Georgia Public Broadcasting presents the 2008 Georgia High School Association's state basketball championship.

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Live from the Macon Coliseum in the Macon Center plex, it is the 28 GHC basketball championships.

Next on the docket, the Boys class, a title game between the Wesleyan Wolves 26 and five coming in sixth ranked on the year and the fourth ranked East Laurens Falcons coming into the game with a record of 30 and one.

Welcome back.

And now the question is on the floor.

Officially, now that the Wesleyan girls have won their title, can the boys finish the deal?

There are T-shirts that have been circling around campus.

One school, two teams, same dream.

This would be their first championship.

It would be also East Lauren's first championship.

They've been to the title game and lost twice.

The two guys you get to pilot the ship for is downstairs Charles Laughton, Herb White, gentlemen and thank you, John.

Indeed we are ready for blast off here at midcourt at the center plex Charles White along with Herb White.

Gerald Oliver joins us in a moment.

Herb, if it's really true that no journey is too long, if you find what you're seek, one of these teams will in their journey this year with their first state title.

Yeah, as John said, they've both been here a couple of times and they're both looking for that first one and it's going to be a clash of styles.

Charles One of those classic matchups East Lawrence loves to get up and down the floor.

I think they scored 96 in the semifinals.

They got five players in double figures.

And of course, Wesleyan is going to try to get shots for their two studs.

And there's one of them right there, Howard Thompkins, University of Georgia Bound.

Glad be able to say that for once.

28 points, ten rebounds a game he does a little bit of or a lot of everything and they want to get he and Tanner Smith into the offense because those are the two guys that get it done for Wesley and that Wolves lineup team averaging 65 points per ballgame and a very stingy defense, only giving up 53 points per contest.

Those are the starters Keep particular eye on Tanner Smith back in that lineup in the playoff round in the second round back in there and having an impact early for the wolves in this tournament and he's going to Clemson on to play up there.

So two great players for Wesley and for sure the Falcons of East Lawrence you talked about it a moment ago.

Everybody could be highlighted as one of the key players because a lot of players of that team put that basketball up a lot.

And I really find this play, all of those players averaging in double figures for starters.

And there you see Jimmy Williams Junior.

He is the coach's son.

So he knows how to play the game 14 points, 8.7 rebounds and 11.3 assists, almost average and a triple double excellent all around basketball player in East Lawrence of course just a long three point shot up of 16 here.

So you know they're going to have a lot of crowd here for this one.

All five players averaging in double figures for the Falcons of East Lawrence.

So a very potent offense by the Falcons coming into this championship game.

I'm still kind of on a high from that five eight game last night so ready for some more basketball for sure.

Starting lineups being introduced here.

The triplex that's going to take a lesson here tonight for the starting line ups.

First for Wesley at guard number 12, a five foot ten senior Dylan McLachlan.

At forward number one, a six foot four senior, Michael Cornelius.

At forward number 33, a six foot nine.

Senior Howard Tompkins at center number 32, a six foot five senior.

Eric Strong forward number 25, a six foot five senior.

Tanner Smith and Wesleyan head coach Skip Madeley.

And now for East Laurin and Guard number 12, the six foot five senior Ken Taylor at guard number 14, a six foot three senior, Jimmy Williams, junior at guard number 22, a six foot two senior, Antwan Bailey at forward number 23, a six foot three junior, Terrance Lewis at forward number 24, a six foot two junior.

Chris C Fast and he's Lions head coach Jimmy Williams starting line up so the Falcons and the Wolves have been introduced here at the central plex.

That means it's time for tip tipoff and that comes your way next on GPB is next career coming soon to Georgia public broadcasting broadcaster If this program is made possible in part by Buffalo as a proud sponsor of the Georgia High School Association, Georgia's electric membership corporations provide reliable electricity and service not only to our communities but to the athletes within Georgia's electric membership.

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This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station and now broadcasting in Digital in the Atlanta area, the Wolves of Wesleyan and the Falcons of these Lions getting set to tip it for the two way championship.

But before we have the tip, let's go courtside to our Geraldo Rivera Gerald.

Hey, Charles, the big matchup today is Lewis versus Thompkins.

I talked to Coach Williams before the game and he said he's actually going to have Louis Gar Tompkins one on one.

And that's going to be interesting because Louis is giving up about seven inches and height to THOMPKINS So, Charles, we just have to see how that works out throughout the game.

Small package on such a big guy.

We'll see how that plays out.

Joel, thanks a lot.

Well, he's Lawrence doesn't have anybody over 65, so I was wondering if they're going to try some kind of gimmick defense ala Colombia versus Noel Johnson last night.

It looks like they're going straight up taps controlled by the Falcons zone.

Defense early for the Wolves.

Bailey handles out in the corner.

Lewis picks his first touch on the jelly roll games, hangs in the air and left it short by towards the end.

Rebound comes clear on the other side for the layup and these lions have come at you offensively from a lot of ways as we mentioned five players in double figures.

Jerry Williams senior the coach describes the sudden jump to New Orleans Junior as a slasher and he saw it on that first penetration to the basket Wolves on there and on the floor they work it down inside the paint to Tompkins knocking the runner up but it's caught off an arm quickly back the other way it's a foul opens CBS tied up good defensive work by Wesleyan They've going to come away with a steal.

Jeff Lockman took it away.

Tanner leads the great right side now leaves it behind for strong.

It was taken away by the Falcons quick pace here and it's a flex that one goes out of bounds stays with these lions.

Well, Wesleyan, a well-coached team they may not fastbreak a lot on offense but they had three defensive players back defense the fast break we used to say.

And that's what you need against a team like these lions, especially a three pointer by Taylor Lorimer pops in and comes out of there.

THOMPKINS With its first rebound coach Madeley Hollins out of play, away from the basket.

As Thompkins Now Horn handles.

THOMPKINS Once the paint got it airborne, shot it airborne by force.

So a rebound, that's a foul on the inside.

THOMPKINS At six nine, working hard inside the paint just on the first, somehow able to get back in the fray and pick up that loose basketball.

HOWARD and transferred away from West Linn went to the plate goes Hargrove for a year came back now finishes senior year at Wesleyan in front of the home folks And then he'll be playing in front of the home folks for hopefully several years up in Athens.

Got off to a little bit of a slow start, though.

He's missed his first two shots and a free throw for the second, and the walls break into the scoring half Williams back the other way across the floor, get renovated left corner.

See this Falcons pull away from the basket at this corner and Wesley is coming out a little bit.

They don't have to worry about any anybody inside really hurting them as much with Thompkins in there and they know he's Lawrence loud for 5 to 3 from anywhere.

That was Williams on the move he was fouled by McLaughlin for Wesley Byrd.

So with the elimination of an inside game by the Falcons, will be interesting to see how they shoot from the perimeter in this contest.

Well I don't know what good they don't have a lot of size.

That doesn't mean they necessarily don't have anybody that can play inside.

But with Thompkins at six nine, if you're going to present some problems, full court pressure by the Falcons, Kanter works it across the time line over to Cornelius missed on the late late on it comes away to Williams now Taylor handles kicks it back to Bailey left corner they go to six Taylor running jumper which is all two pointer I believe Taylor at six five averaging over 18 points per game for the Falcons They try to go inside That's what it does to Howard Thompkins and they throw it too far, turn over, gives it back to East Lions.

A bit of a miscommunication there.

Tanner Smith thought Thompkins was going to drop down into the low block.

He was looking for it up high that time.

Wesley is going to drop down in classification next year to late this year.

So that's a little right New Orleans now.

And in all this Taylor with a runner up and five missed it that's a tackle that was errant as well.

Thompkins finally clears for Wesley Steele kind of going up camellias back the other way Here comes the Falcons underrated and it's going to a little bit of a lazy pass by Thompkins threw it across court didn't have a lot of zip and the wolves took control Excuse me the Falcons Cornelius works baseline trying to get it back out to Tanner Smith.

That one tapped out of bounds by Jimmy Williams.

Both teams looking for a first state title.

Early in this first period.

It's the Falcons leading at six one over the Wolves, a West impact Time Out.

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4 minutes, 12 seconds remaining in this first quarter of this championship ballgame.

Glad you could join us on GPB.

We're live from there.

May consider flex Herb the early feel out portion of the ballgame right now.

The Falcons seemingly settling into what they want to do offensively doing a pretty good job defensively as well.

Yeah, Wesleyan looking a little bit out of sync, a couple of bad passes and really not sharp yet.

I hope the security guards are out in these lines because I think the whole town, as I showed up here tonight at Wesleyan, will inbound the basketball Smith across the time line had that ankle injury that sidelined them for quite a while over the course of the season made his return in the first round of the tournament.

Wesleyan misses is on the jumper back quickly.

The other way is Williams Finesse, a jumper.

When he was on target, Tanner Smith shot an airball and then he committed the mistake of trying to block the outlet pass.

Once he did that and the ball got past him, he's Lawrence had the numbers and they're going to have him again.

They got the double up and the steal quickly back the other way on the way in that was missed by Taylor Thompkins.

Will need a break by Wesleyan over the tanner Nice pass across the floor to McLAUGHLAN back to Tompkins converts some of that stuff that ought to help him in terms of the rhythm whistles and an offensive foul total pacifist Eric Strong, the defensive leader for the wolves, taking the charge at the baseline.

Of course, the Falcons, one of those teams, they don't care for the score.

They just figure that's an opportunity for them to get run.

And again, Eric Strong, the senior taking the charge at the baseline, puts Matheny says he's a cool headed guy and they rely on him for the defense for the wolves there.

So to himself gives the basketball back to Wesley Thompkins at the BLOCK.

Now back to Smith for three.

Had a good look couldn't put it down Rebound though comes to scores he goes to the glass his shots off the mark cleared now by the Falcons very quickly up the floor Williams getting pressure from McLaughlin but now they go down inside Nice looking kind of looking past the two with Lewis but they could convert Thompkins smothered that one and Tanner Smith's going to have to hit that jump shot when he feeds it into Thompkins low and they double team, he kicks it back out.

They need Tanner Smith to hit a few of those to loosen that up.

No question.

That's a two man offense for Wesley with those two players.

But finally, a three pointer is done on McCloughan.

He is the three point specialist Wesley he's lions by two with a basketball approaching the two minute mark remaining first quarter two three defense for the wolves left corner of surface fires a three that's him off the mark rebound cleared by Tanner back in time with the basket here Tanner behind the back left side the big block and rejected by to New Orleans.

Are they going to call a foul on that to see who got it.

Looked like one of them got a pretty good block.

SMITH With a good pass to make.

Lasley You call it Charles right.

Laugh until the line converts on the first another like that again might have got him just with the little bit of the body Jimmy Williams coming across we have gotten him with about it.

Buckle up and get some ball where Todd at eight again great camerawork by our crew right on top of him Give you every angle you want Williams now across the floor to go to see it now Bailey for three Bailey shots on the rim and across the dance step there for a moment but he got to shoot as long it's Sunday school bounce, he must be going to Sunday school every week to get that one.

SMITH Across the timeline, But Cornelius handles now strong with a good move inside the paint after scoring with the jumper squares.

Good looking for the game Wesleyan very patient on offense that took shooter's rims here in the making car see a lot of shots fall in after they hit the iron.

I always like that.

I hit out every shot ever.

But from way outside, it's Taylor.

It's off the mark that's loose on the floor.

And Thompkins finally clears for Wesleyan.

Here comes Cornelius right side.

It's got Tanner and Smith in the corner.

Definitely was close inside.

When he gets the blocking foul, we'll take another look at that one.

Yep.

He moved over under him.

They didn't like it over there on these Lawrence bench, but from our angle, it was a clear cut case of sliding under the offensive player and Thompkins, One of those big guys.

It gives you that ability.

He can get the rebound and bring it out on the dribble.

Instead of having to make the outlet pass, he can take two or three dribbles to get that break cranked up.

Joe saw it on that break for the wolves as they come down the floor.

Williams misses on the first and that was putting a timely football on the season just under four points per ball They just under three rebounds and one assist for a contests for Michael Williams the senior he converts on the second lower we're back tied at 11 with under a minute remaining on the penetration is trailing but on the Senator Smith would score Wesley all the way through a nice drive by Tanner Smith.

But in this kind of late Taylor with some difficulty corralling the basketball may have gotten a break with the foul on McLaughlin.

But Tanner Smith, with a great drive to the basket, kept it on the break, went up over the rack, couldn't get it to go and then complaining to the official after the play.

And I hate to see that get back down the floor because you got to get back with the Falcons.

They're coming at you.

7 seconds remaining.

Falcons trying to play for one last shot from outside.

It'll be Williams hit the rim.

Missed it.

Did he get the tap back before the time expires at the end of one?

We're right back where we started.

We're tied this time at 11 apiece.

The Falcons and the Wolves Double-A championship from the set of next four coming your way after this.

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Back live for the championship game, East Lawrence and Wesleyan tied at 11 apiece.

Before we start back in action, let's go over to Gerald Delivery.

Gerald got some further information on how it Tompkins Gerald Yeah, it's how Howard Tompkins played his freshman and sophomore year with Wesleyan, but he played with Oakfield Academy last year.

He met Coach Smith during the summer and he got the opportunity to play.

He was excited about it.

He got a chance to win a championship.

However, he decided to come back here and play with Wesleyan because he missed his family and friends.

And the coach said he's very humble, very coachable, and Charles very willing to receive direction.

Thank you.

Gerald Street Smith all-American Howard Tompkins is well, a great story there to come back and that his friends and family were happy to see his teammates strong at the block and the ball swatted by Williams.

But he regains.

Now on the run is Cornelius to the glass with best from Tanner Smith.

And the Wesleyan takes their first lead of the ballgame.

Well, this is the kind of score that Wesleyan would like to see looking like it's going to be somewhere in the fifties.

But you never know.

Things could get cranked up.

WILLIAMS Out front next 16 on the floor for the wolves.

Now, of course, as anybody will tell you, the best way to keep teams from fast break and make your shot is the question that Williams missed on that shot for the Falcons.

Airball gives it back to the wolves.

We talked about it Herb prior to coming on here that this had to be about tempo in terms of who would assert themselves and let their style of play dominate the ballgame.

A low score at this point in the case.

Who has been doing that?

They haven't been able to create these and they're not really pressing yet.

Tanner Smith, an excellent ball handler and bringing it up against pressure.

Strong up top guarded by Aldridge at the block for two spins.

Smith Excellent for Leslie had some pressure down low at the block but able to get the shot up and end for the wolves It's Jimmy Williams barking up play You've got to get that ball into the middle against the zone Even with Howard Thompkins in there, even if you don't get the shot up, you got to get the ball in the middle to try to collapse that zone, but not really challenged at this point.

Yeah, New Orleans, way behind the three point line for the Falcons player standing behind the arc at this point, this content to pass around the perimeter.

I think you're very comfortable for the wolves now on the jumper it's Lewis and his shot is off the mark.

Well you're not going to get many offensive rebounds without you people on the perimeter as well backside from Smith Cooper the Yes and Cornelius conversely and for Wesley Bailey out for a six point lead now for Wesley with the left side Taylor and the blocking foul going to be called on Taylor as he tried to penetrate down low and yes he's down there taking the charge again that's Eric Strong so strong with his second charge of this first half for Wesley and gives the basketball back to the wolves 14 fouls on the Falcons now five team power Stephen Smith and also basketball got it to the rack Let's go to the shot but there's Thompson spreading the wings to collect the Allen shot and he was fouled the one time.

The slow pace of the game allows Thompkins to be in the in the action on both ends of the floor and there you see it the foul and he does have to run to try to catch up to the action on either end.

And so his six nine presence is going to be there offensively and defensively.

Have you ever seen actually the point of Hopkins Williams out on the first free throw He may have an opportunity to neutralize and to some degree if you get your running game and a transition game in effect to keep him huffing and puffing up and down the floor right now, Thompson's have not been able to do that.

Embarks on the second of two hits.

Christopher Thomas checks into the foul line up.

He replaces Ken Taylor and the Falcons need a little spark, something to get things going.

Williams wants top of the key.

He got to move.

It's Thomas.

Get aggressive against zone split the difference get in there create something just what you talked about they got it on that particular possession now full court pressure by the Falcons Smith inside pass the strong strong challenges surface and calls the foul That's an excellent pass by Tanner Smith about ten or 12 feet out pass the arc and found the player underneath Let's watch it right at the arc but nonetheless a nice pass and drew the foul by Eric Swalwell.

Go to the line for Wesley Strong and this is on the first on the season a 66% free throw shooter as Alex battle comes into the Falcon lineup and at Wesleyan shooting about 50% from the free throw line.

Thompkins has missed a couple out of four and Strong's missed.

And I think the other play, The Shot missed one or two drop and he goes one of two converting on the second wolves, leading by five falcons with the basketball foul play Williams up step but they're letting jumper got it to the seven a stop falls off Smith wants to run for Wesley quick quick pass up the floor Thompson's taken to the rack missed on the lane ball's to make clear Wesley the side on the floor.

Russell's inside, Nic sizzling.

What a good effort for Wesley to save the basketball for the wolves.

Now.

THOMPKINS To the line, a little bit of a scary moment there for Wesley.

And on that fast break here, you see Thompkins following up, getting fouled on the rebound.

But out there on that break, he caught that ball a little bit off balance, took a funny step, but came out unscathed.

Thompkins converts on the front end of a two shot file for the release of all the Wesley and fans and probably tens of thousands of University of Georgia fans across the state.

Speaking after a stop, the second 2113, the Wolves leading the Falcons of Eastlands quick time out here to make it the side effects will come back with 424 remaining in the second quarter.

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Welcome back to the May consider plex second quarter action in the boys two A final game at the Wolves, the Wesleyan 21 and the Falcons of East Lions 13 Falcons are the wolves Herb at this point now settled in to their transition basketball game.

Yeah they weren't real sharp early, but the last 4 minutes or 5 minutes they really controlled the half court offense But the Falcons of Lawrence beginning to do what they need to do.

The last couple of times they penetrated against that zone, put it up on the backboard, try to follow it up, go get it, see if you can draw a couple of fouls.

On Howard Tompkins taking it inside.

I'll top as they surface near the time line.

That's C4 squaring up the block on top and safeties with the right hand side of the ball, little jump hook right up and over the big fella.

Smith Cross the time line for Wesley at the block Tompkins working hard on it Apple and Russell on the play They'll get him to the travel violation Good defensive work inside by Alex Battle the senior didn't take the fake I did I thought he was going up Williams left corner six at the block I'm literally there with Lewis at the side and they throw the pants basketball out of bounds.

Turnover gives it back to the wolves.

And that time Tompkins was ready for the little move to the middle.

Got up high.

Lewis had nowhere to go but out of bounds with it.

Smith quickly back the other way, all the way through to the glass.

Well, get him to the offensive charge.

Dennis Smith at six five and a long strides all the way through good defensive work down at the block.

LEWIS Alex Battle once again Battle took the charge.

He took a shot then but stood his ground trying to work it in there.

The Lewis Now Thompson's trying to step up on the defense.

Lewis got an airborne the foul from Tompkins.

that's a good possession.

You get the free throws and a foul on Tompkins.

And that's one guy that Wesleyan can certainly ill afford to get in foul trouble.

we're trying to go up and under.

well, it's the junior actually plays a lot better when he gets the ball on the wing.

But given the dynamics of this game, they're forcing him down at the block, converts on the first flag.

It might play a little football.

Well, I love the Mike Loughlin back on the floor for the Wolves.

Who?

Jack Johnston for Wesleyan as well.

So Lewis converts on both full court pressure now by the Falcons at the block.

Tompkins Hopkins forcing his way inside.

Got it.

Airborne shots off the mark, but he draws the foul.

Well the Falcons be better off just let Tompkins shoot that fadeaway shot you see Tanner Smith and he's a cool customer with the ball Tompkins is fading away No sin fouled in there.

He's either going to make that or not.

They give him two free throws and bail him out.

Converts on the first and long as you got him fading away from the basket, no need to foul.

But Tompkins two of two.

That's up to the free throw line an 80 and now 2317 Tompkins So Gerald talking about how Tompkins is having played at OAKHILL last year and coming back to Georgia this year had surgery a couple of weeks prior to the start of this season as the Falcons converted the basket once again, getting inside on the zone got about a 12 foot jump shot, was able to tip it in.

Tanner Smith behind the ARC fires a three pointer.

Carter had his rhythm going there Smith to get the three point basket extends the wolves lead at the block low a shot rejected by Tompkins foul play turn around at six two and put it up in the six nine man's face Tanner back the other way quickly off slices through Got the lane and it was a foul Nice move by Tanner Smith He's feeling a little dipsy doodle off the backboard the double clutch.

Here he goes.

Bingo.

Bango, bango.

Chance with a three point play showed all assets of his game moment ago.

He stopped on the back dribble, popped about a 24 foot three pointer, gets a three pointer the hard way Clemson signee doing some good work there for the wolves in Taylor back on the floor for the Falcons and Smith not only a tough player for the rest of the world but also a good dry overall start at this charity called Taylor.

It's totes.

That's why I have a chance to talk about that over in this first half.

They'll get out on a very scattered, interesting notes on that jumper by Williams behind the arc that one's off the mark basketball comes away to Wesley Williams Got a good look then couldn't get it to go down Tomkins on the move right side all the way to the rack thanks room for the wolves Wesleyan really starting to feel at both ends of the floor now not getting much of a challenge defensively that's it got the Falcons so far spread out and it's really helping them on their transition to offense at the block.

It's a battle now pass across the quarter he missed on the lane in the grappling beat the frame the pass to long basketball back over these lines nice give and go by the Falcons in couldn't convert under a minute remaining in this first half it's Madeley telling his guys get the ball let's take it easy probably shoot one shot if they get the ball back here Williams at ease lines with it right now 44 seconds remaining first down but want to make sure they get it get some points on possession Lewis bounce pass right side Taylor Taylor back to Lewis in the play he got bumped shot fell off and he'll go to the line this exchange on the pass there from Taylor to Lewis it's good to see what adjustments that the Falcons make at halftime.

They're going to have to do something, try to pick the tempo of this game.

Charles maybe come out with some more pressure.

Although with Tanner Smith, the way he handles Thompkins also a good ball handler, six, nine and they can throw over the press could make it tough, but they're definitely going to have to do something to create some more tempo in this game.

Certainly try to do what you talk about, Herbert getting that basketball on the inside a lot.

Alex battle into the lineup battles the tallest player on the team at 67a senior hadn't had a whole lot of minutes this year and not very effective thus far as an inside presence on offense of Tempranillo and more aggressiveness against their own defense is what they're going to need overall time to fake at home.

He's off the mark and Hollis Tompkins takes a hard fall under the Wolves basket.

Yeah, right on that tailbone.

If you've ever done that before, you know how that feels.

Hate to watch it again, but here it is, left side of your screen.

Yeah, that'll hurt.

nothing to cushion it.

The young man is moving those moving his arms and legs, which is always a good sign when somebody hits in the lower back.

What really scares you when somebody laser and doesn't move after they've taken that kind of fall?

But definitely a jolt.

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Howard Tompkins giving it a pretty good hand when he gets up.

But I can tell you after taking several those falls from up high saying that does scares you about as bad as anything we do that feeling of coming down without your feet underneath you is a bad feeling.

A supportable floor here in the Macon Coliseum.

So that has a little bit more give to it at least instead of just the floor that's laid right on a hard concrete surface.

Good.

Tompkins is a senior at six nine, alluded to it a second ago, had stomach surgery prior to the start of the season.

That did not affect him at all.

Put up some really good numbers for the Wolves Wesleyan throughout the course of the year, over 28 points per ballgame.

But obviously a lot of concern by the Wolves coaching staff that he's standing on his feet now here in the central place with more basketball action coming your way from the Macon Center plex as we conclude, two days of championship basketball, the girls three eight championship that was coming up at 7 p.m. tonight, Carrollton versus Kendrick in the Girls three eight.

Well, it looks like it looked like Tompkins might have caught his leg a little funny as he came down to again, we couldn't see everything.

And he's hurting on that ankle or the knee one.

So it was it wasn't just the lower back Charles Boys triple play coming up later to this evening at 845 as well All of that live on GPB.

Well this he is gimpy to be a damaging blow to the Wesleyan if Howard Tompkins is unable to continue.

But right before halftime, 23.2 seconds left in the first half so they can get him out of the game, take him to the locker room, get some treatment on that thing, and hopefully get him back in the ballgame in the second half season numbers over 28 points per ballgame, over ten rebounds and 2.3 assists.

But it's definitely that right leg is giving him some problems.

And I don't know if that came from the blow to his lower back or if he twisted that leg on the way down, actually fell right on his right buttock.

And that seems to be where the problem is.

He just came straight down to the floor on the right side.

Is there a chiropractor in the house, 21 seconds remaining in this first half, if there is any benefit to it at all.

Right.

Herbert comes right before the intermission, so has a chance to regroup after halftime, get one more look at it, see if we can watch him come down right on that right hip.

And that that left leg was kind of funny.

It was out straight.

I don't know if he locked it.

Thanks a lot.

But maybe we'll get a report from the bench over there before the end of that before we get back out for the third quarter.

Griffin Sharp at the line for the Wolves, the sophomore.

Well, you're able to bring in whoever you want.

So they bring in an excellent free throw.

It converts on both the largest lead of the game now for the Wolves as the Falcons will play for a one loss left side that's at the Bailey for three.

Bailey can't convert basketball over to the walls No call play no call on that one right at the end of the buzzer.

So at the end of the first half it is.

The wolves of Wesleyan are setting themselves late in the first half.

They lead at 3321 over the Falcons of Islam's.

Gerald Oliveira standing by with coach Matt Madeley.

Coach, the flow of this game really favors your team.

How you been able to control the tempo?

Well, just we played the game we wanted to play.

I think my next move might be I think we're going to duck on the bus while well, we got a chance now and get on out of here now.

Have we've kept them from killing us on the boards.

We've contested shots and we've been pretty patient at our end.

So, you know, we do those things.

We're playing our game.

Thompkins fought his way back from surgery before the season.

Just talked about how much of a warrior he is.

Well, you're going to find out in the second half because he's hurt pretty bad.

But he did know he came back from appendix surgery three weeks before the season started, basically, and was ready to play from day one.

So I hope he'll fight through this.

All right.

Well, good luck in the second half.

Coach Charles down 3321 at the intermission.

The Wolves leading the Falcons step aside for a timeout.

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Welcome back to the Macon Coliseum in the Macon Center plex, halftime of the boys class to a state championship.

Wesleyan leading East Lawrence by the score of 33 to 2116 minutes in the books and that means one thing we head downstairs and check in with Gerald Olivetti and see how things are with these two schools on the academic side.

Gerald.

The floor is yours.

All right.

Thanks a lot, John.

I'm here in the principal's office with Keelan Waldroup and Zach Young.

We'll talk to Zach in a second.

Well, let's head over here to East Dublin, not Dublin, East Dublin.

Just talk about the community to sports that you've had from your community coming out here today.

Well, this has been a long time coming for this forum.

It's been a while since we've been here.

We've had such great support from our community, not only from our East Lawrence fans, which have been following us for years.

But one of the things that's happened this this year is that all of the Lawrence County has gotten in and supported us, West Orange, Dublin, East Lawrence We've had great support throughout the community.

This has been just a wonderful for all of us academically.

Understand.

You have an excellent honors program over there.

Tell me more about that.

About three years ago, we started a new honors program at East Lawrence.

And one of the things that's taken place is we started a Latin program on Saturday morning, Saturdays, and it's that Saturday morning they take classes.

And this past year, Ace Lawrence won the Governor's Award Governor's Cup for four and the highest site improvement scores in the past three years.

Now, what would it mean for your community to get that first championship over at your school?

it'd be kind of like a monkey off our back.

We've been here twice before back in 2099 and 2000 and had to play a tough work as an county team and to get this monkey off our back.

And two, to win this trophy and bring it home for our community to be an outstanding achievement.

All right.

Well, let's head on over here to headmaster Zach Young.

Let's talk about some things going on at your school.

I understand that you have a special band performance coming up.

Tell me more about that.

Well, the U.S. Army band is coming to play at Wesleyan at the end of this month.

We have a terrific band program.

We're a small school.

We've only got 400 or so in the high school.

So we're a little but we have a great band program.

Jeff Foster runs a high school program, and Ruthie Colegrove runs the middle school program.

And they're the ones who are responsible for getting the Army band to come.

And we're all excited about it because they're the best.

Now, you may be a small school, but you are expanding.

Tell me more about the expansion you have going on.

Well, the expansion we're trying to get out of trailers.

We have been in trailers since 1996 when we moved to the new campus and created a high school.

And so it's only this year that we're completely out of trailers.

We've been on a big capital campaign trying to raise money and build buildings.

And now the first master plan is complete.

And we don't have any trailers on the campus for the first time in 12 years.

So this is a big deal.

Well, congratulations to having your schools here today.

Also, thanks a lot for some time with this killer.

Let's send it back over to John.

Thank you, Gerald.

Zach Young has been a very busy man today, but for the good reasons.

One school, two teams, same dream alive and well.

After 6 minutes, send it back down to Charles and Herb to look at the first half.

And safe to say, guys, on the Wesleyan side, TNT, Tompkins and Tanner was dynamite in the first half.

I think you've called it perfectly, John.

That one two punch for the Wolves asserted itself late in that first half, giving them that big lead.

Ah yeah, again, they got off to a little bit of a slow start, but once they got into their half court rhythm, Tanner Smith and Howard Tompkins took over and they, they ran their offense very well and their zone defense gave the Falcons a lot of trouble.

East Lawrence was not aggressive against that zone early on.

They did finally start trying to take it inside with a little bit of success, but they're going to have to do a lot more of that in the second half and maybe find a way they can get their offense there, their tempo up, you know, up to snuff so their offense can get cranked up.

They need to create some pressure, maybe full court and hopefully make Wesley and miss a few shots so they can get the break going up.

I think they had one fast break.

It was early on.

We'll probably see it on the highlights here in a minute.

Highlights coming your way right now from the make them Center flex in this boys championship.

First piece launched on that fast break you talked about Ken Taylor got the lay in for them.

I think that was in the first minute of play to Charles.

But Howard Thompkins working inside after a good pass.

So McLaughlin got the basket and then the very soft rams here and a set of blocks, that one favoring the wall.

The Falcons now quickly on transition the basket by Cornelius after the good pass from Tanner, Smith and Smith connecting from outside on the three point jumper for the wolves and then capping off that first half before the entry.

Thompkins at the Baseline banked at home for the wolves.

And right now at the intermission, it's the walls leading at 3321.

As we take a look at some of the first half stats here, Wesley Wesleyan shoot a little bit better.

Not a whole lot of three point shots in that first half, two for four for the East Laurence, one for five for Wesley and free throws.

Look at that for East Lawrence, 15 for 20.

I don't know if that's correct or not.

And the rebounds Wesley Wesleyan with Howard Thompkins garnering the majority of those rebounds with a pretty good edge there.

Turnovers not really a factor.

We'll have to check those free throws, but if he's Lawrence shot 20 free throws that I didn't see him.

We'll take a look at that at the break.

3321 your score at halftime.

Quick time out and back with more from the making the center flex Elvis live in concert reunites Elvis back on stage with his original backup singers and band members in commemoration of the 25 years since his passing, this magnificent concert event took place at the Pyramid Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, Monday at 930 on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

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Back live at the Macon Center Plex Boys Championship.

Good crowd on hand as Wesleyan leads at 3321 over the Falcons of Eastlands in this championship ballgame.

Geraldo Rivera standing by what coach Jimmy Williams of the Falcons.

Coach Williams, how are you going to change the tempo of this game so we could get more points on the board?

We got to speed this game up and we're going to come out and try to pressure them full court man to man and try to speed this game up, make it 1 to 5, get a little out of control, make 33, make other people around the basketball and see if we can pressure them to make him bass up and then take advantage the open shots.

Okay.

Well, good luck in the second half, Coach.

Thank you.

Back over to you, Charles.

Thank you, Gerald.

Coach Williams may have a break coming in his favor starting this second half, we saw Howard Tompkins coming back onto the floor into the arena with the team.

That boy Herbert looks like he's not going to be able to go for a while.

We don't want to be premature about it.

But he did come out looking just as bad with that leg as he did when he left before the intermission.

Yeah, we still haven't got a report on exactly what the injury was.

But you're right, he was took him 5 minutes to get from the concourse over to the bench.

So, you know, it really looks bad for Wesley, but they do have a 12 point lead, so let's see how they can play it.

Sophomore will have an awful first try to dump it down low to blow us.

Basketball was tapped away in a row.

Belong to the wolves Wesleyan.

Well now Wesleyan without Howard Tompkins is going to try to slow it down even more probably, and be even more under control.

Looking for the good shot.

They're going to rely on Tanner Smith.

And of course, we heard the Falcons coach saying we're going to put more pressure on him, so let's see who prevails here.

Gerald Oliviera, standing by with a foot on the top of Gerald Tompkins has an icepack on on his back on the bench.

The training staff says they do not plan to put him back in the game right now.

So we'll have to see how the tempo of his game changes without him in there.

Thank you, Gerald.

They make it tough for Wesley to hang on to that lead without him.

And we'll see what kind of adjusted they make.

Well, the tempo may not change, but the tenor of the game surely will.

Cornelius handles out front, so someone else in that Wolves lineup will have the stats.

As someone who got the break, Emily Tanner Smith, he knows he's going to have to create some offense for himself and his teammates as he does get it.

But it comes right back to the Falcons, whistles in the back court foul called on Jack Johnston, the 23 year old Wesley and going to have to send everybody to the defensive board.

Now Howard Tompkins was pretty much clear in the rebounds himself and we saw that free throw stat at the end of the at halftime and that was Wesley and he shot 20 free throws and not if Lawrence as the five up on the land it was Terrence Lewis for the foul but he's pretty.

Smith comes back the other way for Wesley after mid-stride and Smith going to be guilty of the offensive push off good defensive work by Tim Taylor the senior for the Falcons I know that's 2000 Smith He had one other offensive foul here we see it again play that's his second We know he got the offensive foul driving to the basket and he's going to have to be careful.

They certainly can ill afford to have him in foul trouble.

Williams handles for ease lines.

Neither team has won a state title.

If the Falcons have played in two previous championship ballgames down low.

The pass was shot by Taylor off, but Bailey converts on the backside, put back and will go to the line.

Nice offensive work by the Falcons.

They're a couple of crisp interior passes and makes it a lot easier inside that paint without Howard Tomkins six nine frame in there Taylor missed on the shop a Bailey there with a nice adjustment and he shot it to the glass.

It goes to the line right spot right time Avery with an airball and a free throw so they get to its 3525.

I don't know if there's a chance in world anymore.

The fans like to do any more than Airball is probably the number one type defense and a steal to the Falcons once again.

But Williams throws it out of bounds.

But the officials say it stays with the Falcons.

Well, maybe.

Hey, hey, good bye.

That may be the face.

That's the one they used when they won the game.

So the Falcons with the turnover and a chance to cut into that wolves lead as Louis goes to the rack the fouls called and there you see Lawrence again deciding hey the big guys out of there let's take it inside.

Nice dish.

Lewis couldn't get it to go down but he'll go to the line for two Eric Strong inserted into the middle of that defense for the wolves with the absence of confidence.

Jimmy Williams took the baseline Nice pass If he gets any assist out of it.

that's converts on the second the margin now is under ten for Wesley that put pressure and this time they get the foul on Williams number look for actually call the foul on Ken Taylor but the pressure relentless by the Falcons high scoring handles in the back court for Wesleyan.

Now over to Smith Smith across the time line tight defense by Williams Smith on the turn gives it to Johnston Johnson misses on the runner quickly back the other way come the Dolphins right side as Louis all the way to the racket he got the line low good no call by the official there just a little contact but Williams really went up to get that one 3528 now wolves with the lead Smith right side and a timeout taken by coach Natalie without the presence of Tompkins wolves having some difficulty last couple of minutes in the ballgame trying to answer his absence with a rhythm that they can put together time out on the floor, we'll step aside as well.

That's Wesleyan leading it.

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Howard Tompkins can.

He can't even get up off the bench without assistance to get to the huddle and really looking bad.

And you hate to see that the young man came back to Wesleyan just for this very thing to play in and put his team in a championship game and he's going to be forced to watch it looks like Tanner Smith rising to the occasion.

Charles got inside there for the easy play and Wesleyan extends their lead by quickly the other way with a nice run from about three feet away is Chrysippus, a seven point lead for Wesleyan.

Pressure by the Falcons Strong comes across the timeline for Wesleyan, and I'll try to trap him at the sideline.

Brown is fouled Ken Taylor a bit too aggressive They had him right where they wanted him trap but Taylor commits the foul.

I really come and ask for Wesleyan now and there's early on in the ballgame Herman in the first quarter of action first couple of minutes that was a style of play the Falcons were playing even with Tompkins on the floor, which enabled him to get that early lead.

They were very aggressive, but they kind of fell into Wesleyan tempo and got out of that strong, works it in the back court as Stefan was up top on the game, too strong in the paint got it airborne in this down the shot rebound cleared by Cypress see this quickly up the floor left side Louis Louis lost his balance and the basketball so Wesleyan has it for Tanner Smith really sees the floor will Smith upside got a crease to the right and you could see that from for he saw it took advantage of it Well he knows what he's got to do.

He's controlling the the basketball right now and he's doing everything right.

Williams works for the right side.

He found the lane that an airborne got the lay in and athletes call it an offensive foul.

They may give him the basket they call a foul offensively against Williams like he turned it loose about the same time as a contact I haven't seen.

Did they give him the bucket?

They haven't indicated yet on the replay?

Well, the call is if he's turned the ball loose before the contact has made it look like it was pretty much simultaneous.

Usually they'll give you the the basket good sign, but no indication that that happened.

Excuse me with that basket.

Good.

Yeah.

No.

So they waved the basket off basketball over to the wolves.

BRB get it right into it.

Take an opportunity.

They ask the officials right in front.

And just like always, whenever asked him in my playing days, I completely ignored me.

I didn't say anything to Smith back the other way with the way and again and we got the crowd from Wesleyan on its feet.

Is it possible for color analyst to get a technical?

We may find out in a minute.

Give it to can do so.

Tanner Smith trying to carry those guys on to him on his shoulders as Williams has a three pointer for the Falcons that was off the mark Smith from off the floor left side Bailey got in closely for the lead was 12 at halftime and is still 11.

So Wesleyan able to maintain most of that leg even without Thompkins in the ballgame show the New Orleans right side opposite got it down low throw it away Bailey Fuller to the Falcons and Lewis on the move running jumper Got it to the rack with the shots off There's a good strong backside rebound by Jefferson to put that just keep us with the two ball put pressure by the Falcons and you wonder about Tanner Smith it's going to wear him down He's trying to be a one man show basically what a one man show is walking right down throughout the jump around to about ten feet away.

He's huffing and puffing.

He's got those cheeks rosy red.

He's got that fair complexion.

He's been over with his hands on his knee.

We're going to find out how much he can take by ten points so far in this quarter.

And a timeout taken on the field on the floor, 4332.

Geraldo Rivera standing by, Gerald Turner.

Smith is stepping it up without Thompkins the floor, but he's also stepped it off off the court.

He has a charity called Tenders Totes and where they deliver care packages to kids with cancer.

He decided to do that because his father is battling cancer.

And so he's not only stepping up on the court, but also off the court as well.

If you want more information about that, go to tenders dotcom.

Charles.

Thank you, Gerald.

And an absolutely great story about the exploits of Tanner Smith off a basketball kind of story they cover on prep sports Plus and indeed it is the first heard about that story are aired on Fox Sports plus Georgia Public Broadcasting's long running high school show about sports, but more important, about the great kid or great things that Georgia student athletes do in the school, in the community.

And Smith certainly a glowing example of that committed to Clemson the senior right now with ten points in this third quarter 17 total on the night with the absence of his partner offensively Howard Tompkins Smith has got to carry the load and he's done so thus far.

Well, I'm sorry.

Go ahead, Charles.

Just going to give a time break.

Go ahead to 25.

If I'm Coach Williams, I say don't give Tanner Smith the basketball.

If he gives it up, make sure he doesn't get it back.

Let's make it tough on him to get the ball, because that's really going to throw Wesley and out of their offense.

But so far, Tanner Smith's been able to step up and pretty much make up for Thompkins absence.

Bailey out front, left side of Williams on the move, now dumped back outside the safest cross the floor to go to Thomas and a travel violation coming against Terrance Laws.

Well, we've seen it happen before.

You see it and it's somebody playing.

A guy in Tennessee gets hurt and you think he's going to blow the guy out.

And the same thing sometimes in a ballgame, the star gets hurt.

You think you're going to have it a little easier and the other guys step up and it doesn't get any easier for you.

Well, you have to make the adjustments for the absence of the player.

That's not in the lineup.

Exactly.

Turnover situation, wrestling with nine easy lines with six basketball will stay with the from the wolves in there in the fourth they lead it by 11 one thing and Wesley in favors it he's Lawrence is not a big team they don't you know they don't have a size advantage even with Thompkins out they're only six nine player for west when it's pretty much an even matchup now size wise so you know that is not going to hurt Wesley and actually call hard you're absolutely right on that but they still have not challenge on the inside even even though this size is good evening out wolves down under their a basket as Johnson King works it back up top too strong and a whistle on the play That's not when you want to play him tough when he gets the ball you want to keep him play let him have the ball too easily.

You get out there and don't let him have the ball back because once he gets it, he can really do pretty much what he wants.

As far as ball handling out on the perimeter, you're going to have to follow him if you're going to try to play him tough like that.

Cornelius To inbound, it does so too strong in the backcourt.

Here comes the immediate pressure by the Falcons.

Now they're trying to play him where they strong.

Down in the corner, the Nikola trying to deny the basketball, just like you can see that Williams going for the steal on the give it a go from Johnson to Smith and Smith converts on the lane.

Well Smith just staying in constant motion.

Great lesson for you young players He gave the ball up What do you do?

Cut immediately down the middle to the basket and got it back.

Laid it in beautiful basketball by Tanner Smith, the sophomore Jack Johnson found him on the he's giving a good play about Johnson on the assist a quick three by the Falcons Smith takes a tumble right at the mid strike line and a foul called on Christopher Thomas Well again it's going to be very very difficult to reach in and steal the ball from Tanner Smith off the dribble.

He's six foot five.

He can really protect the basketball and you're much better off again trying to keep him from getting ball when they inbounds it.

Jonathan Horn on the floor now for the Falcons he replaces Thomas under a minute remaining in this third period scoring out of the key on the turn looking for threes with Lofton Got a good look couldn't put it down pass the ball tapped around they saved for the wall at the block missed on the lane and had a second shot at it.

He missed that one as well.

Basketball to Lewis and the foul bounce pass Bailey got the lane Lewis accurate bounce pass and Bailey converts on the two rare fast break basket for the Falcons in this ballgame and that's their forte strong gives it the arc as Haynes slide across the floor dribble and they take the time out to the Globetrotters in Atlanta today and also in Macon strong showing is very good there.

Well and I know that about 80% of the people watching the game are not going to know who Marcus Haynes was.

But the original ball handler for the Globetrotters really patented that ball, had an exhibition where he would slide across the floor on the dribble and very exciting to watch, but so is high school championship basketball.

And again, Wesleyan keeping an 11 point lead.

It was 12 at half.

And boy, you just know that the Falcons got to be getting frustrated.

Charles expected to cut into that lead when Howard Thompkins went to the bench and unable to do so, and Tanner Smith carrying that load for the Wolves of Wesleyan.

In this third quarter of action, all 12 of the points by the Wolves scored by Tanner Smith.

Wow.

19 total on the night.

So.

Well, it's not a scholarship fairy, surely would get one after tonight.

It's not a question mark for Jimmy Williams guys who they got to concentrate on, is it?

No question.

It's just we know what the assignment is.

We up to it?

Well, he's such a heady player, Charles.

He's got a high basketball IQ, and that makes a big difference.

Clock down to 5 seconds now, block off three.

And it's like fouls going to be committed out front by one of the Falcons.

I might call that one on McLaughlin.

I think you're right.

Push you off with the firearm.

So with 2 seconds remaining, Falcons may be able to hoist one here in Detroit.

A huge bird.

Williams will handle it.

Got it airborne.

Got a good look.

Bingo.

A real good look.

Charles, for the foul.

And boy, that's just what this Falcons team needed.

They have not had a spark all day and that may be one to get them going.

4537 we get set for the final quarter and the boys to a championship.

Don't go anywhere.

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Final quarter the boys championship from the Macomb Center plex, 4537 Wolves leading the Falcons of Eastland.

Gerald Oliveira standing by.

Hey, Charles, we just saw the coach's son, Jimmy Williams Junior hit that three pointer at the end of the third period.

Well, you know, the last time he was here, he was with the team in 2000.

But as the waterboy.

That's right.

The last time he was here, he was with the team, assisting them as the waterboy when they lost in that championship game.

And that was a phenomenal chart.

Phenomenal shot.

Charles, let's take a look at it one more time.

We just did not the Waterboy anymore, Gerald.

They should give him four points.

That one anyhow, that gets the fans over here from East Lawrence all pumped up, hopefully get their players back into this ball game and once again, they've got to concentrate too.

On Tanner Smith.

I double team him whenever he gets the ball.

He's a great passer, but you got to make this what there.

You got to make somebody else beat you.

Charles Final 8 minutes of this championship ballgame.

They had the double on him as they were trying to inbound it to him.

Williams draws this assignment out front.

Chris Johnson was on the play.

They get Eric Strong for push off good defensive work by Chris Siefert.

The junior seat is also the quarterback for the East Lawrence football team doing a fine job in this championship ballgame.

If the Falcons can capitalize on the turnover left corner Taylor back out the Williams top three there but speaks a little better this he's got to look now penetrate dumps at the lowest he step behind the arc Williams on the move left side reverse lay in he missed it though had a good look at the rack that came out What a quick move at the block by Williams basketball back to the wolves.

Like my old buddy Tom Brennan says, You're not going to make all just look good.

Miss it.

And Williams did.

He went all the way across the lane with the reverse.

Couldn't get it to go And he just what you talk about they were trying to get that basketball in the corner to Tanner Smith.

He was doubled and forced a timeout and that's what they're going to do.

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We got an eight point lead that can evaporate in a hurry with a couple of three point plays or a couple of steals and conversions and that's what Coach Williams is telling his guys.

We got plenty of time.

Let's make smart plays.

We get the turnover, let's go down and get the good shot, which they did just then.

Unfortunately, Williams couldn't convert earlier today in girls class AA championship action.

It was Calvary Day winning over Terrell County 4055 46 in the single for the boys single day.

It was Hancock Central winning over Turner County 4945 final in that ballgame and then a double play it was Wesley the girls at 79 to 40 over Padilla and the girls from Wesleyan winning the first half of what could be a double sweep for Wesleyan.

The guys playing right now will try to join the women in the winner's circle for a second there.

I thought Howard Thompkins was getting back in the game, but he had limped out to give his guys a pat on the butt.

They went out to bring the ball in.

Smith back Court got double pressure, you know, watch it up the floor.

It's brilliant.

Delirious gives it to Johnson Johnson, reversing to the other side of the basket and got the lady That's the way you beat the pressure not dribbling too great three great passes in the drive to the hoop Taylor left side for the Falcons over the Baylor lead is ten four Wesleyan Williams behind the arc fires another three.

This is short basketball out of bounds and over to the wolves Wesleyan and once again all of the Falcons players on the perimeter of that zone.

So when the ball fell short, an easy rebound for Wesleyan inbound pass.

The strong Falcons very aggressive.

The full court pressure.

Smith in the back court the strong finally across the time line they come now Cornelius the left side the Johnson Smith takes a little bit of a blow out front and I would say off one foul called on Tim Taylor, the senior, and Taylor's picked up his 15 fouls out of this championship ballgame that look back.

Coach Williams says it all.

Herb Yep.

Trying to think of what he can come up with.

But as long as Tanner Smith's in the ballgames and actually the rest of the Wesleyan team has stepped it up too.

Charles Playing heads up ball You saw it on that fast break a minute ago.

Just crisp passing led to the nice little layup and Wesley Allen, unable to really bother the wolves with their pressure or bother Wesley.

And with their pressure, Wesley making a fine adjustment on offense with the double down on Smith, the other players are all players are freeing themselves up near the basket.

We got a couple of little easy lanes.

As a result, Smith lost a good defensive work, but he regains and now there is a tie up and beats Lauren's ball on the time possession arrow favoring its things and Tanner Smith getting up slowly for Wesley.

Well, I tell you, as much as he's handled the ball in this game, he's got very, very few turnovers for the ball game.

His lines with the basketball at the block, Lewis bumping inside and they get him before the offensive foul on the replay.

You can see him not push his rear end into the defender Eric strong strong bounced off pretty quickly there maybe a little bit of action but he definitely definitely drew the contact he just wanted to get the official's attention.

Don't know what the media programs like at Wesleyan but definite promises and drama.

Is that what you're trying to tell me, Jonathan?

You got it.

And speaking of media department, special thanks to our high school students in Tucson High School who are traveling a couple of minutes with us here all day long and yesterday and all championship weekend.

Well, they got a tough job trying to make us look good, Charles, but they're doing the best they can.

You shoot with their whistles as McLaughlin handles the basketball for Wesley McLaughlin, a tough little customer.

He's played a lot of minutes here today and done a good job controlling the ball and made a couple of clutch baskets.

And he's going to go to the line for a couple of big ones.

One and one Graffam on the first, got it the ball.

A lot of seniors on that Wesleyan team.

And in talking to Coach Madley about that, he says that there was a sense of urgency with this program all year long because it was so senior laden he was stepping up here and there.

They could have echoplex an into a ballgame with Loughlin hitting both from the line Williams up front the lead as well by the wolves.

Baylor fires a jumper.

Shots going to be short on rebounds cleared by Wesleyan back court foul by Williams on Tanner Smith Well they're in the one and one All you're doing is bailing them out.

When you foul that far back you're not going to steal the ball from Tanner Smith.

Play him tough, make him give it up.

And getting close to desperation Time for the East Laurens Falcons Jimmy Williams commits to fall for the Falcons that was his fourth in Taylor.

Seniors already filed out for coach Jimmy Williams and the Falcons and that's what you got to run up against as Tanner Smith continues to handle that basketball this April.

Don't miss the gripping, the true story of the men and women of the aircraft carrier Nimitz, Patriotism, love and the rites of passage aboard one of our most powerful naval ships.

Don't miss Carrier beginning April 27th, only on Gp-b and Wesleyan is hardly missed a beat Howard Tompkins in the lineup.

Their scoring has stayed pretty much right on track with what they had the first two quarters.

And again, with the size differential being just about the same, his even losing the six nine Tompkins, they've been able to maintain at least equilibrium with the Falcons on the backboard and haven't really been hurt with the Falcons going on offensive boards games coming up after this boys contest we'll have a girls at state final action with Carrollton meeting Kendrick that one coming your way at seven on GPB where the boys state championship will feature Glen Hills and Carver that tipoff coming your way right here live on GPB at 845, the Scorpio tip.

Time for the boys Championship.

I'm sorry for these.

Lawrence hasn't shown us a lot of three point shooting here today.

Trials.

They had one early in the first half, bounced around and fell in and then the very long one right here before at the end of the quarter by Jimmy Williams.

But other than that, I don't remember many three pointers.

So they're really going to have to turn it up from outside to get back in this ballgame.

SMITH With 19 points on the afternoon for the wolves, going back to the line, came back to action in the first round of the tournament, scored 57 points in that first one ballgame.

His pace picked up after that in the second round, he scored nine with 11 assist in the win over the Bulldogs in Macon County in the quarter finals got up to 21 points as they beat Pace Academy and then in the semifinals, scored 11 points, had eight assists in that ballgame.

And tonight he converts on the two free throws.

They're given 21 thus far in the contest.

And as you mentioned he had 12 in that third quarter when Thompkins didn't play at all that shows they weren't going to go down just because Howard Thompson had gone out of the game.

Ceefax on the jumper got the basket as a steal by Williams in the back row.

They're going to call and pick the ball, I believe Charles rather from the player while he was still out of bounds.

So basketball remains with the wolves.

He inbound it to strong up the floor to Cornelius and now Jimmy Williams is playing the way they should have been playing the whole game, making it really difficult for Tanner Smith to get the basketball left corner.

McLaughlin circles back up top.

I think that is trying to get him to leave it on top to them some time now.

Coach and 5 minutes remaining in the contest.

Cornelius behind the arc fake to three now a dump pass download a tanner Smith the and for the wolves he's just in continuous motion Charles that's a sign of a great offensive player back the other way they're going to lay that off the shot fell off anyway.

The foul is going to be caught on Turn to Lewis and basketball back to the wolves.

not a whole lot going the Falcons way right now Again heads up play by Wesley at the other end of the floor held the ball Patience Tanner Smith cut through the middle got the nice pass laid it up and then the offensive foul on the other end and you talk about it if you're constantly in motion good things happen for you.

Miss Tanner Smith really has.

That's the way you play the basketball game.

Certainly on the offensive end.

And it's having a couple of words with Tanner Smith and Jimmy Williams.

Jimmy trying to climb into his shorts with him under 5 minutes from eight full court pressure by the Falcons and a whistle before the basketballs inbound.

But they're going to call a hold hold on trying to keep Tanner Smith from getting the basketball.

And so frustrated looks down the Falcons players they didn't call Jimmy Rose Herb we picked up his fifth.

So the pressure in the back court is what the Falcons were trying to exert there in New Orleans.

Commits to fire before the pass is entered into the floor.

He'll take a seat now with his fifth foul and that'll be the last time he suits up for East.

Lauren's former waterboy became a star for the team he used to carry the water for quite a story, not the way he wanted to go out his senior year, though, and Tanner Smith proves that he is human and this is on the first free throw, has another coming.

So many good stories surrounding these student athletes in the state of Georgia for jail Refer to Patrick Smith for the fearless coach.

No question about it.

The impact of athletics on the quality character of students is just undeniable.

Fountains Lewis handles now.

Bailey Attack.

Look what it did for you and I jump speak for yourself and Wesleyan playing zone the entire ballgame.

And these lines has been unable to figure out how to crack that thing with any regularity.

Wolves will take the basketball over turnover by the Falcons and Smith immediately.

They grab it but Elias it's an end to the fourth quarter and the whistle is near the mid strike at least Lawrence in a tough position now they're looking at a 13 or 14 point deficit but Wesleyan on the line at Wesleyan, from what we've seen, a pretty good shooting free throw team.

See if it picks up.

This third sends Eric Strong to the line.

Spalding gets on offense and give them a bunch of credit as well.

Herb He stepped in to try to fill that middle with the absence of Thompkins And you would think that the Falcons would try to adjust and attack that.

But Strong's obviously got enough problems in order to prevent them from doing it All right.

He's done a good job of man in the middle.

He's gotten some defensive rebounds and played a heck of a ball game for West and close to the at least three charges of visiting Falcons.

Kind of walk it inside.

No look pass by Lewis almost taken away by Taylor Smith the last corner Bailey Bailey to the rack shot the airball but backside tapped by Lewis is no good whistles down low though they're going to strong over the back foot here we'll see it again This shot strong comes on the tip.

Yeah.

So he picks up his second and Cifers will go to the line.

Must make free throws here for this one.

This is a front end strong clears for Wesleyan under four Charles time getting away from that strong out front pass batted and tapped out of bounds by Bailey It'll stay with Wesleyan where it's tough to come back against a team like Wesleyan.

They're used to controlling the ball in the half court situation because that's the way they run their offense.

They're a good pass and team.

They make a lot of good cuts.

They get people open over and over again in a half court set.

And it's just very frustrating to try to steal the ball from a team like that.

And you alluded to it in the pre game show is that if this is a low scoring contest, it really favors the wolves and that's what qualifies at least the defensive side of it holding the Falcons to 39 points at this point.

So the Wolves did a fine job offensively as well.

Well again he's Lawrence scored 96 in the semifinals.

They're going to have to rush to get that left corner horn horn with a hop and jumper missed on it.

Backside rebounds cleared by Michael Cornelius, the senior for Wesleyan, and gives it over to Tanner Smith in the backcourt.

This huge contingent from just down the road hasn't had much to cheer about.

They've kept him pretty much out of this ballgame.

Charles Johnson up top.

They give it to Tanner Smith just to clear this the low one assist Tanner Smith, Michael Pierre-Louis with the two.

We used to call it the give and go.

It's good old fashioned best three pointer by Bailey.

That's some good old fashioned basketball there as well.

Too few and far between, I'm afraid.

Approaching 230 remaining in this championship ballgame.

LaFlamme Back up top to Smith.

Wolves have never won a state title as they try to give it to Tanner Smith Alley oop Pass, but it's broken up and comes away to the Falcons.

Bailey fires the three pointer again.

This one's off the mark.

Basketball comes clear to Lewis, back up to Bailey kicks it quickly to horn now in the corner Lewis for three got on lots of spins out back side tap is out as well but Bailey regains a lid on it right now for the Falcons trying to take it off with that three pointer and he missed strong finally corrals it for Wesleyan and he was fouled and desperation setting in for the Falcons had that three pointer go down and win around about three times and spun out had a good little tip at it It wouldn't drop.

What are you going to do?

Eric Strong to the line So the one school two teams, one dream still alive for the wolves women and the coach and Azar won the triple girls championship just prior to this ballgame.

And the moment well on their way to winning theirs.

Strong converts on the first second shots off the mark, Lewis clears for his lines at the block.

It's San Antonio Lewis and he's fouled inside by Charles.

I bet if you got to talk with a coach Jimmy Williams in-depth about his feelings at halftime, he might tell you that he was worried this might be a mixed blessing of Howard Tompkins come back out in the second half because his team needed to be fired up, needed to really come out with a vengeance in the second half.

And maybe if they thought Howard Tompkins wasn't getting going to be in the ballgame, might've let up just a little bit thinking, well, we're going to get back in this thing now.

And I don't know if that's for sure, but certainly those kind of things can have an influence in sports.

That's an interesting analysis.

They surely fall into that psychologically, knowing that that star players out and then your game decreases as a result well, sometimes I don't have anything better to do than dream up these philosophical points.

What time?

I don't think that's what they pay you for.

Lewis converts on the free throw.

Are they supposed to be paying me?

Thanks for telling me.

You got to ask.

All right.

Tanner Smith still in control like it has been the whole second half of this basketball game.

Charles, what a phenomenal performance in that third quarter for sure by Smith, It was clear he needed to assert himself and just take the team on his shoulders.

He did just that, and that was the key time frame.

Again, that was when these lions had to think, we're going to get back in this ballgame and Tanner Smith just wouldn't allow it.

Approaching a minute remaining in this Double-A championship ballgame, Wesleyan feeling no need to score the ball now.

that is gone.

And this is clock is down.

Helpful to say thanks for hanging out with everybody else today went for yesterday so it's been fun and just great work.

I am tired.

GPB Cool.

Yeah.

Thanks for those guys in the truck for putting up with us.

And I tell you, I'm always amazed by the job.

Our camera people, every time you want to look at a replay and see something from two or three different angles, they got it for you.

Basketball comes clear to the Falcons.

Now take it away.

And I guess who?

Tanner Smith.

yeah, I know.

Smith with the dunk.

Boy, that's the way to finish it.

That's the way to finish it.

And who'd have thunk it without Howard Thompson the whole second half?

Wesley And pulls away by 18.

Bailey with a three point shot.

That's off the mark.

Well, performance by Tanner Smith is more than enough to carry his Wesley Wesley in the wolves into that double championship and a sweep for the small private school from Atlanta.

The girls and boys win championships.

6143 The final score in this championship for the boys.

And what a performance.

Howard Thompson's going out of the ballgame just before halftime with the Andre.

There you see him on the floor and the rest of the wolves.

But Tanner Smith and the rest of the wolves make the adjustment and they win at 6143 over the Falcons of East Laurens.

We'll take a time out.

We'll come back with more from the Making The Center DVD or VHS tape.

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Back to make it in Macon Center Plex, another winning Wesleyan coach is was Gerald OLIVIERA.

Thanks a lot, John.

I'm here with Coach Madeley.

You were an assistant coach with the girls team and you were able to bring some of that magic over here.

Tell me, how does it feel to get that first one?

Have no idea what.

They just hadn't sunk in yet.

I'm sure it will soon.

I'm just so happy for this group of kids, you know, I told them when we went in the dressing room at halftime, they said, We're up 11.

What a story this is going to be if we come out and do this.

And I think, you know, these Lauren's kids may have looked and said, he's back out there and there may have been a little let down, I don't know.

But our kids just said, we're going to come and do it.

They did it.

I didn't have very much to do with this, but this bunch of seniors especially stepped up and just were phenomenal.

They were flawless almost in the second half.

So a lot of credit to Florence, too.

A great basketball team.

Congratulations, Coach.

Go celebrate with your team.

Back over to you, John.

Thank you, Gerald Wesley And boys win.

Wesley and girls went four games down to left here in Macon, Madison, 2008.

You are watching Georgia Public Broadcasting.

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Funding for this broadcast of the 2008 Georgia High School Association's state basketball championship has been provided in part by Georgia's electric membership Corporations.

Wachovia, the Georgia Student Finance Commission by viewers like you and the Georgia High School Association, wish to thank the Georgia Dodge Dealer, State Farm and naturally Press for their support of high school sports.

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