Georgia Public Broadcasting presents the Georgia High School Association's state basketball championships.

Major funding for this program is made possible in part by IBEW Local number 613 South Trust Bank.

Georgia's electric membership.

Corporations dodge State Farm and by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Live from the Macon Coliseum, it's the 2004 GHC single-A Girls Basketball Championship featuring the Savannah Country Day, Lady Hornets and the Hopkinsville Red Devils.

And good morning, everybody, and welcome to Day two of Championship Weekend here on GPB.

I'm Jim Tanaka, along with my partner Phil Hansen.

Phil, another great day of basketball scheduled here on GPB.

Well, I can't wait to get this one started, Jimmy.

This could be a good game.

And of course, it's the Lady Hornets of Savannah Country Day coming in from Region three against the Lady Red Devils of Hopkinsville from Region four.

Well, don't blink or look down and take a bite of your favorite sandwich or you're going to miss this one.

Because once both these teams get the rebound, they're off to the races.

All right.

Key players to watch, obviously, the senior from Savannah, Country Day, Lizzy Sprague.

I love this kid.

She's very versatile.

She can go inside, outside, has 50 foot range on her jumper and rebounds like a champ.

Savannah, Country Day, a great season.

Here's their starting lineup.

And of course, Sprague leads the way, of course, with 17 and a half points a game and here is that lineup Sprague of course the senior and then you have royal Cooper somebody to watch as well If she gets her feet set, she can shoot it all night long, just like Jackson for Hawkins, Bill Footman.

Both those players get their feet set, they can light it up and they both teams do a great job of looking for them off the break.

And interesting thing about Dale Parker, who has the head coach, he played on the 89 team and of course, that's the last time they won a championship.

Well, she knows how to win, that's for sure.

Her teams are very well disciplined.

They're very patient, they're deliberate and they run their offensive set.

She does an outstanding job.

Hopkinsville on the other side now they come in and, you know, again, they're representing Region four and another great basketball team, very well balanced with Wilcox, Jackson and Durant.

They can get it up and down the floor and they can score and they play great defense.

Okay.

And one of the key players as Elise Jackson, again, just like Cooper for Savannah Country Day, when she gets her feet set, she can really shoot the ball.

Okay.

And we have the starting lineup.

Of course, Jackson will be part of the starting lineup.

And here are the rest of the four starters.

It's Wilcox, Durant, Marshall and of course, Scott Wilcox is a great penetrator can really slash get inside the gaps if you score around the basket do Hart the freshman you're not going to believe that this kid's a freshman.

As the game goes on because when she gets the rebound, she can take the ball 94 feet, score on the other end.

All right, Shell, the Lester, of course, is the coach of Hawks and Hopkinsville.

We'll talk more about her throughout the ball game.

Also throughout the ball game, we're going to be hearing some reports on the sidelines from Gerald Oliver.

Gerald joins us now.

Hello, Gerald.

Hello, Jim.

Savannah Country Day has been employing a lot of superstitious activities in order to ensure a repeat of 2000.

They drove the same bus that they drove down in 2000, stayed at the same hotel.

Their fans are going to be wearing the same green beads they wore in 2000 when they won the state title in.

The Pirates have been wearing the same clothes as they've worn them throughout the entire tournament.

So they're trying to restore the magic.

Now, on the other side, Hopkinsville is trying to restore to magic the same way that the football team did in December when they won the state title for the first time since 59, the football team has been a great inspiration to the team, coach Lester says.

And they're looking to bring back the magic in the same light.

So let's kick it back over to you.

Jim.

I think that's interesting.

I wonder if the the the driers and the washing machines were busy, you know, go in there.

Well, there again, like we talked about earlier, I think sometimes you want that extra superstition in there.

Don't wash and let that same sweat and those clothes all the the way these two teams made it to the final as well.

We've got the road here.

And of course, here's Savannah Country Day.

Of course, they beat Fruitland 5236 and then Taylor County, Atkinson County, a close game, and then they beat Twiggs County pretty big.

You saw that in the semifinal against Twiggs County Savannah country.

They did an excellent job of picking that zone.

However, Hopkinsville says they're going to come out and play man to man a little bit, try to junk it up with some zone.

But they do an outstanding job of sending the cutters through over flooding inside and just really looking for Cooper to set up to shoot that ball.

And Cooper and Sprague are really the key players to watch today.

Exactly.

They can go inside, outside with.

The quarterback of that team is Granger.

At the point she comes down, she runs the show and does a great, great job on the ball defense, which is going to be a key to this game.

Yeah, Grant Granger is running the point and looking for the cutters inside.

And that's that'll be Sprague and Cooper.

Meantime, Hopkinsville, the road to the championship.

And there you see they beat McIntosh County Academy, Calhoun County, Jenkins County and Social Circle.

That was a barnburner.

I saw that one the other night.

And that score is not indicative of how that game went.

Both teams were very well balanced, but at the very end, Hopkinsville was able to push the throttle there and get over the top.

Super.

And and there's Hopkinsville head coach Kelvin Lester.

And there you see her seventh here at Hopkinsville, 83 and 64, a career record.

She made some big time adjustments in that semifinal game against social circle.

And of course, there is Dale Parker and also her seventh year at Savannah Country Day.

The team is very disciplined, very patient.

She does an outstanding job of controlling the tempo of the ballgame.

And of course, both teams here at the Macon Coliseum.

It's been a great championship weekend.

And now we're going to hear the starting lineup.

Here is your public address.

ANNOUNCER Eddie Ashford.

And this morning's game, we have the Savannah Country Day Hornets with a record of 23 wins and eight losses.

Dressed in green as your visitors on the scoreboard and the Hopkinsville Red Devils with a record of 25 wins and four losses.

Dressed in white as your home team may have your attention for the starting lineup.

First for Savannah Country Day at forward number five, a five foot nine senior Lizzie Sprague.

At forward number 11, a five foot nine junior, Natalie Cortez at center number 55, a five foot 11 senior Katherine Arroyo at guard number 14, a five foot five junior, Jordan Granger at guard number 20 for a five foot six senior.

Katherine Cooper and your Savannah Country Day head coach Dale Parker.

And now for your Hopkinsville High red devil and forward number 25, a five foot seven senior for Wilcox.

Right forward number 13, a five foot seven senior career Marshall at center number 33, a five foot 11 freshman, Sierra who hard at guard number 22, a five foot five sophomore police shot Scott at guard number 21, a five foot five.

Junior Alisha Jackson and your Hopkinsville head coach, Shelby Lester.

So there you have the starting lineups, Savannah Country Day in Hopkinsville.

Coming up next on GPB, Welcome back to the Macon Coliseum as we get ready for the start of the girls single-A basketball championship.

Savannah Country Day and Hopkinsville.

And the crowd is on their feet.

You got to love this.

This is game one of six that we have for you today on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

A big day of basketball.

We love basketball.

This is the place to be.

He's the game fill.

Real quick.

Defensive transition.

Both teams must locate the shooters.

Rebounding is key.

Can help eliminate your opponent chances to score defense on the ball.

They must control the ball off the dribble.

And most importantly, mental discipline.

Savannah Country day in the green uniforms.

They'll be going right to left on your television screens at home.

And here's the opening tip.

And it's run by the red Devils dramatically today in a man to man take a nice job of sagging in the passing lanes that Scott with the ball guarded tightly by Granger and loose ball and a turnover.

And back comes Lizzy Springs right past Cortez for the shot.

Great pass by Sprague Both teams do an excellent job of kicking that ball ahead via the pass instead of the dribble cover much more ground by kicking that ball ahead of the pass.

Also excellent bounce pass into the post by Mahoney.

Come through go number 55 and the foul on Tri-County watch your first foul so Red devils take over That's you Hawk because he's a freshman he is tough he calls glass and it's to nothing Hawkins No one to press here.

It's amended by Hopkinsville.

I got to stay out of that area.

You got to keep the ball a guinea in the middle of the floor, keep it in cleanly lane line, extended.

Don't get it up here in the danger zone with a halfcourt line, the sideline can be a defender for one now.

Could be three or two, can be four.

That's Granger.

So let me get set and that's Cooper Off the mark.

Here comes Hawkins Hill on the run, the defense, and they slow it down.

That's Scott on the pass off the mark and the rebound by Sierra do hard.

See, that was all attributed due to the fact that Tucker Dillon allowed to penetrate off the dribble full court pressure in the pace off the lane Greg Devin and the shot off the mark by Jackson and we had a whistle go the other way to that high shooting percentage that Hawkins was able to get here with these couple of layups is allowing them the jump in that 1 to 2 press now to attack this one two press, you have to look at the off wing.

At the off wing covers middle.

The pass back is open.

If you off wing takes pass back and reverse the ball up the middle of the floor, that's Cooper He'll talk pressure there it is said and they get it across the timeline Cortez throws it underneath intercepted and this is due Hart to Hart up court and it's Jackson Jr time out and Hawkins mills off to a quick start six nothing over Savannah country day is a good timeout by coach Parker She just wants to settle everything down, go over her press breaker one time and say, Now look again, you've got to read the off wing.

If the off wing takes Middleton pass backs open, the pass back is close and look at it right.

I got a chance to see Dale Parker missed from Savannah Country day Here's the replay both teams again great catch great pass they do a wonderful job of kicking that ball ahead.

Now if your teammates especially a big player is running down the middle of the floor, you always want to throw an air pass so they can run under that.

Like Deion Sanders.

If there's a diagonal cut you want a bounce pass to the Post mentioned Deion Sanders.

Of course, Jackson wears number 21.

There you go.

All right.

Always on top.

Here's the inbound pass.

Quick pressure again by the lady Red Devils fanatic.

Country Day breaks the press.

They get into the frontcourt.

McMath now in the game for Spanish Country Day.

Give them a little more inside presence.

Miss Cortez, guarded by Scott and she breaks nice pass down low and there's the whistle romance got great hands who can really score underneath Did a superb job in the semis against Twiggs County Of course, McMath is six feet tall.

She is the tallest on the team.

She plays much bigger than she has got very long arms and and the first of two by the snap is off the mark.

There you see France's stats on the air and she hits the second of two.

And Savannah Country Day is on the board.

Hopkinsville leads at six one in the early going.

Scott right side by heart nice play given goal UCLA cut got jumped to the ball eight one Hawkins Hill again the full court pressure Savannah country Day handles it pretty well It's this break down low and we have a whistle a again that was all set up via the pass.

They made one pass to pass and now they're right in the middle of the paint super job.

The wall.

It's Wilcox's first personal on the clock for the three here working it around the point Cortez looks underneath has nobody both teams playing man to man again.

Both teams are going to mirror each other up and down the floor.

It's almost been looked like a intrasquad game at times because it both can play man to man.

They both put good ball pressure.

They both get the ball off the floor quickly with the pass.

Cortez inbounds to Granger, guarded by Jackson and the ball is thrown out of bounds.

The turnover by Savannah, Country Day and Hopkinsville will take over a little jitters and defensive pressure cause that.

Remember now, if your opponents overplay and take one step above the three point line and go backdoor there Scott what's it to do?

Hard you hard dribbles left side feeds left side to Marshall and the senior gets the hoop.

Hopkins is playing on all cylinders today 10 to 1 Hopkinsville in the early going Granger to Cooper Good rebound rebound by McMath.

Underneath it goes to Sprague She's off the mark and we have a jump ball possession arrow goes to Savannah country day even though they didn't score there that was a good kick ahead bounce again they found Catherine Cooper on the wing.

If she can continue to get her feet set, they're going to bank on her, knocking that down.

COOPER to inbound.

There it is, the spring, the jump shot blocked by you hard back come the Red Devils.

Four and a half minutes to go.

First quarter, 9:00 today.

Now in a two, three zone.

A three point attempt by Jackson is off the mark Rebound by Wilcox down low It's too hard battling it this is Marshall.

Yes she's on fire today.

She's really playing well.

Sierra Marshall, the senior hits the three pointer and Hopkinsville has the biggest sweep of the game, 13 to 1.

Cortez gets stuck in the corner.

Back outside it goes.

Granger thinks about the three and says, No thanks.

Hopkins Defensive pressure Cousins sits there.

COOPER to McMath back outside at Sprague for The Shot.

And again, it's blocked by two hard Got great arms great, great arms excellent time in that block in that ball out of there.

If they said she might have got it with the body.

Here it is again.

Duhon all over the floor today.

Hopkinsville is very quick off the bounce.

I would like good luck.

And Lizzie Sprague, the first of two is good.

There you see Bembry coming in.

This is performance against Twix County.

She was wonderful.

I mean she scored inside outside dame a lot of punch coming off the bench and coming on strong in the first half and it's off the mark and here come the Red Devils with two free throws for Savannah Country Day.

That's been it so far.

Three and a half to go in the first quarter knocked out of bounds.

Good defense now Jimmy going to think I'm nuts if they just talk Savannah country they get a couple of stops here and come down and score they're right back in this thing.

And usually coaches know that game's a series of runs.

You want to maximize your runs offensively the defense that you want to minimize your opponent's run.

This is too hard and a loose ball underneath a jump ball and possession Arrow goes to the Red Devils.

Do hearts come out of her shoes?

Well, she's all over the place.

Watch the step back shot Marshall inbounds.

That's Scott.

That comes Savannah Country Day ranger the quarterback looking for Sprague and it's intercepted by who else do Hart A pass is tough to make it turn it over too many people you want to keep triangle options went three three passing to Alisha Scott.

She's just a sophomore and a three point attempt by Marshall is good.

She's working on her player of the day.

No, they count it as a two point goal by Marshall and it's 15 to 2 Hopkinsville Sprague in the frontcourt Granger looking for some weak side cutters looks for McMath can't get it to her.

This is Cortez back out to Granger to back Country Day.

Still looking for their first bucket with under two and a half to go in the first quarter.

We have a whistle.

There's a good sequence through the fact that Spanish Country Day made Hopkinsville have to play defense 1015 seconds on that trip.

Plus, they picked up a foul and they're your field goals.

Hopkinsville, seven of 12.

And of course as we mentioned, Savannah country.

They haven't won yet.

Here's a possibility Captain Cook with the three point line she's off the mark that come the Red Devils to Lisa Scott on the left wing to Marshall back to Scott Jackson losing her footing down the lane it goes Scott and that was blocked loose ball and Savannah country day comes up with it Cortez helped double teamed in the back court breaks the pressure Granger back to Cortez it's flash that spray coughing up looks down low to McMath for the shot off the mark Good high low action and the Red Devils take over.

They're getting good shots.

They just some of them are going to have to fall, but they're good shots.

It's not like they're coming down and taking rush shots one and a half to go first quarter on the right wing.

Three point attempt is off the mark by Jackson.

Here comes Savannah country Day up front this spring trade on the break guarded by du high blocked by Dwight spring again blocked by you hawks but this time we have a whistle and maybe her second That could be a big call.

You always want to take the ball into the shot blockers chest.

here's the reach for real.

Her and Lizzie Sprague on the line.

And the first of two is good.

So it's Hopkinsville 15, Savannah Country Day three, all three points coming from the free throw line.

Just one second by Sprague is off the mark and here come the lady Red Devils.

One minute to go in the first quarter.

Collins running the point now for Hopkinsville that was ten green There's a whistle down low you never want to find a jump shooter and the foul is going to be number 24.

Catherine Cooper Everybody wants to block shots.

You got to contest the shot and let the hillside guy come from the backside to block the shot.

Just keep your head in their chest when you're guarding the ball.

Bridget Brennan shooting 30 the line and she hits the first of two.

Pretty loving also in the ballgame for Hopkinsville.

Nice soft touch.

17 three Hawkins mills.

Then they break the full court pressure.

But it's intercepted by you.

Heart to heart takes it the other way.

Ready?

You take that ball and draw that defender, then make that ten too hard.

Got caught up in traffic back home.

Savannah Country day spring up ahead.

This is Granger with the shot off the mark rebound underneath and we have a whistle as Danny Loving battled Granger underneath for the rebound and the Red Devils will take over fan base rushing a little bit.

They just need to settle down slow down run their offensive sets that got to here.

But again, Hopkinsville is applying that defensive pressure which making them speed up.

That's Granger's first two teams third and there you see a turnovers in the early going so the Red Devils will play for the last shot with under 20 seconds to go They're matching out of that zone a little bit.

The four corners going on since February makes the drive and the shot and with one second to go Savannah Country Day throwing it long try to throw the touchdown pass it goes to McMann Fred from half court and it's off the mark That's the end of the first quarter from the Macon Coliseum.

The Hopkinsville lady Red Devils lead Savannah country day 17 to 3 will have second quarter action for you right after this.

Hi and welcome back to the Coliseum in Macon.

You see the Hopkinsville bench head coach Shelvin Lester.

Right.

And Savannah Country Day and Dale Parker, also play his corner of the court and the crowd cheering both teams on as we start the second quarter from the Macon Coliseum Savannah country They just had these take care of the ball little thing as this ranger on the drive stops gets from the spring springs with the jump shot.

There you go.

So Savannah country guys scores their first basket at 17 five.

Sign of a well-coached team is how well they come out of a break, how well they come out of a timeout halftime how they adjust.

Excellent job getting that quick shot fast break down low, a lot of traffic and a country day with some great defenders.

You steal the biggest value the ball a little better and work the ball around.

Offensively they're going to take Natalie Cortez.

He's the quarterback Jordan Granger Man to man Defense by Hopkinsville Cortez looking for the open man.

There's Katherine Royal and she hits from two.

She hits a two pointer.

And at 17 seven, amazing how well your offense looks and the shots go down and they run the same thing they did in the first quarter.

But now those shots are starting to fall.

The double dribble.

It's good call.

So Savannah Country Day will take over again.

This basketball is a game of runs and let's go to the sidelines and Gerald very Gerald during during that last break Coach Parker reminded the team that in 2000 they were actually down 13 to 2 and of course they came back to win that game.

She told the team to just settle down and play basketball.

They're not getting enough shot opportunities and as we can see, they've come out and already have gotten a few opportunities.

Back over to you, Jim.

All right.

Thanks, Gerald.

So, yeah, I feel I guess, you know, some of the nerves are playing a little factor here in the early going, you know, being on television and championship games.

But royals really come off the bench here in the second quarter, really helping them out again.

Savannah Country Day wasn't doing anything really wrong, is it?

They were just playing too fast.

They slow down, run their offensive sets and the jumpers are going to fault.

They were taking good shots.

They just weren't making what was killing them was their turnovers.

Now they got the game somewhat back in control.

So at 17 nine Martinsville as the Lady Hornets are working their way back, First Lady Hornets on a six nothing run at the moment When you're down, you just got to remember there's no such thing as a nine point play and a shot off the mark and rebound on.

That's too hard.

Yes.

Great job.

But that was all set up by Scott's penetration.

You've got to stop dribble penetration.

You must force that ball to the midpoint.

99 Hawkins film Quick Passing for Savannah Country Day Ranger and the rebound by Jackson just off the ball timeline, Jackson looks to go the whole distance of the court.

Nuts do hug.

You can not let her get that low, but she can post that low and get rebounds that low.

You got to the body to keep her in the basket.

21 nine Hawkins No, she got under 6 minutes to go till halftime.

Get away from that corner and there's a whistle on the floor again.

Jimmy You got to stay away from that sideline in the halfcourt line because one man now can become three as a defender or two can become four.

Keep the ball lane line extended, which opens up your triangle passing options.

See, right there is death.

That's the danger zone.

They pick it up there.

You're done.

And the foul is on.

Felicia Scott Hawkins No.

And at the line is Liz's.

Lizzy Sprague But this isn't all bad.

The clock has stopped and now allowing Savannah Country Day to score chip way to lead where you see the Lady Hornets bench and Sprague hits the free throws and it's 2111 Hawkins Mills It cut four points off that lead big ball move by the lady Red Devils and shots.

Great Good shot by Collins Christina Collins What a break that press that's Cooper Man The Man Still by Hopkinsville Cortez.

Out to Royal There's Sprague he got by Wilcox.

Stay low.

You always want to stay below your points shoulder defensively lower You stay the better you play it trying to find Katherine Royal on the base but you get the ball to her.

Marshall Field.

Excellent job mirroring her Cortez from three point land off the mark Hawkins does do a nice job of eliminating Savannah country days shot opportunities.

It's one and done every time down the floor three point attempt by Jackson you get your feet set It's going to be a long night.

Lisa Jackson hits great Lakers excellent job with that big spread to wow Sprague with the rebound and it's good you know that was two shots there If you got your opponent get multiple cracks at it.

They're going to score.

Coming up on 4 minutes to go.

There you see a three point field goals, Hopkinsville, two of three.

In the early going.

Jackson again this time on airball.

But she got bumped on that and the Lady Devils will keep the ball less for Durant flashing back and I hate those one handed passes David Rodney crazy That's Collins Jackson dribbles left side along the baseline shot off the board no good and say a jump ball and now it goes to the lady Devils.

And now we have a technical.

Well you see you can't have that in championship play and you just can't lose a cool They both are fighting for the ball but you when they hear the whistle, let it go, whatever was said.

So you're always going to get the person who retaliates.

Plus, you don't need to get involved in all that Mickey Mouse stuff.

This is the first time that's a personal foul.

So that's a double dip.

Plus, they lose the ball and Sprague hits the first.

Again, the clock is stopped, allowing Savannah Country Day to score.

So she hits both technical free throws and it's 2615.

Well, this could be if they score here or point play exactly plus without playing defense one time.

That's right there's straight down low and the back shot no good rebound underneath loose ball and the lady devils have it Wilcox is doing a nice job on the boards the physical out there Collins right side to Marshall back out to Collins Collins hit the shot kind of a long shot by Collins and loose ball and jump ball and possession now goes to the lady double team and you get that rebound.

You got to turn to the outside.

If you turn inside, that's where all the players are.

Plus the defense going to have a chance to tie up, take that ball, chin it, put it under your chin and turn to the outside, away from the defense.

That's two good turn out.

And now a timeout on the floor.

So Hopkinsville leads a 26 to 15 over Savannah Country Day open field.

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Phil We've had quite a weekend of basketball and I know you've enjoyed the game.

I loved all the games yesterday.

I thought everybody did a superb job.

Well, good.

Couldn't help television.

It was outstanding coverage and the games are very exciting.

Obviously, the overtime games and this one is picking up like the script.

That's all right.

The Lady Devils to inbound and comes back out man to man.

Less than a country day.

Collins in traffic drives the lane again and takes the shot.

That's good.

That's surprising It was ranger off the ball.

Didn't think that was gonna be able to happen.

Full court pressure by the Lady devils again Savannah Country day handles it well here's Cortez we have to read that screen from McMath and ball's in its hands back outside it goes to Cortez Hairspray dribbles left and now there's a whistle underneath the ball that's an offensive foul on Lizzie Sprague.

And that was solely attributed to defensive pressure.

You catch that ball.

Spanish Country Day, he's going to turn and sit, sweep and square and face the goal.

At every time they catch it, they're going away from the basket again.

That's due to Hopkins with pressure under two and a half to go to halftime.

Loose ball and a three point attempt is off the mark by Marshall.

And here comes Savannah Country.

Did their defense solely cause that quick errant shot three point attempt is off the mark by Katherine Cooper.

You can't rush.

She's got to let the game come to her.

She get in touch the ball and while when she got it, it wasn't a real great three she had somebody near if you double team the ball always look to where the pressure comes from and read the defensive rotation from linebacker three days before sending more.

So the foul was on Katherine Cooper and that was her second personal and the team's fourth under two to go.

It's hard to play her that close single by that come the lady hornets This is Granger being guarded tight tightly by Denver Granger looking down low to Sprague She started on Nice pass to McMath, but she missed the shot.

You got to finish Good cut, though.

Whenever your man goes to double team in the post it When your man goes to double teams diagonally cut to the front of the rim, you're going to get a layup one minute to go in the second quarter.

Do Hart Collins McMath with the rebound now Savannah country day play for the last time we last time it for that Sprague with the move down low we have a whistle and this one's going to go against a Carol Wilcox Hawkins mills getting a little bit of foul trouble here and there's a good driver that's what I alluded to earlier in every year a man like Du Hart there slid over to double team McMath.

If she'll cut to the front of the rim, she's going to get a layup to beat that double team under 40 seconds to go.

And I think the Lady Devils will play for the last shot.

So country, that's really putting minimum pressure on them a little bit here is the delay game the screen and popping out the post screen opposite Here comes the shot that comes close.

There comes even playing the top side of this and the inside the ball inside the floor.

Collins rushes the shot off the mark and that's the end of the second quarter.

So Hopkinsville, very impressive.

In the first half.

The Lady Devils have a 28 to 16 lead over the Lady Hornets of Savannah Country Day as both teams head to the locker room for halftime.

And let's go to Gerald Delivery.

Gerald I know Coach Lester, you usually are a slow team.

You start off slow, but you came out today and start off real fast.

What was the reason for that?

I found that most time this is a championship game.

We got to stop coming out second half and a second team.

We need to go ahead and set example.

Go here and put it.

Put the girls away.

Start in the first half because we're always a second half team this time to be a first half and a second half team.

This is the state championship game, right?

So what do you tell your girls that have to stay focused?

Stay focused.

The game is not over.

Win that last quarter.

The Internet cloud that's one is right now we stay still plan.

All right.

Thanks a lot and good luck in the second half.

Back up to you, Jim.

I thank you, Gerald.

So the Lady Devils lead it at halftime, 28 to 16 over the Lady Hornets.

It's halftime for the Macon Coliseum.

We'll be back with more basketball right after this.

And welcome back to the Macon Coliseum.

It's halftime of the girls single-A basketball championship.

Hopkinsville leads it 28 to 16 over Savannah Country Day Let's go courtside and Gerald delivery Thanks Jim.

I'm standing here with the men in charge Joey Jaws from Hawkins Field and Dr. Paul Presley from Savannah Country Day.

Now we're going to talk to Mr. George in a minute, but let's talk to Dr. Presley.

Talk about your team today and the fact that I heard you wearing the same shirt that you wore in 2000 when the team came here to win a championship.

Absolutely.

I'm wearing the same shirt I wore in 2000 and the same shirt I wore Friday night when we defeated Jenkins County.

Now, I understand you're retiring this year, is that correct?

Stepping down after 23 years.

It's Savannah Country Day.

Okay, So talk for a minute about the programs, the community support.

Well, Gerald, we're really pleased with what we have.

And one thing that I'm very proud of is eighth grade.

Just returned from spending a week in the Everglades swamp with Outward Bound.

We sent 80 students.

We put them in canoes, gave them compasses, and had to fight their way out across alligators and other such things.

It's a real study in coastal ecology.

We also do a lot with community service.

And the one thing I'm really proud of is last summer our ninth grade students and others worked with Windsor Forest Elementary School, a public school, to provide six weeks of enrichment for first and second at our school.

So that's the kind of outreach that we think is important.

Now, I understand in football your team lost to Miller County, and had they not lost, they would have actually faced Hawkins Veal.

Let's talk about that situation for a minute where we were laughing.

We lost to Miller County, which is a great team, 26 to 22.

We came back, we're a little disappointed and then we saw what happened to Miller County when Hawkins Field ground them into fine pieces and we said, Fortunately, we got defeated by Miller County.

Speaking of the Hawkins girls football team, let's talk to Joey George for a second, talk about the football team and how big of an experience that was for the school.

it was awesome.

Our community really rallied around the football team and the coaching staff and players.

It was just unbelievable the outpour of people coming by and t shirts by red devil attire and just coming out and trying to support us in any way.

They could.

It was an awesome experience.

Now, it's been since 89, since the girls basketball team has won.

What would it mean to the community if they won?

awesome.

Our girls program has struggled over the past few years and we are so thrilled that they're in the situation they are this year.

It really means a lot for our girls sports in particular.

They, like I said, have struggled a little bit and they want the notoriety as well as the boys.

And so our fans are here today and everybody's excited for them and we really hope they can bring it back home.

Talk about about a little bit about the new gym that you guys are building there.

Yeah, we're fortunate enough to have a splash project that's going to build a new gym in the county, and both teams, boys and girls, are very excited and the school's very excited about the opportunity to be part of a place that's more accommodating to people, a little bigger than our current facility.

So we're happy about that.

All right.

Thanks a lot, Mr. George and also Dr. Presley.

And good luck to both of the teams in the second half.

Back over to you, Jim.

All right.

Thank you, Gerald.

So we get ready for the second half.

I tell you what, Hopkinsville is pretty pretty incredible when you think about it, because, you know, back in 2000, the Lady Devils didn't win a game in 2001, and then in 2002, they won one game.

And now here we are in 2004 and they're playing for a championship.

Well, that's all built on their defense.

And that's got to be your barometer.

That's got to be like a water lake.

Defense always finds a level and that's what they're doing today.

They're doing an excellent job of getting all over Savannah Country Day in forcing them into quick turnovers and that's what's built up this league.

Okay.

We have the first half stats for you.

And as you know, the Lady Devils really controlled the the ball game over the Lady Hornets of Savannah country day and there are your numbers through 6 minutes.

Well, the one thing that stands out to me is the field goal percentage three for 18, but that's due to Hopkinsville defense.

And then you look at field goal percentage for Hopkinsville, it's 43%.

But I'd say the first 15 points, most of them were from threes, from Marshall and Wilcox getting off early.

Plus, when do do hearts allowed to post that lower get quick rebounds that's going to bump up your field goal percentage considerably plus 15 rebounds the seven that's the ball game right there.

Yeah do harp was really all over the place in the first half.

They're going to have a real tough time matching up with her man to man on the perimeter.

They're gonna have to back off or let her shoot the ball and see if she can knock down a few jumpers.

Because if you jam her up in the primary, she's going to take you off the dribble.

And then you have a whole host of woes, because when you have to rotate inside out and really put your defense in a bad bank, okay, When we return on the second half of Hopkinsville and Savannah Country Day, stay tuned Welcome back to the Macon Coliseum.

We get ready to start the third quarter.

Hopkinsville leads at 2816.

Let's go to Gerald Delivery.

Gerald Thanks, Jim.

I'm here with Coach Parker.

What are you going to do to get your team more shots opportunities in the second half?

Well, we think we're going have to put the ball inside in the second half a little more and try to pick up some fouls or some easy buckets.

And we just need to go out in the third quarter and play hard.

I think the first three or 4 minutes are going to be very important.

What are you going to do to address the press that Hawkins Field has put on your team?

Well, I felt like we had a little trouble the first couple minutes, but we've handled the press well.

But now we need to score off the press and take it to the basket.

Okay.

Good luck in the second half.

Back over to you, Jim.

Thank you, Gerald.

You know, it's interesting, you know, span the country Day only gave up on average 38 points a game during the regular season.

And yet Hopkinsville has scored 28 in the first half.

Well, that figure right there.

And the points given up has a lot to do with their offense because they're so deliberate.

They hold the ball, work the ball around 30 seconds before they take a shot.

So if you do that enough times in the game, you're going to really shorten the ballgame.

And of course, Hopkinsville is on pace offensively because they have averaged 60 points a game.

Well, they like to play up and down like we talk about it, especially when Do Hard gets the rebound, the break starts there.

I mean then Marshall shooting the ball extremely well in the first half and Wilcox is taking the ball to the basket.

That's what's attributed to their point production.

The one thing that Shelvin Lester said before the game, the head coach of the Lady Devils, she said this team reminds her of her 89 championship team when she was the starting point guard.

Looks like Hopkinsville is not going to start.

Lisa Jackson, the shooter, due to the technical foul problems coming to go with this lineup right here with Collins in lieu of Jackson second half underway from the Coliseum in Macon.

Yeah, Man to man again by Hopkinsville.

You want to stay out of those corners, jam again.

Now the baseline and the sideline become a defender.

And again, one can be three or two can be four.

Keep the ball in the middle of the floor.

Opens up your options.

Katherine Cooper to inbound for Savannah Country Day.

Plus the defense can establish any weak help with the ball in the middle of the floor.

Cooper is looking for a first hoop today.

Bounce pass could play to Granger and she's off the mark.

Here come the lady Devils.

That's a good shot.

She got a step up there.

Knock it down.

Stop the ball.

Wilcox hits the brakes down low to Hart.

Back out.

Hancock.

Wilcox shot.

Yep.

Great.

Two man game.

That's excellent.

Two man game with to Hart Wilcox, 30 to 16.

Hopkinsville Savannah Country Day breaks the press.

This is Sprague back outside Cooper for three point yes short pass by Sprague there again she didn't have the numbers to take it one on one or two or went on two against do Hart kicked it back out and hit the open jumper.

Excellent job.

So Cooper from downtown and Hopkinsville lead is cut to 1130 to 19.

Nice move underneath Savannah I must stop Dribble penetration Spriggs in the corner goes baseline looks to back at home tonight down low at 12 Nice rebound he can't give up the baseline off the drive Katherine Royall with the hook There's a little run here by Savannah country day a nine point ballgame This is too hard Nice soft touch that's just off the mark there again, Jim.

They can't guard her that far out because she's going to take it off the dribble and she can get the ball inside the patience to score more times in that.

Sprague in the middle of the lane and the basket will count and there's a foul.

If you're going to foul somebody, you cannot let them get their hands above their shoulders.

You got to make them earn those points at the line right here when she takes the ball to the basket.

If you're going to follow, she cannot get that ball above her head.

I need it right here.

Very clever move by Lizzy Sprague.

Now, Scott, at the top of their defense has to drop even or below the line of the ball.

If she did that, that pass would have been able to be completed.

If she plays above the ball, you're going to get hurt.

So he's got 17 points on the day you got a ballgame.

Jimmy 30 to 24.

Hopkinsville, the lead is cut to six.

Scott drives the lane.

Taken away.

Back comes Frazier Cooper misses the layup and we have a whistle underneath.

Now.

And this one's going to go against Savannah Country Day sessions.

Eric Teague And that was a that looked like a good fast break opportunity, but you really didn't have the numbers.

You want to pull that back out then when your offense fouls.

On Natalie Cortez Man to man again by Savannah Country Day and there you see Lady Hornets an eight nothing run jump shot by Collins McCaffrey's got to slow down a little bit letting and put Jackson in the game here shortly This is Cortez on the right wing looking for royal gets it to royal and the shot is just off.

you got to make those five footers.

Jimmy has to make those five, but he's just off the rim and out.

And now we have a timeout.

Take timeout.

Lady Devils Coach less is probably not happy.

Obviously, the way this has started off in the second half, he's got to regain composure, get the starters back in the game and then run the show.

Mark your calendar for Friday night, March 19, for the return of Georgia's longest running high school, sports and academics program prep sports.

Plus, you'll meet some of Georgia's most successful student athletes, athletic programs and much more.

That's prep sports.

Plus, returning on Friday, March 19th at 11 p.m., exclusively on g, b, b, And of course, we have a good time.

You guys do an excellent job with that show.

With that, yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We have we have a good time getting out there and getting a chance to meet the coaches and the families and of course the student athletes.

That's that counts the most.

Coming up on 13 years, it's from the fall.

It's doing a super job of that.

And the fans are enjoying themselves here at the Macon Coliseum.

I always love coming down here that everybody travels so well.

Both teams are well, very well represented.

Six ball games on tap today.

This is number one of six.

Again, Jackson is now in the game for Hopkinsville Marshall to inbound.

you don't want traffic.

It goes to do hard do hunt nice pass down low to Wilcox and she scores the easy hook.

One thing I like about Wilcox, she never stops moving.

She's always cutting to the basket.

Sprague breaks the breast and it's knocked out of bounds.

So that looked open, but it really wasn't.

He had basically a two on four break there.

Pull that ball back out and then set your offense up.

They got very fortunate there that Hopkins kicked it out of bounds.

Cooper gets it out shot back in that it is Cooper for three and it's just off the mark It's a big shot.

Devils just didn't fall.

That was a good shot.

Felicia Scott running the offense for the Lady Devils.

Jackson tries to get her own rebound but knocks it out of bounds.

She comes off the bus shoot and Jimmy is not bashful.

She Lady Hornets.

Break the press again Cortez looks to go baseline blocked by Josh Hart here's Sprague on the drive and again blocked by do Hart But we have a whistle this time and I think this one's going against do Hart Lindsay's doing a nice job of attacking the basket using the using the rim Now she's picked taking the ball right to the basket, using the rim to block defenders hands and always want to take that ball to the shot blockers, chest.

Big day for Leslie Sprague.

He's a money player.

Jim 19 points for Lizzie Sprague with six point game.

We're under 4 minutes to play here in the third quarter and the whistle underneath and it's Dwight battling for the pass I can't get over how good her hands are at being a freshman.

She catches anything.

It's thrown in her legs.

Bortles works baseline and that's at home.

Stupid job he's in the backfield Natalie Cortez the junior guard and it's 30 to 28.

Just once back to four points.

Hopkinsville looks a little flat.

Look look them try to get the ball And if you had a couple times on the floor here.

Nice play by Felicia Scott.

You got to stop that dribble penetration.

You let somebody penetrate that deep in there, they're going to kill you.

Jordan Granger, intercepted by Drew hard.

Do her on the break now she loses it.

Savannah Country Day on the run.

COOPER From three point line off the line, here comes two hard and the lady Devils slow it down.

WILCOX Off the mark, little quick.

A little quick.

Jump.

Ranger up ahead to Cortez and she drives the lane stops and fires in and out.

And the Lady devils to take over.

That's not a bad shot.

She got it inside the in the paint.

Francine McMath comes in the ballgame replacing katherine royal for savannah country day 3428 Hopkinsville coming up on 2 minutes left third quarter and Felicia Scott lost control of her dribble and the lady Hornets take over again.

I think Scott feels she can take Cortez off the dribble anytime she wants.

She just lost the ball off the handle.

Granger all alone stops and Pops uses the backboard and the ball and the momentum is going forward.

You want to use that backboard to take the error out of the shot.

So it's back to a four point game.

Then this person she started drive down the lane, we have a whistle and this one's going to be an offensive foul.

You step up and take that charge and take that charge.

You're going to tuck your chin to your chest, Cover yourself in the lane, on your backside.

You don't want to put those hands out.

You put those hands out.

You're going to break a finger, a wrist tuck that chance your head doesn't snap back.

You do an excellent job, Blake, in the press.

Thank you.

Nice pass to Cooper.

Yeah.

She did a stupid job of taking that ball at the defender, making the defenders commit and then kicking the ball ahead for the layup.

A two point game.

Hawkins leads it 3432, with 130 left in the third quarter.

Jackson And there's a foul in the key with a reach now it's Savannah country day has to guard against it takes a lot of energy to make up this lead the air it's a little reach.

You never want to fire the jump shooter and the first of two by Jackson is good and Jackson's numbers on the day he came out little in the second quarter, but the technical look, little.

There it is.

But the opposite.

Here we go.

Just like they do in practice.

Cortez from downtown got to get back.

Long shots at the long rebound.

Scott tries to go the length of the floor.

You I just feel she doesn't think there's anybody in the gym that can guard her off the dribble.

So she's just going north and south back to basket 30 and the foul is on number 30.

Francine McNabb on the Jazz first down.

Any time, Jim, you can get the defense to rotate, rotate inside out, you're done.

That's second two off the mark.

And here comes Savannah, Country Day under a minute to play third quarter for Scott Granger, double team on the corner and the Lady Devils take take over got maybe hurt twisted an ankle that's a big loss if she can't go right so Felicia Scott is to the bench and she'll be replaced by Christina Collins.

She gets a big hand.

Scott done an outstanding job here in the second half for Hopkinsville with a give and go to heart to Jackson.

Jackson stops and pops rebound underneath Wilcox and there's a foul.

Foul.

You've got to find your man.

Rebound, Find your man.

Establish contact forward.

Hold that contact and go get the ball.

I love the way Wilcox plays.

She a big time slasher, goes right to the basket all the time, play years back and go Carol Wilcox and see numbers on the game in and out And it's Cooper.

For Savannah Country Day, it's going to take the last shot of the half 10 seconds to go.

COOPER From three point land just off the mark loose ball and the Lady Devils are going to take over She called the time timeout a smart play with 3 seconds to go.

She's a little nicked up to come out.

I feel like some of what you watch so far tell it to Nashville.

It definitely but again Savannah Country Day in the second half has come out there and I've been a little more deliberate run.

Their offense is made Hopkinsville pay for the pressure now they're rebounding a little better but again they must stop Hawkins Mills dribble penetration because that's all the woes are starting because they're having to rotate Savannah country days, having to rotate inside out, exposing the baseline and giving all sorts of free layups and chipping knows Cooper taking a lot of three pointers.

She is a good shooter.

You just got to keep going to your stroke hits in the fourth quarter.

If she can get hot this game is going to really change.

So the last play of the third quarter for somebody flying long Jackson and that's the end of the third quarter from the Macon Coliseum.

Hopkinsville leads it 3732 over Savannah country day the final 8 minutes.

When we return, Welcome back to the Macon Coliseum, Jim Tanaka ol Phil Hansen, Gerald Oliveira to bring you the final 8 minutes of the girls single-A basketball championship.

Jim Lady Devils lead it 3732 you today back for their man to man defense on the ball is going to be so critical here in the fourth quarter Here's Jackson a tough shot even though she scored that was a tough shot.

She didn't take a run in one hand.

That was a tough shot.

She went up, kept her head still.

Good shot right here.

And she can really score and she converts on the three point play.

Here comes the press, just like that's an eight point game.

That's good pressure by the Lady Devils.

They get it back here.

Jackson on the drive and the rebound by McMath.

That comes Savannah country day Ranger on the right wing Back out to Sprague Good defense by the Lady Devils screen by Cooper Pick and roll and reset the offense Here's Cortez a shot but she made it Hopkinsville did a nice job of not letting Catherine Cooper for Savannah country they get the ball Natalie Cortez hits the bucket 40 to 34 Hopkinsville Nice two big shot run by Collins Straight on the baseline double team gets it back out there swinging around the courthouse.

Cortez hits the three pointer.

That helps get you well quick.

Great ball movement.

40 to 37.

Hopkinsville Coming up on 6 minutes to go in the final quarter.

A lot of time to hard cross court Jackson for three and they can't leave her looking too hard underneath you got to stay between her in the basket at all times Sprague in the frontcourt in traffic team back out to Cooper Good.

Round the horn Good Skip.

Here's Cortez Cortez drives down the lane stops off to Sprague.

Sprague with the shot and the foul ball Wilcox Excellent ball movement by Savannah Country Day.

Here's the replay When he got to another reach.

These reach fouls are going to kill you.

He's got to move your feet on defense.

Play defense with your feet.

Nice.

Yeah.

Good touch by Elizabeth.

While she does a score, all she does is just score back to a five point game.

4439 Hopkinsville is too harsh, guarded by Sprague too High.

Nice move by Juha.

Can't get her that close.

Just cannot get that close to her.

4639 Sprague to Cooper.

They trying to work it around quickly, get that open man and get the shot off trying to get a low to McMaster can't do it stolen away under the ball great steal by Marshall and the.

She's done an outstanding job today offensively and defensively look at the defense here by the lady devils look for 7:00 today Take a time out here to get a little out of hand Christina Collins all over the place on defense.

Here's a replay of the steal by Marshall Smith.

She's had a big time ball game.

That's good.

Timeout 4839 Hopkinsville with 449 to go here in the final quarter.

A lot of basketball coming your way on Georgia public broadcasting coming up after this one.

It's the boys single-A championship.

This is the first of six games today.

So you got to love it.

You just got to love it.

And if you love basketball, this is the place to be.

And this is why we enjoy bringing the championship tips to you here on Georgia Public Broadcasting each and every, at least for the time.

There you see the single-A boys championship coming up to the academy this evening.

And then the two eight girls championship will feature wrestling and Turtle County, the two boys, Randolph Clay versus Carver, that'll be about 445 this afternoon.

Then the three eight shift, Gainesville and Fannin County, they'll be the girls final and then the boys final and three and he's cars and West Laurens that's tonight at 845 It's a basketball marathon on championship weekend here on GPB No greater place to be now against this pressure defense you've got to come to the ball.

These long horizontal passes are going to get you in big trouble.

Come meet the ball, turn that hip into the defender.

Here's your field goal percentage.

Let's pick it up.

Obviously.

Look at Savannah Country Day now, 50% in the second half.

Christina Collins run on the offense for Hopkinsville.

We're going to beat that pass.

Collins looks to set it up Jackson for three off the mark to hunt with the rebound again in traffic loses the ball Savannah country takes over be patient here's Cortez setting up the offense Cooper On the left wing Cooper Sprague down Low the Knicks tried by straight blocked by Joe Hart again stupid job she took her inside man and went over the offensive players outside shoulder never touched it.

Excellent job What a game by Joe Hart if he got long arms today under 4 minutes to play in the final quarter, the drive and the foul.

I'm going to be an offensive foul on Jacksonville and it's called traveling too many steps on Jackson little out of control for Blaine.

It's dangerous look at this block by super job to hart down low and so on by who else do hard you can't throw that pass move If she's playing between your man and the defender it's off tough.

You got to fake her up and go add or make her commit.

Then make about three games from a 43 means the pace of this game is definitely favoring Hopkins.

Both.

Take a good look at this kid.

You to see her for a long time.

Nice touch.

Only a freshman.

Holy mackerel leads back up to ten.

One thing I really like about Sierra, she's got great, great hands.

You can't teach that in 18 years she's going to catch, as you saw, Katherine Royal back the game.

Democratic Country Day replacement Francine McNabb do hard hits in both 50 to 30 and all of a sudden 11 point lead with 340 to go.

Lady Devils have had that full court pressure.

The entire game won Savannah Country Day and that's solely due to their offensive production.

Every time they're allowed to score.

That's setting up that pressure.

Cortez For three, you get two biggies here in the last 2 minutes, but time out.

So you cut it down to two.

It's back up to eight.

Here's the replay on Cortez's three pointer.

Excellent pass.

Plus, she got her feet set and just nailed it.

Another shot of Cortez hitting the three pointer.

All the basketball championships can also be viewed live on the GPB internet site at WW w dot gpb dot org.

Just follow the links to connect to the game.

All the games from this weekend will be archived and available on the GPB website as well.

That's w w w dot gpb dot org.

Need to get out there and see how the games turned out on the on the network.

Some great games yesterday if you missed them get a chance to watch them on the internet and they were classic full court press 5242 Hopkinsville that's Christina Collins and the three throw the 10th is off the mark Loose ball underneath still loose.

Duhon had it for a moment.

Now it's about a cutter down the run.

Spray to Cooper look to move it around for four three.

no this Hopkins has got to understand that they're ahead.

They don't need quick shots.

We'll put pressure picking up the guards again.

Cortez with back to back threes and the lead is cut down to five.

Go with that sideline.

Collins On the drive and Collins found it.

Call the charge.

Wow.

again if she was moving and she kind of leaned into her.

I don't know about that Again, Hawkins knows they're ahead in this ballgame.

They don't need to rush their opponent.

Now is the clock that comes Savannah Country Day.

And we have a whistle.

Midcourt here.

Knocked out of bounds by Lady Devils.

Lot of time.

You don't need to start shooting a bunch of threes just when you're offense Cortez on the right wing this time Nice high flow action while the spread and this ball is about a country game gets it back This is Granger weak side 2 to 10 blocked by you Hart again good swing right back to the royals corn calling for the ball in the corner and gets the shot off the mark Loose ball underneath Who's going to get us that back in the game and an error in pass by Scott fan the country days doing a nice job of speeding up this game again Hopkinsville just needs to slow down run that delay game and then take this thing home.

Savannah Country Day has some of their full court pressure of their own going on their these one handed passes.

So both these teams are very well coached.

How do you think you cross their dedicated to cross as they cross the 10 seconds it is a ten second violation didn't going across the midcourt line.

Great help side defense by Hopkinsville minute 38 a lot of time A lot of time look for the delay game coming in here from Hopkinsville now Marshall on the inbounds this this Jackson yes Alisha Jackson big bucket for Hopkinsville taking a seven point lead with a minute 30 to go three point chance by Cooper and she missed it totally timeouts remaining that's important as we count it Townsville it is a lot of timeouts There's Jackson.

She knows how to score.

She takes it north and south and they turn the clock.

He's going to have to hold them.

Scott down low hitches a shot royal with the rebound now Savannah Country Day has to move pretty quick.

If they get a quick two here, they have time out for the quick two off the mark is Cortez on the three point attack.

Got a foul right here quick now Jim.

They got to go for a steal foul this time.

They go.

So in 56 seconds to go.

Now it's a free throw contest.

That's exactly right.

A lot of time now offensively, some in the Country Day doesn't need to come down and start jacking up kick threes due to the fact if they miss now, there's not as much pressure they're going to have to fight.

And then Hawkins Beal can come down there and then shoot the three, shoot the free throws.

However, if they get a quick score now go for the quick steal foul.

Now there's little more pressure there cutting that lead as opposed to playing behind the power curve bail.

So Hopkinsville looking for their first state title since 1989 when head coach Shelvin Lester was the point the point guard for that championship team.

And there you see her in the huddle with her players.

She was a very good player.

I enjoyed watching her play when she did play.

Just an incredible story, though, on Hopkinsville.

I mean, didn't have any victories at all in 2001 and one victory in 2002.

And then Bang Twin four, they're going for the champs.

It's kind of like Wesley and the other in the same kind of story.

He didn't win.

And all of a sudden they're a powerhouse.

Savannah Country Day, led by Coach Dale Parker, has done a great job all throughout the year.

Of course, their last state title came back in 2000.

All right, let's set the scene here.

What we're going to have is Hawkins was going to come down here with the free throws.

Now, Savannah Country two, if they score, we're going to have to attack that press.

They're going to come down.

You don't need a quick three again.

Just get it inside.

Hawkins is not going to be as apt to foul in contest the shot because they don't want to give up the three point play.

And if you score, then you have to go for the quick steal foul and then make Hawkins will come back to the stripe and earn them at like Harrell Wilcox at the line where you see the numbers on the base he has had a good day that's clutch one big free throw makes an eight point game the chance to make it nine rebounds Savannah country game was into the frontcourt had to take a shot pretty quickly you need a quick to win a quick two here's Cortez He stops behind the line and shoots for an attack again you're not going to have foul and there it is.

And reach him by Cortez.

How about And Cortez looks a little shaken up on the play is taking a shot try to get the rebound It's quite a tough ball game today.

Come up big for them Reaves You got a shoulder to the neck, right?

There's Scott Rebound, 30 seconds to go.

Three point goals off the mark.

Five low.

Now you're playing behind the power curve.

You know, you get there again, you're in the same rat race.

You've been at the pocket book stealing foul and then they're trying to come to does that come down no pressure on the with the free throw put more pressure by from out of country down foul 80 devils little league turnover there's a turnover that helps Savannah country they get the ball back just 21 seconds to go now in this single championship got to take ball to the basket shot block loose ball good hustle by both teams Look for a quick post-up move right here watch a baseline slide with Sprague and Cooper open inbound with Cortez tries to get download is Craig Duhon great defensive play back on the other end Lady devils come up with it he's a chance that missed layup that's going to do it as did Wilcox 3 seconds to go and Hawkins no the fans are on their feet for their lady devils This is really been a well-coached game and here's your ball game.

Hawkins wins the single championship 5345 over Savannah Country Day And what a great story for show the Luster.

A former player comes back and coaches her team to a state championship.

And stay tuned to this club.

You'll probably see them back next year.

They have a lot of people coming back and they're very well coached.

They didn't outstanding job.

Both clubs did.

Both teams congratulating each other on a great game.

Hopkinsville fans, they love it.

It's going to be a great trip.

Back to Hawkins, though.

Let's go courtside to Gerald Oliver.

Gerald Thanks, Jim.

This was a great win for your program.

Talk about it for a second.

Yeah, but the girls have been down.

We've been down for a while, so this is like making history.

I would ask because they haven't won since 1989, since I played.

So this is my history.

I'm so proud of my girl.

I remember, I tell you, it was a second half.

She was about a little slow, but we picked the back up and I was about to catch that.

Now I'm great team.

Now I'm good fundamental team and they did outstanding job today gets to talk about the player Sierra du Hart I met I said I'm a freshman.

I got three more years.

Where does that stand?

I mean, she can do it whatever.

And she don't play opposition.

I mean, she gets to ask them questions.

Well, congratulations, Coach.

Great game.

Back over to you, Jim.

Thank you, Gerald.

Gerald, great job today.

Phil Hanson.

Nice job today as well.

I always appreciate you come back here working with you and everybody.

It's been a lot of fun.

Hopkinsville wins the single-A championship over Savannah country today, 53 to 45.

Thanks for watching.

Georgia Public Broadcasting, More basketball coming your way on GPB.

Stay tuned.

The end.

The Georgia High School Association state basketball championships has been made possible in part by Ibe CW, local number 613 South Trust Bank.

Georgia's electric membership Corporations dodge State Farm and by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

My friend Jill is on track.

It's time nicely