From the Macon Coliseum and the Macon Centreplex.

It is day two of long distance.

We're dialing eight to figure out who the best is in the state when it comes to launching from beyond the 99 line.

I think that's where it is, isn't it?

Somewhere around there.

I mean, mine was a little bit further than that.

But mine was like 25, you know?

Yeah, it's Cairo and Nelly.

So we're going to go through the three point here.

We're going to find out what's going on with this one.

Yesterday when we had the boys three point, we found something that was different in the winter.

Patience.

Wild to.

See that anomaly, right?

To slow down while you're taking your shot and set your feet.

Go all the way through your follow through.

Those things matter from the fundamentals.

Something I know nothing about fundamentals, but it's going to be fun to see who the best is today.

Will we see patience today or is it going to be just rapid fire run and gun launch and go?

I'm intrigued to see how this goes.

And that's Courtney Bray out of Warren County.

The screaming the screaming lady Devils from Warrenton.

She's one of the three the senior of the group.

And here's our, conversation.

We got the conversation going on right now with Ernie Yarborough from the the GHSA.

They're drawing out of a hat now.

I wonder if you see now, this is where we need to find out.

If you win and get the loan number, you get to choose or you're automatically first.

This would be the wild card for me.

Automatically first.

Okay.

Whoever chooses the number one.

Okay.

Now, I like your idea though that because that could strategy see absolutely.

If size my competition up.

And.

I like maybe we can implement that next.

See now this is, you know, I, I have the rules for the competition right here.

In my hands.

So if we make a big edit mark, if you draw number one, you get to choose what you want.

You get to, you get to choose function.

But apparently this year, number one is number one.

Number two is number two.

And number three is number three.

But I'd like to petition Mr.

Yarbrough from the GHSA that you get to choose.

All right.

So the order is Ava is going to go first.

Ava Thompson from Towns County is going to go first in round number one.

Courtney Bray from Warren County is going to go number two.

And then therefore that means that Madison Bennett is going to be number three from Trinity Christian.

So we will see how it goes there.

Thank you very much.

Leanne off and running with all the information he needed that Intel.

And thanks to her.

So what's what do you what are you thinking?

Well, unlike yesterday where the cumulative score one.

Right.

Let's review the rules.

Because we we got some edits and some clarification yesterday.

So the highest score in round one determines how you will shoot in round two.

Okay.

Round two score is the only score being taken into consideration on who will actually be the championship.

So no longer is it a cumulative score from the first round to the second round.

And so the tiebreaker is score.

Round one determines order for round two.

Round two score is who determines the champion?

It is Ava Thompson, the sophomore from Towns County.

Courtney Bray from Warren County.

The senior.

Madison Bennett, the junior from Trinity Christian.

Those are the three that are here on the floor that are going to just launch from the outside and put up numbers.

And I think yesterday it was what did Tracy have, 43, I think total.

It was so 43 yesterday.

That's just for numbers to have an idea.

I think we tried to figure out the perfect score.

I think a perfect score.

If you got every ball out of every rack and every Moneyball I think is 56.

If you want both rounds, 28 per round, then I think that's it because it's four.

And then the Moneyball in each rack.

Right.

And the Moneyball is worth three.

So if you go seven, seven, seven, seven, it's 28 times two is 56.

I was never good at math, but I think that's what I was told.

So 56 would be your perfect score.

We had 43 yesterday.

Which is really.

That's really good.

Really?

Yeah.

That's some solid sharpshooting.

43 out of 56 here.

So we're going to line them up.

Now we're going to start with the sophomore.

And this is my pick.

Okay.

Because you were.

You were spot on yesterday picking the freshman.

I mean I was I was not going to lie.

So let's see if I can go two for two.

Ava Thompson, the sophomore, thinks her game resembles Caitlin Clark.

That's a big stretch.

That's a that's big shoes to fill.

But that's who I'm going with.

That's my pick for today's winner.

Okay, let's let's see.

And we are now underway out of rack number one.

I like the way she's starting.

Jinx.

Get that money ball.

Money ball.

Just missed the one out of rack number one.

She's finding it here early.

She's got the range.

Jinx.

Money.

Money ball.

Nice.

Locking in on those money balls gives you a little bit of momentum going into that next rack.

A little confidence.

Square and fire.

A little bounce in her shot there.

The knees coming together.

She likes that money ball though.

44 seconds.

Plenty of time.

Yeah she has time to slow down right here.

Does she need to slow down?

Not at this rate.

Moneyball.

Oh.

Almost cleared the rack.

30s left on the board.

So let's see what the point total was.

Your first round score for David Thomas 19.

19.

I like it.

And you.

You were doing math as we were going.

You're sitting there.

You got it all figured out.

You wrote down a 19.

I laid out.

We get PG&E saying 19.

You had it all figured out ahead of PG&E.

I mean, I knew that's what she was going to get.

That was my winner.

Lining up Courtney Bray, the senior from Warren County.

Talked about those corner shots are so hard, especially in this kind of arena.

You're not used to shooting with that depth perception.

We've been seeing it in the game so far this weekend.

In the 45 degree angle.

Moneyball, book it.

Go to rack number three.

More than enough time.

Still with 1 minute left.

Take your time.

Get that shot up.

It's a little bit of an unorthodox release, but she gets that Moneyball.

Rack last.

Hanging in there.

Got it.

Got to get the money ball.

And she does.

Nicely done there.

So it's a tight run there for Courtney Bray.

15 for Courtney Bray in round number one.

Now Madison Bennett.

The junior from Trinity Christian.

Sharpsburg that is the Sharpsburg purple Trinity Christian because there are multiple Trinity Christians, you have Dublin and Sharpsburg and Sharpsburg is purple.

That's the only way I know the difference.

Now, she says her game resembles Sabrina Ionescu, and I know Sabrina can shoot.

I would say her ball handling skills are quality as well.

Yes.

Blocking fire in rack number two.

A little bit of difficulty here at the 45 degree angle, but the Moneyball has been everybody's friend so.

Far today.

It has.

It has keeping them in the running.

There you go.

Build a little momentum.

The righty shooter at the 45 degree angle.

She likes that one.

I hope coach has a play set up for her to come off the high screen on that.

And if not coach for Trinity Christian you should draw that up.

Draw that up.

Now.

Moneyball is left.

Rimmed out on the Moneyball.

So that should be another 15.

If my math is correct.

Thank you.

15 okay, so we have Courtney Bray and Madison Bennett both with.

15 and they're going to redraw for Courtney Bray and Madison Bennett.

Is.

43 Ava Thompson just kind of gets to cruise and watch.

Overall to 16.

So who was it that had the soccer game yesterday?

My girl Ava Thompson you can't go wrong with soccer players.

They're tough as nails.

That is true.

They'll give up a foul in a heartbeat.

They use all five.

I can I can vouch for that now.

Will her legs be tired?

She said my legs are a little tired, but I believe in her.

Trinity is going to go first.

So according to Ernie Yarbrough, Madison Bennett is going back to back.

And will that will that be a positive though?

You stay in the rhythm.

Let's see.

I kind of like that.

You shouldn't be exhausted from this.

It's only four racks.

Five in the first rack.

I'm sitting here now.

I'm counting.

I'm putting markers down on my own now.

Eight to the money ball rimmed out.

She didn't like that.

She's got to regroup.

Refocus.

And here's that spot that we were talking about.

Is the one.

Draw up the play coach.

Last second shot right here.

Six in that rack.

She gets it.

And this this shot has always been the toughest at least for me because you're staring into the stands in an unfamiliar building.

And she's loving it.

Can she sweep?

She does.

Wow.

21 points.

21 points.

That's going to be a tough one to beat.

That's a solid.

Okay, so.

21 is the score to beat.

There's no cumulative no.

So 15 was positioning.

You drew out of the hat to figure out if you wanted to go first.

And here comes Courtney Bray in round number two.

Square with that right knee.

Moneyball.

Book it.

If you can make three out of five on that first rack, you can get a little bit momentum going.

Oh, tough rim out.

Are you okay.

So let's see if the 45 degree angle with the righty shooter.

This seems to be that sweet spot in this go round.

You jinxed.

I did.

Guilty as charged.

And she's heavy legging too.

But she got the money ball.

Yep.

And she will not be able to catch up.

It's going to.

Be Madison.

She cleans the rackets 15 total.

14.

So 14 there in round number.

Two.

14 points.

And so now we know the marker.

We now know what's got to be done.

19 in round number one for the sophomore Ava Thompson.

And nobody adjusted any racks today either.

They did not.

They kept them where they were.

Didn't want to hurt the racks feelings.

There you go.

Getting your legs three out of three.

Through soccer player.

Oh.

So four in the first rack.

You need those money ones short.

Oh she's.

And she's about 8 " behind that three point line.

Yeah.

She's pushing.

She needs to step up.

That's going to be tough right now.

Yeah.

Rack number three.

You got to get a run with these racks.

If you're going to clear or get to 21.

I don't think she's going.

To get that going to happen.

So let's see what the finishing score is for Ava Thompson.

From the corner comfortable from the corner after this one.

One more.

It's the Moneyball finish.

It's strong and rimmed out.

So the lowest score of the three.

She had the highest of the first round and the lowest of the second round.

But all that matters is that second round score.

And so math being math, Trinity Christian's Madison Bennett with the 21 in round number two.

And I mean, when you look at just how difficult it is, take take a look at this last rack in round number two.

She was locked in right there.

And Kenny Price special right over the shoulder.

Knocked down the Moneyball, cleaned out the rack.

Got 21 on the board.

And there you go.

There's the team picture.

And our friends from BSN with the swag bags.

I wonder what's in the swag bag.

Well, we should go check it out.

I think so.

And ask Madison when she comes over to talk to you.

Yeah, really?

So we'll find out.

Once again, you get it's great to see Ava Thompson, the sophomore from Towns County, the senior Courtney Bray from Warren County, the Screaming Lady Devils and the winner from Trinity Christian Madison Bennett with a 20-1 in round number three after getting 15 in round number two, putting me putting me to absolute shame.

Shooting from the outside.

Just absolute rhythm in all of these racks and the Moneyball today, the Moneyball was really happening a lot today.

That was the differential in today's.

So your winner gets to keep the T-shirt, gets to keep the ball, gets the trophy in the medals and everything.

It goes to Madison Bennett at Trinity Christian the junior flip side of break.

We're going to go and I'm going to catch up with Madison and find out what it's like to be a run and gunner.

The winner of the girls three point contest.

Coming up next on the Great GPB.

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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?

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Heads up Georgia.

Welcome in to our countdown to Tip Off right here on GPB.

GPB is your home for the boys and Girls high school.

State championship basketball games.

Now, if you're just now joining us, we just finished the girls three point contest.

Let's take a look at that scoreboard and how that shaped out.

Well, here's our schedule right now.

We just finished the girls three point contest coming up at 5:30.

Our next game is the four A girls of Marist versus Kell.

And then at 7:30 P.M., we've got the four A boys.

Our last game of the night in Pace and Pace.

That should be a good one.

Our Jon Nelson he is courtside of the Macon Coliseum and he just called the three point contest with Kelsey.

Great job, by the way, Nelly, get you someone that can do it all, but you've got our winner on the evening.

Yeah, it's always fun to do these kinds of things with Kiro.

But now let's talk to the winner.

Madison Bennett from Trinity Christian.

Okay, so when Kelsey was talking to you, just to try to get, you know, things philosophically, you said Sabrina Ionescu was the player that you kind of model yourself after.

Yeah.

How how does how is that how did that come to pass?

How did you sit there and go, yeah, I'm like her game.

How did you decide on Sabrina?

It really was just, you know, like a thought for me.

Like I thought about it and I was like, I think Sabrina Ionescu like me and her, I think we have a similar game, you know, deep threes taking the shots.

And even like her driving to the basket.

I know today was like three point contest but yeah like just her shot just the way she plays the game and handles herself on the court.

All right so let's talk about this particular competition.

How did you qualify.

Because a lot of folks may sit there and they may dive into the competition and they'll sit there and go, well, how did they how did they decide on these three?

What was qualifying?

What was the process?

I mean, it really was just my coach, like at my school, a lot of people say like, I'm a good three point shooter and stuff.

And my coach, he came to me one day and she said like, there's a GHSA three point competition.

She was like, like, would you be interested in doing it?

And I was like, well, yeah, sure.

Nothing else to do.

I might as well.

So I just said like I was going to do it.

And it was successful for me.

What was it like here in this building?

Because I know the gym at Trinity Christian, this is not the gym at Trinity Christian.

Not at all.

So how different is it when you're when you're trying to to line things up here in this building where the stands are further back and there aren't people in the seats, you've got all the lighting here and everything.

How much of an adjustment is it trying to prepare for this building in this competition?

For me, I think it was just like taking away the fact that like that it's a bigger arena and just focusing on like what the goal was coming here and coming to win, basically not really focusing on like, yeah, the stands are pushed back.

The court seems to be longer.

The arena's bigger, more people, more sound.

It was just locking in and focusing.

Now in the four racks that are there, there's the ones that are on the the ends and then the ones that are at the 45 degree angle.

Do you have it looked like you were handling the, the, the inline stuff pretty easily.

And that could be the toughest one because of the stands being so further back.

So you were handling this one fairly well and the 45 you were handling pretty well.

Do you have a favorite spot on the floor?

Actually, my favorite spot to shoot would be like from the 45 angle or like the top of the key.

So I didn't surprise myself, but it was kind of like a little different for me to, you know, make more shots in the corners than at the, at the wings.

So when you're in a rhythm like this and you're looking at this particular floor, what's it like to be in that rhythm in a rack where it's one, two, three, four, Dunn you get to the money ball, you get to the next one.

What's it like to be in that rhythm?

I mean, it feels really good because it's like you just have a sense once you make like two or three in a row, you just have a sense that the rest of them are going to continue to go in and keeping like the same shot and everything.

So it feels really good.

How hard is that to keep that same rhythm where it's you got it, you line up, you knock your knees together, you shoot it.

How difficult is that rhythm?

I would say it can get really difficult, especially after like you feel like you're doing the same rhythm and then you miss the shots, but then it's like just staying like composed and knowing like this is a regular shot that you take.

So don't try to change it or anything.

How do you block out a miss?

It's hard for me.

I'll be honest.

It's hard for me, especially when it's multiple in a row.

But I try to just just like move on to the next shot and not let it, you know, take me out of my game.

Okay, so show them the medal and show them the medal there.

So you get that medal.

Does it say anything on the back?

What's it say on the back.

Girls 3.5.

So actually is actually monogrammed by competition.

Okay, so hang on to it and flash it real quick.

So hold it up there.

So we're going to have Stosh come in and take a peek.

All right, so flip it over and there we go.

So it actually is monogrammed to the event.

So there you go.

So it is an actual individual monogram of the event.

So where's that going to go?

Is it going to go under glass.

Is it going to go?

Where's that going to go.

Oh it's probably going to go into mantle in my house where all the rest of my basketball accomplishments and stuff.

Are, including the basketball, right?

Yes.

That seems to be a little smaller than the one you were shooting.

Definitely, definitely.

See, I can I can palm this one.

I can't palm the other one.

Yeah.

Fantastic work.

So you're you're going to come back next year and try to defend your title.

Right?

I will okay, I see how this works.

Madison Bennett Trinity Christian the purple Trinity Christian Lions because that's Sharpsburg in purple.

Nikk.

That's the early story.

From here, we've got another winner.

We got two more games coming up.

Let's send it back to you in Midtown for for a minute.

Thanks so much, Nelly.

And congratulations again to you, Madison.

No pressure, but we hope to see you back here next year.

No pressure.

None at all.

Awesome.

Great.

Great stuff.

Well, we have witnessed some incredible basketball yesterday today.

And we've still got two more days of high school basketball state championship coverage for you right here on GPB.

However, we witnessed great basketball all season long, and there are a few standouts that we want to bring to your attention that are worth celebrating.

Take a look at our GPB boys All Stars.

Here's a look at your GPB all stars on the boys side of the ball in 2026.

Pops Dunson from Alexander.

He's heading to Colorado State.

Manny Green from Cedar Grove, heading to Tennessee.

Jarvis Hayes Jr., one of the five juniors on the list from Woodward Academy along with teammate Bentley Luciano.

At six foot 10 " tall, Chase Lumpkin from McEachern also has a year to go.

Asa Montgomery from Hillgrove the same up McLean road, Harris Reynolds from St.

Pius.

He's heading to Clemson.

Kevin Savage of the junior class at Wheeler.

He's got a year to go.

Jalen Winfield from Tri-Cities.

He's heading to the flats.

AJ Williams the only sophomore on the list from Eagles Landing Christian.

He's got two years to go and the player of the year.

Coleman Landry from Wheeler.

He's heading to stores.

That is the GPB All stars on the boys side in 2026.

That's right.

And there is our Boys Player of the year Coleman Landry out of Wheeler High School.

The Wildcats committed to UConn and will suit up for the Huskies next year.

Landrieu dropped 22 points in Wheeler's semifinal game.

He also helped Wheeler win a state title last year.

And guess what?

He's got the chance to do it again his senior year on Saturday night.

Now it's time for us to give some flowers to the girls.

GPB All Stars.

Take a look at this lineup.

Time to take a look at the GPB All stars on the girls side it is Alana Beckham from Hebron.

Christian heading to the University of Georgia.

Oriana Kemp, one of the few juniors on the squad at Dalton for the Catamounts.

Keri Flewellen from Josie.

She's heading to Radford.

Cameron Gholston from St.

Francis, the senior heading to South Alabama.

Morgan Landrum from North Paulding heading to B.C.

Lydia Ledford from Buford heading to Tennessee-chattanooga.

Gabby from Hebron.

Christian heading to Knoxville.

Finley Parker, the second junior on the list.

She has a year to go at River Ridge.

Coco Rudolph from Graysen heading to Kennesaw State, and Zoe Williams from Woodward Academy, the third junior on the list, and the player of the year, Kate Harpring from Marist.

She's heading to North Carolina.

That is the GPB All stars on the girls side in 2026.

And congratulations to our Girls Player of the year, the Tar Heel commit Kate Harpring out of Marist High School.

She is ranked the number one point guard in the country.

She was the Gatorade Player of the year last year as a junior, she averaged 32 points, ten rebounds, five steals and three assists per game.

You also might recognize her name because her dad, Matt Harpring, he was a tech standout and went on to play in the NBA.

For teams like the Utah Jazz.

So, you know, it definitely runs in the family.

Well, coming up after the break, we'll get you caught up on what you've missed.

We'll get you ready for the last two games of the day.

We'll check back in with Nelly and so much more.

Keep it right here on GPB.

We've got more countdown to tip off coming up.

I said I never joined.

Never knew how strong I was joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

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

Oh hey what's up man?

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

Jacket.

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

So why would you drive a car while distracted?

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

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

Heads up Georgia.

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

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Dot info.

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Welcome back to countdown to Tip Off.

We're live on GPB through Saturday, bringing you the best coverage of our 2026 GHSA boys and girls high school basketball state championships.

I'm holding it down in Midtown at halftime, and our countdown to tip off in between games.

Jon Nelson.

He's holding it down at the Macon Coliseum now.

John, I hear you're in the presence of a basketball legend.

I know it's not you.

So who you got with you?

It is the man who has created Sandy spiel from whole cloth.

Kyle Sandy himself in living color.

One of the more sartorially splendid guys that you will see here on a weekend.

When it comes to covering everything.

Georgia high school hoops.

Thanks for coming by.

Wow, thanks for having me.

I'm glad I walked by at the right time.

I mean, well, I mean, you you cover high school hoops here in the state of Georgia, 30 hours a week, eight days a week.

And 328 days a year, like 428 days a year.

How long has Sandy spiel been?

Sandy spiel now?

Wow.

Since 2015 is when the website opened.

So that's 11 years.

It's hard to believe.

And so you've come from the website to being this grand, exalted poobah, knowing everything and anything about Georgia high school hoops.

And when you look at this weekend, when you were coming into this weekend, specifically, what story lines for you were the ones that you're sitting there going, okay, this is what I'm going to pay attention to this, this and this.

What were your bullet points coming into the weekend?

Well, I mean, it's always great seeing these teams.

I mean, last year was phenomenal.

This year I was thinking can we top last year.

And we've already seen through the first how many games, the six games we've already had some classics that went down to the wire.

So I'm just very curious to see if we can see the best of the best.

I mean, we've had some great performances already so far.

We're about to see possibly.

And I guess it's the truth.

The all time leading scorer in the state of Georgia, who were probably about to touch on and Kate Harpring, I'm sure she's going to want to go out with a bang.

So just seeing how these games really play out, you know, southwest Macon who we'll see later on this week, who almost won the state title and was this close last year.

They have a chance to have a redemption story.

We just saw a repeat with Wilcox County against Washington-Wilkes a game from last year.

So just all these fun story lines culminating in a great week.

All right, so since you're reading my notes and you mentioned Kate Harpring, who is getting ready for this one, we said, what, five points?

Yeah.

Jill.

Razer is the answer to the trivia question from Athens Academy, I believe.

Yes, sir.

And so I remember covering Dr.

Jill in the day when she was when she was a talent here in the state of Georgia.

You have Ashley Houts, who was a point guard, Jill Razor, who is an absolute launcher from the outside.

And Kate Harpring has been doing it her way.

And five points away from being the one top of the ladder here in the state of Georgia.

That's some crazy thin air.

Yeah, I mean, it's amazing, like the ability that we get to see the new future leader of the state.

This is history right here.

She's been amazing.

It's going to be over 300 3,300 points.

It's been incredible.

I mean she just had in the last round I called the Final Four game.

I think she had like 37 points against Cartersville.

And it's amazing how she does it because she's efficient.

It's it's 66% from the field.

It's almost 50% from the three point line.

And it's not just scoring, it's facilitating.

It's rebounding.

It's defending.

She's a complete package.

She's a five star player.

It's going to be exciting to see what the North Carolina Tar Heel does.

I was going to say how did North Carolina get Kayden Harpring?

That's a heck of a story.

I mean, I don't know, I'm sure they did everything they can to get her.

I think she's going to be a game changer.

She's going to be a day one plug and play player.

She seems like she's going to be a WNBA player.

No doubt about it.

And it's going to be fun to see her in the game coming up.

I mean, with a lot of the story lines that we've seen, you know, heritage, Catoosa.

Yeah, that was one that has really stuck with me as well.

You know, we had Clinch County in the game, just wrapped up for the first time since 89.

Portal hadn't been in a final since 1957.

To see this history and to see all of the cool towns, to show up here, to see a Portal show up, to see Homerville show up to see, you know, everybody from Ringgold who's tied to heritage show up.

What's it like for you to see all of these towns represented?

And it's not just while we do see Atlanta schools in four or 5-6 mainly, what's it like to see the smaller towns be a. Part of it?

I think it's great for the state of Georgia that it's not just the best basketball being played in metro Atlanta.

It's all over.

Like I actually in my travels have been to Portal High School.

I did go to that small little gym to see the Panthers play maybe two or three years ago.

The same with heritage.

Heritage comes and participates in my folly.

They played in one of my showcase events this year, and you just mentioned that amazing win against Sandy Creek.

That's championship DNA.

A lot of those girls are champions in softball.

They won three straight state titles.

So just being able to see all these programs from across the state come here to Macon and to really show out all the fans from all these small towns and in the the stadium packing it out, it's it's incredible.

And it really just shows how much it means to these communities.

And sometimes these smaller classifications.

That's where you get your biggest crowds, right?

Because they turn off the last light in the city.

Everyone's gone.

They're all here and Macon.

So it's amazing.

I love seeing.

It.

Tomorrow is one of those instances, but it's here and you kind of alluded to it a little bit.

East Lauren's girls, they bat lead off tomorrow.

Everybody's coming from East Dublin.

We know this.

And then you've got Southwest Macon coming in last year, when did you get here?

Before that game.

I always get here bright and early.

Okay.

Bright, bright and early.

Because if you are not about at least an hour and a half, 2 hours before you're not getting in the building, you're not.

And that's what happened last year where you literally had.

And chief and the chief, I think it's Chief Steve.

He's the fire marshal here in Bibb County.

He's going to be the most important individual here tomorrow because this place will be loud.

It will be packed.

Kyle will have gotten here probably about 830 in the morning.

And it's one of those where you end up with, you got to get here early because, hey, you got to park, you got to find a place to park.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the tailgating is going to look like for East.

Lauren's coming in and the tailgating for southwest.

Macon coming in because last year you couldn't get in.

They were turning people away even if they picked up the tickets on on go fan, they were.

It's like, no, you couldn't.

They were making announcements.

Find a seat.

If you couldn't find a seat, then you know you couldn't be here.

You're going to get that tomorrow, man.

You are.

It's going to be crazy.

And it's not just southwest making it east.

Lawrence, Rabun County from Tigers, Georgia.

They will be here in full force.

I promise you that there is going to be a sea of red, whether it's for Southwest Macon or for Raven.

It's going to be very colorful in here.

It's going to be very loud in here.

It's going to be amazing.

And I think we're going to see a great, fantastic game.

But I'm really looking forward to it.

And again, southwest Macon they were this close last year.

I think it was like a 10-0 run best Academy went on to just you could hear a pin drop in here.

Other than that small section from Atlanta that came to support best Ravens going to try and do that and make it a not so happy homecoming again for Southwest Macon.

But it's going to be easier said than done.

Not as easy as it's going to be.

It's going to be super tough and it's going to be a really fun game.

Great players on both sides of the ball.

Going to be a fun day.

Two more questions for you.

One about basketball.

One not sure Cobb County's dominance on the boys side in the highest classification.

Traditionally, I think this is what the 19th time in 32 years that the Final Four was all Cobb County.

To have that kind of dominance, we get to see that.

Obviously with Pebblebrook and Wheeler at the end of things.

But to see that dominance out of one county, Cobb County, in the highest classification, what's it been like for you to see that be consistent as it is?

It's really impressive.

I mean, Cobb County and Gwinnett County, those are two.

It feels like the juggernauts, especially on the boys side of things at the highest classification, that just tells you just how good those programs are and how special it is to play.

And pebblebrook, they were the three seed coming out of the region.

They're playing for a state championship right now.

That just goes to show you how deep it is in Cobb County and how serious these programs take.

Basketball with travel ball, with training, with the high school programs, they build these players up and you get the best of the best, and you get nationally ranked teams.

And Wheeler versus Pebblebrook.

That's going to be a fun one.

No doubt.

Last question, and this is a question that a lot of folks have been curious about.

Oh, wow.

It's an origin story.

Oh, oh.

The bow tie.

Oh man.

Because this is one of the things that has always set Kayle apart.

And it is this bad boy here.

Those of us of a certain vintage usually go north and south.

Kyle goes east and west with his stuff around the neck.

Where did that idea come from?

Wow.

When people zig, I love to zag.

That's been me my entire life.

I guess my parents, they always go against the grain.

I don't know, bow ties, just a little bit different.

I like to be kind of a colorful personality.

I'm fairly quiet when I just sit here on media, but when I see the, the big timers, like, whatever, I gotta open up a little bit.

It's so much fun.

Just an expression of how much I love the game of basketball to be here.

Dress up all colorful.

Hey, it's a fun time.

And the suit, the suit and the coat always crushes.

As always, he's got to go to work.

Kind of like kind of like with Larry and Cairo coming up here in a bit, but go to work.

It's great to see you.

Thank you sir.

One of the one of the staples of high school hoops here in the state of Georgia.

Kyle.

Sandy, Sandy spiel.

Follow him on all the socials.

As the kids say these days, I don't know if it's IG, the grammar, Insta, whichever.

It's all of the above.

Follow him if you want to know anything and everything about what's going on here in high school hoops here in the state of Georgia, he's going to go to work.

I'm going to send it back to Midtown Nikk that's the early run as we are two matches, two games down and the third one coming up here in a sec.

All right.

Wait, Nelly.

Hang on 1 second.

First of all.

Oh.

Kyle describes southeast Macon much like you, colorful and loud.

So here's what I got for you.

Now.

I don't think he can hear me, so you're going to have to relay this to him.

But can Kyle check in with the boss?

Maybe bring one of his extra bow ties in order for you to wear tomorrow?

Because it seems like colorful and colorful should go together.

I get this, okay, so Nikk has made a request.

Oh, boy.

And she's wondering if you have an extra bow tie for me for tomorrow for the early shift, considering you said it was going to be loud and colorful.

That's you.

Jackie is wondering if check with your boss.

I mean, my boss, she wanted, you know, look, she'll want to wear, you know, if she wants me to get a bow tie, she'll take pictures, and she'll save the video forever.

But do you have an extra?

This is a Nike request we need, and my boss is going to literally.

She is going to scream and run around the house if she sees me wearing a bow tie.

Do you have an extra one that is of a darker shade?

Because that's kind of where I am with my clothes this week, that I can at least hold on camera and maybe model a bit.

Although I know that Nicki's going to want me to sit there and wear the thing.

Do you have any spares, sir?

I do, oh, I do have one.

What you've.

Done that is slightly dark, so it could potentially it could fit with anything you wear.

Right on.

Okay.

Just get one.

The challenge.

Has been leading, Nelly.

I feel like.

You said.

Okay, so one that goes with anything.

You see this she Nikk is off and running now.

I overheard you.

Say Instagram and then you called it the grammar.

So you know, you're showing your age and Sellers, if you will.

The Insta, the IG or the gram.

I don't know which one of these it is supposed to be called these days.

That's why I went with choice D all the above.

I know.

That's why I went that direction.

Kyle just needs to help us out.

He needs to bring you an extra bow tie.

We're going to elevate the look a little bit, bring you into the fashion game.

It's going to be great.

Elevate the look.

I'm just.

Saying okay so so what the boss.

So the boss with the boss puts together for me is okay.

But to elevate it we're going with bow tie.

We're just.

Going to bring you down a little bit like into our generation.

We got you.

Wow.

We're going to broaden your horizons.

Me into your generation, broadening my horizons with the bow tie tomorrow.

See, that's where her rationale is coming from.

Yeah.

I love that we're getting younger.

I'm in.

Trouble, you and me, at the same time.

I'm in trouble.

I'm in trouble with this.

See.

Kyle said it.

You were colorful and loud, so we're just going to take it up a notch, that's all.

We're going to make you colorful and loud with the bow tie.

Colorful and loud.

Colorful and loud with the bow tie.

That's what Nikk is looking for.

Tomorrow we can.

Make that.

See what you've done.

Are you happy now?

We can do this.

You happy now?

You're built for this.

Kyle, I know this, but are you happy now?

Oh, I'm always ecstatic.

Okay, just.

Just checking.

All right.

Nick.

Take it away.

Get ready for another.

Game that he passed you and you grabbed him to do this interview.

He's like, please, just let me go.

I'm trying to let the man work.

Nick.

I'm trying to let the man go back to work.

He's the busiest man in the business short of us this week.

Let him go.

Let the man go back to work.

Yes.

Okay.

I'll take it from here.

Nelly, go back to work.

We'll see you in a bit.

All right.

It's a while down there in the Macon Coliseum, so we have gotten to witness some incredible student athletes all season long.

Not just in basketball.

And in fact, we have a student athlete named Harper Beckham.

She's a volleyball player out of Richmond Academy.

And she's an ace in more ways than one.

Take a. Look.

She's just so driven to accomplish the goals.

I started kind of in between seventh and eighth grade, never playing before.

She really did get a late start, but she.

She worked her tail off to catch up is what she did.

You know, if we don't have a good setter, then the hitters can't do what they need to do with the ball.

So that takes repetition and learning and thinking and knowing what to do instinctively.

And she's she's got that.

And to me, that's what makes her exceptional at what she does.

It's a really hard position to play.

It takes a lot of focus, a lot of really quick decisions.

You can be the most athletic person in the room, but you have to be able to make those split second decisions and make smart choices to benefit your team.

What a great story there.

By Harper.

Can't wait to continue to watch her career grow.

All right, well, we're going to bring back in Nelly from the Macon Coliseum.

Speaking of split decision split decisions that Harper was saying in her video, kind of like you and me the past 5 minutes.

Nelly.

Let's go ahead.

Okay, so no, you're not escaping this.

You're not escaping this at all.

So the boss was watching.

I love it, she was watching.

Is she in?

Here's her.

Here's her response.

Okay.

Turned over to your game.

Nikk is criticizing the attire.

Question mark.

I am crushed.

Two laughing emojis.

Not success.

And tomorrow you will either.

And tomorrow you will go with either the green or blue.

So she is laid out my wardrobe.

And that is the challenge for both you and Kyle.

She's crushed basically.

Oh no.

What you were saying about the wardrobe?

No, she's not crushed.

We're not.

We're not criticizing your current outfit.

We were with you next to Kyle.

It would be a unique presence to have two bow ties going hand in hand.

He said he was a colorful personality.

The bow tie went with him, and I was like, oh, you're a colorful personality.

You should give the bow tie a try.

That's all.

Maybe he's.

Got a you need to have a conversation.

You need to have a conversation with the boss.

Considering that Kyle has extra bow ties for tomorrow.

So we'll see.

We'll see what Kyle brings out of his his, you know, his, his hermetically sealed box that he has for all of his bow ties.

Oh, yeah.

What do you want to talk about with games?

What's on your mind from the games?

All right, so let's can we go ahead and take a look?

The powers that be back in the production room.

If we can go ahead and pull.

Up the.

Yes, the the TV magic thing.

What do you do John?

You go like this, you go the TV magic thing.

Yes, the TV magic thing.

Kind of like I Dream of Jeannie.

You sit there and you go like this.

Okay, well, we were going to show the scores and the schedules, but I don't know if we have enough time, so we're going to go ahead and we're going to go ahead and wrap up our countdown to tip off.

John Nelson, as always, thanks for doing that little tap dance that you do.

We're so grateful for you being live there in Macon.

That'll do it for our countdown to tip off show here in Midtown.

Coming up next, we've got the girls for a matchup of the number one versus the number two Marist versus Kell.

Matt and Kell or Larry and Kelsey.

They're about to call a great game.

You don't want to miss it.

Keep it right here on GPB.

Coming up next.

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.

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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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