derek Whittenburg type pass.

The missed shot pass.

58 39.

Only fans of the 1983 Final Four will remember what I'm talking about.

I remember that game.

NC state, Jim Valvano, Derek Whittenburg, corner three nestled it in there.

Thomas hits a big three just his second three of the game.

Now it's 58 41.

But he's playing with ribbons.

The balls not just one and done.

He's playing with rhythm.

When you play with rhythm you shoot better.

You jump higher and you feel good.

As a player.

Under 2:00 to go, pass goes inside to Burns.

There's the back door.

Cut gets cut off and now they're going to run some clock ten on the shot clock.

And there's a long three pointer that hit nothing but the backboard.

Don't know why they took that shot with seven or eight on the shot clock.

When they could have burned some more time.

If nothing else.

Thomas in the corner.

Airballs the three.

Miller the rebound.

He's got a double double today.

And here you go.

Just slow down.

Take your time.

Miller tries to squeeze through two defenders and gets fouled.

I'm going back to what you said with NC state.

I remember watching that game with my dad.

It was Derek Whittenburg shoots it from about 30 feet.

No three-point shot.

No three-point shot then.

And who was it wasn't it wasn't thorough.

Bailey who was the.

I thought, well, I'd have to go back and look.

I thought it was thorough.

No whistle, thorough Bailey.

I forgot who it was.

And that was one of the greatest teams of all time.

And Jim Van.

Gogh's running on the court looking for somebody to hug.

Yeah, that was that was just every time I watched that, I get chills.

Of course, that 1983 North Carolina State team that won the national championship beat the Georgia Bulldogs in the Final Four.

You had to remind me of that.

At the pit in Albuquerque.

I appreciate that we did beat North Carolina that year.

Did Michael.

Jordan in St.

John's, the Beast of the East with Chris Mullin.

Good ball movement by clinch being patient.

To stay at home.

Portal.

Stay at home.

No gamble.

Miller on the drive.

Hanging in the air and one.

And that's kind of the the tell tale of today's contest, especially with Porter on the defensive end.

You're down by 21 points.

Why extend your pressure?

Why extend your pressure?

There's pressure containment.

Stay in front of him.

Don't allow the penetration.

But once you do that, here's Posely just using his body, his length, his athletic ability to get to that.

Excuse me.

Getting to the free-throw line for and one.

Traviian Miller putting the icing on the cake.

He's got 23 points and 12 rebounds today.

A strong double double here.

And what looks like a state championship victory.

Thomas fouled on the floor not on the shot.

And the foul is going to be on Kamarion Johnson.

Off the inbounds.

And there's the jump shot by Hunter.

61 43 we're now down to 46 seconds.

Blanche closing in on their first state championship since 1989.

And talking to Coach George.

One of his things was we fight to go 1-0 every game.

We don't focus on the next one.

They fight to go 1-0 And today they are 1-0 But that one.

Is the biggest.

One zero.

You can be exactly right.

When you're 1-0 comes in the state championship game.

It's the biggest 1-0 you can be.

And one of the things he wanted for his team in this program is to get exposure.

He feels that everyone who all the coaches, they come through Clinch County for football.

But this young man, they've got talent.

This Clinch County basketball team, they've got talent.

I'm sure some of these players are going to pick up some offers and some looks for some colleges here going down the line.

And it comes to Miller.

Here comes the.

Icing.

Yes yes sir.

And that'll do it.

63 43 clinch the state champions.

First time since 1989.

They captured the won a Division two championship with a 20 point victory over Portal.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your attendance at GHSA.

Basketball State Championships presented.

And what a day for Traviian Miller 25 points and 12 rebounds and an exclamation dunk to finish off the state championship.

Man, that young man has hops.

That's one of those plays back when he goes home, his friends are going to say, oh, but his mama going to say, oh my baby.

I told one of my buddies I was going to get that in.

That was a great opportunity.

That was a good one.

Congratulations to Coach Terrence George first state championship for him in the first for the Panthers in over 30 years.

And Matt, you know, Miller's just a sophomore.

Yeah.

This kid has a lot more basketball to come.

So this is a young that's a very young squad over there at Clinch County.

Yeah.

I tell you what sophomore guard there is no doubt that is a Recruitable player.

And here they come out here to get the trophy.

They've already got the state championship newspapers printed up.

They came in knowing they were going to cut down nets and Macon.

Is a big deal for them.

They came from down there and Clinch County right near the Florida line.

They spent the night in Macon, just the second overnight trip of Coach George's career.

And for a lot of these kids, the first time they've ever been in a hotel.

But Matt experience, this was an experience, this journey, this journey is beautiful.

Let's check in now with Jon Nelson.

Thank you very much, Matt Stewart.

It is that time to present our second trophy here from day number two at the Macon Coliseum and the Macon Centreplex.

And to do it, the executive director of the Georgia High School Association, Dr.

Tim Scott, and our friend Tom Brady, pest management.

What a great game.

First of all, congratulations to Portal on a great season.

Give them a big round of applause.

And now, on behalf of Brannen Pest Control, presenting our state championship trophy to Clinch County High School.

Coach Clinch County news didn't waste any time, did they?

They've got that thing printed out first time since a long time ago.

I was trying to do 30 plus years, almost 40 years away.

37 years.

You've done the math.

How does this man.

It feels great, man, to bring one back to the city of Homerville.

It's been a long time coming, man.

And we have great basketball down there and our fans follow us.

They believe in us.

And this is for Homerville.

So Kenny Price, if you would.

There they are up there.

All of that, all of that red.

And the trophy is heading back to all of that.

Red.

Clinch County news tells no lies.

Champions Clinch County the red Panthers in game number two.

Let's send it over to Matt and Goldie.

We got an MVP and an interview coming up on GPB in a bit.

Our coaches interview was presented by Brad Delp Pest Management, the official sponsor of high school basketball.

And a little bit later, between games, Nelly is going to sit down and talk to Coach George again and our player of the game, Traviian Miller.

What a performance by that young man.

Listen, he's a sophomore.

Ladies and gentlemen, this young man put on a clinic tonight.

He shot threes.

He was everywhere defensively, offensively attacking the rim showing his athletic ability at the end.

But here's a guy that knows how to knife through the defense and find that open seam.

He's strong.

He's athletic.

He's bouncing and he just loves.

He finds a knack for the ball.

Man I love his game and he's got a lot of improvement.

He's got a lot of room to grow.

He'll be on the AAU circuit this summer.

He'll get better.

And I'm telling you, if he keeps playing like that, they'll be a championship next year as well.

I tell you what was really impressive to me about Clinch County is they stayed in their game plan the whole game long when they were able to knock Portal out of theirs, they stayed in theirs and they pulled away for the 20 point victory.

It's been the biggest victory so far in the state finals these first two days.

Basketball champions Clinch County how about that?

I'm sure coach is excited about his players and think about the experience.

You talked about them staying overnight here in Macon.

They're going to go back.

They're going to remember this weekend for the rest of their lives.

Absolutely huge weekend.

Huge night for Clinch County as they win the state championship, beating Portal by 20.

And now for our producer, Glenn Diamond, our entire fabulous GPB team.

I'm Matt Stewart along with Sean Golden.

So long.

For now.

The girls final is coming up in about an hour.

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

I said I never joined.

Never knew how strong I was joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

Hey there everyone and welcome in to countdown to Tip Off right here on GPB.

Georgia Public Broadcasting is your home for the boys and girls high school basketball state championship coverage.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer and if you're just now joining us we just crowned our second state champion of the day.

Here's a look at the scoreboard.

Clinch County ran away with it in the second half.

They beat Portal 63-43 It had been a 37 year drought for the Clinch.

Panthers you know there's going to be a party down in Homerville tonight.

Jon Nelson I hear that you've got Coach George and Traviian Miller.

Traviian played a huge part in that big win tonight.

Yeah, and we were.

Doing some math while you were tossing to us.

He finishes with 25-12 So this paper tells no fibs.

It says 25-12 That's how you wrapped up today.

25 points.

25 points 12 rebounds eight of 11 from the free-throw line, eight of 15 from the floor.

Coming into this game.

I'll let you hang on to that for a second.

Coming into this game as you study your own stats, what was the game plan coming into this one?

What was it like getting prepared for Portal?

You know, I'm in the tenth grade, so obviously I was nervous, so we was all nervous as a team.

Nobody on our team has been in this situation before.

We've been practicing hard all week.

Preparing for this for this moment.

So it wasn't really nothing to get ready for the game.

And this is a team of yours.

Correct.

One seen.

, one.

Senior.

One senior to have a bunch of 11th graders, tenth graders, couple of ninth graders on the roster.

What's it like to have a team that doesn't have any seniors accomplish what you accomplish this year?

Man, it's just awesome.

It shows the hard work that, you know, we put in getting ready for these types of games.

You know, I always say to the kids, you know, chance favors the prepared mind.

And so as we prepare for different games, you know, you know, we're going to be favored, you know, and so that's what we want to do.

We want to prepare.

And so we even up to yesterday, we had a full practice yesterday and just getting ready for this moment, getting ready for this game so that we can come out and execute.

And I feel like we did a good job doing that today.

I think winning by 20.

Yes I think you did.

You did pretty well.

I mean when you.

And like I said, Clinch County news didn't waste any time.

That's right.

They have here.

There we go.

Stash.

There it is.

There's the Clinch County news.

Wasting no time state champs.

And I know that you're going to get like 98 of these printed for this entire thing.

I want to congratulate you both.

First time since 1989.

I know a lot of folks are going to go to the Dscc in Homerville.

They're going to talk to you about it.

They're going to go to the subway and talk to you about it and everything.

They're cannot.

Thank you guys enough.

We finally see what the trophy looks like here in 2026.

Nikk.

So that is what the trophy looks like.

That's going back to Homerville medals are going back to Homerville you see the medal right there?

That's going back.

The basketball is going back to Homerville, but we're going back to you in Midtown as we continue to roll with the girls.

Three point coming up around the corner.

That's right.

Nelly and only a sophomore.

True or false.

They'll be back here next year competing again for a title.

Yeah.

No expectation from Nicki.

She's like, yeah, you're coming back for a title run next year.

Yeah.

Hey, we look forward to it.

You know we'll take some time off.

Let this kind of day and enjoy the moment, you know?

And we look forward to getting ready for another run, you know?

No doubt.

Coach George.

There's Traviian Miller.

Yeah, we're taking a day off.

Do we go back to school tomorrow for Friday?

You going back to school tomorrow?

You got school tomorrow?

Yes.

We're about to get on the bus.

I'm the bus driver as well.

And we're going to go somewhere and find a nice meal, and then we're going to head our way back down 75.

So the yellow hound driver is going to take charge of everything to make sure that everybody's going to be in school tomorrow.

Let's send it back to you in Midtown.

Nikk.

Hey, get you a coach who can do it all.

Love that Nelly.

Congratulations again to the Clinch County Panthers.

We'll have more of our countdown to tip off show coming up right here on GPB.

We'll be right back.

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Hey there everyone.

Welcome back to Countdown to Tip Off right here on GPB, your home for the 2026 girls and boys high school Basketball state championships.

If you're just now joining us, Clinch County Panthers the single a Division two boys just clinched their state title, the first state title in over 37 years.

So the Panthers are going home.

Happy back to Homerville.

Don't forget you can keep up with us on social media.

We're going to be live all the way through Saturday.

You can check us out on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, and of course, GPB dot sports.

And don't forget, we also have our GPB.

Yeah, our GPB sports app.

So we're going to be streaming the game there.

You can see it on gpb.org slash sports as well.

Let's go ahead and take a look at our schedule for the day.

As you can see earlier, our first game of the day was the girls single, a Division two game.

Wilcox County ran away with it over Washington-Wilkes.

That was an incredible game.

Final score was 48-39 Patriots and then we've got the Clinch County Panthers beat the Portal Panthers.

That was by far our biggest deficit when it came to the to the scoreboard.

Clinch County won by 20 over Portal.

Panthers.

Now coming up next, Nelly and Kelsey, they're going to be calling our Girl's 3-Point Contest.

We have the boys yesterday and coed will be tomorrow.

You definitely want to check that out and then we want you to come back at 5:30.

We've got the for a girls match between Marist and Kell.

And then our nightcap tonight is the.

For a boys at 730.

Pius versus Pace.

It's going to be a good one.

Thanks so much for tuning in for our countdown to tip off show.

We'll have more basketball for you coming up.

We've got the girls three coming up right after the break.

Nelly and Kelsey are on that call.

You don't want to miss it.

And then we've got two more state title games coming up after that.

I'll see you after the three point contest.