Hey there everyone and welcome in to our 2026 boys and girls high school basketball state championship coverage live on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer.

We're currently in day two of our four day championship coverage.

If you happen to miss yesterday we had some really great games.

But guess what?

We're crowning four more state champions today.

So let's go ahead and take a look at our lineup of the day coming up at 1:00.

We've got the single a Division two girls matchup between Washington-Wilkes and Wilcox County.

At 3:00 P.M.

We have the Single-A Division two boys game of Portal versus clinch, and then we've got a really fun girls three point contest.

The boys went yesterday.

That's going to be a blast to watch the four girls play at 5:30, and that will be between Marist and Kell.

And then our nightcap will be the four A boys of St.

Pius going up against Pace.

Well, that's your look for today.

Coming up in just a few moments, we'll have the first tip off of the day.

Larry and Kelsey are on the call.

You're not going to want to miss it.

Single a Division two girls game coming up right here on GPB.

All right.

Let's go ahead and take a look at yesterday's schedule.

We crowned four champions yesterday and oh my gosh it was absolutely fantastic.

Hebron.

They beat Holy Innocents yesterday for our first game of the day.

And that was in the private classification.

And then for the boys private it was Darlington.

They beat Holy Innocents.

Now holy innocents, boys and girls, they were coming off being the defending state champions.

So kudos to Darlington for also winning their first ever state championship title in program history.

And then for the boys three point contest, we had Trace Adcock out of Raven County.

Guys.

He is a freshman, and Nelly and I talked to him about rocking that medal to school today.

Who knows if he did that, but he definitely should have because that was incredible to watch.

And then the final went into overtime.

Now this was the three a girls matchup of heritage Catoosa and Sandy Creek Heritage Catoosa.

They won an overtime 65-63 And then our nightcap last night it was the boys three a game of Cross Creek versus Harlem friendly foes out of Augusta.

Cross Creek came away with the win 56-51 So that was our games yesterday.

We crowned four state champions and we're crowning four more today.

Coming up in just a few moments.

Larry and Kelsey, they're going to be on the call for the single a Division two game of the girls.

So keep it right here on GPB.

We'll be right back.

Yep.

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

It's our first of four games today.

This will be another outstanding afternoon and evening here in Macon.

It's the class one, a Division two girls championship, a rematch of last year's Washington-Wilkes taking on Wilcox County, last year's champion, the Patriots.

As we welcome you in here courtside, Larry Smith alongside Kelsey Rogers, you were on the call a year ago, remember very well what transpired in this game last March.

Yeah, Wilcox County came out and really dominated the entire game, winning this game and taking home the championship by 24 points.

I have a feeling it's going to be a little different story, but it is a rematch.

So you know the juices are high.

The competition is there and I'm ready for an exciting game.

Absolutely.

Washington-Wilkes been waiting now for 52 weeks to get back to this game and try to get that championship.

Let's talk first about a player to watch for Washington-Wilkes.

Yeah, for Washington-Wilkes it's Samaria Young first team all region.

She is their silent leader.

You're not going to see much flamboyance from her or her clapping and getting her on her teammates, but she's going to do a little bit of everything.

And again, a first team, all region selection this year.

And then last year, one of the stars of that championship game was Tamiya Benjamin for Wilcox.

That's right.

Talia Benjamin, player of the year for their region.

And you can see she just does a little bit of everything.

She has the height on the inside, that dominance on the inside factor there.

Expect a lot of good things from her.

You see there she was a region four player of the year.

Speaking of we have a couple of region coaches of the year starting with Washington-Wilkes.

Yeah.

Coach Heard their coach of the year in region eight, 12 years as a head coach here.

She played a little bit of everything.

She's born and raised right there.

She played softball, played basketball.

And there you see Coach another coach of the year in her region as well.

21st year teaching, seventh as coach.

She played at Wilcox as well.

So home grown coaches and you can tell by the community behind us they have bought into what these coaches are doing.

Yeah, both very proud of their respective teams here.

By the way, the referees J Quill, Elizabeth Glass and Lionel Whiter will get starting lineups for you as well.

As we are just about to tip right now.

Wilcox County wearing their white Washington-Wilkes wearing their blue.

The tip is up and we are underway.

Leslie Wilcox grabbing it to Shamauri Martin.

By the way, it's a family affair here.

The twins Shamauri and Kamauri Martin both are juniors.

We'll be talking about them.

Number 24 there.

There's Talia Benjamin.

She's a cousin to the Martins.

Good steal here by Kayden Porter.

They call her bug ball.

Knocked out of bounds.

And that'll be Tigers basketball.

Has that length and that reach right there, which is going to be massive defensively.

Tigers coming in 21-7 on the year three ball attempt by Myasia Lewis.

That doesn't go.

Zariah Martin quickly on up the court throws it away.

Steal by Zion Bankston.

She's going in for the hoop and our first basket of the game.

Coast to coast there by Zyil.

We are underway in our first of four championship tilts here on GPB this afternoon.

Another turnover in the hands again of Bankston.

She tries to save it, but she steps out of bounds.

There's a look again.

Zion Bankston calm, cool.

Collected coach says she takes it the length of the floor.

Initiates the legal contact there to clear a little space, get in for the basket and the early lead for the Tigers.

Wilcox needs to settle in already.

Three turnovers right now.

Just a minute into the game.

Nice shot there.

Benjamin with a nice jumper.

The six foot junior puts the Patriots on the board.

And the cousin of the twins.

And there's an older sister by the way.

Also Zariah is a senior Zariah Martin.

So for members of the family right here, they almost had the whole starting five.

Defense.

There.

Bankston Pretti hits Samaria Young inside.

That pass was too high.

Both teams settle down just a little bit.

Yeah.

You know, again, they both were here last year.

But every year is different right.

You're asked to play different roles at different times.

There.

You see a look at that last basket.

There.

So yes.

But both teams really do just need to settle in and play their game.

Benjamin all the way in takes him herself.

She's got both baskets for the Patriots up for two.

But yeah, to your point already five turnovers here with just 2 minutes into the game.

Right over for the three.

That's no good.

Blanche and Lewis on the shot.

Zariah Martin the senior.

Assistant Kamauri Martin she loses.

Picked up by Benjamin.

It doesn't go Zariah Martin quick pass to Lezlee.

Roberts for the basket.

Good effort right there.

Second third chance opportunities paying off.

Full court press now.

Tigers get it across.

Shot attempt up the short ball was knocked out of her hands by Porter missing that shot.

Tie ball on the floor.

It'll stay with Washington-Wilkes.

That last basket.

There's another look there.

Zariah Martin to Lezlee.

Roberts.

Good shot there by young.

That's off.

Wilcox with another rebound.

Shamauri Martin shot off young the rebound trying to get it ahead quickly to Lewis a foul there near midcourt.

Shamauri Martin 59 junior.

She's a great leader this sometimes lets her emotions get in the way, but she's learning to kind of take things in stride.

Porter up top here for the lady.

Tigers now to young Porter for three.

Comes away.

Rebound on the floor.

Back to young spin.

Move up and in Samaria Young.

Nice little spin.

Move kiss off the backboard there.

Averaging 12.2 points per game.

Second basket for the Tigers and nice defense there.

Great job by Zion Bankston to force that tie up.

But it'll stay here.

Almost another turnover there.

Larry.

Both teams really needing to settle in value each possession.

Benjamin up and in.

Boy she's a force.

Player of the year for the region.

You see why already?

Eight for Patriots.

Dribbled out of bounds.

Jayla Williams in the game on that turnover for 12 on the clock.

It's a time-out on the floor.

We will step aside as well.

Talia Benjamin leading Wilcox to the early lead.

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.

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

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Live action right now to Macon Coliseum.

Again, the first of four championships today and early on.

It's last year's state champion Wilcox County with the early 84 lead over Washington-Wilkes.

And mostly coming from Talia Benjamin with six points.

Right now.

When talking with Coach Heard, one of her concerns was number 24 Benjamin and winning the boards.

And right now Benjamin is doing that.

She's causing some problems right now for Washington-Wilkes.

That's one thing the coach is concerned about her size.

When you have somebody to match up with her three ball attempt goes away by Zariah Martin.

No good.

Rebound on the floor.

Another tie up.

I'll tell you what.

Good aggression by both of these teams going after loose balls here in the early minutes.

Oh you know those kind of plays right there are the controllables right.

All that takes is effort and tracking down the ball.

Good job there on the side out of bounds by Washington-Wilkes Lewis going in.

Lost control.

Recovered there.

Alaina Walton number five.

Harden Porter.

Now trying to get the ball back over to Bankston.

She scored earlier on the layup.

Throws the ball away.

Turnover Kamauri Martin going up.

That won't go.

Martin again no rebound.

Porter.

Three.

Martin's on the floor.

So we'll work on trying to tell you which one is which.

As we're going through.

Young's layup is no good ball out of bounds.

It will stay with Washington-Wilkes.

25 Clark Shell expression in the game for the first time.

Asiah Lewis takes a seat.

Maybe he gives him a little bit more inside presence there.

Try to get some of those boards.

A three point shooter 30% from the field.

That's the best percentage on this team.

Great basket there.

The two point shot by young.

Samaria Young 58 sophomore pulling the Tigers back with introduce.

Roberts misses there.

Martin inside that shot was blocked.

Looked like it was Gartrell the freshman.

That won't go.

Another tie ball.

I think that's the fifth one we've had here in this quarter.

And the ball stays with Wilcox.

Again.

Wilcox getting second, third, fourth chance opportunities.

Washington-Wilkes is going to have to put a body on someone because those shots are going to start to fall after the first attempt.

Barton misses Benjamin the rebound.

Another one again.

Great block by Buck Porter on the attempted three.

Given name is Kayden but coach says she wants to be called bug.

We can oblige.

Inside.

Oh it's pretty move.

She is a force.

Talia Benjamin.

Right now Washington-Wilkes on a scoring drought of over 2 minutes.

Coach Cloyd calling out a play, trying to get it in the hands of a scorer.

Shell Gartrell there.

The freshman jump shot.

No good positioning inside.

Oh, can't get the follow back up and in with Samaria Young with back to back baskets.

And just like that on the other side.

Second third chance opportunities that they turned into easy two points.

Back to a two point game.

Now pass was Aaron Kamauri Martin couldn't pull it in.

That's a turnover and we go the other way.

One more look at that last pass.

The miss.

But the rebound right there the put back.

The first one doesn't go.

But staying with it Samaria Young able to find the basket.

Now a chance to tie this game up with about 90s to go.

Good look there at Coach Coon for Wilcox County.

And Gartrell calling for the moving screen.

Offensive foul goes back the other way.

A lot of turnovers already combined.

Nine turnovers already here in the first quarter.

Both teams playing very aggressively.

Good ball movement.

Gartrell the rebound.

And the freshman brings it up herself.

Young for three back iron balls up her own shot.

Porter at short rebound by Kamauri Martin under a minute to go here in the first quarter.

Zariah Martin knocked away by Porter but good hands there.

Another deflection.

Great defense there.

Great effort by Alaina Walton.

Dangerous pass trying to zip that pass through the middle of the lane where all your defenders are.

I like the idea.

But the execution maybe not so much.

Zion Bankston comes out number ten Jayla Williams now in for the final 41 seconds.

Porter with another block.

Porter with a deflection.

Benjamin inside and she's fouled.

We'll go to the line.

So as soon as Gartrell has gotten into this game, she has picked up two quick fouls.

There's bug getting her hands on that deflection disrupting those shots.

Gartrell will come out very quickly.

You mentioned those two quick fouls.

That brings Asiah Lewis off the bench to come back in.

Washington-Wilkes coach telling us they started with 13 players in the summer camp, but the players all played flag football and many of them decided not to come out for basketball.

So they've been kind of short roster the entire season, both free throws in for Benjamin wild shot there off the backboard, no rim.

Martin under duress.

Gets it to Roberts.

Now the timeline to Martin Benjamin inside again.

That's too short.

Rebound to Jayla Williams.

They can hold for one more shot inside.

Too young runs into Benjamin an immovable force.

Literally.

Yes.

Goes to the ground.

Final shot and can't get that to go.

Jayla Williams jumper.

It would not go, but what a fast and furious first quarter we have seen here at the Macon Coliseum.

It's a class A Division two championship.

Wilcox County trying to again beat Washington-Wilkes for the championship.

Our action continues after this.

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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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One quarter into this championship match and it has been all defense in this.

Neither team shooting 30% from the field combined nine turnovers, four steals three blocks by Washington-Wilkes and a four point lead.

Right now, as you look at Coach Heard, her team down by four.

As we start the second quarter.

Yeah both teams again just have to settle in.

It felt very helter skelter that entire first period.

And then you look at the rebounds.

Washington-Wilkes 12 rebounds.

Wilcox with 14 rebounds.

So again a lot of shots going up first second third chance opportunities.

Both teams just need to settle down and run their sets.

No question about that.

Good defense there.

The turnover yet another turnover.

Shamauri Martin now leads the break for Wilcox.

Dangerous pass.

And a steal three on one break.

Porter gets it up and in.

Great job there by number 15.

That's Welborn in the game.

Rylie Welborn.

Didn't have her jersey with the changed jersey.

She's number nine in the program and she's number 15 today trying to get it inside.

Welcome back to Benjamin double teamed underneath.

Great defense.

She's down.

Ball was loose.

Wind up calling a foul on Wilcox again.

The active hands underneath for this Lady Tigers team.

Here's that defense turning into offense.

That's it right there.

And bug getting her hand on that.

A dangerous pass to the center of the free-throw line when they're in a 122 zone defense.

Great job there.

Forcing the action.

Pass Bankston finds a way.

Welborn has that pass tipped away.

Young is there.

Can't get that to go.

Great effort there and great rebound by Shamari Martin on the other end.

With another steal.

Martin quickly back over to Zariah Martin.

She'll reset it with 12 seconds on the clock.

Wilcox County up by two.

Martin with the jump shot.

No Porter the rebound on the break.

Another three on one break.

Porter all the way in great defense by Shamari Martin to block that away.

Shamari Martin showing she can block some shots as well.

Bug we've seen a few goes up for that shot there.

You take a look at the replay and Shamauri Martin with her athleticism.

Just gets up and blocks that shot.

Timed it perfectly.

We saw in some games yesterday that we would see those blocks on the break.

But there it also was some contact as well.

So Coach Coon of Wilcox calling a time-out.

And that will lead us into our media time-out.

We will break as well.

Six 0-7 on the clock right now.

Patriots of Wilcox County up.

1210 in Fast and Furious so far.

Let's see what happens next after this time out.

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Saying never actually is.

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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.

Good look at Coach Santita Coon as we come back here.

Live to Macon 20 game win streak.

And she said, you know, we can't just play basketball.

We got beat by Fitzgerald.

And she said, message sent.

You have to bring it every single night.

And they have not lost since that game.

That's right.

You know it keeps them motivated.

When you win 20 games in a row.

She said it was up to her and her coaching staff to help keep them motivated.

Now, some people will say it's not my job as a coach to motivate you.

But you know, she felt like they needed to stay motivated at that point.

That's right.

Young on the drive.

Make that.

Yes.

Young on the drive.

That was out of bounds.

Over Wilcox County.

Just joining us.

We'll have a lot of Martin's on the court.

The twins Shamauri and Kamauri and their older sister Zariah.

This is Lezlee Roberts, the one member of the starting five who was not related to the other.

The other players here on the Patriots.

Good defensive battle so far.

1210.

Wilcox and a man to man defense and another turnover.

Unforced turnover by bug Porter.

It's a seventh already for Washington-Wilkes that brings Jakylah Gartrell off the bench in place of bug Porter again Gartrell with two fouls already here in the game.

Martin with the jump shot and Gartrell let that go out of bounds.

It'll go to the lady.

Tigers just inside that three point line there.

An early shot in the shot clock.

Not sure that's what Coach is looking for.

Rylie Welborn bringing the ball up.

Court give and go now to young.

Nice rejection by Benjamin.

But the call for a foul and that's going to go on.

Leslie Roberts.

That was sent to the line.

Her first personal.

First free throw by Washington-Wilkes as a team.

Young can't get that to go.

Samaria is a 66% free-throw shooter.

You see her stats on the season.

She makes that second one.

One out of two, makes it a one point game.

Wilcox County scoreless drought they have not scored in this quarter, 128 to start the period.

Now 12 11 has been cut to one.

Martin up and no.

But a foul.

That'll be on young.

That's two shots for Shamari Martin.

Well she had a fantastic game in last year's Championship.

20 points on nine of 16 shooting six rebounds as well.

She gets the first of the two.

Benjamin last year was in a little bit of foul trouble, which made her have to step up and produce more offensively, but this is again, both of these teams.

It's a committee.

There's not just that one player on this team that you're going to see put up 30 28 points.

Benjamin the rebound there on the missed free throw.

That won't go another rebound.

Benjamin again this time it's taken away.

And a great effort again.

Second chance more great efforts.

That ball was tipped.

Jump ball on the floor here.

About six sets of hands on that ball by Samaria Young.

Going to be called.

Oh wow.

Foul at the end of all that scuffle on the floor.

She lays on the back of Shamauri Martin.

Look at this effort.

One shot after the next in the hands of Jamari Martin.

And there you see just kind of over her back right there.

And very quickly that's two fouls.

On Samaria Young.

And a foul the other way this foul is on Leslie Roberts.

That's her second person.

Yeah two quick ones she's picked up in this quarter.

Two key players one for each team 13 11 now chance to tie the game again for Washington-Wilkes.

Lewis looking at three.

Decided no young on the runner that won't go.

Roberts with the rebound.

Patriots one a run.

Martin all the way in and no, it's a blocking foul underneath.

She'll shoot two Myasia Lewis 57.

Sophomore taking the hit underneath and getting called for the foul.

Here's a look again.

Shamauri Martin going up already in her gather and a blocking foul is called.

Lewis.

Looks like she's the mama of the team.

Shamauri Martin hits the first.

Only a 55% free-throw shooter, but the way she gets to the basket and her athleticism and effort makes up for that lack of free throw consistency.

But she knocks down both.

She does.

Quarterback of the game with Samaria Young.

Takes the seat for Washington-Wilkes.

Look at that defense.

On Kamauri Martin.

One more look at it.

Another look.

Just aggressive boy they smell blood in the water.

Rat trap coming over.

And that's coach said.

One of their keys is their defense drives their team.

Trying to get the ball over to Porter knocked out of bounds at 3:37 to go.

15 seconds on the shot clock.

Inbounds.

Gartrell she's playing with two fouls.

Porter inside to Lewis.

Benjamin the rebound.

Good defense there by Lezlee.

Roberts Troy Martin in the corner for Zariah Martin for three.

And that falls in.

Nice shooter's bounce.

Zariah Martin right there.

They call her the defensive dog.

But showing us a little bit of offense now.

Biggest lead of the game at seven.

Wilcox up 18 11.

Gartrell inside.

Too hard off the glass.

Lewis back up.

That won't go Gartrell again.

Blocked shot.

Martin gets it to Kamauri Martin to Zariah.

Martin.

And she just threw it up there.

I'm not sure.

Knights blow by, but Lewis can't convert.

Tigers have their chances here.

Good defense, but can't get on the other side.

Shooting 19% from the floor.

Five of 27 right now.

Shot from 15 is short.

Martin and signing.

It's set to go Shamauri Martin with the scoop.

And it's a nine point lead and time out.

Washington-Wilkes coach Angel Heard says she's seen enough.

Around.

8-0 run here by Wilcox County.

Yeah, it was a quiet eight point run, if you will, because there's been so much helter skelter and so much going on.

There's no real rhythm and methodical movement right now.

12 11 Shamauri Martin with three free throws in there, a basket as well.

The three pointer by Zariah Martin.

Washington-Wilkes.

Oh, for their last nine field goals.

Not scoring with just under 3 minutes of a drought.

This game has changed pace in a hurry.

You see the road to the championship for Wilcox County.

Very consistent scoring in the 70s every game and that game against Bolton, they were in control all the way, 71 45, the final there in the Final Four to get her to the championship game.

And win away from a state title.

Gartrell inside.

Nice effort that won't fall.

Rebound to Wilcox County.

They can make it a double digit lead here for the first time.

Under 2:00 to go until halftime.

Martin a shot missed everything.

Rebound by Lewis.

Here come the Tigers.

Now can they find some offense?

That's a shot that Gartrell can make.

Yeah.

Some confusion there.

And pass.

Howell ball.

Wilcox County another turnover for the Tigers.

That brings Shamari Martin back in the game.

I'm sorry.

Make that Samaria Young back in the game in place of Riley Welborn for Washington-Wilkes.

Staying in this 122 matchup zone.

It doesn't work because they've caused six turnovers.

Yeah rebound there by Porter.

But she steps on the end line.

And so it'll stay here on this side.

Right now you can feel the momentum.

The Patriots have a little more energy right now.

Tigers appear to be a little shell shocked by this 8-0 run.

Benjamin double team.

Great job by Gartrell.

Gartrell.

Absolutely big time effort right there.

They are collapsing quick.

As soon as Benjamin gets that ball they're sending two players right at her.

Jakylah Gartrell coming off the bench averaging seven points and six rebounds a game.

But boy she means a lot of energy inside trying to match up with the size of Benjamin young for three.

That's no good.

Rebound fought for Martin wins that.

Ball knocked away by Lewis.

Porter has it taken away by Roberts.

Roberts comes right back with the steal.

MRE Martin loses the ball out of bounds.

Felt she was fouled by Porter argues her case but to no avail.

You're not going to change that once.

It happens.

No, no.

Next play mentality.

Yep.

Shot clock is off now.

They can hold for one shot, but Gartrell.

Says no.

Blocked by Benjamin.

Oh.

Talia Benjamin.

Putting on a clinic on the inside offensively and defensively.

Kamauri oh 0:05 to go.

Breakaway for young.

And that's the way it ends.

The Lady Tigers break that drought.

Nobody from Wilcox got back in transition.

No I think they thought that.

I think they thought that there was no time on the clock.

And you see Coach is upset about that.

So we've reached halftime right now.

Wilcox County the defending champs playing like the champs right now.

Seven point lead at the break.

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Sur.

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.

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.

Welcome into our GPB half time show.

Your home for the GHSA boys and girls high school basketball.

State championship coverage.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer.

If you're just now joining us, we're currently in the half of our first game of the day.

That's right.

Right now we are watching the single a Division two girls battle it out.

Wilcox County the defending state champions.

Right now they're leading Washington-Wilkes by seven score at the half is 20-13 All Patriots now my friend John Nelson he is live from the Macon Coliseum.

He has a front row to all of the action.

Now Nelly, you and I both know these schools are are known for far more than just basketball.

And you have the two principles that at both of the esteemed schools that we're watching battle it out for a state title with you right now.

Yeah.

Time to get into the principal's office with Tim Conner from Wilcox County and Nicole Jackson from Washington-Wilkes.

They are old hat.

They are veterans at this.

So, so, so much veterans that they actually took their same seats from last year.

I didn't know if, you know, somebody wanted to like change seats to kind of change up the luck or anything.

But I know that Tim pounced on his seat first.

So that was how that ended up.

Right.

All right, so I'm going to go ladies first.

We believe in chivalry here.

Right.

So let me ask what's it been like to be back to be here for the last game of the year again?

It's so exciting to see these young ladies.

They're pretty impressive.

No matter what it is they're doing.

They took us to an area championship in flag football just previous to this season.

So and we're looking for great things out of them in their track season.

So they're pretty fun to watch.

What else is going on at Washington-Wilkes.

And folks need to know about these days.

We're in amidst soccer, tennis, all the things right now.

So we're very busy baseball.

In fact, we have some students that are traveling from soccer to soccer and a baseball game right after this.

Where is said soccer or baseball game?

L o Green County.

Wow.

Okay, so so they got to figure out how they're leaving here.

Get lunch and okay, that's logistics, not my strong suit.

Stay right there.

Coming over here to the other side.

And it's, you know, gold rush and gold rush and it's a gold out today, but you're wearing your lucky golf shirt.

That's right.

That's, this is how this is going to be.

This was a non-negotiable, right?

Non-Negotiable.

I told Coach Coon I wore this shirt last year and this year.

So I had to stick with tradition.

Rochelle is a town of about 1,500, I think, right?

Yes.

So what is it like when you get an entire county that just kind of envelops itself into what you're seeing, not just today, but today as an example, but everything?

What's it like?

It's great community involvement.

We had a parade this morning to send the girls off downtown.

Rochelle.

People come in the rain to send them off to Macon.

It's just a great feeling to be have all the community backing you and behind you.

What else is going on at Wilcox High that folks need to know about?

We got a little golf going on, a little baseball, tennis and track.

I know that it's more than just the athletic perspective.

I'm going to ask you the same question coming back.

Arts and academics and what else is going on?

We've got we just finished up with literary we're number one in our region.

We got the, the cup for region, got that behind us.

We're getting ready to test.

Of course, that's the main thing.

We're coming up.

Spring break is around the corner, but then we come back and get ready for our milestone test.

Okay, so you're getting ready for your milestone test.

Let me come over here and find out what else is going on with the other two A's in the AAA, excellence.

What's going on in arts and academics these days?

We got a lot going on.

We actually just finished with the first place in literary as well, so we're proud of those kids.

And academically, of course, we're working towards that goal of of making sure academically they they raise their scores and do what they have to do in the classroom, which they always do.

Looking forward to seeing the second half.

I know that they have traded predictions about what's going to happen in the second half.

Great to see you, Miss Jackson.

Great to see you, Mr.

Conner.

You guys are going to be over there in a bit, but we're going to send it back to Midtown.

Find out what else is going on at the half.

Nikk.

It's all yours.

Thanks so much, Nelly.

The only a I have for you is, of course, awesome.

You're doing an awesome job down there.

Miss.

You in studio.

Are.

You'll see it a bit.

All right.

Well, coming up on the other side of the break, we're going to have more guests for you.

We'll get you caught up on what you've missed, what's to come and a whole lot more.

Keep it right here on GPB your home for the GHSA High School.

Girls and boys basketball state championship coverage.

We'll be right back.

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

Oh hey, what's up man?

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

Jacket.

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

So why would you drive a car while distracted?

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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Welcome back to our GPB halftime show.

We've been bringing you some incredible basketball games to watch.

These teams are all battling it out to be a state champion.

However, in the state of Georgia, there are so many other outstanding student athletes and we wish we could share all of their stories with you.

However, our friends over at You Save at Pharmacy, they're.

They're letting us spotlight a few of these student athletes.

And first up, we've got Lisa Jackson.

He's a football player out of Lee County High School.

And man, Lasha is just built different.

Take a. Look.

Saying D V is just playing with great technique.

You know you don't got to be the fastest guy.

You don't got to be the most physical guy.

You just got to be a technician.

Well, keep your eyes down.

You won't move your feet.

You won't get hands on receivers.

And I think sometimes it's not the plays that he makes.

It's the impact that he has with with covering somebody where they won't throw the ball to.

Him.

I have a lot of eyes on me.

I understand that and I feel like I do well with it.

So, you know, just doing the right thing all the time, even when nobody's watching.

Just keeping that good habit.

So I'm gonna continue to work hard, continue to be doing what I'm doing, and just let my work show on Friday.

Love.

Lisa's attitude.

Well, coming up in just a few moments, we're going to have the second half of our first game of the day.

Right now, it's halftime of the single, a Division two girls game between Washington-Wilkes and Wilcox County at the half.

Right now, it's all Wilcox County, the defending state champs score is 20-13 Patriots over the Tigers.

And don't forget, over these next few days, we're going to be live through Saturday.

You can follow us on social media.

There you have it.

We're at GPB sports.

Look us up on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch and of course we're live at gpb.org.

We also have the handy dandy GPB sports app.

Well, that's it for our halftime show.

Coming up.

We've got 16 more minutes of basketball on the other side of the break.

Larry and Kelsey are on the call and they're coming up next.

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Welcome back to Macon here at halftime.

About to start, the second half of the girls class one a Division two championship at Wilcox County.

With the 2013 lead over Washington-Wilkes.

Right now back to courtside.

Larry Smith alongside Kelsey Rogers.

We were talking about this really the stats fairly even compared when you consider it's a seven point game.

Yeah.

When you look at the turnovers, you know for Washington-Wilkes you have ten turnovers for Wilcox County.

You have nine turnovers.

Both teams Wilcox shooting 22%.

Washington-Wilkes shooting 19.4%.

So a lot of those stats are very even right now.

But free throws Wilcox five for six from the free-throw line, one for six from the three point line.

That's a little bit of the point differential.

Although the game seems very even.

Yeah, it really does neither team shooting well, as you can see again like you said, 19% 22% to Liège Benjamin with ten points all in the first quarter.

Julied Wilcox County.

It really didn't score much there in the first half of that second quarter, but turn things on late.

And again, giving up that basket there at the end made it a seven point game instead of a nine point advantage for them.

Roberts with the first shot for Wilcox County gets her own rebound.

Now to Martin.

The good hands by Porter trying to get the steal.

What do you know?

We have a jump ball.

That's what the state championship record is for.

Held ball.

But we're going to be challenging that here pretty soon.

Washington-Wilkes gets the ball on the turnover.

There.

Another turnover Coach Coon for Wilcox County talked about.

They try to limit their turnovers, try to only do three per quarter.

She said they're not winning that battle.

So far no.

Ten total for the game.

And she wanted it at 12 or below an outside shot.

There by number 12.

Zion Bankston and you get some life out of the crowd.

Made the two hour trip from Washington-Wilkes Azeris now within four.

Trying to answer another n Benjamin with the rebound but taken away by young.

And now Washington-Wilkes with some life.

Both girls Championship game so far this week were Barnburners and this one appears to be the same.

And yet another held ball.

No, it's going to be a foul.

This on Shamauri Martin.

, her second personal.

There you see a look from the shot in the corner by Bankston.

Good looking form on that shot.

One more look at it.

Sign her up for the three point competition.

That's right.

Another turnover.

Kamauri Martin just stepped in.

Shamauri Martin on the other end.

And they're going to say she was pushed by Myasia.

Lewis.

Yeah.

Good pickup by the trail official there.

Kind of lands on the back of Shamauri Martin's foot ankle sending her to the ground.

Quickly, one foul each.

Can you hear them saying be careful.

Look out for 24 and she's got the ball.

Benjamin.

Tough defense there.

They're going to call the foul on Samaria Young.

And if so that's her third foul of the game.

Yeah that's a tough foul right there for Samaria Young.

Misses the free throw.

But that brings 58.

Freshman Jakylah Gartrell back off the bench replacing young Gartrell coming into the second quarter and really negating.

Benjamin did a good job defending her keeping her scoreless there in that second quarter.

Second free throw missed as well.

She remains a four point game.

Back comes Washington-Wilkes.

Gartrell trying to get it inside trying to get it to Lewis.

But it was kicked away.

Gotta stay on this end.

A little miscommunication for Wilcox defensively who they were guarding man to man.

Gave a split second opportunity.

Washington-Wilkes did not take advantage of it though.

By the time the coach calls it out, it's too late.

That's right.

How about that defense?

Great hands by Benjamin.

Do you steal the inbound pass?

Martin for three at short.

Lewis with the rebound.

Trying to go coast to coast.

Didn't realize she was that open.

Oh, and it goes around and out.

Jump ball.

I thought that Martin might have been out of bounds said a jump ball.

Another one.

And it'll go to Wilcox County.

Look at this opportunity though.

Just wide open.

The CJ Harden for Myasia.

Lewis wasn't able to connect.

Foul on the other end.

Shamauri Martin shooting.

Call that foul on number 12.

Zion Bankston.

Her first personal.

MRE Martin misses the first.

Shamauri.

As we mentioned, a 55% free-throw shooter.

Not her best asset to her game.

Wilcox County getting to the line but not converting and she misses both.

Gartrell the rebound.

The spin move.

Mid-court Gartrell still going.

Gets it inside, but it's a foul before the shot.

Foul on the pass.

Sorayar Martin called for the foul again.

She's the older oldest of the three Martin sisters on the court.

Porter now with the ball for the Tigers.

Lewis.

Bankston looks at the three drives instead.

Porter tries a three.

That's off rebound.

Buck up and in.

But she's fouled.

Jayla Williams the 19-year-old.

I'm sorry.

Played 18 games in this year.

The junior.

I should say played 18 games for Washington-Wilkes this year with the shot attempt there.

But she was fouled and she'll shoot two.

Shots.

On the floor right now for Washington-Wilkes.

Gartrell.

Williams with the free throw that falls in.

Lewis.

Also Bankston and Porter.

Second one won't go rebound by Lewis throws that up trying to throw it kind of back behind her.

Benjamin was there for the block.

Little Harlem Globetrotter action right there.

Lead is cut down to 360 run and it goes for bug Porter.

It's a one point game.

The Tigers have come back.

They have an 8-0 run.

Coach Heard knew exactly what she wanted.

She wanted that one on one matchup with Shamauri Martin, who is in foul trouble.

And she got it, telling her players, get out the way, let bug get let bug cook.

That foul was on Jayla Williams substitution.

Now Roberts coming out.

Carlissa Curry the 510 senior number 11 coming in.

Martin with the short jumper that won't go.

Benjamin knocked away.

And another jump ball.

And it will go to Washington-Wilkes.

And so the Tigers.

Holding the Patriots scoreless here for almost 3 minutes to start the second half.

And as a result they have a chance now to take the lead.

If they haven't had since the opening minutes of this game.

But a turnover threw it away and then a foul.

That's on Williams.

And that brings us to our media time-out here in the third quarter.

Zion Bankston for three.

The Tigers have clawed back into this one down by one.

As we take a break.

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All set.

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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Macon Washington-Wilkes has clawed their way back into this game from down nine early on.

For Wilcox County find a way to get the lid off the basket this period.

Zero for four from the field, zero for four from the free-throw line.

Yeah it offensively has not been what they wanted.

Neither team shooting even 25% from the field.

We already have 60 combined rebounds in this game and we are just 19 minutes in.

And there we go.

That free throw bounces in for Shamauri Martin.

She's four for seven from the line today as a team.

Six for 11.

Second one bounces off.

He's got a foul on the rebound on Talia Benjamin.

That's her first foul.

Three quarter court press now for Wilcox County.

Gartrell gets it to Porter Williams now inside.

Lewis throws it away.

Turnover number 14 for Washington-Wilkes.

Jamari Martin gets the basket to go.

And a chance for a three point play.

Great job finishing with that contact.

There.

Maybe try to liven up the fan base around here again.

It's been very helter skelter back and forth.

No real rhythm.

Both teams turning the ball over.

Third look at that.

Great effort there by Martin.

She just was determined to get to the rack.

Foul was on Bankston.

That's her second and she completes the three point play.

So Jamari Martin now with nine points in the game to go with Benjamin's ten.

And Wilcox County lead is back to five.

Gotta hurry to get this ball across.

They finally do.

Get shot is up.

Missed.

Rebound is to Curry took it the other way.

Martin, take it away.

Out of bounds and it's going to be Washington-Wilkes ball.

We're going to call a foul on Shamari Martin.

Her third personal.

And that's a silly foul.

Larry, you're 94 feet away from the basket.

You just had a two on one advantage.

You don't take advantage of that.

And then you foul 94 feet away from the basket and put Washington-Wilkes on the free-throw line.

As a coach that's just frustration and Shamauri Martin to be a junior on this team knows what it takes to win this game.

She's got to know that her value on the floor is much greater than trying to get that steal.

Absolutely.

And Coach talking to her star point guard right now.

Alaina Walton, meanwhile, sinks both free throws.

Makes it now a 24 21 game approaching halfway toward this third quarter.

Three more championship games to come.

We're just getting started in this Thursday, Benjamin with the jumper just inside the arc.

That's a two.

That's her first basket since the first quarter.

It's back to a five point advantage now for Wilcox County.

Great hands by Martin but no Porter collects it.

Gets that to go up.

Won't go in.

Benjamin the rebound.

Here comes Wilcox County.

Martin stop and pop from 15.

No Benjamin the rebound.

But another jump ball.

It'll stay here.

Patriots ball.

And we'll look at the basket.

AC Benjamin showing a little bit of range.

Now.

Good active hands on both sides defensively every pass tipped there is another one.

Walton with the steal.

In the hands of Gartrell she has an advantage of five on four.

But Shamari Martin a good hand to deflect that pass out of bounds.

And Shamauri Martin showing that athleticism, deflecting that ball out of bounds.

Rejected by Benjamin gets it back into her hand.

Shamauri Martin got on the push and she was fouled.

And she'll go to the line once again.

Bankston is going to be called for that foul.

That is her third personal.

Henderson Bankston.

All three fouls coming here in this quarter.

Martin already five of nine making now five of ten from the line as Rylie Welborn about to check in now for Bankston number 15.

Kamari Martin coming out.

Curry coming in for Wilcox County.

Shamari Martin has a chance.

Had a second free throw.

This one is money.

27 21 now Patriots on top by six.

They've led by as much as nine.

Martin goes for the steal.

No Gartrell with some nifty moves in the backcourt.

Young looked at a three.

She'll take a three back iron.

Key'mya Young number ten the freshman now in the game for Wilcox County.

She has the ball now.

Inside for Benjamin.

They're going to call that foul on both Porter coaches for Washington-Wilkes all wanted to travel.

Look at it here.

Gu.

Let's see a lot of contact there.

Benjamin at the line.

Porter that's her first foul.

Very slowly.

Wilcox.

Expanding the lead once again.

It was down to 20-19 Second free throw is good.

That's a 921.

And the steal by Shamari Martin to his sister.

Jumper is short.

Gets his own rebound.

That's off Shamauri Martin another rebound.

Taken away by Walton.

Walton trying to go coast to coast.

And she does.

And the Tigers get back on the board.

29 23 Walton was named to the second team all region team.

Benjamin again.

That's right.

Showing she has that range versatility in her game.

Washington-Wilkes got to get it across.

Gotta hurry.

And Coach Heard calls a time-out.

That was close.

Getting close to about 8 seconds on the ten second count to get it across the timeline.

This offense right.

Here.

Pushing it up the floor trying to get something offensively going for Washington-Wilkes here.

But Benjamin has said I'll take you down low and I'll pull you out some.

Washington-Wilkes team 14 straight wins for the Tigers all by double digits.

Began the season 0-3 They lost six of their first eight games overall, only lost one since then.

Really coming together and gelling once they kind of figured things out and coach said our players are mainly playing flag football, so we don't even practice those opening games.

We just went out and played and it showed in the way we performed.

Yeah, you know, they have a few things going in their favor is they've all played together third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade.

So the chemistry that is there, that's what she relies on because so many of them are playing flag football.

She doesn't know if she'll have five for preseason or ten for preseason because they're all occupied playing flag football at that time.

But yeah, she says, you know, it was a tough schedule and the team had to grow up.

She said these younger kids really relied on the seniors last year.

Being in this game, and they had to learn in those early games this season how to really step up and take ownership of this team.

You saw the road to the championship in the Final Four.

They beat Metro by 2057-37 and now down by eight here in the championship.

Young know Gartrell the rebound.

Can't get that to go.

Benjamin fighting for the board and she takes it away.

Eighth rebound of the game.

For Talia Benjamin trying to add to her scoring total.

She does.. Takes it off the dribble from the free-throw line.

Benjamin putting on a clinic here today.

She has been outstanding.

Going back inside.

We've seen that move before.

She is dangerous with that.

Shamauri Martin with the near steal pass inside now for Walton triple teamed gets it to Bukele.

Porter off the glass too hard.

Benjamin again working on a double.

Double.

Porter going to be called for that foul.

That'll be her second personal foul.

Knocked the glasses right off of Carlissa Curry.

There you see off the dribble.

Yeah.

That's just textbook.

Quick showing the jumper one dribble and in.

She is showing why she was the player of the year in their region.

Outstanding.

Carlissa Curry the senior.

Wilcox County doesn't go very deep but Curry one of the players off the bench.

Coach Coon relies on.

Curry missing both free throws.

Shamauri Martin trying to save it in her body off the court.

You know she she goes to the ground a lot, unintentionally and intentionally.

And for a player that's playing so many minutes and has that athleticism, you you you have to think that over the course of her career, she's going to get some bumps and bruises that she probably shouldn't because her body, she's just throwing her body.

Around and there she goes again, jumps in front of that pass for the steal.

Tigers a little too lackadaisical in their passes and trying to beat that full court press and Wilcox County taking advantage.

Lead is now up to ten trying to add to it.

What an answer here in this third quarter.

Shamauri Martin can't get that to go.

Tip rebound in the hands of young Washington-Wilkes quickly up the court with young.

The runner that won't go.

Benjamin reaches up and over for her tenth rebound.

And again, nobody boxing Benjamin out.

Shamauri Martin goes to the ground again.

No foul is called.

They change and say it's going to stay.

Wilcox ball though.

All quarter right there with the block.

A quick sub Bankston is back in.

Walton is out for Washington-Wilkes with his final 11.6 seconds of the third quarter.

Back up and in.

It's Kamauri Martin with the basket.

57.

Junior makes it a 12 point game.

0:05 to go.

I'm not sure that Washington-Wilkes Washington-Wilkes realizes.

Oh, that was a nice shot.

Myasia Lewis good look at a three to beat the buzzer, but it would not go.

And what an answer in the final 4 minutes of this third quarter.

Shamauri Martin trying to will her team to a repeat championship.

Getting it done on both ends.

12 point advantage for the defending champs with 8:00 to go to a title.

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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.

Breda Pest Management works to protect the inside and outside of your home from pests.

Breda.

They handle bugs and critters.

What a finish to that third quarter for the defending champion.

Wilcox County.

They were up 20 19-0 going on offense, but finished the quarter on a 154 run to take their biggest lead of the game, 35 23 here into the fourth quarter.

This.

Back to live action now for the Tigers.

What can they do to answer here out of the break Gartrell in the game in the corner.

Now to Porter to Bankston.

That pass was too high trying to get it inside of Samaria Young.

And the 16th turnover for Washington-Wilkes.

Just the unforced errors.

In this game, young little tight defense there by Porter.

And she called for the foul.

That's Porter's third personal foul.

You like the aggressive defense.

But you got to be smart about it if you're Porter that's where the their most of their offense is coming from right now.

Kamauri Martin's been quiet for the most part.

Just scored late in the third quarter.

They're trying to get it to Lezlee Roberts now to Benjamin ball taken away by Lewis.

Benjamin commits the foul.

Benjamin with her second personal foul.

Just loses it.

Not really sure where and that's honestly not a bad foul.

You're in the fourth period.

It's only your second personal and you maybe save a fast break layup.

Right?

Right.

Although those have been very far few and far between.

On making layups.

That's right.

Tough shooting night on both ends.

Young to Gartrell for three.

That's short.

Roberts the rebound.

Martin on the 2-2 break.

Martin to Benjamin out for Shamauri.

Martin for three.

She saw that was off.

Benjamin the rebound to Martin and that rolls out.

Gartrell Tigers got a push down 12.

Under 7:00 to go.

Repeat Championship tilt from a year ago in class A Division two jump ball underneath.

It'll go to Wilcox County.

Both teams have done a fantastic job crashing the boards.

That is one thing Wilcox County, with two men with 44 total rebounds.

Washington-Wilkes with 30-3 total rebounds.

And second chance 21 offensive rebounds for Wilcox County.

Just the second part of that, like finishing you rebound great.

But then you got to finish it.

Yeah.

Benjamin again 20 points to go with ten rebounds.

What a game for her 14 point lead.

Now young answers on the other end.

Washington-Wilkes.

Got to make a stop.

And they do steal.

Young picks it up.

She goes in.

Zariah.

Martin goes down holding her ankle on that last play which caused that turnover.

Time-out on the floor while they take a look at Sorayar Martin.

One more look at it right here.

You can see her limp away.

Samaria Young takes advantage.

Washington-Wilkes back within ten.

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Take a look to see where the injury happened for Zariah Martin.

The senior point guard here.

Looks like.

Oh, there it is right there.

She tweaked and rolled that ankle.

Trying to pull up knowing that she wasn't going to get past the defender.

And that absolutely rolled.

Alaina Walton right now getting her taped up.

Senior playing her final high school game six 0-3 left to see her back in.

I think so.

I mean she's the defensive player of the year for a reason.

The fight that she has in her they're taping that thing up and there's no way that Big Sis is going to let her siblings and cousins and everyone else out there and let them down.

That's right, that's right, she said.

She's a defensive dog for full court press now by Washington-Wilkes comes up with a steal.

Young Eurostep around and in 6-0 run now for the Lady Tigers and another steal.

Bankston to Porter.

That doesn't go but no shot a foul before the shot and some energy now from Washington-Wilkes.

Kamauri Martin going to be called for that foul.

They're her second personal Washington-Wilkes now on a 6-0 run.

And here she is right here.

Zariah Martin those two turnovers right there.

There's no way she's sitting out.

Curry goes back out as Martin is back in that ankle taped up.

Porter on the shot.

They're going to say she's fouled and she'll go to the line.

Coach Coon is telling her stop.

Be quiet.

You did come down.

You put your hands down.

Not sure why that wasn't a shooting foul.

Thought it was too.

She was shooting the ball.

There's a conversation about that now.

Shamauri Martin was going for that blocked shot.

They're going to say it was before the shot.

Changing the shot clock back to 27 seconds.

And inbound.

Now for Washington-Wilkes inside for Bankston.

Good ball movement outside for Lewis.

Reed Porter bounces too hard off the backboard.

Up and in Jayla Williams an 8-0 run defense into offense.

Now for the Tigers.

Shamauri Martin throws up a prayer trying to draw the foul.

And she does.

And lands on the floor.

Imagine that.

Great job there.

By Jayla Williams the junior.

Washington-Wilkes how is that a shooting foul here in the background?

The coach is going down the other end.

Shamauri Martin already 11 free throw attempts.

She'll get two more here.

Trying to stop this 8-0 run by Washington-Wilkes.

He's the first one short.

Young comes out.

Alaina Walton back in.

Here by the Tigers Martin's second shot rolls in.

The scoring drought is over.

Makes it back to a seven point lead now.

And the Tigers facing a full court press.

This caused problems all day.

Lewis with the drive and the scoop that won't go.

Tries again.

For jump ball.

Two opportunities right there for Washington-Wilkes.

Not able to convert.

Washington-Wilkes nine field goals made before the start of this run.

Bank shot there by Porter pulls him back within five.

Closest they've been since the second quarter.

Martin has it knocked away.

Porter aggressive on defense.

Benjamin xAI for four.

Make that Lezlee Roberts gets it to go.

Roberts just her second basket of the game.

And the pass down intended for Lewis and it sails out of bounds.

Turnover number 17 for Washington-Wilkes.

Samaria Young coming back to check in.

Walton goes back out.

Coach Cloyd press here by the Tigers.

Shamauri Martin poked away by Bankston tie ball.

Anybody want to guess what the call is?

Jump ball?

It'll stay on this end.

Wilcox County there's so many jump balls, I lose track of who has the possession arrow.

Shamauri Martin for three at the Flynn coming off.

Williams the rebound pushed to Porter goes up and oh it's too hard.

The layup off the glass.

Wilcox County the other way.

D’Marley Fountain.

Martin laying back is up and in.

What a move by Shamari Martin.

Good body control that time staying on her feet to finish that shot.

Back to a nine point lead.

Benjamin the tip ball.

Good steal.

Now they're going to slow it down.

Wilcox trying to take some of this time off the clock.

18 22 foul for the Tigers.

And another basket.

Kamauri Martin.

The twin of Shamauri Martin.

Lewis to Williams blocked by Benjamin, but they'll say they got a little contact there.

And Williams will shoot two.

And we'll step aside for a moment.

Tigers made a run, but too much Shamauri Martin.

One more look at it.

Patriots closing in on a repeat title.

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Class A Division two championship game that was Washington-Wilkes pulling within five.

But just like that, a 6-0 run for Santita Wilcox County team.

Trying to repeat as champions last year, getting the first state title in team history.

Coach Coon always dressed to the nines.

We talked to her earlier this week.

She's got a pair of gold pants was going to wear, but chose to go with the white instead.

But she's matching team colors perfectly.

Absolutely.

Her community came up with the gold rush, and if you can see behind us over our left shoulder, here, they are all decked out in these gold shirts.

Free throws missed by Williams and Shamauri Williams throws it away on the other end.

Immediately.

A conversation with her coach.

19 turnovers for Wilcox.

Coach wanted 12.

We're at 19.

Yeah but they still have the lead.

Double digit lead at that.

Washington-Wilkes has to hurry.

Lewis looking at a three.

That's no good.

Rebound.

Buck up.

And in Alaina Walton.

For a second basket of the game.

Makes it a nine point game.

And good defense by Williams.

Ball intended for Shamauri Martin.

Another turnover.

Porter quickly down.

That's up and in Walton again.

They had numbers.

They took advantage of those numbers.

Five for Roberts doesn't fall.

Here come the Tigers tip ball.

Get it across court.

Bug Porter up against Benjamin rejection.

Benjamin just waiting on her Shamauri Martin that won't go.

Five on three break and got numbers.

Portal has to fly by and Benjamin jump shot.

Good.

Bug Porter time out on the court.

Good composure right there.

By Porter.

6-0 run here by Washington-Wilkes and Coach Beard Coach Heard.

I'm sorry, a time-out.

Applauding her team for the effort.

Great energy in these last couple of minutes to cut this lead almost in half.

Absolutely.

Give them a quick breather right here because this last 222 they just had a strong push right now for that 6-0 run.

They're going to need another 6-0 run in these last 222.

They've been aggressive without fouling.

Since that last time out answering the call 222 left in your season.

And that's what she's asking right now.

What do you have left.

What do you have to give us in these 222?

Even scoring for Washington-Wilkes.

Samaria Young leads the way with 15 points, but otherwise it's even Walton now with eight, Porter with six, Bankston with five.

Meanwhile, quiet on the other side.

Wilcox County.

That gold rush.

There it is right there.

They called it the Gold Rush and their community showed up for Wilcox.

They want to see this back to back.

Repeat.

Ball knocked away by banks.

Another steal.

Bankston.

She can collect it.

She does.

Walton.

The jumper doesn't go.

Rebound inside and a foul.

Jump ball.

Ball again.

When in doubt go jump ball.

That's right.

Young comes back in.

Williams going out for Washington-Wilkes.

Chance to cut this lead down to three.

Bankston a jump shot.

This is everything but there for the rebound is Walton.

Bodies on the floor going after it.

Lewis.

Porter blocked by Benjamin.

Saying no foul.

They're gonna call a foul on Washington-Wilkes on the rebound.

Zion Bankston.

That's a great pickup by the official.

They're absolutely displaces her mid-air on that rebound.

One more look at it.

Great job by Benjamin.

Zion Banks while going aggressively for that rebound.

Displaces right there in the air.

Lezlee Roberts.

Good pickup.

No problem here with the full court press by Kamauri Martin.

Under 2:00 to go now.

Still a five point game.

Both girls championships this week have been thrillers.

This one looks like it's going to be the same.

Roberts loses the ball.

Martin collects good defense there.

By Porter hands everywhere.

And we've got a time-out.

Okay.

Coach Santita Coon calling a time-out.

Good call there.

Yeah very good.

Because that was going to result in a travel.

If not.

Yeah.

How about Washington-Wilkes in this turning up the defense here in the fourth quarter 20:01 points now off turnovers in this one.

And again it just seems like they're having to work so hard to get these points again.

Five point deficit.

We saw this yesterday a little bit in that heritage game.

But those five points almost seems like an intangible ten points with without their not scoring as much as they should be.

Yeah.

Both coaches both coaches natives, they once played for their respective schools.

So a lot of pride here.

Coach Heard and Coach Coon with the Patriots have coming out of the time-out.

Martin with the jump shot.

No Benjamin is there.

That won't fall.

Rebound tipped out of bounds.

It's going to stay here.

Jayla Williams back in the game.

Tipped that ball away out of the hands of Benjamin.

Just been a beast.

Wilcox County that shot will fall.

Lezlee.

Roberts gets it to go back to a seven point game.

That was huge.

1:10 to go.

Shamauri Martin getting on the floor again.

Every possession.

Sliding in to tie that ball up.

I don't know if I've ever seen somebody slide in like going into third base.

She's everywhere.

Good tip away there by young.

Jace Patriots ball.

MRE Martin, you talked about last year in the title game 20 points in that one.

She's got 13 and now ten rebounds in this one.

A double double.

Shamauri Martin.

On the floor again little banged up this time.

I can't imagine the bruises.

I hope she does ice baths after every game.

Martin with the steal.

Foul on the other end.

And now a chance here to add two more points to the lead.

She's short on the first one.

Gartrell coming back in as well as Bankston.

Lewis going out.

Williams.

Gartrell for Washington-Wilkes is a 29% three point shooter.

So certainly offense that you need right now with 50-3 seconds left.

If you're Washington-Wilkes.

Yeah.

Looking at your three point shooters in this Gartrell with 30 Porter Lewis your top 33 point shooters for the Tigers.

So Martin makes his second of two with an eight point game.

Now under a minute to go full court press.

Almost a turnover.

Young for three.

Bounces around.

No Roberts a rebound for Wilcox County.

Shamauri Martin.

You can feel it.

Yep.

You can hear it.

Vance Wilcox County on their feet.

Martin oh rebound again back to Martin.

They try to slow it down.

Final 30s and a foul on Washington-Wilkes.

On Porter.

And the celebration in the stands.

Gets a little louder.

Kamauri Martin with the free throw.

First one of the game.

You can tell you I'm looking over here at Coach Heard.

And you know, she can tell that she knew she could have had this one this year.

She just feels defeated right now.

Another steal.

Zariah Martin one more time.

No giving up here by the Tigers.

Porter with the shot.

That won't go.

And that's the way it ends.

Back to back championships for Wilcox County.

Wilcox County.

What a game!

Wilcox County Shamauri Martin ends up with 14 points, ten rebounds Benjamin 20 points, 14 rebounds.

And five blocked shots.

Five blocked shots.

Lezlee Roberts six points but eight rebounds.

They were all over the boards and again, realizing a lot of those shots weren't falling after the second or third shot opportunities.

But that's not easy to come in here and win back to back against the same opponent.

Kudos to Wilcox County back to back champs.

Now.

Much more competitive game than it was a year ago.

A 219 lead for Wilcox County after the first quarter.

Washington-Wilkes never recovered after that, but not the not the not the issue here.

This was neck and neck all the way through and give Washington-Wilkes credit of coming back not once, but twice during the fourth quarter.

Turning defense into offense.

They just couldn't quite get enough to turn the corner.

They made that push.

They dug themselves way too deep, too early, and all the effort they had to exert to get themselves within reach again, Wilcox County was just too much.

Each time they did that.

So you see Washington-Wilkes getting the trophy, second place trophy.

They bow out at 21-8 and there's Clark Santita Coon back to back championships.

As Kelsey mentioned at the top 17th year as a head coach of this program for a school where she played, as a teenager, 29-1 21 straight wins.

Just fantastic job that this team did to get back into the title game.

And with that, let's go to Jon Nelson for the trophy presentation.

Johnny.

Thank you very much.

Larry Smith, it is time to present championship number one of day number two.

And to do that, it is executive director of the Georgia High School Association, doctor Tim Scott and our friends from Randa Pest Management take it away.

Thank you John.

Hey, want to say congratulations to Washington-Wilkes on a great season.

Congratulations ladies.

Give him a big round of applause.

And now, on behalf of Breda Pest Control, presenting the state championship trophy to your Wilcox County Patriots.

Awesome job.

Good job.

This is turning into old hat with you here two years in a row.

How tough was it to repeat?

But first I want to say thank you.

Thank God for the opportunity.

This was.

We knew that Washington-Wilkes was going to come out and give us a big ball game, and we prepared and prepared and hey, we're here again with a state championship.

There's a lot from one particular family that's a part of this roster, but this whole roster has contributed.

What about this group of seniors for you.

The group of seniors, a special group of young ladies.

Great leadership, very coachable.

And we're surely going to miss them.

I get to say it for the second year in a row.

Wilcox County state champs is heading back to Rochelle.

We'll catch up with Coach and the MVP coming up in just a bit.

Let's send it back to Larry and Kelsey.

Jon thank you so much.

By the way, our coaches interview presented by Breda Pest Management, the official sponsor of high school basketball.

And to the victor go the spoils.

Santita Coon and the Wilcox County, Patriots 48-39 the final count.

And boy, they just were really just they were the better team on this night.

There's no question 53 rebounds in this game.

Six blocked shots.

This wasn't the way that coach would have drawn it up with all those turnovers.

22 of those again she talked about she wanted to limit to 12.

She said ahead of time that was a problem.

But they played good enough defense on the other end to negate those issues.

And once again, the state champs.

They did.

It was a battle of the defenses really, because there was turnovers on both sides of the ball there.

But the the key factor here was the free-throw line.

Both teams made 17 field goals apiece.

But the free-throw line right there, Wilcox 13 for 25 versus Washington-Wilkes four for eight from the free-throw line.

So the aggressiveness them getting to the basket and converting those free throws.

Yeah.

And that was it.

A lot of that too was Shamauri Martin we talked about she was eight of 15 from the line.

So 15 of those 25 attempts came from her.

And that was a difference.

They were plus nine at the free-throw line.

They won the game by nine points.

And now 29-1 champions yet again.

And as we were talking about again, it's so hard to win one state title.

It is extremely difficult to win it back to back years.

That's exactly what Wilcox County did in the class one A Division two championship.

Yeah, hats go off to Coach in her in her team right there.

Those two seniors will be missed.

But I bet we see them back here next year.

They have a good nucleus still around them.

And what she's doing down there at Wilcox County is something special.

Yep.

They were celebrating down in Rochelle, no question about that.

Population.

11 67 I think about half of them at least are here for this one.

What a game.

As we have one championship in the books here on this Thursday.

Wilcox County came in determined to keep what they had gained a year ago, and they did that.

The ball bouncing their way give credit to Washington-Wilkes and the effort they came up with, but in the end, the Patriots too strong.

48 39 the final and the championship going back to Wilcox County.

We'll continue here with our post game show next on GPB.

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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 on GPB.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer Georgia Public Broadcasting is your home for the 2026 GHSA boys and girls high school basketball state championship games.

If you're just now joining us, moments ago we crowned our first winner of the day in the girls single, a division.

Let's go ahead Division two.

And let's go ahead and take a look at that scoreboard.

There you have it.

Wilcox County beating Washington-Wilkes 48-39 They go on to be back to back champions.

They finished the season 29-1 Congratulations to Coach Coon and the Patriots.

Our Jon Nelson is live from the Macon Coliseum and I hear he has a pair of those winning Tigers with him right now.

Nelly yeah I do, I have the m v p Tyliah Benjamin and Coach Coon and you see, you see she's already she's looking at the final sheet.

And you know, Talia, you're looking at this and you finish with 20-14 But you're mad.

Why are you mad?

Because I got 14.

You only got 14 rebounds.

Of course.

But I mean, Shamauri had ten.

You had Lezlee and Zariah had eight.

And you're sitting there and you're saying you should have had more than 14.

Okay, I see, how is she always this way?

Yes, she is she.

We call her our double double queen, but she's mostly concerned about those rebounds.

She wants all boards.

She wants them all.

How hard was this to repeat.

The regular season?

We.

We knew that we could.

We had a possibility to repeat, but we knew that there were some very good teams out there.

We landed in a bracket that gave us a test from the start.

Up until now.

And preparing for Washington-Wilkes, we knew what they had last year and what they were bringing back.

And we figured it was going to be a ball game like this.

Nail biter.

For you.

It's a bit of a family affair.

You have a couple of, couple of other cousins that are on this team.

What's it like for you to be able to share this experience with an entire family?

I mean, because don't you have ties there as well?

Like somewhere in the in the line, it's like distant or something.

Do you think that there might.

Be just a distance?

Yeah, but I do have some relatives that are on the team also.

Yeah.

So what's it like to, to share this with family and to have moments like this?

It feels great because Zariah is a senior and it was her last year.

So I feel great that we can win it for her.

Okay, so off of her answer, what's it like for you?

It's an amazing feeling because these girls work so hard.

Last year it was very exciting to win, but to come back for a repeat that just lets us know that in Wilcox County the culture has changed.

Within the program, their determination and their hard work is paying off.

And today, everything that they've put in from the summer up until now, it showed tonight.

I know that my wife is going to ask me this question, so I'm going to ask it before you leave.

She wants to know who your outfitter is.

Because she and a lot of other folks, they want to know who is styling you.

I do it myself.

Okay?

And when I have to choose the shoes, I I contact my son for it.

He picked the shoes out and I picked the outfit out.

Okay.

Like I said, we just wanted that out there in the public Coach Coon Tyliah.

Congratulations.

Your state champs take it back to Rochelle.

I don't know where the trophy is.

I'm sure it is halfway there already.

State champs here.

Nicki.

First one down here on day number two.

We'll send it back to you in midtown.

One down, Nelly, but hang on.

Coach Coon.

She mentioned the shoes.

Can we see the shoes?

Oh, I don't know.

It's kind of hard because she's at a table, but they're like they're like the Nike swooshes.

But they have the gold accents on it.

It's the way the white swoosh with the gold accents.

So they're white shoes.

Yes.

Got it.

Okay.

I know they're gold.

They're gold.

Gold shoes with white accents.

And they're the low tops.

So I mean, she's just straight up tennis shoes.

I love it, I love it so much.

Congrats again to the Patriots.

Thanks so much Nelly.

All right, we'll have more countdown to tip off coming up in just a few moments.

Keep it right here on GPB.

We'll be right.

Back.