Welcome in to our 2026 GHSA boys and girls High school basketball state championship coverage.

We're live on Georgia Public Broadcasting, where over the next four days, we're going to be crowning 17 state champions.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer, thank you so much for joining us.

We look forward to hanging out with you guys all the way until Saturday.

But first today is our first official day where we're crowning four champions.

Let's go ahead and take a look of what's to come today.

First up we've got the private girls classification Holy Innocents versus Hebron Christian.

And then we have the private boys game between Holy Innocents and Darlington.

And then we've got at 445, a boys three point contest that you don't want to miss.

530 we've got the three a girls game of Heritage Catoosa versus Sandy Creek, and then our nightcap of the evening.

It's the three a boys of Cross Creek versus Harlem.

So that's a look at today.

And don't forget, we've got more great matchups coming up live from the Macon Coliseum all the way till Saturday.

You'll want to keep it right here on GPB.

Coming up in just a few moments, we'll have our friends Larry Smith and Kelsey Rogers calling the girls private.

A classification championship.

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

We've got a great matchup to start off our coverage here this week.

It's the girls private championship.

Last year's defending champs, the Holy Innocents Golden Bears at 24-6 taking on the team they beat last year.

The Lions of Hebron Christian at 20:09 and one.

And we were here courtside here in the Macon Coliseum.

Glad you're here with us, Larry Smith, Kelsey Rogers.

We've been talking about this matchup here for several days now.

You know, it is one thing to have a couple of teams that are among the best in the state.

These two are among the very best in the nation.

And again, a rematch of last year's championship game.

This is how you want to start the GHSA state championships right here.

Two powerhouse teams with powerhouse players not only known here in Georgia, but nationally around the country.

Here.

This is a real treat and a matchup from last year.

Yeah, it really is.

So looking at first in terms of the players to watch for Hebron Christian, it's a player who, by the way, on this court last year there were six players in this game last year that played Division one basketball this season.

And this is somebody that's going to be playing on the next level next year as well.

She certainly will.

Gabby Minus region eight player of the year can score at all three levels.

Expect her to do a little bit of everything, although she has a really good nucleus around her.

Yeah.

Great defender.

Meanwhile, on the other side for Holy Innocents Aaniyah Branch one of the top defensive players in the entire state.

And Defensive Player of the year in region five.

For that exact reason, she is a disruptor on the inside.

Not only defensively does she change shots, but offensively those put backs and those rebounds are going to be key.

If they're going to repeat a championship.

That's right.

And meanwhile leading the way on the coaches for the bench right now for Hebron Christian Jan Azar 22 years at Wesleyan.

Seventh year here at Hebron Christian.

And she is going for here for her sixth year in a row here in the championship game.

I mean, what can you say about Jan Azar?

She has several championships at Westland now, has come to Hebron, implemented that same winning culture and is trying to do it again here with Hebron.

That's right.

Meanwhile, on the other side, we'll talk more about the coach for Holy Innocents Nathan Teymer in his first year, replacing Nicole Dixon, who left to take a job in Tennessee in the off season.

Today's game, brought to you by Breda Pest Management with Breda.

You don't have to be afraid of bugs.

Our officials for the game Brian Cole, Tyler Adams and Brittany Larkins again, the first comp first competition today we go all the way through Saturday night with all the championships here in the state of Georgia.

Hebron Christian wearing white Holy Innocents and their maroon colors and very quickly it is the Lions getting winning the tip.

Michael Robbins looking inside for Minus and up and in.

Great ball movement right there.

Now you see a full court press coming.

Can Holy Innocents handle this pressure?

Make that Kobi Barnes on the first floor.

The 16 senior in the foul right away.

First foul of this game as we take a look at the starting lineups.

You can see here for Holy Innocents.

McMasters.

Weaver, Weaver, Branch and Murray.

The two sisters there.

Good looking Kobi Barnes.

Hebron Christian.

Stadler plays in the moment.

Great defense in the backcourt.

Minus up gets her own board.

Loriel Murray.

Two quick fouls on both sides of the floor.

There.

Really want to try to see if both of these teams can get a flow to this game.

Looking for a lot of Beckham right there.

Heading to Georgia next year.

Trying to get inside for Minus.

Nice defense there.

By Branch a 64 sophomore knocks the ball out of bounds.

It'll stay here.

Hebron Christian ball.

That's the disruption that we're talking about.

Holy Innocents is going to have to dominate inside the paint.

We've got good Hight inside with Branch at six for Loriel Murray at 63.

Minus can't get that to go.

Rebound by Branch.

Here come the bears and Holy Innocents.

Makayla Weaver up and in for the first basket for the bears.

Great job handling that pressure.

Great defensive pressure for the bears.

Three point attempt by Beckham is no Barnes.

And they'll say she traveled.

One more look at this by Michaela Weaver.

Great move here to get free and get the basket to go.

She used every tool in our toolbox right there to get past Beckham.

Only a junior averages ten points a game for Holy Innocents 24-6 They enter this game trying to win back to back championships, their fourth in six years as well, and McMasters loses the ball.

It's tied up.

It'll stay on this end.

Bears basketball.

Jan Azar we talked about, she said.

Her husband said he keeps track of things.

24th championship game appearance in her career.

She is no stranger to these games and knowing how to win and getting her team prepared to win.

Deyla Weaver.

Branch trying to get it inside.

Loriel Murray there.

The shot clock runs out.

They weren't aware of the time on the clock and a turnover.

Time management.

You.

You have got to.

And there's coach Nathan Teymer not happy with that.

But you know you should be hearing from the bench at those those moments, whether it's the coach or the players yelling out saying hey, shot clock is down to five.

Coach Teymer coming in first year.

He mentioned three years in the past three seasons as the associate head coach for the Texas State University women's team.

He has some big shoes to fill.

He does.

Dixon coming in here last year, winning.

Oh, she has set the tone for what Holy Innocents expectation is for women's basketball.

We'll talk about that as the game goes on in transition, that he had.

McMasters gets that around.

And in Atlanta, McMasters the senior with her first three of the game and a 52 lead.

Now for Holy Innocents.

Gabby Minus a 61 senior.

One more look at this nice shooter's touch here by the senior McMasters.

Kick out.

Find your senior there.

Gets the nice touch and roll.

Loriel Murray.

Nice release on that.

Holy Innocents by the way, playing this season without their star junior Nakhai Worthy played just one game and she's a top 60 recruit across the country in the class of 2027.

Now, if you're looking at this with a glass half full kind of view, right?

She went out early in the season.

So Holy Innocents has really had time to make that adjustment of how they want to play and being able to play without her all season long.

Barnes gets one of two free throws.

A couple of substitutions now into the game.

44 Taryn Dixon number 33 St.

Wacker 53.

Freshman in the game.

Now for Hebron Christian.

Lions down by two.

Makayla Weaver.

Trying to get it to McMasters Cross court.

Always out of bounds off K.brown stay bears basketball Holy Innocents Coach Azar.

Makenzie Weaver the 53 sophomore younger sister to Michaela.

Gets it inside and in Loriel Murray a couple of baskets early in the 73 lead.

Now for Holy Innocents.

Skip pass knocked away there and a lot of contact.

We'll say no foul on the play.

And a 442 left on the clock.

And we will take a break as well.

Step aside.

Fast and furious so far in our first action here of the day and Macon.

It's the private girls championship.

Holy Innocents the early lead 7-3 We're back with more action from Macon after this.

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All set.

And back here, live inside Macon Coliseum.

Take a look there at Coach Jan Azar talking about her career.

You know, when she first took to Wesleyan job years ago, she was the only one who wanted the job.

She won four games in that first year there and a bunch of trailers and of course, a legendary career ever since.

You know, some people just have that gritty mentality, grit and Jan Azar go together.

She was not afraid to take on that job.

She knew she wanted to be a coach, had a small, short stint, she said at Auburn.

Not enough to even say she was on the roster, but she knew coaching was her call and it certainly has been in the state of Georgia.

She has been a staple in the women's basketball game.

Absolutely.

You can talk about, again, her sixth straight year in the championship game, trying to get the victory she could not get last year in this game, as Holy Innocents was the one that got it done.

Beckham up and in.

Can't get it to go.

But she's fouled and she'll go to the line and shoot a couple.

Branch has to be careful.

I know she has those long arms, but she has to be careful not to get into foul trouble.

Her and Murray both with one personal foul.

Here at Beckham, her older sister playing at Georgia as a freshman and she will join her there next year.

Trouble the free-throw line here early for Hebron Christian.

Beckham only a 59% free-throw shooter.

Some a part of her game that is room for growth.

Yes.

Hebron Christian just one a four at the line here in the early minutes for this championship.

Tilt.

A quick foul there by Michael Robbins junior.

That's her first foul.

Against Makayla Weaver coach talked about Weaver just being just wants to get downhill.

Very aggressive.

And you can see that here already.

Absolutely.

The guards for Holy Innocents really have a huge test in this game.

Weaver for three.

That's off now.

Ball be off heaven.

That was Minus trying to collect the rebound.

Couldn't do it out of bounds for Holy Innocents.

Get into the double team.

Gets it out for Massie.

McMasters for another three.

Rebound on the ground.

Beckham getting out ahead to the freshman.

She couldn't save it though.

McMasters with the block.

Great job there by Sage Wacker just to keep that ball in play.

But McMasters a good defense.

And it should be Holy Innocents ball.

You take a look at this replay here.

Great job by McMasters to block it.

And then it's the ball did go.

You can't see it in that play.

But the ball went out on Sage Walker's fingertips.

And now they're going to adjust the call.

Saige Walker nice job just to save that for Walker.

What a great job.

By McMasters.

Both coaches screaming it's our ball.

I think the officials got it right though.

It should be Holy Innocents ball.

Full court press there they beat it.

McMasters.

Nice job getting the ball up.

Another hand check.

Foul 15 Mia Huckaby.

57.

Junior just in the game.

Gets her first foul very quickly.

Makenzie Weaver up top.

Branch plenty of time in the shot clock.

Kobi Reckley by Branch.

And she's fouled.

Starting to rack up here.

That's Kobi Barnes.

Gets her first foul.

For total team fouls now.

So with 333 left Holy Innocents is in that bonus downhill as you mentioned for Weaver.

Let's get it inside to our bigs and go downhill.

Nice pop out by Branch.

Can't get that to go.

Here come the Lions Gabby Minus that brace and her knee had an ACL injury.

Kept her out for most of last year, and didn't rejoin the team until mid-December this year.

Beckham on the drive and pop and it's off the backboard and she'll be shooting a couple.

And that's a huge play in this game that is branch's second personal foul.

Here you take a look at the replay.

Beckham going downhill.

Branch swinging to try to block the shot and stay instead of staying vertical.

Another miss for Beckham Walker coming back in now and place of Robbins for Hebron Christian.

And correction that's Murray with her second.

Okay.

Not Branch they call that on 52 Murray.

Not 25.

Okay.

Very good.

Beckham gets the mix one of two.

Now.

More substitutions coming in again.

Coach talked about she's had 20 different starting lineups this year for Hebron Christian.

She said you know she it keeps her girls working keeps busy.

They don't want to get a set starting lineup until they get to the playoffs.

But all of these players have started at some point in the season for Hebert.

You know, just it's credit to what she has built down there at Hebron when anybody can kind of step up and earn your stripes.

I like that old school mentality.

Full court press pays off.

Beckham and can't get that to go.

But she was out of bounds on the rebound.

But great aggressive play there.

On the full court press Taryn Dixon number 44 now.

MRE Hebron Christian.

No problem breaking the press there.

Smart job by Parker Smith to bring that back out.

She saw her giants on the inside.

That's Amana Friend.

In the game now number three.

Amana Friend is going to be called for that personal foul.

So it will send Holy Innocents Makenzie Weaver to the free-throw line for two shots for the bonus.

Parker Smith.

Meanwhile, refraction issue there with the jersey number three as Parker Smith.

Makenzie Weaver just a sophomore.

Hits them both Holy Innocents with their biggest lead of the game now at nine for Beckham quickly into the front court puts it up and that won't go tough shooting so far.

Hebron Christian just 25% shooting here in the early going.

Weaver can't get that to go but is calling for a foul.

That may be on Dixon and it is.

It's her first.

Thought that was a good call by the official.

A little bit too much body contact there.

Again.

Weaver sister driving to the basket probably stands about five foot one, five foot two there.

But relentless.

Getting downhill.

So Makenzie Weaver.

Misses that.

Let's check our lineups now for you.

Minus comes back in the game for Hebron Christian along with Walker.

Alyssa Craig is in the game now.

Number one.

Amana Friend in the game.

Gabby Minus gets it back in the game as well.

Shot is off.

Out of bounds to the bears.

Both Weaver in the game for Holy Innocents, Michaela and Mackenzie.

McMasters also is in Parker Smith.

We have a time-out right now here on the court.

Holy Innocents is really done a decent job right now controlling that press that Hebron is throwing at them.

Again, I feel like if these guards for Holy Innocents can help and get past this press defense, they're going to have a good shot to win this game because the guards on Hebron are just stellar athletes and high IQ players.

Absolutely.

Good luck there at the Holy Innocents bench.

Here's the Hebron huddle now trying to reset some things again.

Just the poor shooting 17% shooting right now.

Just one of six at the free-throw line as well.

Just two of six.

It's been a tough night for turnovers as well.

Has really hurt this Hebron Christian team.

Yeah.

And Hebron his averaged 83 points per game since the regular season.

So this environment the depth perception it is real.

Nice stop and pop there.

Michaela Weaver gets it to go.

It's a 124 lead now for Holy Innocents.

The defensive pressure causing some problems right now for Hebron Christian.

Trying to get some offense going.

Walker up and in.

What a move.

Sage Walker with a big time play there.

I like these little guards.

They are relentless getting to the basket right now.

Cuts the lead down to six Weaver.

And she's called for the offensive foul.

In these last couple of shots here.

Great job here by Weaver to get this up and in the two guards you mentioned Weaver there.

And then on the other side Walker nifty move here.

Good body control getting to the basket.

Second kicks it out.

Branch with the rebound and the jump ball.

Beckham stays aggressive.

It'll be Hebron Christian ball.

Great job there.

By Beckham.

Looks like Branch might have gotten poked in the eye.

And that's a play.

It's an unfortunate, maybe incidental contact, but you still got to secure that ball.

One more look at this play on the rebound.

Beckham might have got her a little bit initially.

Good block there.

By Branch.

What a presence she is inside.

She saw out of the other eye for that blocked shot.

That's right.

Minus has been quiet so far.

Jumper from 15 back iron Makenzie Weaver the rebound.

Gets the big sister Michaela setting things up now for the bears 24-6 on the season trying to win their second straight state championship.

Smith thought about it, steps aside and gets it to go Parker Smith off the bench with her first basket.

There's some extra points that if you're coach Nathan right there, you're liking that.

Defense again steal by McMasters.

Bears defense been outstanding here in these opening minutes.

30s to go until the end of the quarter three second difference game clock and shot clock.

And coach Teymer calling out to just wait for one shot.

Good time management use of the game clock right here.

No need to rush for a shot.

And coach talked about Weaver.

He said you know she's been really good at just knowing when to stop and when to just to pace herself.

Branch the rebound.

Can't get that to go.

Weaver just short Holy Innocents can't get one more basket, but won an opening quarter for the bears 146.

And the great defense forcing five turnovers here in the opening 8 minutes.

And this has been so far everything we thought it would be early on Holy Innocents on both ends of the court, up by eight.

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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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8 minutes in the books.

We're about to start the second quarter here in the Macon Coliseum.

The girl's private championship.

It's the Holy Innocents, the winner of this title game last year against Hebron Christian.

Out to the good start early 146 for first year coach Nathan Teymer.

Yeah, Holy Innocents is really came out and answered all the questions that I had coming into this game.

The guard play.

Could they handle that press defense and the inside presence has just been phenomenal.

Right now Hebron really has to get Minus going.

Yeah he really do this.

Holy Innocents team, by the way, allowed 50 points only four times the entire season.

And you could see why the kind of defense they play.

Second half a lot of steals a quick hands already blocked three shots already.

And trying to make this a ten point lead here.

If they can.

Good pressure there in the backcourt.

Branch has been outstanding.

That poke in the eye.

Not any problems for her.

Weaver gets down hill and the chance for the.

And one that's on the foul on Walker.

Playing like a pig I love it.

Michaela Weaver coming up strong again taking it strong to the basket.

Larry I love players that can finish with contact.

Absolutely at the line.

It's Weaver already six points in the game trying to make it seven and make it an 11 point lead.

But she can't do that.

This is the free throw.

Minus the rebound.

Here comes Beckham Beckham coast to coast.

Nice dish inside.

Trying to get it to Nariah Nelson to get her involved but knocked away.

It'll stay here.

Lions basketball call from coach Azar.

Beckham another player on this team that really needs to get something going offensively.

Nelson free ball won't go.

Good hustle on the rebound and.

Out of bounds.

Will be out of bounds.

Out of bounds to Holy Innocents.

Another.

A lot of loose balls.

Not going the way of Hebron Christian as well in this game.

Yeah.

And you know Loose balls is all about effort.

Smith McMasters Branch working inside.

And Weaver call for the travel.

Turnover.

Holy Innocents Holy Innocents winning the rebounding battle so far, 119.

Michigan, four blocked shots.

We talked about Aaniyah Branch the job she has done.

And finally a three pointer.

Going and getting on the board.

That's Mia Huckaby the junior and the lead is cut down to seven.

Coach Jan Azar really trying to find who's going to step up in this game for her right now.

Good pressure up top jump ball and that will go the way of Hebron Christian.

Second time he reached in.

And taking the ball away.

There's another look pitching it up the floor to her guard.

Mia Huckaby knocking down that three-point shot.

First three of the game after five misses for Hebron Christian seven point deficit.

Trying to whittle away more.

Walker looking to penetrate good defense there by Weaver.

Beckham Kemp pass other side for Huckaby for three.

Again.

15.

That's interesting.

They're going to call the three.

But that pass hit the bottom of that promotion.

Alpha insurance.

That's right.

Nice job there by Weaver to beat this press caused some problems and it's got the Lions back into this game.

Branch the jumper in and out.

Walker the rebound.

Here comes Hebron Christian down by four.

Huckaby again.

This time it's blocked.

Branch is there.

Minus inside the.

She'll go to the line to shoot a couple.

Good ball movement.

Great pass right there.

Excellent.

Your shooter right there in the corner.

At the line for Hebron Christian.

Jim O'Neill.

Huckaby averages 6.3 points per game.

She's got six points in this half.

Back to back threes to get the Lions back in the game.

Minus a 72% free-throw shooter.

Knocks down the first.

I like the second effort she gave on that play.

Giving herself an opportunity.

Those mid range shots are not falling.

And again the depth perception is real in here.

So trying to get downhill closer to the basket.

Second effort gets fouled.

Free throws can get you motivated and get going as well.

Sasha Thompson in the game for McMasters for Holy Innocents and Minus, who's headed to play for Tennessee next year, hitting both those free throws.

Massie Alyssa Craig come out.

Nariah Nelson back in again.

The Lions a very deep team, very talented.

Full court press causing problems again for Weaver and they're going to call a foul here in the backcourt.

Ryan Nelson is going to be called for that foul.

Out of bounds.

Hebron Christian now on an 8-0 run.

The Weaver sister that ball coming right at us.

Smith on the drive.

Weaver in.

What a first half here for Michaela.

Weaver stops that run.

Huckaby for three.

That's off.

Makenzie Weaver.

Thompson for three.

That's short.

Huckaby and Smith battling for the rebound.

Tied up.

It'll stay here.

Holy Innocents ball.

Holy Innocents up 18 14 5:30 to go here in the second quarter.

That's the hustle that you're looking for if you're coach Jan Azar right there getting on the floor.

Sage Walker has really come in and given a spark off the bench for Hebron.

Weaver gets it in to Ssmith 20 on the shot clock back to Makayla Weaver five three.

Junior spark plug of this offense.

And she's called for the push off offensive foul call coming the other way.

And we see Hebron with the offense kind of sparking their play.

The defensive effort as well.

The full court press.

But those 23 pointers by Huckaby really changing the game.

Beckham from 15.

And that's what's getting them starting to grow right here offensively.

Another deflection by Sage Walker.

This game is about anyone who's five foot two and below right now these guards on both sides.

They have been outstanding fun to watch.

It's a 4:51 to go here.

In the second quarter.

We will take a time-out.

Fast and furious action here in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

Hebron Christian has gotten back into this game.

I said I never joined.

Never knew how strong I was joining the Navy.

Sounds crazy.

Saying never actually is.

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Breda.

They handle bugs and critters.

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

Dot info.

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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.

Right back here in Macon.

Today's game, by the way, brought to you by Breda Pest Management.

With Breda.

You don't have to be afraid of bugs.

We appreciate their support of Georgia high school sports here on GPB.

We're just beginning here our first of four days of competition here at the Macon Coliseum.

4:51 to go until halftime.

A good look there at Jan Azar, her coach, her team going on an 8-0 run as they were down by ten.

Closing the gap.

Now to 18 16 behind Holy Innocents.

The full court press paying off dividends.

Goodin Lions.

Thompson working against Walker needs to hurry and she gets it across.

Just relentless.

Beckham on the steal, gets it to Walker and the guards as you mentioned getting it done.

It's a tie game.

Beckham to Walker right there.

Again this pressure defense Hebron is showing.

They got called for some early fouls early on making that adjustment.

Right now though it's paying off.

It really is.

Smith for three.

That won't go Beckham on the rebound and they'll call her for a try.

Coach Jan Azar is over there scratching her head.

There.

You see a look at that tenacious defense.

Beckham coming in, finding Sage Walker, who has been a huge spark off the bench.

With a great support presence too.

To see Walker wide open.

Great defensive effort.

Just Lions team is back in this championship game.

Branch takes a look.

Weaver for three.

That's not good.

Makayla Weaver the rebound short.

Beckham gets the board given a chance to take the lead.

Walker gets it to Huckaby who has six points in the game, going inside and knocked away, but not before she was fouled by Smith.

Parker Smith has to know that her big Branch is down there ready to adjust those shots.

There's no need to reach in from the outside there, as Branch swats that away.

Hebron hasn't led since the opening minutes, when Kobi Barnes hit a jumper in the very first of the game.

And for the first time, they have the lead again.

Huckaby a 76% free-throw shooter, knocks down that first one.

Hebron now on a 132 run.

Wow.

This is the second to a one point lead.

Now for the Lions 1918 3:40 to go until halftime.

Minus with the block on Weaver and the takeaway Gabby Minus now leading the break.

Minus.

That's off.

Huckaby.

And in what a first half for Mia Huckaby.

21 18.

Hebron Christian the full court press again.

And they're going to time-out.

Hebron Christian at Holy Innocents.

Coach Teymer saw that his team player was in trouble and called a time-out instead of the turnover.

There's a last basket there.

A couple looks at it Huckaby.

And I think that's a wise time-out right there.

If you're coach Nathan, your team getting a little stressed with this defensive pressure that's coming at you right now.

He brought on a 7-0 run a 15-2 run.

So well worth the time to get some of these starters back in the game.

Get that composure back where he needs it to be.

Yeah we just saw just now he's going to have Loriel Murray the 63 sophomore coming back.

And she missed some games this year averaging 16 points per game.

Almost a double double.

McMasters also subbing in as well.

So again going back to that original five here trying to the players that have the composure to have the most experience on the floor.

L'Oreal got into that foul trouble early on, so she had to sit.

But can they get past this full court press that Hebron is throwing at them.

Causing a lot of problems?

As we're talking to coach, you know, they started the season.

0-3 new head coach and the players same assistant coach said it took some time for them to gel, but they've done so here late in the season.

Holy Innocents, meanwhile, can they solve this defense now and more of a three quarter press instead?

Weaver beats that.

What a difference Walker has made in this game.

Number 33.

Just a freshman.

Murray turnaround won't go -21 18 Hebron on top and trying to add to it.

Beckham trying to get it back to Minus tipped away Minus with a nice move inside and won't go.

Nelson the rebound Beckham for three short.

Nelson has the ball taken away, knocked out of bounds.

It will stay here.

Efficient basketball.

Nice job there by Branch fighting for the rebound.

Absolutely.

I like the effort that the insides are giving for Holy Innocents right now.

Hebron not able to connect from the outside yet.

Still two for 11 from outside.

Both of those outside three pointers coming from Huckaby.

Meanwhile, Holy Innocents shooting has really pulled off 60% early, just 33% right now.

And the three pointer by Alanna make that Nariah Nelson.

And so now the three ball is going for their biggest lead in the game at 24:18.

I think she wanted to make me look bad.

So that's three for 12.

Now I hear you Nelson.

I got you any motivation I can give you.

Another steal.

Nelson.

Lions trying to push.

Nelson rejected by Branch, but they're going to call her for a foul.

Nelson knocking down that three-point shot.

Here's a look at the replay.

Nelson getting in.

Just too much body contact.

Official puts a whistle.

Branch.

That's her second foul.

Makayla Weaver also with two fouls for the bears free throw.

Woes continue as Nelson misses both.

Still.

24 18 Hebron on top of Holy Innocents approaching the two minute mark here until halftime, private girls championship and a ten second call.

The defense by Beckham pays off.

He can't get across the timeline instead, so another turnover.

That's 11 turnovers.

Now for Hebron Christian.

For Holy Innocents that was yeah a ten second backcourt violation.

Good pickup by the official.

Yeah Holy Innocents correction 11 turnovers five.

Thank you for the Hebron Christian.

And kudos to this Hebron defense.

Really you talked about it.

Saige Walker really turning it up defensively.

The turnover there by Beckham trying to get it back.

Walker with a nice save to Minus turns and puts it in.

Oh my goodness what a sequence.

26 18 Hebron Christian.

Minus with five points.

Now.

And another steal.

Hebron Christian has sped up Holy Innocents and it has paid off.

And it doesn't pay off there.

Gets beat up on the other way.

Throw the ball away.

One more look at that last basket by Walker.

What a save.

What a spark plug she has been in this game.

She certainly has.

She is all over the place defensively.

Offensively.

That effort right there is really what has gotten Hebron off to this this second win that they've pushed through with.

This was a 16 six game at one point, a 20-2 run for Hebron Christian.

Won 20-5 to go.

Kayla Weaver up and in.

Gets that to go.

Gets it around the outstretched arm of 62.

Kobi Barnes.

Weaver now in double digits with ten points.

Barnes gets it to go.

Shot starting to fall.

Now for Leroy.

Christiaan.

28 21 0-3 left to go.

Murray rejected by Minus.

But will they get her for the foul?

And they will.

Gabby Minus that's her first foul of the game.

Look at that mid-range jump shot by Barnes.

Nice touch there.

Two shots for Murray.

The 63 sophomore puts the first one in.

We talked about this Holy Innocents team at the top of the broadcast here.

Playing without Nakhai Worthy the outstanding junior top 60 recruit.

Leading scorer 17 points.

She had in that one game.

She played Murray Murray another picking up the slack as she hits both free throws.

Makes it a 28 22 Hebron Christian lead with 1:01 to go until halftime.

It doesn't matter how you find the points, Larry.

You just got to find the points right now, whether it's at the free-throw line or getting downhill to the basket.

Trying to find a way Barnes working inside up and in.

30 22 0:45 to go.

Kayla Weaver.

25 seconds on the shot clock.

34 in the game clock.

Hebron Christian will get the ball one more time.

Murray with the fadeaway.

Gets that to go.

What a. Tough shot by Murray fadeaway in front of Minus.

That is a matchup to watch.

It is.

30 24 Hebron Christian holding for the final shot.

10 seconds.

Try to get it inside for Minus.

McMasters with the steal 1 second on the clock and she didn't get it off in time off the backboard.

But what a finishing sequence by the Hebron Christian Lions down by ten.

They responded in a big way, forcing 12 turnovers for Holy Innocents for the six point lead at halftime.

Huckaby one of the stars off the bench.

She's got nine points.

Can they come through and win their fourth title in the last decade?

We'll find out.

We're at halftime here on GPB.

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Home.

Welcome in to our GPB half time show.

We're spending the next four days crowning 17 state champions.

When it comes to boys and girls basketball.

Thanks so much for joining us.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer.

It's currently halftime of the girls private.

A matchup between Holy Innocents and Hebron Christian.

The Lions are over the Golden Bears right now by six.

The score at the half is 30-24 All Hebron Christian.

And what an exciting game.

It's a rematch of last year's state championship, but this year the Lions have the upper hand.

Well, this is just our first game of the day.

We can go ahead and take a look at the scoreboard for the rest of the day, because we've got three more matchups coming up for you today at 3:00.

We've got the private boys matchup of Holy Innocents versus Darlington.

At 4:45.

We've got a fun Boy's 3-Point Contest 530.

It's the three a girls matchup of Heritage Catoosa versus Sandy Creek.

And then at 730, we've got the three A boys of Cross Creek versus Harlem.

Well, we've been able to highlight some incredible student athletes thanks to our friends over at You Save It pharmacy and today's special athlete.

We've got Jada Pinkins.

She is a softball star from Thomas County Central.

And man, check her story out because she can do it all.

Jaden is a great program player.

She's the epitome of what you want as a teammate and as a player.

She's just going to do what she has to do to the best of her ability, and that's how she leads.

Probably be easier to say what she doesn't do.

She plays about every sport that's offered.

I play for sports, softball, flag football, basketball, track.

But I think it just shows just how special she is that she can excel, not just participate in, but excel at every sport that she plays.

Congratulations again to Jada.

Hope she's having a good softball season.

Nelly.

It's the end of basketball season.

You've just been dilly dallying all season long with basketball, haven't you?

Where are you?

You're not next to me.

It's weird.

I don't like it.

Well, I am Nikk.

I am next to you.

It's just in double boxes this weekend.

I'm down here on the floor of the Macon Coliseum and the Macon Centreplex.

And I have a question for my two guests.

Traditionally, I always like to say that I'm in the principal's office.

But when you're with heads of school, am I at office?

A.M.

I in what?

What office am I in?

Do we have an official name for this guys?

Do we have do we have a name?

I don't know, maybe still in the principal's office.

Okay, so we're still in the principal's office.

We're all recovering principals.

There you go.

So we are in the principal's office.

It's time to catch up with Dr.

James Taylor.

Friend of us here at GPB head of school with Hebron Christian Academy and a first timer associate head of school, Dr.

Kenyatta Wynn.

Welcome once again to both of you and thanks for hanging out.

Great to.

Be here.

All right.

So since you are the new person, I'm going to go to you first.

What is this experience been like for you to come to this particular moment in time to see all of the student body that embrace themselves when it comes to everything at Holy Innocents and chasing after yet another title.

Yeah, it's very exciting.

You know, when you think about getting to this point in your athletic or student athletic career, it's one thing to have been there before.

It's another thing to show up.

And your young men and women are celebrating today.

So we are really excited at Holy Innocents.

Our students work really hard to prepare in the classroom, but also in those activities outside of the classroom.

And I think coming to a state championship is the pinnacle of all the hard work that they've done.

And having someone like Jan Azar with you, I mean, if I use the L word, she doesn't want that use.

That's right.

And any kind of a conversation living, living legend Jan Azar chasing after title 17.

I mean, it's got to be special to have someone like her as a role model on and off the court.

Yeah, she, she just knows how to she knows how to produce an athlete.

She knows how to really and truly get the best out of kids.

And that's why today is so special, because it is about that student culture.

You get to come together, see the young men, see the young women celebrating with the kids.

They're walking the hallways, hallways with during the day, but then get to see them jump into a special event like this today.

Okay, so I'm going to go snake.

I'm going to come back and you're still going to have the next question.

Got it.

What else is going on there that folks need to know about these days?

So, you know, one of the biggest things we're working on is we've just started a new special needs school called Lions Learning Academy.

We started it two years ago in kind of a soft start model.

We are super excited about that.

This next year, we'll have over 50 kids in there dealing with pretty serious cognitive and physical delay.

And it's just answering something that's really special.

We're seeing those students impact all 1,400 kids on our campus.

Just seeing what, what, and what an impact they are having on just the kindness of our of our campus.

Bookmark that.

That's fantastic.

Let me come back over here and go to the other side and find out what's going on at Holy Innocents.

Folks need to know about these days.

What do folks need to know.

About our students are excited about receiving their college acceptances, so that's really something that's resonating on campus right now.

We also just wrapped up SpongeBob, our musical.

We have an artist residence, artist in residence on campus, and we wrapped up Wellness Week.

So, you know, at Holy Innocents, the balance is really important to us, the community.

You can see it here with all of our students here, how important we think it is that we can learn but also play.

And so there are always exceptional things going on.

And we're really excited about the vibe on campus right now.

SpongeBob the musical.

I've heard of it.

I've seen it in bits and pieces, but I am now really intrigued about that.

So bookmark that.

Now, you mentioned the school, the genesis of the idea.

I want to go back to this and the impact that that kind of a school can have in reminding everyone else on campus that everyone is the same.

I think that that's really cool.

It's just it's the idea of being able to take kids who are already involved in so many things, and to just allow them to emphasize how will they relate to the world around them.

Right?

And so we try to provide those opportunities through mission trips, through the ways that they're involved.

And this is one of those practical ideas where our kids are deliberately and very specifically involved in that campus.

It's impacting our kids.

All right.

All right.

So then let me ask, this is the basketball time where we get to find out about the first 16 minutes.

So let me ask the two of you, what did you think of the first 16.

So boy, we came out so differently than I had ever seen.

You know, you're looking at the end of Q1 with a 16-6 now looking at 30-24 Our team started to play their game, which was really important.

So that 16-6 really was kind of shocking.

All of us on the sidelines looking at looking at that.

All right.

So then it was 166 and now it's 30 24.

What have you seen there in the first 16 minutes?

Yeah.

We have two exceptional teams playing today and it was really exciting to see the passion and the energy and the excitement that they came in with.

I feel like the Holy Innocents girls, led by Coach Teymer and his wonderful staff, really came out the gate ready to go.

We got in some early foul trouble.

And so I think with Lolo Murray on the bench, there was an opportunity you know, to kind of lose that run and she'll be back out there this time.

We're really excited.

And if I can I just want to say thank you to our fans and our students and to everyone.

Go bears.

Yeah.

Well yeah.

What she said so.

Okay.

And the interest of equal time.

Go for it.

Hey, we're going for the Lions today.

We're super excited about just the quality young women who are on who are on the play on the floor today, playing are phenomenal student athletes.

So they are emphasizing their grades, but they're also true women of character.

So go Lions.

Yeah.

And so we have go lions and bears.

All right.

So we're about a minute and a half left here in the segment.

If you could ask a question to your compatriot over here, head of school to associate head of school, what question do you have about Holy Innocents, sir?

WM what question would you like to ask?

How are you doing things?

How about how about volunteer opportunities off of campus?

I love hearing about those things.

Yeah, absolutely.

So service is actually part of our Episcopal Episcopal identity and our mission.

And so our students are always in service.

We're excited about also connecting with Sandy Springs, which is part of our strategic plan.

So we are always in service through our signature programs like our peak program and our global program, but just at a minimum, our students are always looking for opportunities outside of the community and within the community to ensure that we're leaning into what it means to, you know, be a people for a person, for others, and to serve others.

Fantastic.

Dr.

Wynn Dr.

Taylor, great to catch up with both of you.

That is the early story from Macon madness and the Macon Coliseum.

Nikk.

That's where we are right now.

It's a three v one break.

We'll send it back to you.

Yeah, that's where we are right now.

Thanks so much, Nelly.

Well, we've got more of the girl's private classification state championship game coming up after the break.

Our friends Larry and Kelsey, they'll have you covered.

Keep it right here on GPB.

We've got more basketball coming up.

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Halftime.

Wrapping up.

About to start the third quarter.

Here it is 30 24 score Quibron on top of Holy Innocents.

Thanks to for that big defense there in the second half.

Larry's been here at Kelsey Rogers.

What did you see out of this this Lions effort that really came on strong to get the lead here at halftime.

It was all about the defensive side of the ball for Hebron right there that converted everything into their offensive game, gave them that momentum.

They forced Holy Innocents into nine turnovers in that second period alone.

Yeah.

And that gave up 14 points.

We just talked with Coach Teymer from Holy Innocents and said, hey, he addressed that there at halftime.

They got to hold on to the ball, do the little things here to try to get this championship.

A 25th win of the season.

Coach Azar also by the way, big change for her.

She is keeping Sage Walker the 53 freshman.

It really was a spark plug on defense in that first half.

She starts the second half in place of Nariah Nelson who surely we will see in this second half here for Hebron Christian Robbins with the three point attempt and it goes out of bounds.

Holy Innocents ball.

Also watching the foul trouble right now for starters for Holy Innocents all with two fouls each.

McMasters Makayla Weaver also Branch and Murray.

We'll be watching that as we play on here in the second half of this.

First of many championship tilts we have here in Macon coming to you here on GPB.

Throughout the rest of this week.

Another turnover for us.

That's number 13 in the game right there.

Weaver.

Lost the ball out of bounds.

This game is really going to come down to can Holy Innocents sustain overcoming that pressure defense that Hebron is putting on them?

For Gabby Minus foul from behind on Kayla Weaver and that's her third foul.

Gotta run the region.

You know those little guards like to get their hands in there sometimes.

You know they're quick enough to do it.

Other times they pick up that foul.

Get in there and dig.

That's right.

Good ball movement here for the Lions.

Again if you're just joining us down by ten points early in the first minute of the second quarter.

But then coming back on a massive run 22-4 runs to take an eight point lead.

And again, doing it with the defense forcing 12 turnovers there in that first half.

Good defense here by the bears.

Minus with the drive that won't go.

McMasters has that knocked away by Robbins and it'll be Holy Innocents.

Ball.

Great defensive effort right there by Hebron or by Holy Innocents.

Excuse me.

And Branch on the inside.

Full court pressure here again.

The freshman walker, number 33.

What a spark plug she has been.

I like the adjustment that coach Jan Azar made when Saige Walker came in.

They put her on Weaver.

If you can remember, Beckham was guarding her at one point.

Nelson was guarding her, at one point both picking up fouls.

I like that change up mid-game.

Absolutely.

Yeah, that's been outstanding to see that.

The quick on quick, again, the adjustments.

Barnes going to be called for her first personal foul.

We'll see.

It's a shooting foul.

So that'll put Aaniyah Branch at the line.

Branch has yet to score.

In the game but already seven rebounds we've talked about again she averages seven points eight rebounds a game there.

You see defensive Player of the year in region five.

And she hits one of two.

First point of the second half for either.

Team.

Hebron Christian in the Robbins a lot of Beckham to Michael Robbins gets up and won't go.

Branch her eighth rebound goes Makayla Weaver and the Holy Innocents bears.

Weaver trying to find a way.

Gets it blocked, gets it to Murray that's off.

Minus the rebound.

They're going to get Murray no, they're going to say it's Minus on the travel.

Makayla Weaver tried to knock that ball away from behind.

And instead it's Minus with the seventh turnover.

Now for Hebron Christian.

Murray no Minus battling the grant for the rebound.

Grant knocks it off.

Minus great play there by the sophomore.

And the bears keep the ball.

And that's a close one right there.

Branch kind of going over the back of Minus could have been called for her third personal foul.

And that would have been crucial for Holy Innocents.

Jump ball.

Nice reaching there.

By Robbins.

It's going to stay with Holy Innocents with 21 seconds on the shot clock.

Getting a note here from our John Nelson.

He was saying that he really focused on just said hey focus on boxing out on rebound.

You know turn the ball over too much inside for Murray up and in.

Great job there.

By Loriel Murray the 63 sophomore.

And that lead is now cut down to five.

And they turn the ball over the other way.

Just as we've talked about.

Also concerned about turnovers too aggressive there he goes out of bounds.

That's right.

Murray now with eight points.

A kid who averages 16 points per game.

The leading scorer on this team really needs to come to life.

All across the Branch.

Holy Innocents defending champions.

Again, if you're just joining us, a rematch of last year's championship game that was won by the bears Weaver jumper is short battle inside.

Minus gets it.

The Tennessee commit takes it herself.

61 forward, brings it out, gets to Alanna Beckham looking for Walker.

The freshman up and oh that looked good.

But it won't go crashing the boards.

There is Beckham back out for Walker.

Beckham no Minus inside.

Blocked by Branch and they'll tie her up.

Barnes on the reach in jump ball.

It will stay on this end.

Holy Innocents and we will take a break.

4:47 to go in the third quarter.

And what a game so far.

Great defensive effort here by Holy Innocents holding Lions scoreless so far in the third quarter.

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Holy Innocents showing.

They're not afraid of this Hebron Christian team that had the lead at halftime.

The Lions right now Hebron Christian 0-6 shooting in the third quarter with two turnovers, and that has allowed a Holy Innocents to cut this lead in half.

It's been two tales that second quarter all went to Hebron.

And the defense that turned into offense.

Holy Innocents really dominating this quarter thus far.

Makayla move on the pass.

Here in the background.

Their coach Nathan Teymer first year coach for Holy Innocents his team responding here with a great defensive effort.

Michael Robbins getting the inbound for Hebron Christian.

Minus looked at three defense, their clothes off by Murray inside for Beckham.

That won't go.

Rare.

Miss right around the basket for Beckham.

Another rebound there for Branch.

Ninth in the game for her.

Makenzie Weaver knocked out of bounds by Robbins.

It'll stay here.

Lawson now coming in the game.

Walker.

One of the keys that Coach Jan Azar talked about was defensive pressure and controlling the Controllables.

And right now the effort on defense, they're controlling that.

McMasters has been quiet.

Nakhai now Makenzie Weaver inside for Murray a lot of contact there.

Knocked away by Minus.

It'll stay bears basketball.

Coach Teymer Coach Teymer southern Tech, Augusta University.

4.7 seconds on the shot clock.

I haven't heard that from the bench over here for Holy Innocents.

We saw the shot clock violation earlier.

And bounce stolen by Beckham.

They'll say she was fouled by McMasters on the drive.

Two shots.

Ana.contact there a little bit of a push off that wasn't called by Beckham she got away with that.

McMasters with the foul.

Yeah, he saw a player control earlier on.

Weaver with that little push off.

Seems to be similar amount of contact but play on Beckham got to the to the basket and got fouled.

Mentioned Beckham got a very strong free-throw shooter.

She misses the first.

She's just one of five from the line.

She leads the team in getting to the free-throw stripe though 54 for 92.

Coming into today's game.

Gets the second of two very quickly.

Walker back in the game.

Robbins will take a seat.

By the way that was a third foul.

McMasters.

So now she and number 13 Michaela Weaver the junior point guard both with three fouls.

Now watch that as this game continues.

In fact I've noticed now as you can see coach said that Makenzie Weaver will bring the ball up.

And ever since she picked up her third foul, Michaela Weaver picked up her third foul.

It's Makenzie Weaver bringing the ball up and Coach Teymer wanted to talk about it.

He calls a time-out right now.

The 348 mark here in the third quarter.

Holy Innocents program won their first title back in 1999.

Came back then and won one again in 20 16-20 19.

Again in 2020 and then last year.

So trying to get their sixth state championship overall.

And it's not easy either of these teams, right.

So Holy Innocents has won three since 2019.

You know but you put a target on your back all season long.

And both coaches did a phenomenal job of making sure their schedule.

Saul Saul opponents that were tough, that would prepare them for this situation.

We were joking with Coach Jan Azar we saw a moment ago one more look here at the Holy Innocents bench.

Since December, since Christmas of 2023.

Hebron Christian the team here in the white.

They are 100 and 13-3 and Coach Azar told us.

We talked to her a couple days ago.

She said, I'm still mad about those three losses.

She could catalog all three of those losses.

She's had bad coaching in those three.

Holy Innocents after the time-out, McMasters for Murray and passes high save by Weaver.

Great job there in the baseline, then lose it to minor to Minus.

Turnover number 15 for Holy Innocents.

Nelson for the long three gets that to go.

It was a three ball that got them back in the game in the second quarter.

And their first basket here in the second half.

Had some trouble getting the ball in.

Nelson can certainly knock that down 31% from behind the arc this season.

Makenzie Weaver trying to penetrate her team down seven now.

McMasters inside.

That's good.

Shot goes for 511.

Senior gets the basket.

And that ends a two minute and 15 second scoring drought.

There's the offensive foul to push off there by Beckham.

How about this shot from way outside.

Downtown Nelson knocking it down.

And McMasters getting to the basket.

Scooped up and under.

Ending that scoring drought now.

McMasters working on Nelson trying to get it inside for Murray.

High pass stolen by Barnes.

Hebron Christian up by five 2:45 to go.

Another turnover McMasters.

Working with three fouls.

Beckham has got to be smarter with the basketball.

That's a risky pass.

Cross court.

McMasters steps out of bounds, unforced turnovers right there.

Not giving you or your team an opportunity to get a shot up.

Yet another turnover.

16 turnovers here in this game.

It is really crippled.

Holy Innocents effort here in this championship.

Tilt down by five now.

Yeah only being down by five with all of those turnovers Larry you would think this deficit would be larger.

Minus up and that won't go.

Tough shooting night for her back up again.

Great effort on the second chance shot by Gabby Minus.

Minus now with seven points two for ten.

Field goal wise.

But she is still going strong.

She's working every angle she can to make sure she brings home this title.

Coach Kelly Makayla Weaver back on the ball.

Now on offense for Holy Innocents down now by seven.

Cut it down to three earlier this half.

Under 2:00 to go.

Now.

Ssmith loses the ball.

Good hustle there by Robbins.

And they're going to call a foul on Kobi.

Barnes.

Barnes second.

And the bigger thing on that, there was 4.8 seconds left on the shot clock.

Hebron had done a fantastic job defensively, and to come up with that foul just kind of wipes away that whole possession.

Anderson trying to find some offense here.

Kayla Weaver the inbound for Aaniyah.

Branch.

Murray back to Weaver.

Going to call McMasters on the offensive foul.

That's her fourth.

Looks like an illegal screen.

Seems to be.

It was an off ball situation which typically leads to either a hold or illegal screen.

And she'll check out of the game.

Makenzie Weaver will come back in for McMasters.

Hebron Christian now in control, trying to add to the seven point lead.

Barnes that shot is short.

Nelson diving for it and they're going to say he's out of bounds.

Touched last by the bears.

It stays Lions ball.

1:17 to go.

Another three point attempt.

Mia Huckaby she hit two in the first half.

Are they going to call this foul the other way.

They're going to call that foul on Barnes that which is going to be her third personal foul.

Fouls beginning to mount up now.

Weaver stop and pop from 14.

That's not good.

Up and high for the rebound.

And they may get Murray over the back for Holy Innocents.

And that is the call.

You got to do the work early.

I know you know with height and everything.

And throughout the year, a lot of times they're not seeing that same height.

But you really do have to do the work early.

And there's Huckaby again, knocking down a three-point shot.

She is not shy.

No, that is her third of the game and now a ten point lead.

The largest of this game for Hebron Christian.

Under a minute to go.

Where do the bears find their offense.

Five points in this entire half with ten on the shot clock.

Ssmith trying to get open.

Murray has it knocked away.

Smith shot clock winding down and misses everything.

It'll be a turnover shot clock violation.

Boy the defense by Hebron Christian what they have done Kelsey has been outstanding.

It certainly has.

That is where all of their offenses come from.

They made the adjustment after that first quarter Larry.

And they have not taken their foot off that pedal.

Minus inside.

Rejected by Murray with 0.5 seconds on the clock.

Seventh block of the game here by Holy Innocents.

Inbounds play.

They're trying to get it to Barnes with a touch attempt.

Won't go.

But what a job!

By Jan Azar and her Hebron Christian Lions McMasters a scoop shot here, but it has been all Hebron Christian ten point lead their biggest of the game with 8:00 to go for the championship.

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Ten point deficit for the defending champion Holy Innocents bears.

As we start the fourth quarter here in Macon, Larry Smith, Kelsey Rogers with you.

And you know, ever since that first quarter, it was a 146 Holy Innocents lead.

They've been outscored 33-15 in the 16 minutes since.

Yeah this is a big quarter.

A big task for Holy Innocents especially with the scoring the way it is.

It's so low for both of these teams.

Here again Hebron's defense after that first period has been stellar.

Yeah 15 turnovers by Holy Innocents in the last two quarters second and third.

And now what did they come out here to get some offense going here in this fourth quarter.

Grant.

You have to see her score.

The defensive star.

xAI Makenzie Weaver driving on Beckham University of Georgia commit.

Shot clock at ten inside for Murray up and in.

Good high low action right there.

Gabby Minus a senior Mia Huckaby number 15 has three treys in the game.

That's been a difference.

Good ball movement.

Nelson for three.

That's off.

Murray the rebound.

Here come the bears.

Makayla Weaver with the push in the corner.

Now for Smith for three off.

Branch back up.

No.

Minus the rebound for Hebron Christian.

Holy Innocents has to come up with some of those.

Second third chance opportunities and convert.

Yeah we talked a little loose balls here.

Not gone their way since that first quarter.

Robbins.

Going to call a push off.

That's going to be on Murray.

It's going to be Murray's fourth.

So Murray and McMasters each with four fouls.

Michaela Weaver with three.

Now for Holy Innocents.

And this is a bears team that's not very deep.

This is concerning with 6-43 left in the game.

It certainly is.

You know the art of taking a charge.

You know I think that's a great call by the official there.

She steps up into doesn't she takes away her landing space.

And again with four personal fouls.

That's your true post player that can also step out and hit those shots.

And she's your biggest offensive threat down low.

Barnes is a great defensive threat, but not strong on offense.

Robbins hits the first, missed the second, but great job by Beckham to jump in and get the offensive rebound off the free throw.

Back to a nine point lead now for Hebron Christian Beckham no.

Smith.

The rebound taken away by Minus.

Beckham.

And that's a foul on Murray and she's she's done.

That's a tough tough blow for this bears team.

And that's a deal breaker right there.

That's her fifth personal foul.

So we'll see McMasters come back in the game Larry.

But you've got to be smarter in that situation.

You know you just picked up your fourth.

But Holy Innocents couldn't afford to take her out of the game.

So sometimes you got to give up the two.

That's their leading scorer that just went to the bench with their fifth personal foul.

Yeah.

She has played all the way through.

This is the first time she sat on the bench.

Loriel Murray with ten points four rebounds.

Alanna Beckham can't get that one to go.

So hitting one of two.

But back to a ten point lead.

Now for Hebron Christian and Weaver.

The push off.

And here's where you got to rely on your leadership.

Your experience in this game.

You can't let the wheels fall off.

Right now it's only a ten point deficit with plenty of time to go in this fourth period.

So your leaders on this Holy Innocents team, two things go against them in a tough way, but you still got to stay composed.

Yeah.

Now just like that.

Michaela Weaver also four fouls McMasters four fouls.

And again, Murray already fouled out of the game.

Things getting a little crucial right now.

Good defense inside by Branch to steal that pass away.

Try to get it inside to the big post.

Presence inside Gabby Minus.

So a chance once again six minute mark.

Now one of the bears have.

Where do they find their offense.

McMasters.

Oh gets that to go somehow.

What a shot by McMasters her second shot like that.

She's kind of thrown up there with a prayer and has made it foul.

Is called on Nelson.

So McMasters making something happen.

Beckham with a little bit too much body contact right there.

Great finish by McMasters.

Now on Beckham.

Nariah Nelson completes the three point play.

The deficit is now to seven.

Walker back in the game.

Minus outside back iron no great board by Robbins.

Beckham no.

Branch.

Yet another rebound 11 for her now in the game.

Chance to cut the lead further.

Parker Smith the rebound.

Bears trying to reset.

Plenty of time.

5:15 to go in the game.

Blocked by Branch.

Minus is a force to be reckoned with down there on the inside.

So impressive.

Robbins what a job by Branch.

Another blocked shot her seventh of the game and then a steal.

Beckham inside for Nelson.

Got to be careful.

And if that's a foul on and it is, that's a foul on Michaela Weaver.

And she comes out of the game.

Time-out here on the court.

4:53 to go.

Hebron Christian up by seven.

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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.

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

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Welcome back inside the Macon Coliseum.

A good coach there at Luke cursor coach Nathan Teymer and his Holy Innocents fares again right before the break.

We just saw the second player fouled out here already.

Loriel Murray out with fouls and Michaela Weaver to set up the game with her.

Yeah.

And you talked about it earlier in the broadcast that Holy Innocents is not a deep team.

They're starting five.

Really gives them all the production offensively and defensively.

So a couple other players now Sasha Thompson coming into this game.

Can she give them some quality minutes.

Jan Azar going to call the time out.

Time out.

Okay.

Getting close to a five second call there.

And so we will keep it here for this as we.

Watch what we're doing here.

So this Hebron Christian team again, we talked before just 29-1 on the season.

The one loss actually was earlier this year to Bradley Central, which is a team that, by the way, has won, only gone on and won 49 games in a row.

In fact, they're in the Tennessee quarterfinals tomorrow in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

So that's a team.

And she talked about the challenge of playing in a packed house at their place.

Not many was during Christmas break.

Not many Hebron Christian fans went up and she said, really?

It was one that they this team wins so much.

It was good to lose.

You have to learn that you're not going to win all the time if you don't bring it every night.

You're absolutely right.

You mentioned, you know, 100 and 13-3 You're not losing a lot, but it is nice with different teams.

You know they lost six seniors last year, five of them playing college.

That really contributed to the team and the success.

And so having a new team, a lot of new faces, a lot of new players getting quality minutes.

It's nice if you're a coach to not a peak early, but two, to have that loss in the middle of the season to understand to your players, we're not invincible.

That's right.

Talked about their defense by the way.

They allowed 50 points only four times all season.

St.

Francis, they beat them in the semifinals in the final four, 71, 62.

That was the most points they allowed all season long.

Those 62 points, if you give it up only 34 here, tie ball and it'll stay here.

Hebron Christian ball coach Jan Azar 13 championships at Wesleyan three here with the Lions trying for her fourth 4:45 away from that.

And with a lot of your scoring out right now for Holy Innocents on the bench.

Fouled out.

It's going to take a miracle right now if you're Holy Innocents to come back and win this game.

Beckham the rebound.

Good aggressiveness there.

And how about Branch again really impressed with what I've seen tonight.

That's her eighth.

Blocked shot.

I told you an enforcer on the inside would like to see her score more.

There she goes.

That's her first basket of the game and it's needed.

Cuts that deficit down to five.

Approaching the four minute mark.

Got to make a stop here.

Beckham in control too.

Nelson.

Good ball movement.

Ball doesn't stay anyone's hands very often in this team.

Huckaby going for her fourth three.

But she was fouled on the shot by McMasters.

And that is her fifth foul.

The third bear to foul out here in this quarter.

There you see the last basket right there by Branch there needing that big presence on the inside.

Not just defensively.

They need her offense right now.

And as you mentioned now McMasters their third starter fouling out of this game.

There's only nine on the roster right.

One injured.

That's not playing.

So nine active players you're down to six active players right now.

And that brings in number 23.

Emily Gainer coming in who doesn't play very much.

You mentioned that.

Huckaby shoots 76% from the free-throw line.

And what a treat.

It's been 13 points.

Make that 14 points.

The leading scorer for Hebron.

If you told me coming into this game with the powerhouse players, the college coaches sitting across over there, that Huckaby was going to be the leading scorer, I would have called you a liar.

That's right.

Second one won't go a tie ball.

It's going to go the other way.

For Holy Innocents.

You mentioned the coaches.

Yeah, they're over a dozen coaches right now from all different schools.

You see a couple of ACC schools over there and then some.

A lot of talent in this.

We mentioned again these are two of the top teams in the state.

Holy Innocents coming in as a number 11th in the state Hebron Christian number three in the state, according to MaxPreps Hebron Hebron Christian 24th in the country, according to MaxPreps, that's how highly regarded this team is.

And even though these are both private, A schools, again, the schedule that they put together and the competition that they play, they can go out on any given night and beat some of these six teams.

Ball knocked out of bounds by Beckham.

It'll stay here.

Bears basketball 19 on the shot clock down again by seven after a couple of free throws by Huckaby Parker Smith.

That'll take that shot.

Looks at a three and.

You can't second guess those shot attempts right now when you have an open look you got to take it.

And a traveling violation on Beckham.

How about Makenzie Weaver the great defense on the full court press for Holy Innocents is there now within four points, three and a half to go.

One more look at this.

You were saying?

Yeah, just back up, get the shot.

You like.

You're Holy Innocents.

You've got to take the best shot available, whether it's early in the shot clock or not.

Right now.

Good time-out by Coach Nathan Teymer.

Thought he had a shot there.

Thompson was against the timeline.

Thought it could be a turnover.

We will take a break with him right now 3:28 to go in the fourth quarter.

It is Hebron up by four.

But look out for Ollie Anderson saying we're the champs.

We're not ready to give it up just yet.

The fight continues.

Coming up next.

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43 39 A little stat to check right now.

Mia Huckaby 14 points off the bench for Hebron Christian and Gabby Minus seven points, 12 rebounds for Holy Innocents, Makayla Weaver and Loriel Murray each with ten.

But again, both have fouled out of the game.

Yeah, again, it was going to be a tough task once those three players fouled out you were down by ten with just a little over 4 minutes.

But Holy Innocents has answered to that only down by four with 3.5 left to go.

That's where you find your offense.

We found it at Bahrain by Parker Smith.

It's been outstanding.

And Makenzie Weaver filling in for Sister Michaela is outstanding at the point.

Shot clock down to 15 in the hands of Thompson.

Outside for Gainer.

That's no good.

Ball is tipped.

Gainer the rebound to Smith working on Walker.

Smith again for 3-0 it's in.

That's a one point game.

The unsung heroes in this game right now.

There's just no quit in this Holy Innocents team.

The medal of a defending champion trying to repeat as the top team in the private division of Georgia high school basketball.

2.5 to go near steal by Smith Nelson for three off Beckham the rebound no.

Branch with her 14th rebound.

Parker Smith gotta go.

Oh and that'll be a turnover.

Unless it's a foul.

It's a turnover.

Backcourt violation there you see Parker Smith top of the key knocking it down two for four from behind the arc between Parker Smith and Saige Walker.

The unsung heroes coming into this game.

They really have been.

And Coach Teymer watched that shot.

He wasn't sure it was in as he watched it right here to our right.

But it was.

It's a one point game, 2:12 to go.

Are you not entertained if you're watching at home here on GPB.?

Last year, Hebron was zero for 19 from the three point line today, five for 21.

And those five were at crucial times.

Huckaby coming through.

Big time.

Huckaby on the court right now in the far corner, trying to get it to her right now.

And there she is for the three dots.

Short follows up, gets her own rebound.

And no, it won't go.

Nelson and she's fouled.

Aaniyah Branch has got to get on the inside.

That is the only way that they're going to get these rebounds right now.

And you just heard from the Holy Innocents bench several of their coaches yelling at her.

She cannot be pulled out to that three point line.

Branch with 14 rebounds.

That foul by the way was on Makenzie Weaver.

Can you hear the Holy Innocents fans in the background making some noise free throws have really been their Achilles heel here.

Ten of 22 now at the line for Hebron Christian.

They're shooting 47.6% right now as a team.

They're usually at 60:04, a rare miss for Nelson, who shoots 80% from the free-throw line.

Wow, that was in.

Makes it a two point game and a time-out.

30-second time-out called by Jan Azar to talk it over for Hebron Christian.

Those two free throws just got Hebron out of a two minute and 14 second scoring drought.

Right there.

16 game win streak for Hebron Christian.

Good look here at Coach Teymer.

We talked about him.

We mentioned that Hebron players are moving on six seniors on last year's team as a runner up, five going on to play Division One.

Nia James played 32 games for George Washington this season, up the Atlantic ten.

Jakari Butler was at Clemson.

Aubrey Beckham we mentioned that Jordan, she missed some injuries last year.

Daniel Osho, Miami and Kevin Reddish at Stanford.

Yeah.

Again, what Jan Azar lost from last year's team and being able to have those players step up and be where they're at right now is not an easy feat.

With the ball in the hands of Weaver down by two Weaver trying to get it to Gainer Parker Smith for 3-0, that would have put him on top.

Nelson the rebound Beckham on the drive and she was fouled.

And she'll go to the line.

Sasha Thompson going to be called for that foul.

The coach is down here.

Thought that there was either a double dribble or a foul on the initial drive.

A little bit too much hands.

Yeah.

Beckham now shooting two at the line.

She's three of eight on the day.

Gavyn's away.

Still a one possession game.

It'll be a one possession game after this shot.

1:27 to go.

If you're just joining us Holy Innocents three of their five starters have fouled out of the game.

They have fouled away to stay in it.

Beckham missed them both.

Huge misses right there.

Gives an opportunity to Holy Innocents to tie this game up at 44.

Branch with her 15th rebound ball poked away by Beckham.

She's been a pest on defense all day.

Gainer back to Weaver Thompson 19 on the clock.

Thompson to drive, bounces away and out.

Minus is triple teamed under there.

Stolen by Smith and a time-out by Teymer.

That shot's not going to count.

By Sasha Coach Teymer.

Gives a little smile.

There.

You can't go wrong with that time-out.

A quick turnover possession right there by Parker Smith.

Again, doing a little bit of everything right now for this Holy Innocents team.

And he knew exactly how many time-outs that he had.

Because right before that last time-out.

Look at the reaction right there.

Sometimes coaches get a little overzealous, right.

But but it's a huge possession.

You're down by two with a minute and 2 seconds left on the game clock there.

It's a huge possession that he could not afford not to get in front of his players.

And again, with three of your starters out of the game, he wants to make sure everyone's on the same page.

That's his reaction.

Step this way and you're going out this.

Yeah, the double checking to make sure Holy Innocents assistant coach checking right now.

They have one time-out left.

After this.

Right here.

Sasha.

What a. Run this has been.

For right here.

For the bears here in the fourth quarter.

Again to lose all three.

At one point you were down by ten points 31 41.

But have clawed your way back into this.

And it's a two point game here in the final minute.

This is the kind of game that we thought when we first sat down here today.

We would see.

They are giving us the treat that we thought we were going to get for this early tip off game.

For sure.

Points have been hard to come by for Holy Innocents though, which makes that time-out crucial with Sasha knocking down that three point time-out after the time-out was granted.

Robbins not the way that pass intended.

Trying to get the ball into Branch.

He's been outstanding.

Just three points, 15 rebounds, eight blocked shots and just a sophomore.

How impressive has she been?

Parker Smith and again knocked away by Robbins.

Michael Robbins 58 she's much taller than Smith.

Gets it in now to Branch.

Back to Smith.

Hebron Christian on defense up by two.

Branch doesn't score much trying to get it to Gainer and she threw it away.

Still plenty of time on the game clock.

46.8 seconds.

Tough defensive stop here for Holy Innocents is what is needed.

Robbins comes out and that's Huckaby back in Huckaby again.

Leading scorer in the game with 14 points.

She's got three threes as well.

She's been outstanding as a reserve coming in.

What a spark.

And here's the thing.

I would take a couple take fouls right now.

If you're Holy Innocents well they're in bonus.

Never mind I forget that.

Forget what I just said.

Play solid defense.

Yep.

Said that we heard the coach say no foul.

Yeah.

And now there's a hand checking foul.

Which we haven't really seen since the first quarter.

Yeah, the coach is saying the same thing.

Not sure what that's about.

So a hand check there on.

That's on Makenzie Weaver the 53 sophomore.

So it's back to the line for three of ten today.

That one's money three point game.

Robbins comes back in offense switching defense as Huckaby comes out.

Gainer comes out of the game.

Meanwhile for Holy Innocents.

Here Holy Innocents make her miss.

You want to go downhill as fast as you can and get to the basket.

And Coach Azar says she wanted a time-out on the make smart.

Get your defense set up so Holy Innocents can't come down and get that quick basket.

And how clutch is Alanna Beckham you mentioned struggling all day long at the line three of 12, but she sinks them both right here.

Make it a two possession game.

That free throw right there was crucial.

You're not wrong 58.7% free-throw shooter.

Again a part of her game where she certainly can improve.

But right there under the pressure when they needed it she knocked him down.

And you talk about this this Hebron Christian team and how deep they are.

If you would have told me coming in this morning, we arrived to the arena a few hours ago that Beckham headed to Georgia would be one of 12 shooting and Minus headed to Tennessee would be two of 12 combined, three of 24 shooting.

And yet they'd be up by four in the final minutes.

I would have said, there's no way in the world that's going to happen without those two delivering.

You're absolutely right.

Gabby Minus leads this Hebron team averaging 14 points a game, but it truly is a collective effort.

When you look down their roster, Beckham averages ten, Nelson averages a little under ten, Robbins 7.6.

Barnes averages ten.

So it is a collective effort.

And back to Jan's point where she says, listen, she tries to throw a lot of lineups out there early on because she wants these kids to compete.

They're stepping up to that challenge in a big way.

Yep.

There's only two players for Hebron Christian that have played every second of this game, and it's those two, the two senior leaders, Minus and Beckham.

Here they are four point lead now with 20-4 0.9 to go Weaver the inbound to Branch.

Weaver now gets it to Thompson on the drive.

That rolls off.

Ball is saved in by Branch but gets it in the hands of Robbins and they're going to have to foul Nelson back to Beckham.

10 seconds left back to Nelson to Minus.

No foul.

Still, they're gonna have to foul.

Time's gonna run out and there it is.

The Hebron Christian Lions step into the Coliseum and come away victorious with our first championship of the week here in Macon.

What a way to close that game out right there.

Holy Innocents couldn't get the foul that the coaches were yelling for at the end to give them another chance.

Offensively, but Hebron came out after that first quarter.

Larry, in my opinion, and their defense is what got them this championship right here.

It turned into offensive points and gave them that little bit of spark that they needed.

Absolutely.

There's no question they were down 14-6 down 16-6 as Holy Innocents scored the first basket in the first 30s there of the second quarter.

So down by ten they turn up the defense and they got it from so many different players.

We talk about Mia Huckaby leading the way.

We talk about the number 33 Sage Walker.

The little freshman point guard and the spark that she gave defensively.

Nine turnovers there that they forced in the second quarter to turn this game around.

What an impressive effort.

And then down the stretch the great defensive effort here in the final moments.

Great effort here by Hebron Christian.

I mean you said it collectively Minus with seven points but 13 rebounds.

She found a way to stay in this game there.

Robbins with three rebounds but only one point.

Nelson seven points and Beckham with seven points and nine rebounds.

Just missing that double double mark.

Yeah outstanding effort here.

So here on Christiaan goes to 30-1 Coach Jan Azar her fourth championship at Hebron Christian the 17th overall of her career.

13 of those won in that amazing run as she built the program at Wesleyan from scratch.

17 championships 24 championship game appearances for her.

As we get a good look here at center Court, this is the Holy Innocents team that won this game last year in 2025 with a great effort.

There, and this year they accept the runner up trophy.

ICE Nakhai Worthy there in the middle.

As we take a look here at.

You got to give your hats off to Holy Innocents.

Right.

They played a fantastic game you know from last season to this season you lose your star McDonald's All-American and Haley Swain, your head coach, Nicole Dixon, who had been there for many years, who won that championship with you to come back and be in this same place with one of your star players, injuring the first game of the season, you got to tip your hats off to them being able to compete the way they did today.

Absolutely, boy, and they're so young.

We've talked about this again.

And now ladies and gentlemen.

Kayla Weaver is a junior.

Makenzie Weaver for the championship.

Let's stop that thought and go right to John for the trophy presentation.

Nelly.

Thank you very much.

Larry Smith.

This has happened to this particular coach a couple of times.

We're going to catch up with her in a second.

Let me step in here and catch up with you.

Hi.

Hey.

How are you?

Questions more for you after what happened in this one.

Down early, you come back, you get the lead, and you've got to fend off a team that had no fight in them.

Each championship is different.

How is this one different?

This was fun.

Well, it's fun now.

I'm just proud of them.

We had ups, we had downs and we talked about that in the locker room.

You got to make it through the hard times.

And you know Holy Innocents did a great job battling back not giving up.

And then we did a great job not giving up.

I'm just glad we ended up with the more on the scoreboard.

You had a lot of great support here as well.

What was it like to see everybody come here and see this title game?

It's great.

It's great.

Our fans are great.

We love them and we love the parents.

And so I'm just proud of the girls.

Jan Azar gets the championship for Hebron Christian first championship of championship week.

We will catch up with her and the player of the game for GPB in just a little bit.

Let's send it back over to Larry and Kelsey.

Thank you so much my friend.

What an effort.

There again 30-1 they can now walk off the court with a championship and a team that never lost to a team in the state of Georgia.

Again.

The one team they lost to was one in Chattanooga.

And you were saying, before we do give credit, by the way, to Holy Innocents and they're very young.

They're going to see these Tamu's players back, may even see them back.

Would not be surprised here this year, but Hebron Christian, what an effort, like you said, to have Gabby Minus come back.

She was injured early on to incorporate her back into to this this offense and this this unit.

It's been exciting to watch them here 30-1 and they deserve this championship today.

They gave us exactly what we wanted in this first game.

The powerhouse teams, the powerhouse players.

You know, Beckham had to find her role with, you know, other players coming back from those injuries or whatnot.

She did a fantastic job and they just stuck to the script that Jan Azar played out for them.

Again, the first quarter not going their way, but in game adjustments, Hebron made those in-game adjustments and they've got the championship.

17 straight wins to end the season, and the championship is now going to Hebron Christian.

What an effort this afternoon.

Down by ten.

They never gave up their stars not shooting well, it didn't matter.

They found a way to make it happen in so many ways.

Hebron Christian winning the championship for the first time, fourth time in six years.

We are just getting started right here in Macon here on GPB.

Stay with us.

We go back to the studio with Nikki for more as we get ready for the boys private championship next for all of us here.

Thanks so much.

Back with more on GPB.

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Welcome in to our countdown to Tip Off.

I'm Nicki Noto Palmer.

If we're in countdown to tip off, that means we just crowned one state champion.

Our first state champion of the day went to private girls.

Hebron Christian.

Congratulations to Hebron.

I hear my partner in crime who's courtside at the Macon Coliseum, might have some special guests with him.

That is true.

I am courtside, but I do have company and it is with Oglesby Jan Azar, the head coach, our player of the game.

Gabby Minus.

You can wave above the.

There you go.

See?

There you go.

You can wave above the above the line here.

So I'm going to start with you, okay?

And you and I caught up this week for the, for the podcast about championships and such.

And the point was made with me and it was also reinforced on the air about the starting line and that everybody's got to earn their spot and you end up with the lineup that you had this time out and all of the ups and downs with this lineup, I think it speaks to one.

It speaks to the depth, the preparation and everything that comes into a championship game.

You needed all of that today?

Yes we did.

Our bench was huge for us.

I mean Mia coming in and knocking down threes to get us back in the game.

And so you know sage coming in and playing the defense that she played.

But you know even Amana and Melissa and those girls being able to come in and push the tempo a little bit, this is not our best night at all.

It was ugly.

I don't even know what the score was, to be honest with you.

I just know we finished with more than them and I don't know who scored what, but that's the staple of our program and what we do.

We don't worry about who scores the most on the team.

We worry about us scoring more than the other team.

And you end up with that tonight.

You end up getting the Duke.

Gandy.

Let me come over to you and ask about your night, what it was like out there.

The the point was made by by Larry and Kelsey that you didn't, you know, you didn't meet your average points per match point per game, but you contributed in category.

It was rebounding and other things that were there about being the whole package, contributing in other ways.

What was it like out there for you tonight with all the ups and downs we've been talking about?

Definitely just keeping my head up, you know, definitely what you said wasn't my score and I continue, I had to be there for my team and I know my assignment was to stop the two big girls because they were killing us a little bit.

But I just stayed poised.

I knew it wasn't my game, but I wanted to.

I wanted it to win for my team, so that's what I had to do.

For this group of seniors.

There's four of you that are that are graduating.

What has it been like to be a part of this program?

As long as you have, and then finishing up with the state championship and getting to learn from coach like Coach Azar?

First off, I wish I would've came here earlier.

That's the one thing I'm going to miss Coach Azar so much.

But in these two years, she made me such a better player and she helped me going into the college level.

So I'm just grateful to be here.

I'm grateful to finish it out, and I got to stay.

Championship to my name.

So I'm so excited.

So then you have these four seniors.

When you mentioned this particular group, what sticks in your mind about this group as they get to leave as title holders?

I mean, they.

They leave as a title holder.

They're leaving their.

Legacy on this program.

And, you know, Gabby wishes she had been there longer.

She doesn't know how much I wish she had been there.

She's a, she's been fun to coach and our other seniors, you know, Alanna, Beckham and Nariah Nelson and Kobi.

Barnes.

They're they're great basketball players, but they're great people and they're fun to be around.

They enjoy life.

And I'm just so excited to see what they do at the college level.

And, and after college, because basketball is just a small piece of your journey.

And what has it taught you to take something out for the rest of your life?

And they are great girls, and I'm going to miss them.

Absolutely.

That's Jan, that's Gabby.

They're champs.

The trophy has already made its way and started to head back to Hebron Christian.

We're going to stare at final stats and send it back to you in Atlanta.

Nikki, with the rest of halftime.

Nelly, you are sitting next to the legend herself.

17 state titles.

Absolutely unreal for Coach Azar and company.

I just wanted to say, hey, every time I'm around her, I'm just like, she's incredible.

I will, I will second that second that emotion.

And by the way, if you didn't see the podcast, there's video of the two of us from the third championship, 2004, 2004.

I think the first was in oh, 2002.

Was it?

Yeah, two, three, four.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Yeah.