He's going coast to coast, clear the runway.

He's coming in.

It's a helicopter slam jam.

He's going to pull up from three and watch this guy go wheel drive, backs it in and gets it.

Hello, everybody, and welcome from the Macon Center Flex.

Tommy Vollmer along with Larry Smith, set to bring you the class double a girls championship.

It will be, needless to say, intense.

We've got undefeated Kendrick Cherokees out of Columbus against the Lady Wolves from Wesleyan Wesleyan.

They've been here, done that one.

The state championship last year, 27 and three on the year.

Kendrick 30 a row on the year Larry Smith.

It's going to get good here.

It certainly is.

And both these coaches are excited about that, both with mutual respect for what the other has done in these programs.

Now, the keys to the game.

Let's first start with the players of this game, I should say the two players are watching right now.

First, for Wesley and as you mentioned, unbelievable.

13th time in the last 14, 14 years they've been here in the title game.

Nicki McDonald, she's a number 13. shooter at 38%.

She is deadly from outside for the Wolves Wesleyan.

Meanwhile, for Kendrick Kahlil Lawrence, this is a very experienced team right now.

For upperclassmen, the starting lineup.

Kahlil Lawrence does it all, 26 points per game, seven rebounds a game, shoots 55% from the field.

And a coach says she has raised a level of competition this in the last two years.

She is the player to watch for these Kendrick Cherokees.

I hope everybody's ready to watch some serious basketball.

This is going to get serious here.

You're starting lineups for Kendrick, Khalilah Lawrence, Brittney Thompson, Makani McKissic, Tyler Farley and Deja Cheatham.

Those are the starters for Kendrick, for Regions back and for Wesleyan.

You've got Kairo Booker, Landon Dooley, Lauren Fucking Nikki McDonnell and Kevin Edwards and those are your starters.

Both teams will substitute a liberal.

Let's look at the key to the game here.

Tommie for Wesley and his ball control this Kendrick team, full court press.

They are unbelievable.

You got to hang on to the ball.

Never give up.

This team doesn't fall behind very often.

Clearly, they win a lot of championships.

But again, if they do, they've come back before from double digit deficits and they've gotten victories.

Meanwhile, for Kendrick, don't get distracted.

First time in the state finals for these girls and stay aggressive again.

That full court press produces lots of steals, lots of easy scoring opportunities.

And coach admits it's coach Sterling.

Hicks admits, hey, we're smaller, we have to be faster, but they've got to get stay aggressive.

They cannot they can't allow for Wesleyan to control the tempo.

So things that the thing that I like about it is the coaches are very intense about this game.

Sterling Hicks, the head coach of the Kendrick Cherokees.

Man, what a great interview to talk.

We had a great time talking with him.

Yeah, we did.

He is outstanding.

He he has a system, says, hey, it works for me.

14th year there at the school school record 79 points per game.

He likes to have his girls get after it.

The thing that I like is he said there's no pressure in playing Wesleyan.

We're undefeated.

They're defending state champions.

We're good.

They're good.

And speaking of Wesleyan, Jay Janney's Azar, there she is again.

Like you said before, six straight state championships.

What a job she has done there.

One of the top coaches in the state on any level, boys or girls.

The thing that is amazing about this Wesleyan team, they are very young.

This is not a senior laden team.

They're very young and they've been behind on several occasions.

I mean, double digit deficits.

But guess what?

They fight back.

And that's very uncharacteristic for a young team.

But we also learn from Coach Azar that this system that Wesleyan runs starts in the fifth grade in that amazing.

And imagine that again, as she said, that a lot of her former players are coaching the young girls in grade school and in middle school.

So by the time they get to high school and we'll talk about some of the young players coming up in this program, they are set for years to come.

That kind of system in place has allowed them to have this kind of continued success.

She even said it's almost it's bittersweet at the girls feel like if they don't reach this game, they feel like it's a disappointment.

And we look at the record.

It's no wonder they're here every year.

The thing that I want to point out again is put an exclamation point on this game.

This is as good as it gets in girls high school basketball.

Don't let the double a label kind of get you say, well, this is the smaller classification.

This is as good as it gets in high school basketball, ladies, basketball.

I agree.

You and I were talking here several times over the past week, getting ready for this weekend.

And we looked at this one as one of the best matchups we're going to see this entire weekend.

That is high praise.

It goes to the credit to both coaches, to the young ladies in both programs and the hard work they put in Take nothing away from the other teams.

They're all very good standing.

We saw I saw Redan last night.

I How good.

That's right.

That's right.

But but you're on that level right here.

Yeah, absolutely you are.

Yeah.

This is be a good one.

This is a wow matchup.

You're going to enjoy it.

W Hey, nice to have you along.

We're going to tip it off here.

Kendrick wearing black with gold trim and Wesleyan in the white with the green and gold trim and we're off and running.

Tip goes to Kendrick in a hurry.

Kendrick In fourth court, you're going to see some high octane basketball folks.

Here we go up and no good Wesley out of there with a rebound.

Full court pressure by both teams coming down the floor.

Wesleyan Bounce pass long three good.

Nicky Devin Low was that McDonald Yes okay three nothing a three ball Here's Kendrick in fourth court around the horn Baseline jumper no good rebound Wesley and once more Wesley and wide Kendrick in the dark uniforms full court pressure for passes a fire up no good good block out by Kendrick and we go the other way Tyler Farley driving firing no good rebound Wesleyan battle on the boards already won by Wesley and thus far and we got a foul called on Taylor Farley for three.

Let's take a look at that first one by McDonnell from three got the bounce pass pulled up pull the trigger downtown bomb four well beyond the arc as we said at the top 38% shooter from the arc Wesley in and back for now in fourth Corey Booker looking going to go top of the key fucking baseline fired again McDonnell no good pulled out of there by Kendrick Kendrick looking looking in full court up and good Russell and a foul Brittney Thompson she was wide open it took a clear lance a moment to find it but watch this right here.

We don't see off camera as Thompson got a great break out in front, got the basket a chance now for a three point play.

One more look at it right here.

Again, this team, Kendrick team, both teams love to run Kendrick very quick.

They know they have to be to compete against Wesley, rip it down and let it go.

Brittney Thompson going to go to the line, try to tie this one.

It feels like we've already played a quarter.

Keep talking about high octane.

This is a good one, Larry.

This is this is what you you look forward to as broadcasters.

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, both teams.

Well, Coach, are you expecting this level?

Great athletes here And like you said, we're just 90 seconds in almost this is already pretty good.

Yes, it is good size and great athletic ability on both teams here.

Kendrick, remember is 30 and oh that foul is on McDonald they've changed it and Thompson five five sophomore are going to go to the line and trigger the free throw no good rebound Wesleyan comes out of there searching ahead and forecourt looking inside intercepted here comes Kendrick three on one Lost it and knocked it out of bounds did Wesley and still gonna be Kendrick basketball you could see it clear Laurence's eyes right there She was so excited and lost control twice.

Do I pull up do I pass off?

She had runners on both both wings and the turnover winds up.

Kendrick gets the ball back and had a three on two And sometimes those things just they get the best job when you start looking when you got three choices pull up jumper and good got that good shooter's roll Kahlil Lawrence for Kendrick Wesley and in back court double team full court pressure spin move Nice move across the time lot bounce pass down to the right side looking looking going to try to reset remount and reload No lot of pressure Kendrick jump ball possession error goes to Kendrick and a western I'm so glad he's got it yeah it was I threw you off there, Tom.

It was my mistake.

That's all right.

I will hold that one against you.

That's right.

I'll write that down.

Excellent defense by Kendrick.

Here.

Look how they collapse on the ball.

But watch number two, Lawrence, she's anticipating she's kind of a rover in that defense, anticipating he has one steal and they almost had another one right there in back court.

Booker shoots it, left side comes three ball bounces, no good.

Here comes Kendrick on the run, three on two break.

Going to pull up and lose the ball.

Going to go back to Collins going the other way Offensive foul knew that was coming Kairo Booker in traffic high traffic in there a little bit out of control right there she didn't have numbers probably should have pulled up lost the ball lost control that's unfortunate turnover right there but you talked before don't get caught up in a frenetic if you don't have numbers, pull back, reset your offense.

Kendrick is the closest thing to walking down the floor they do got a drive up no good tip the round Wesleyan has all the defensive boards and lost the ball.

Pull up jumper.

Good.

Malia Lawrence.

She's a shooter, folks.

Don't let her get open Booker and four court Awesome pressure by Kendrick this is intense down inside batted away down there Martinique McKissic in tense 5 minutes left in the first quarter tipped around watch the rebound here then the steal soft beautiful jumper nothing but net Wesley and got to put it in bounds Cross-court pass batted away Kendrick is not afraid to double team in for court They'll double team you just like they do on court pressure Yeah full court press and again Lawrence is impressive as a rover right there I mean we're we're halfway through the first quarter, not even and I can't even count on the ball she's had she's either stolen or she's deflected somehow on defense.

It's just impressive.

Good drive down the lane.

Shots up and no good combs with a shot.

No good Kendrick in fourth court in a hurry going to pull up batted away and lost now back and top of the key my word Deja Cheatham from downtown whistle time out Wesleyan MAN We're off to a roaring start.

Kendrick Hey, Wesley in three.

It's everything you promised.

Yes, we promised you.

It's going to be Larry.

It sure is.

I tell you what, this has been a frenetic pace, so rough so far.

We've got a great ballgame this afternoon.

Dominique will be right back.

Now, if you get a look at the at the Lady Cherokee's bench, you'll see that they have 20 players over there now.

Only 15 players can dress out each game.

Head coach Sterling Hicks says he works these girls hard in practice.

He chooses the ten he wants to play for the game coming up.

And the next five they scrimmage against the other five and decide who will be the five that dress out in the game.

So you'll see those girls work hard all game long because they're here proving why they should be in the game.

That's his style that he says.

That's the way he's always done it and the girls are going to see them work hard today to prove why they're here.

Back to you, Tommy.

Thank you, Grace.

And we talk with Coach Hicks about that.

And he said we don't cut anybody that wants to come out and play.

They cut themselves.

Yeah, He said, We've had some girls quit over the years, but it's it's pretty impressive.

And that's really why you look at this team, why they they blow so many teams out because even at the bottom half of the roster, if you will, when they get in the game and you see them back there behind, they're not dressed right now that they didn't make the cut.

They're still here.

They're still part of the team, just not dressed.

But when you are dressed and you get that one of those final five spots, you're going to go out there and play 100%.

There's no knocking the clock into the game.

You're going to keep playing to get the score through you guys.

You get a shot at it.

The last five, they're not there for mop up duty.

They're there to play.

That's right.

That's the 15 play.

That's right.

Wesleyan got to trigger it in in back court making liberal substitutions as we told you here comes comes up and good nice baseline move there Mikayla cones and you turn right around and here goes Kendrick no good bounced out of bounds eight no run for Kendrick before the Wesleyan basket Well they needed that Combs coming in here Nice move Good call there by coach James after the timeout to set a different play to beat that press that was the easiest shot they've had so far in this game.

One of the first things that's very noticeable all about both basketball teams, they're not either left handed or right handed.

Both of them can dribble with both hands.

All the players on the court, if you will notice, they they're they're very athletic.

Larry.

Yeah, very well coached.

As you mentioned, great fundamentals on both sides.

Foul right there at the midcourt, I think that's what coaches are wanted to see, but they might be a little bit of hand checking there and it was called there on that play substitution end of the ball game Now talking going to sit down Booker looking three ball in the air good Devin Low just into the game Nice to come off the bench and pop one like that and it sure is Kendrick driving the lane and it goes out of bounds Nice baseline shot here three pointer just off the bench.

There she is and there it is.

Nice shot.

We haven't seen any cheap bounces in this one, have we?

No, no, we haven't.

And now you know nice confidence there again to to to take that run by Kendrick and to reset the self after the timeout five straight points tie game here's Kendrick up near the basket no good and Wesleyan doing the work on the boards right there defensively double team midcourt Wesleyan breaks the press on the run up and good give the bucket to McDonald Here's Kendrick coming back the other way Wesleyan recaptures the lead at 10 to 8 and Kendrick goes down hard whistle Kayla Lawrence here's how you break the press right here.

You pass the ball quickly.

Good job.

Great job there by McDonald to get into position recognize the two on one.

That's a junior to juniors right there senior and a junior Dooley The senior.

The assisted McDonald the junior.

Nice play and a ten eight lead for Wesleyan Booker with a foul her second Kendrick in four court 3 minutes left in the quarter Jumper good wow word Carla Lawrence is a shooter Fast break lost then gotten back turn around jumper no good Kendrick in a hurry one on to break Kendrick driving up no good whistle and a foul they don't hesitate going on to the basket it doesn't matter if the defender's there they're going to take the shot and draw the foul.

Yeah that was Taylor Farley right there.

And a watch this.

Watch the one defender here.

But what you don't see on screen, two more defenders coming in and she goes at it anyway.

She knew up here at the free throw line on her end that she was gonna take that all the way in and she did free throw no good first one comes with a foul 1010 ballgame 245 left in the quarter.

I don't know about you folks at home, but it's been everything I've wanted to see.

What about you, Larry?

Absolutely.

No question.

Farley.

Got to shoot again.

Short rebound, Wesley.

And they have owned that offensive boards double team in back court full court pressure long lead pass stolen away by Kendricks in four court Farley lead pass good off the board full court pressure yet again Wesleyan good pass up and no good batted around Kendrick coming out of there with it No hesitation Here we go High gear once more Cross the time line Farley looking going to pass it back outside top of the key shot Good Farley Top of the key.

Wesleyan beats the press lead up and no good whistle and a foul foul is going to be called on Kendrick Levitz.

I believe it's going to be yeah.

Here's the Kendrick basket by Farley.

Well, you well, you don't see that very much.

No cell shots.

Very nice right.

Good ball movement there.

And Devin Lowe now shooting to Kendrick six over run or a 6 to 1 run right now with a minute and 55 left in the quarter.

Kendrick leads by three low at the line for Wesley and it fouls on Ashton Draper She's a sophomore again as you mentioned now substitutions Coach Hicks bringing a lot of players in He has a lot of bodies keep at this frenetic pace on both ends of the court and low.

The freshman sinks them both.

You don't think about them and then another one goes out and another one comes in.

You got to keep them fresh, lurking, going out and a new number and long, long pass top of the key.

Baker right side going to shoot it Left side.

Jones to Baker Top of the key now left side.

Baker corner No good rebound Wesley and again they have owned the defensive boards across the timeline top of the key lead pass up and good nice lead pass by Casey Covina Edwards the senior nice catch and shoot right there you saw right there there are no starters in the game right now for Kendrick.

And so you could see that press was not nearly as effective without Lawrence in the game.

And some of the starting players.

It's totally different because Wesleyan had that beat easily and take nothing away from that.

But again, as we know, when you keep up that kind of president back right away, guess who's back in the game into that time out?

Kahlil Lawrence is back in the game right now for charity for the charities.

I think this has been everything they could have expected out of each team.

I think so, too.

Yeah.

And talking to both coaches earlier this week, great respect for both both of these coaches, you know, And like I said, Coach Hicks was saying, hey, listen, you know, they're the champs every year.

There's a reason for that.

And Coach promising, listen, we respect what he does down there with using ten players, 12 players to come through in substituted and that kind of frenetic defense.

A lot of mutual respect between these two.

Exactly.

Here we go.

Kendrick Farley, top of the key going to shoot it left side driving and blocked Nice block that time by Edwards full court pressure Wesley I'm going to throw it away out of bounds a little too high there.

One of four left in the quarter.

Third tie of the game at 14, and they are back on offense again here.

FARLEY And then the shot back to live play now with Lawrence back in the game top of the key here's the shooter the two shooters play out front traveling got to be a travel jumping up in the air as we go under one minute to play.

I'll tell you what, if you get a chance, watch the form that Lawrence has and also the form that Farley has for Kendrick.

There's a block here just a moment ago.

We see that's a good idea by my 32 to get up there and try to cheat him.

But a great block there by Carmona Edwards and a turnover right there as that's done duly I should say stepping out of bounds turnover Wesley and so again the press pays off again another turnover for Wesley and it's probably best not to slam the basketball down Those officials kind of take offense at that.

Yeah yeah that may hurt later.

That's right.

Think 52.4 left in the first quarter, 1414.

I'm sure it was frustration stepping on the line.

Sure Kendrick top of the key left side Lawrence Jumper what a nice shot.

She's got a good shooter's touch Wesley and on the break out front three on to up and good whistle and a foul working and nice move down the court This young lady can run and see why Lawrence complained she kind of ran right by wasn't much contact there but a chance in a three point play nice play there by for working, too.

Yes.

No.

Sometimes you get out in front and it's easy to kind of look around and lose your stride a little bit.

Oh, nice job.

511 junior nice player for the most foul was on Lawrence her first under a half minute left in a hurry batted away by Wesley and I'm going to tell you what I'm glad I'm not operating the scoreboard in some of these larger arenas where you have to put all the numbers of who's in the game up on the board.

You need a full time person just to do that.

The way the Cherokee substitute in and out, they they run them in there.

That's why they have 15.

There's no need to dress 15 if you're not going to play.

That's right.

Looks at I don't know how coach keeps up with the three on either Thompson with the ball driving up jumper goal nothing but net new ballgame at 16 Wesley and slowly bringing it across the time line Good pass looking looking inside Combs left side batted around stolen away by Kendrick and the quarter will end there perfect way to end it on a defensive play to stop my colleague Lawrence I'll tell you what we played 8 minutes your score is 1616 and anybody who paid to get in, they've already gotten their money's worth, Kendrick and Wesley and more when we return.

Right now, we've been talking about young lady number two, Caleb Lawrence from Kendrick.

This has got to be one of the best female shooters I've ever seen.

Such touch.

I've never seen you touch these.

Watch the form.

Perfect.

Got the good shooters bounce.

Watch this one.

Here's the one that's beautiful jumper.

And here, just for a good old times sake, let's hit nothing.

But yet she is a true shooter.

Yeah, it's really impressive, that kind of touch.

We even on the ones that she misses, you and I were talking about.

She's got great form.

And any.

And the mark of a great shooter is when you miss but you but you shoot it so soft with such great touch it can still bounce around the rim like that first shot did and it can still bounce in I mean she's got fantastic touch, very athletic.

What what a great asset she is to have.

She's a senior.

So Sterling here certainly is going to miss her next year on this team.

I would bet money that if we're down to cases late in the game, everybody's going to clear out.

And guess who's going to take the shot?

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

It's going to be Lawrence, even we could see that right?

There you go.

There you go.

Look for a number two.

And there she goes, driving for the basket stolen away by Wesleyan Wesleyan.

Now, in fourth quarter for game, going to shoot it left side down in the corner driving the baseline and close to going in back court but no Coombs going to pull up going to be double team looking left side first in there and double teamed as well almost stolen away down low turnaround jumper in and out no good John to get ahead had Kendrick in a hurry driving driving going to pull up going to stop going to get it back to Lawrence top of the key here's Lawrence working on working one on one going to shoot it to Farley going to go bounce way short there but that was partially blocked.

He's got to say it's Wesleyan Ball.

I was going to say it was a nice block, but the referee is saying it's Kendrick Ball.

Yeah, I know.

Wesley Ball, Wesleyan ball.

I mean.

West I'm sorry, Wesleyan.

I thought it was off.

Wesleyan Yeah, me too.

BIRKEN Going to trigger it in?

Combs Half court driving down the lane up no good to hard and Kendricks going to clear it out of there And then we have a tumble Wesleyan ball on the other end.

Wesleyan on a possession.

A-Rod's new substitution coming in jump ball possession Arrow goes to Wesleyan down under their basket new number in there and Tyler Jones and to the lineup and Thompson out for the Lady Cherokee is in for court looking turn around no good block batted away lead pass Taylor sets up van and Julia Lawrence eight points now 645 left in the half 1816 lead for Kendrick Long downtown shot no good battle for Kendrick lead pass got somebody out in front running and strip and slip them falling and sliding Martinique McKissick took a tumble down there.

I haven't seen one slide that far since Sochi but I tell you that's that was it man.

Yeah.

Nice play.

Nice getting out on the break.

Yep.

McKissick ahead to Lawrence again good speed They're good at getting people out on the break There's no question very fast teams Lawrence top of the key right side looking lost it and out of their Combes going to come out of there with it driving good laying it up and you going to be an offensive foul I think No offense on Lawrence really.

On Lawrence, of course, we don't get a vote over here.

No, we don't.

We thought we saw obviously, we didn't see that.

That's her second foul.

Second Look at it.

Yeah.

See, we got here.

What do you think?

That was pretty good.

But I thought there was possession there.

But yeah, poor man can break 18 to 16.

That's why they wear those lovely black and white shirts trying.

Yeah.

Coach Hicks is not happy about that.

No shot is up and good.

That's Adams with two.

Yes.

The freshman combs that we'll talk more about just a freshman.

But actually Coach Azar said she may be the best player on the team.

You know, she doesn't start she's a team player doesn't mind That started going into traffic.

Does she know?

No, she doesn't.

JONES Top of the key shots up no good Wesley with a rebound Kendrick with defense left side working driving passing off traveling.

Booker with the travel Tommy I'm sorry but that let's see again, we just saw Lawrence go out with two fouls and Coach Hicks is really giving her the the once over on the sidelines over there watching coaches out here.

We'll see how Kendrick can perform on both ends without their leading defender and scoring and they throw it away.

Ball is batted away I don't think Wesley in touched it no yeah he's no he's still working on her Yeah I think I tell you what both of these coaches are working the sidelines.

They're working their players and the officials working in back court.

A lot of pressure out there.

March is about to come back in for Kendrick driving the lane.

Oh, me Booker with a move right down the lane Wesley and now 1918 Kendrick top of the key stop jump no good airball Let's take a look more and more time right down Main Street Caro Booker five seven sophomore That's just it In fact he got an all out of the crowd that was a really nice move, stepping right around the defender, getting it in nice body control and kept the ball close to her until she needed to get it up in the air.

Double team on the inbounds.

Morris Back in the game time.

Yes, just a little meeting on the sidelines.

Nothing serious.

And Lawrence on the break.

Here's Lawrence going on Furkan going to pass it off and a whistle and a foul again, I think just out of bounds on that lot of contact.

And I don't think they called it you know, we talked about before how Kendrick and we questioned coach we saw this do you really averaged 31 steals a game and now we can see and we could see why sure 5 minutes left in a half.

Wesleyan 19, Kendrick 18.

Kendrick under the basket up and no good but a whistle and a foul.

So going to the line now will be Malia Jones for the Lady Cherokees.

We have to remember, I think sometimes we kind of forget Wesley.

It's 27 and three.

Yeah, Kendrick is 30 and a very close this game, 6562.

Their margin of error or their margin of win was 43 points a game in that right during during the play in the tournament That's Yeah.

That's since it became 32 teams.

Yeah that's that's just insane.

It is this is top level basketball coach Hicks says they practice every day as if they're practicing for the state championship for all way back to October.

Free throws.

Good And at Wesleyan in a hurry down the other way.

Yeah Wesleyan turns it over 11 times and Kendrick five times in the ballgame.

Kendrick with a one point lead and the ball.

And here we go the other way in a hurry.

Left side, double team Wesley and pull in the same thing that Kendrick has been doing, double teaming really hard and for four it paid off right there Malia Jones bouncing it It actually bounced off the defender's foot.

Number 22 low and bounced back, hit her in the knee, went out of bounds.

Wesley Ball.

Okay like Holmes back in the ballgame and has the ball now at midcourt going to drive left and then right and go back to working Who's going to go right And it was stolen away by the Lady Cherokee is in for court Wesleyan gets back whistle and a foul is going to be out for game and Farley limping a little bit I'll tell you what she almost got that continuation right there That was a nice effort just to get that ball close.

He's got a shot there of Coach Heck still talking to Kahlil Lawrence on the side, really urging her on the leader.

She does everything for this team.

She's scored 734 points.

That's more than three times any of her teammates as a Farley missed the free throw and 15 gets it in fourth court up comes a Wesleyan follow up is no good whistle and the foul foul is going to be called on.

Malia Jones for Kendrick Kendrick in the dark uniforms Wesleyan and wide.

If you've just joined us, it's been a dandy thus far.

Kendrick where one point lead Wesleyan at the free throw line shot is up and good nice shooter's touch there by McDonnell.

We knew about her.

She can play right now the substitution.

Lawrence is back in McDonald for the Wolves, a junior six foot tall Division one schools already in contact with her sixth tie of the game and now Wesleyan with a one point lead at 21 to 24, 23 left in a half.

It is a chess match when you see the substitutions.

Here's Moritz where the jumper no good and Wesleyan going to come out of there with it.

And there's going to be a scrum at midcourt here.

It's going to be Kendrick Ball.

There have been four ties and four lead changes, ten points off, 12 Wesleyan turnovers for Kendrick charities.

Yeah, all bunched up and they break out of there And here's Kendrick in fourth court with a ball looking inside looking to Lance What a nice shot by Cheatham Cheatham with a pull up jumper at the 351 mark.

Kendrick's up by one.

Here's Wesley in full court chirping look down low missed the target Nice thought going through the back door McDonald did the turnaround for less Kendrick leads it 20 to 21.

We'll be back in a moment.

We are back 22 to 21.

Let's take a look at the road to the championships brought to you by your Georgia EMC.

Kendrick, of course, sponsored by a diverse power in Sumter, EMC.

They beat Model 71, 34, Raven County, 9034, Greater Atlanta Christian School, 65, 62, and then Putnam County, 75 to 50.

And of course, today it's Wesleyan.

Now for Wesleyan, they beat Union County, 82, 26, Calhoun, 84, 47, Jefferson, 6433, and Laney, all they could handle at 68, 64.

And today it's Kendrick.

So it's not like they haven't played some folks.

Those are good women's basketball teams that both these teams have played.

You know, we've been talking about Kendrick and the bench in the Reserves and how about Wesleyan?

There?

Reserves outscoring Kendrick's bench tended to so far.

So coaches are getting some great production under her reserves.

Certainly Mikayla Combs outstanding freshman five of those points Devin Lowe with five also second quarter field goals.

Kendrick two out of five.

Wesley and a one out of three.

Lawrence Top of the key got a drive and pull up short rebound follow up to hard follow up by Farley and yet let's see they kind of go back and reset driving foul Let's see who this one's on the arms Casey Riley Casey the freshman first foul free throw is up and Good by Taylor Farley Kahlil Lawrence over the top to Coach Hicks second man is also good Farley good at the line.

Substitutions in and out working going out new number coming in and Wesley and double teamed in back court.

This has been relentless this year looking across the time line stolen by Lawrence Lawrence up and in on the Blake largest lead of the night five points now for Kendrick It's a60 run for the Cherokees.

Yes it is out in full court driving the lane up and no good follow up.

No good follow up.

No good by McDonnell but WHISTLE and a foul.

Lawrence Again, as we talked about so many times all the steals she doesn't on both ends of the court already eight points his third steal of the game already but that doesn't count all the deflections and all the havoc that she creates on that side.

As McDonald hits the first throw, we mention that McDonald is the top three point shooter for the wolves at 38%.

She's only attempted two shots out there at three.

I think she just so it's one of one of three.

Unbelievable.

And it's a 12 to 6 run.

Lawrence, I believe.

Yes.

Has now three fouls and gone to the sideline and that is going to be a problem.

Yeah.

251 laughs Now, that's the question.

You've got a four point lead If you're Sterling Hicks, can you hold on to it without your leader out there, your best player?

That's big.

Yes, it is.

Somebody is going to have to take charge and I'm sure this has happened before.

Free throw is also good by McDonald and here comes Kendrick going the other way batted away stolen by Wesley in four court to beat the press three ball in and out Nice shot but it just would not fall Devin Lowe with the ball it just kind of jumped out of there Yeah Devin Lowe's a nice player He's really had a great game so far That was one You're right.

And then everything but but go in and but that's again one of those where Lowe one of the younger players you talk about again so many freshmen on this team for Wesleyan but again that program they've done it for so long and they work on things from fifth grade on as you talked about in the pre game.

And it's really paying off here with some of the young, young players doing some very good things.

Combs and Lowe for West End.

Thompson has it batted away on the drive and Wesley and no good rebound comes out to Kendrick in a hurry pressure defense push off Oh Paul they're a double team and I believe it's going to be Wesley a ball this time And the tie up there.

McKissick You know, Tommy, these these two really we talk about Kendrick Wesley gets back on defense, too.

The turn of the defensive intensity to match what Kendrick is doing.

I've never seen two teams run consistently for a whole half.

Yeah, things do happen.

I agree.

Shout is up and no good, Wesley and in a hurry.

And here we go again.

The turnovers are even at seven apiece.

Kendrick leads it by three 2623.

Get a good look at Combs here.

His second foul on breaker Combs yet again.

Coach Nasar says perhaps the team's best player even though she doesn't start scored 19 points in a game earlier in the tournament.

Just a team players doesn't care She starts, doesn't matter, she says.

We're going to have to do to make the team successful.

And another freshman, we might match it right now she's got seven points.

Kendrick 26, Wesleyan 25 202 left before half.

Kendrick in fourth court, top of the key driving passing loss yet again by Farley Wesleyan in a hurry driving up no good rebound Kendrick look at this Here we come going the other way WHISTLE and a foul foul is going to be called on Edwards.

A bump there with the elbow coming down in traffic and that's her second foul.

Let's look at it again.

Edwards, who had the nice block the last time down, getting a little bit too aggressive right here.

Nice job to knock the ball away.

In case you're wondering, she's a senior who playing collegiately at Stetson next year and they got a good player substitution and now it's going to be Edwards going out and McDonald coming back in and substitutions as well for Kendrick at the line.

Taylor Farley, good shot.

She's been deadly from there free throws.

It really helped keep Wesley in in the game here.

I've got him for six of seven in this quarter.

Seven?

No good.

Missed everything back 2725 Kendrick hitting 39% Field goals Wesleyan 31 Good Been very good at the free throw line Correct Myself seven of eight they're free throws in that stolen away again by Kendrick on the fast break up and missed the shot whistle and yet another foul foul is going to be called on McDonnell I think nope that's going to be called on Kendrick I would assume we're going to the other end.

Farley got that foul.

That's her second.

Yeah.

27, 25, 121 left in the half.

This one's been everything we've wanted it to be.

It has.

It has been a defensive battle.

Both of these teams have really gotten an average of it.

There have been no easy shots taken on either side from free throws good by McDonnell and she'll get another 2726.

Well, look, the bounce, the fire good now Kendrick seventh tie of the first half Kendrick top of the key jumper Good Dyson Donovan Dyson she's just off the bench.

What a nice sweet jumper Wesley And now in court Combs being double and triple team Here's a shot from the side Excellent Devin Lowe with yet another bomb Really impressive These two freshmen, Lowe and Combs.

I don't know where Wesson would be right now without them.

They've been outstanding off the bench.

Double team out front lost and it's going to be Kendrick Ball going the other way.

Kendrick lost it momentarily.

38.4 seconds left in the half.

The Kendrick Lady Cherokee is out of to Georgia, undefeated Wesleyan, the defending state champions at 27 and three, the final 38 seconds with only two starters in the game right now.

Double team going to dribble and be thrown away and out of bounds.

I don't think Coach Hicks is really happy right now.

No.

Even though they're within 115 to 4 Wesleyan bench, Wesleyan getting a lot of mileage out of these young players coming off the bench.

Both teams playing a lot of players tones and back court.

Fourth quarter lost again Kendrick went on to break pull up jumper no good short follow up is coming soon batted away lost found again and near our broadcast area court and up and here That is amazing Devin Lowe just made a miraculous shot stolen away and then stolen by Kendrick at the buzzer and no good Well if you're if you're Coach Hicks is what you did not want as you watch the other team outscoring Wesleyan 11 to 3.

They're after Lawrence went out of the game.

He is not thrilled.

Yes, definitely.

All right.

Here we go to Grace Shelton.

All right, Grace here with Coach Hicks.

Coach, defense is your strong suit, but it's been quite a defensive battle out there.

How do you adjust?

We just have to play a little smarter the second time.

Okay.

And Carlisle, Lawrence, already three fouls.

How do you manage that foul trouble going in the second half?

Well, see to see this one last night.

So sure, whatever happens, it'll still be on the court.

Okay.

Well, good luck in the second half.

Back over to you, Tommy.

Thank you, Grace.

32 to 29 is your score.

Let's go now to Mark.

MARK Thank you, Tommy.

Paula, we're at halftime of the girls to a state championship game.

The Wesleyan Wolves looking for a record shattering seventh in a row, 11th overall.

They're taking on the undefeated Kendrick Lady Cherokees.

It's going to be a great game in this first of four games.

We'll bring you today live on GPB.

And just a moment, Grace also will be back to tell us what you are talking about online.

Plus, we're going to have all your first half highlights and stats that's coming your way as halftime continues here on GPB.

Welcome back.

The heart of Georgia.

Welcome back to the Macon Metro Flare Center Flex.

Welcome back to the halftime show.

We were at the break of the girls to a state championship game.

Coach Jan Azar's lady, wolves of Wesleyan going for a record shattering seventh straight championship, taking on those undefeated Lady Cherokees of Kindred right now.

And this is an exciting start to our day, but we've got four huge games that we're going to bring you throughout the day here on GPB and we are going to bring it all to you before that final buzzer sounds.

And we want to know what you have to say about these games going on.

So let's check in now with our social media correspondent Grace in with a look at what people are talking about.

GRACE Thank you.

Clear.

That's right.

The Lady Cherokees and the Lady Vols have kept this game extremely close.

And we want to hear from you and know what's going to take for either of them to pull out the win.

We want you to tell us what you think through social media.

Find GPB Sports on Facebook, find us on Twitter, tweet us, use the hashtag GPB Hoops finals.

You can be part of the conversation.

They've kept a close all game long and we want to hear how you think either team can pull out the win.

So make sure to find us on Twitter.

Now, also on Facebook, we've got an iPad roaming the center flex right now, shooting photos, taking videos, doing interviews with crazy fans that are all decked out.

And they're all going to be posted to our Facebook page.

So if you like us on Facebook, you'll have access to all of that information, all those photos.

And we want you to tag the people that you know here are at the arena watching the Cherokees and the today.

So make sure to tune in on social media, join the conversation and we'll see who pulls out the win.

Back to you.

Claire and Mark, great.

Thanks so much.

And Grace tells us we are over 11,000 likes on Facebook.

We want to get up to 13 or 14,000.

So like us on your Facebook, on our Facebook page.

So now let's check out our Georgia DMC scoreboard.

One game halfway through it is and we have four state champions defending state champions to talk about today and the class girls double AA game Wesleyan leads it Kim over Kendrick 32 to 29 in the boys double leg Gassy is your defending champ.

They'll take on Calhoun about 445 in class five Southwest.

The Cavs girls are the defending champ, the Lady Tigers of Tucker making their first trip to the championship game in the class five boys game.

Miller Grove is going for a record six in a row for the boys as they take on Warner Robins tonight, about 8:00.

Now it's time for our career play of the game, brought to you by the technical college system of Georgia.

Despite the changing job market in our state, many Georgians continue to find solid careers in the field of industrial technology careers, including machine operators and designers, as well as industrial systems managers and tool technicians.

Areas of the field that are growing include cutting edge trades like robotics and industrial design.

It takes training and technical skills.

But these jobs are available and you can build your own career.

That's why industrial technology is our career play of the game.

This message is brought to you by the technical college system of Georgia.

For more information on getting your new career started, visit SSG.

Edu You know, Claire, on paper, this game looked like one of the best games of the entire championship weekend here on GPB and is living up to all expectations.

Oh, it definitely is.

And we've been chatting with some people on Twitter, and somebody told me that this game has been more intense than any of the other games and we're only halfway through.

Right?

We have one team is undefeated.

One team is a six time in a row champ.

They won ten overall.

So, I mean, you can't get any better than that.

That's a lot of fun.

All right.

We're getting ready for the second half, the second and final 16 minutes of this two way championship game between the girls of Wesleyan and the Cherokees of Kendrick High School.

Don't go anywhere, Tommy Palmer and Larry Smith will have first half stats and highlights coming your way.

Plus, you got to watch that second half.

It's all ahead on GPB.

Let's go to Grace Olsen on the sideline, Grace here with Coach Azar.

Coach, this is one of the younger teams you've had at the state finals.

But they're playing pretty aggressive out there on the court already.

They're playing hard, they're getting after it, and they're developing some confidence.

This is the first time out there.

So I'm pleased with the effort in the first half.

And you said you're willing to make changes.

You know, you have your set routine, but you're willing to make changes if needed.

This has been a close game so far.

Are there any adjustments you need to make going into the half?

There's not.

Our changes happen before the game.

We're not playing our normal pressing style and we've got to do the same thing we did in the first half, but do it better.

And you've had some pretty close games throughout the playoffs.

What do you tell these girls in the locker room during halftime to kind of keep them, you know, keep them on their game and pull out the win in the second half?

Got 16 minutes left to play some of them in their high school career.

And so we're going to leave it all on the court and do our best to finish the right way.

All right.

Well, best of luck in the second half, Coach.

Thank you.

Back over to Tommy.

Not to sound trite, but I do think they've already left everything on the court in that first half.

It was fast and furious.

And let's take look at some of those first half highlights here between Kendrick and Wesley and Larry.

Yeah, Kahlil Lawrence was outstanding.

But again, she has three fouls.

You got to watch that, doing everything on both ends of the court.

Ten points is what she scored on five of nine shooting three steals as well.

You know, a couple of turnovers.

But again, she's out role but they're on the defense but what great performances by a couple of Wesley and players in particular one the junior Nikki McDonald 11 points a very quiet 11 points six for six in the line three pointer as well She had one of those, but the freshman off the bench, Devin Lowe, we talked about how young this team is.

They needed their young players to step up off the bench and Low did that ten points including a couple of three pointers including the one that put them on top through the end of the half.

The stats kind of tell the story.

Wesley and nine of 24 Kendrick 12 of 30 13. field goals.

Wesleyan wins the battle there, three out of eight free throws, five out of ten from Kendrick Wesley.

He's been deadly there, 11 of 13.

You can live with that.

The rebounds have kind of evened up here in the second quarter of play, 21 for Wesley and 17 for Kendrick.

And then the very costly 16 turnovers for West Linn, 11 for Kendrick, and those are the Georgia Farm Bureau halftime step.

Yeah, but tell me, you know what, 16 turnovers, you're leading by three at halftime.

That's that's pretty impressive for Wesley.

Well, the thing that's amazing is points off turnovers.

They haven't hurt the 16 turnovers have not hurt that bad.

LAWRENCE Down, up under up an end.

So Lawrence gets us off to a good start for Kendrick.

Here comes Wesley, an in for caught running and gunning going to drive and pull up shot is up and no good and the rebound going to come out to Kendrick noticing that comes in low the two freshman starting in the second half.

Yes you do and Lance oh my A shots spatter out.

That's a michael Jordan.

Their turnaround jumper fall away.

I just see a replay of that at some point.

I think she actually did.

She did.

She'd do a reverse turn.

Yes, she did.

She was down baseline, made a right hand turn, pulled up and shot a jumper that hit nothing but net.

A Lawrence burger, Larry.

Yes, folks, that was a nice smooth move at Lord's.

Might have been as good as me, I'm sure I know.

I know who you're talking about.

That's for sure.

There you go.

Working.

I'll tell you, this bustling team, when you have freshmen who bring the ball down, shot is up and no good.

Very late whistle there in the shot.

Here's the basket, Larry.

Take a look at this.

Yeah, this is really impressive.

We've been singing her praises all night and here's why.

To watch this.

She turns, makes the spin.

That's it's a really difficult to to set your shoulders And still, when you're in motion like that and get the shot and that shot was just had the same touch on it as if she had an 18 footer from out here just inside the arc.

She's an impressive player.

Young freshman Devon Love misses the first one.

She does not mind going into traffic either.

She was down at the baseline, got fouled.

Second up bang good 38, 33, 33, 33 And they're going to try to let Lawrence take over the game here trying to get her open top of the game.

Nice shot there by D.J.

Cheatham and in a hurry Wesley an and forth court baseline right up no good batted around Cherokee Lawrence batted her way yet again WHISTLE and a foul.

Obviously coach Azar did say let's not take it home with us let's leave it on the court They've done that so far.

Yeah well you see she's got some guards out there again with putting combs low out there, along with Booker, you're point guard.

She's just a sophomore to a lot of youth out here working a junior on the court.

And of course, McDonald, the junior.

No seniors on the court right now for Wesley Lawrence Jumper.

But oh, man, she's putting a shooting clinic.

I think Coach had a conversation with her at halftime.

What do you think?

I'm positive bounces away.

No good Follow up is good McDonald got the carom off of a player and put it up and in 3735 Kendrick Lawrence top of the key and she's moved back to the point driving jumper in and out no good follow up is good good board work by Cheatham Cheatham and Lawrence have taken it over for Kendrick Full court pressure Wesley and then four court up and no good whistle and a foul Is that gonna be on Lawrence miss in and out up and Cheatham follows Farley her third it's those are the two players and coach talked about his time in the conversation that we had with him was was Lawrence again just very competitive?

Cheatham He said she's come the furthest through hard work of any player he has in his team right now.

And clearly at halftime, that's the plan in the second half.

Put the ball in their hands.

A couple of fouls right now just in this one was one as well as we just saw the missed free throw here by by number 12 Kyra.

Booker, when you look at this, that both of these last two fouls, the whistle came well after the play.

I'm curious to kind of see what where we go from here.

Booker second shot is up and good sophomore this is a young Wesleyan team is very young very talented WHISTLE and a foul and it's Booker the sophomore again so much youth we can again Wow sucked the knee out there no exception speeches for that one no I don't think so Kendrick and for court looking for top of the game right side wholesale changes almost for Kendrick with the exception of those two point producers from Cheatham and Lawrence, valuable minutes almost batted away saved by Lawrence Lawrence looking pull up jumper no rebound comes out Wesley Wesleyan running and gunning Wesley in a one on two break and going to go right for the basket whistle and a foul Two shots coming is this Lawrence No rapper third third foul.

Ashton Draper got the foul it always up and good He's freshman at the free throw line Just amaze me Great poise Just pull the trigger and there it is it's taken a fresh another freshman Riley Casey number five just checking in now for Wesleyan.

He mentioned she had a couple of technical free throws in the game earlier to seal in a win here during this tournament for Wesleyan.

Again, Coach Azar doesn't mind the youth movement.

15 out of 19 and free throws.

Kendrick and full court.

The look inside turnaround jumper batted away no good Cheatham trying to go inside whistle on a foul.

Cheatham and Lawrence have really good on the work here in the third quarter.

Not that they didn't do their work in the first half, but they did.

One more look at it right here?

Good position on the turnaround.

That's Edwards on the foul.

That's her third also came for a moment.

Yeah wholesale changes again foul was on Thompson who went out or not on Thompson it was on Draper went out of the game.

Lawrence went out for about 10 seconds.

Kendrick and she's back in already working, going to pick up the carom and throw it away.

Casey couldn't come down with that one.

Here are the foul trouble, people.

Kendrick, Lawrence, Farley and Draper, each with three in four court batted away still saved by Kendrick downtown three no good Wesleyan with a rebound leading in for caught driving Pull up jumper good smooth as silk Mikayla Owens the other way Kendrick Lawrence Smooth as silk the other way Oh Kendrick 42 to 42 point lead another three up no good for Wesleyan pull down by Lawrence She's got the lead on everybody up and in the halfway point of the third quarter 4440 Kendrick 20 points for Lawrence Wesleyan breaks the press and loses it in fourth court.

Lawrence has got ten points in the quarter.

She's gone to work.

It's going to be Kendrick's ball.

Let's watch a replay of this, Larry, because she's inside three white shirts, comes out with the ball.

And you can see right away she comes down with one foot already, turn headed down the other end of the court.

Well, she's just an impressive player.

You don't want to talk about one player over another, but I can tell you what I love to see her and Combs, a freshman just playing a game, of course, one on one with their energy.

Oh, my.

Every foul there.

Listen, when you've got 20 and there's 343 left in the third quarter, you can talk about it a second foul on Casey Kendrick in full court.

Lawrence has moved more to a point player.

She's doing a lot of heavy duty work carrying ball Kendrick in the lane up no good battle save Kendrick back Lawrence Jumper no good rebound fought for Wesley and on the run a two on two break Driving up no good nice shot bounced off the back of the rim Here's Lawrence going the other way driving batted away lost out of bounds by Kendrick Wesley and headed the other way and yes he was there on defense Combs trying to tip it away from the back.

I think she's the one that got it.

The only thing slowing Lawrence down is her shoes.

She's got to stop entire shoes.

I tell you, Coach Hicks, he has he has not had a smile on his face the entire game, 44 to 40.

Kendrick over Wesleyan.

It has been a dandy and there's much more to come from the Macon Center Flex Welcome back to the Macon Coliseum.

Kendrick currently leads Wesleyan 44 to 40.

Now, we've seen a lot of aggression out there on the court today.

A lot of tight defense.

And Wesleyan has a young team playing for the state title today.

But coach Jason Azar says since Wesleyan is a k-through-12 school, these girls are able to begin playing with the in fifth grade.

So they're able to learn the press early, learn that aggressive style of play.

So when they get to the ninth grade, they're ready to go.

They're ready to hit the court as a varsity player.

So back over to you, Tommy.

Thank you.

I'll tell you, Larry, when you take a look at this, the intensity has really picked up.

And it's not my imagination.

It's it's a little more intense.

And Lawrence has tried to take over the basketball game.

But on the other end, you got Combs and the other freshmen also trying to take over the game.

Yeah, they're really impressive.

I mean, as we see a look here again at Kayla Lawrence, Remember, she has three fouls left the game at the 251 mark in the second quarter of those those three fouls.

And Wesley took advantage, went on an 11 three run to take the lead at halftime.

But since then Lawrence back on the court and really imposing her will that Wesleyan and Collins and Lowe the two outstanding freshmen they've matched her step for step and we've got a great ball game here in the third quarter.

Well, if you've just joined us, we've had nine times and 11 lead changes with many more to come.

Stay with us.

And full Court Wesleyan in a light Kendrick in dark blue bank shot up and in it's Riley Casey another freshman Tommy the freshman are getting it done Here's Lawrence from downtown up high off the rim no good Wesley and rebound got the ball down by two double team looking for help in back court Finally gets it across the time line just in time down at the baseline and thrown away.

Nick McDonnell lost it out of bounds.

The pass was a little much to the trail.

Yeah, McDonnell was already drifting toward the basket, ready to get in position, get his feet in position for the quick layup.

Ball thought a little bit behind her there.

Kahlil Lawrence had ten points in the first half, five out of nine in the third quarter, 10.5 out of nine.

Nothing like consistency.

I would say that's wouldn't you say?

And they're giving her a break here with 224 left in the quarter and a two point lead.

Look inside to Cheatham up and no good no foul Wesley and got to go the other way, running and gunning looking and there it is up and in Nicky McDonald came through the front door Kendrick going the other way looking pull up really batted away BLOCK Nice block by Mikayla Cone here's Wesley and going the other way and we just lost it All right All right.

It's okay.

Okay, You're good.

I got it.

I got it.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

We lost a monitor and get the chair.

Got a boy.

Here we go.

Hey, let's say hey.

Let's take a look at that.

Wow.

You're okay.

I'm good.

I'm good.

I'm trying to keep her from.

Oh, man, what a tumble.

I bet you've never been on TV that way.

No, I don't.

I don't get much TV time.

There you go.

That's memorable.

Is Kendrick in for court looking shot up?

Good.

Angelo Jones from the corner.

Tell you what, it hasn't just been Laurence.

Everybody's playing hard Kendrick double team Wow Whistle and a foul Somebody got knocked out here oh 4044 foul is going to be called and Wesley he's got Wesley he's going to call timeout MAN 120 left.

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Tell me.

I'm not sure.

Nick, that was that Fergie that came over here?

No.

Do you think so?

I think it was Casey Riley's speaking.

Well, I'm not going to say that she she I think she disabled the TV.

And so just just because she's recording this at home, this all she knows, it's kept it by Kendrick.

And we almost had another tumble here.

When you're such a handsome guy coming over here looking at looking at you, that's fine.

I don't mind.

Lights up my Kendrick no good whistle and a foul.

And that one's going to be speaking of Riley Casey That one's going to be on Casey two shot found upcoming Taylor Farley will go to the line for Kendrick with 59.6 left in third quarter 4644.

I think it's coming.

Is it coming back?

Yes, I think it is.

I think it's coming back to line.

The first thing Larry said was, where are you?

All right?

And she said, yes, I'm fine.

Okay.

That's right.

Yeah.

He was real courteous, polite young lady.

That's like I said, yeah, I'm fine.

You okay?

That's right.

She's trying to fix the TV.

I said, No, you go.

You know, we can take care of this free throws.

Good.

And Wesley and back double team, frantic pace for working, having trouble and the clock's running 10 seconds and they're going to call timeout just in time with 49.7 left That was what is amazing is that they call that timeout with less than a minute but I guess if you couldn't get it across and it won't can get the ball back.

Well that's the thing right now you got a point.

You're at the point right now where it's in.

Let's look at this one more time.

This pass right our way.

And it's it's Dooley.

I try best to savor Tommy.

I know you did look great.

Look, look, It was not Casey's doing.

Look, I know you go.

I've got this.

It's okay.

And it's.

It's still not on.

I thought it was funny.

It was.

Dooley, I'm sorry.

Do we need to apologize?

Do we have to?

Ronnie?

Casey, We're sorry, but duly very courteous as well.

Yeah, she was.

Yes, she was.

Yeah.

Yeah.

They're all up.

All outstanding young ladies.

Yes, they are great.

Two great programs, two outstanding schools.

And they've been great representatives, not just of their schools and school districts, but of their cities.

This will definitely, definitely taking a look at turnovers.

Wesleyan 22, Kendrick 13.

And it really has not hurt Wesleyan that bad a points off turnovers for Kendrick not enormous not what what one would think when you get 22 turnovers.

Wesleyan opens double teamed and four court shot is up and no good.

Let's go to Grace.

Grace Just listening to the huddle as Coach Jan Azar addressed her team and she said These girls have been practicing all week, cutting up the middle, get to the other end of the court.

She said.

They're just standing still and they really need to just get the ball to the other end of the court.

Tommy Kendrick is eight out of 18 field goals, Wesleyan four out of nine, which tells me that offensive pressure has been elevated here in the third quarter.

And that's a big call right there.

That's Taylor Farley.

She's been one of the key players for Kendrick.

That's her fourth foul.

She's got to come out of the game.

Wesleyan and full court fucking looking shot is up and no good by Booker the rebound Wesleyan fucking top of the key jumper no good params off whistle and a foul calling a foul and Kendrick mckissic mckissic nice second foul on McKissic then to working with about 10 seconds left batted away Kendricks it in a speed mode double team looking for help can't get it Wesleyan is going to get it going the other way and fired at the buzzer oh just missed so we played three.

It has been a dandy one quarter to go before something serious is decided.

Like the Double-A girls state champions Kendrick 47, Wesleyan 44.

Jones Kendrick 47, Wesleyan 44.

One quarter to play as we decide the GHC class Double Date Girls Championship GPB is all over social media.

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That's GPB Sports on Facebook and Instagram and GPB sports on Twitter and hashtag us at GPB hoops final in the fourth quarter.

Kendrick going to trigger it in as we get set for this one the fourth quarter is a biggie in this one.

It has been almost the entire way shot is up and good.

I from the baseline Cheatham has gone to work in the second half.

Here's Wesleyan in full court driving trying to go with that left hand cut off at the pass shot from downtown up no good fight on the boards whistle and a foul Yeah we've got a foul and number 12 Booker Booker with her fourth is that right Coach Azar is pleading the case over there to no avail.

As McKissick comes back into the lineup for Kendrick, that was one of those judgment calls didn't go the way of Wesleyan in that case, left side Jones top of his key.

Thompson left side.

Jones firing no good whistle and a foul go shoot three then to shoot three She was shooting a three that's going to be on Devin Lowe.

Her second coach Azar does not like that one going to the line Angela Jones Jones fires good.

Here's the foul.

Yeah there it is.

Got too much at the rim after the shot Jones Junior gets them both and now will get yet another when you shoot a three and the foul is there you get three score when the clock has stopped and good things happen to you and it just good That's a three with 707 left one of those stationary threes that really hurt Wesleyan in fourth quarter Lady Wolves baseline nicely.

Oh my sweet Move down there by Landon Dooley Dooley down around the baseline got opened down there Kendrick in four caught Thompson has it stolen away Here comes Wesleyan looking bad at away Lawrence Glass I tell you what Shirking and Lawrence both looked at each other and that was a nice move by Dooley down around the baseline, 50 to 46.

Kendrick by six.

Yeah.

The crowd thought that ball was out on Kendrick.

Instead, they called it out on Perking and it's it's a charity ball and Kendrick going to pull it back a little bit here which is amazing I guess catching a breath here, looking, driving whistle and a foul.

This one, I believe, is on Landon Dooley.

You're right.

For foul.

Yeah.

First on Dooley, let's watch this.

A little too quiet.

Kendrick's going to go to basket.

They've already made that decision.

Shots no good.

Hit the lip of the rim and bounced back.

Cheatham With 613 going to pull the trigger on two substitution.

End of the ballgame now out of the game.

Nicky McDonnell And back into the game.

Riley Casey free throw good at the shooter's roll substitutions coming in now Ashton Draper going to come back in and out of the game.

Déja Cheatham Wesleyan in back court trying to beat the pressure.

And does the youngsters really get that ball on the floor and come down the floor?

I believe that one's going to be on Angela Jones for the first.

And we're in the both teams in the bonus now.

Tommy So we're shooting free throws rest away, which is a good thing.

Both of them have been deadly, one and one here, one if with combs at the line no good and Laurence comes out of there with it in a hurry, shoots it ahead in the fourth court, right side lost, fired up.

Now downtown, no good Wesleyan comes out of there.

Kendrick pedaling back, trying to get back in a hurry.

Wesleyan in a hurry, driving baseline, working in traffic no good over the back.

Let's see what's going to be called here in place.

When it was over the back.

You get blocked out, stay away.

Second foul on Furkan.

Well, if you're a Wesleyan fan, you know this already.

They've fallen behind by double digits and they've come back.

We mentioned that at the top of the telecast today and also the have led them back here in the playoffs.

So that's why, again, coaches are not afraid to go to Combs to Golden Low.

We've seen Casey in the game.

She's in the game right now.

Three freshmen right now in the game to go along with working the junior and Edwards senior headed to a Division one school next year.

Farley misses the second of two Furkan going to come out of there, but the roof rebound, eight point lead and Wesleyan throws it away.

Kendrick going to come out of there with it with another steal, yet another turnover, driving, driving double team right side Cheatham driving spin move up no good nicely whistle and a foul on and they've gotten really aggressive going inside They're not going to hold back anymore Let's take a look at it as we go down inside where it's heavy traffic.

It's a nice move.

She knows he's got the shot blocker on her.

She knows she can't go right at her.

Just nice footwork here.

Doesn't get the basket, but she draws a foul.

Now she's got a chance to get two at the line and a nice soft touch at the free throw line.

528 left, nine point lead now for Kendrick.

What do you bet that we don't see Laurence come out of the game too much?

That's the way.

I wouldn't think so.

Not at this point.

Second wind, also good.

Ten point lead by Kendrick, 12 to 2.

Kendrick runs in traffic per game looking looking side nothing there can't get it away long over the pass up and good goodness gracious that is a tough shot from there You know Riley Casey, the freshman that is amazing and is very are not afraid to pull the trigger even when they're down nine or ten.

Oh, no hesitation.

Good confidence there.

Whistle and another foul on the other end.

That's Casey.

A good looking basket by Casey Anthony.

Here's one more look again, good recognition stop for the defense and catch up to her.

That's just a nice running ten footer right there by a young player.

We know this Wesleyan program, they they just reload.

Maybe they don't rebuild.

Free throw is good Thompson at the line will get yet another substitutions in and out of the game Edwards going to go out for Wesleyan and McKissick goes out for Kendrick at the line Brittany Thompson fires good got the good bounce for 50 left nine point lead for Kendrick pressure in the back court and forecourt batted away and Wesleyan comes up with it Travel going double dribble whatever you want to call it too much action on the basketball there Yeah this is the thing right now you've got to really be careful There's a like a warning right now.

They think coach chains are being warned to stay on the sidelines.

One more look at this.

This is Booker right now.

The sophomore just gets excited.

She knew what she did.

But there's a lot of time and you've got 14 minutes left.

There's no time to rush right now.

Play good defense, get good shots in offensive end, don't get rattled.

Four and a half minutes is an eternity whistle and a foul.

Oh, let's see, is it blocking or is it charging?

Charger charge?

That's Brittney Thompson.

That's her second.

Second found.

Yeah.

No no shots so he's a player control foul so Wesley ball out of bounds if you're still down by ten but right here this is what we talked about at the very top.

You've got to be able to control the tempo, ball control, don't lose the ball.

And this is right now with Wesley.

And young players got to be tested.

They've got to be able break this press, but then get into an offensive set, get a good shot.

Don't get ahead of yourself.

Crunch time now.

Four and a half minutes less than that left in the game up.

And what a move.

No, no.

Good follow up.

No follow up, No yet again.

Whistle and a foul.

They are beating the boards.

Wesleyan has done a great job on the defensive board Jones with a foul her second and to the line Booker hero Booker shooting two nice soft touch there by Booker she got another at the 414 mark Caron looks like the town in south Georgia it's Cairo Cairo.

Yes Lawrence Lawrence across the line in four caught Kendrick in no real hurry, getting some pressure down and pushing off looking and they're going to reset.

And Wesleyan working hard on defense.

They're in no hurry.

They're in no hurry.

They've got the ball and a nine point lead and.

We've got a turnover whistle and we're going to get somebody in.

And I think they're going to take a timeout here.

58 to 49.

Kendrick has made a run here in the opening fourth quarter.

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We've got to You might yeah might take you to Cairo.

Cairo.

Cairo.

Yeah.

Yes.

Yeah that's right.

Yeah I'm sure it's never heard of Cairo Sirup.

I have Cairo, Georgia.

I grew up in Illinois.

It's Cairo, Illinois.

Same thing.

Smelly.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, just think, if she were an Egyptian travel agent.

Cairo Booker.

Oh, no.

Oh, you want it again?

You know, no points on that one.

No points on that one.

Wesleyan in end court after the timeout stolen away by Kendrick Right.

Trying to get it away jump ball possession goes to Wesleyan out of bounds at the end line 334 left in this one Wesleyan trying to fight back from a nine point deficit.

Casey top of the key down in the corner looking excellent defense by both teams today.

Jumper up and good nice touch soft touch by Mikayla Collins seven point lead for Kendrick pressure and back court in fourth court Kendrick Lady Cherokee's undefeated 13 oh coming in Wesleyan Lady Wolves at 27 and three defending state champions Lawrence triggers it right side going to get pressure is McKissick back to Lawrence A lot of action over there Coach Hicks tried to call timeout and I think we had 5 seconds.

Yeah yes five second violation He tried to call tough.

He has not smiled all day long.

The man's got a seven point lead here, 246 to go, but he has been serious all day.

I think he knows that.

He knows what this Wesleyan team is capable of traveling.

Yeah.

Carried it.

Carried the ball.

Did the youngster, Mikayla Combs going down the right side.

Good defense down there by Taylor Farley.

If you notice a couple of possessions ago when they had the turnover in the back court, they had Kendrick hand Lawrence down on the block.

They moved her now back to the backcourt.

We know she can do everything.

And, you know, he said if they don't pass it, the ball should go get the rebound.

And she clearly has done that.

She's now the trigger person.

You see her at the ball in her hands as much as possible from now on.

Whistle Get a timeout.

Timeout.

It's going to be called here.

I'll tell you what, we promised you a good one.

And I think we have delivered.

I know the ladies have delivered.

They have.

They have.

This is what we expected.

You know, I mean, again, this is as as Coach Hicks said, and we see him in the end trying to get to 31, win 31.

And all we ask him earlier, we talked to him.

You know, you've been here twice before.

You won it back in 2008.

You lost in the title game in 2005.

And we asked him, is this the best team you've had there?

And you tell me he wouldn't give us anything, right?

He no, he doesn't.

He just said, Well, we'll find out Friday afternoon and we're finding out whether or not that is true or not.

242 left, which is an eternity in basketball.

It is an eternity.

The clock will not run when your head is seven.

It won't.

And and especially when you think about how these two teams play, they both play at a frenetic, very fast pace.

I think if you're Wesley and right now you've got to get the ball, you'll run those sets.

Low is not in the game right now while I see her in the game and run those sets for her on a three pointer, you don't have your three point shooters in low and McDonald not in the game right now You've got again clearly the ball is giving him a Combs hands but you've got to play smart on defense You can't foul try to get a steal and just get into this and get some good shots.

Kendrick trying to get it in bounds and does now a two on one break driving and laying it up no matter the way.

And here goes, working the other way for Wesley and driving up and good nice move.

Nice move by Wesley And they're going to call timeout there and the players down on the other end.

I did not see Farley go down down there.

Taylor Farley, that was on the drive where it was taken back after the rebound and run down.

Let's take a look at it.

She's going pretty fast.

You're two on one.

She doesn't really have a good angle to throw the ball over to.

Lawrence.

You see here she comes down really hard.

Wow.

Oh, that was not good.

Yeah, I am, Wesley and going to take it down and Furkan going to put it up and in.

It was a nice, nice move there by working Good ball handling Baird 511 junior for her does a lot of things is its that's Farley still on the on the floor the junior and she is a wild cog in this this outfit as well the thing that is amazing when we take a look at fourth quarter turnovers Kendrick five and we've seen this in football a few times as helicopter move here what hurts?

No easy way to come down on wood when you go that way.

Speaking of turnovers, though, both teams five turnovers in the fourth quarter.

And right now you think about Taylor Farley, hope this isn't serious.

He's been on the floor now for quite a while that were outstanding staff.

Kendrick High School out of Columbus.

They're tending to her right now.

I can tell you every almost every single Kendrick fan right now standing just just quiet.

Yes, some wanted a foul on that.

But as we saw several replays there, that was just an unfortunate play, great defensive play by Wesley in the strip.

The ball away.

I don't see there was a foul that was a good no ball stolen the stolen ball and it just happens to be that the way the way she went in for the layup and and the way the ball came out.

Let's take another look at it see right there she had the angle but she she wasn't in position to throw the ball to Lawrence.

If you look at the way the ball, what happens?

I think if we can take another look at it while we have a little time here, the ball slips out of her hand almost, and she reaches out to get it, which causes the hesitation, See if the ball slips out of her hand right here.

Watch.

Right.

And then she tried to get it back.

Yeah, that's.

Yeah.

Riley Casey, the freshman, getting all ball on that.

And again it's unfortunate injury as Farley is still down right now.

You know when you think about to be honest what this does to the game our first concern, obviously is is Taylor Farley and her concern obviously.

But once once we get this, the medical staff guess is taken care of and he get back to playing.

What does this do to the team in terms of this has been such a high energy frenetic pace on both sides and you've had now a stoppage in play of several minutes.

Yes.

What does this do to both teams?

I think in particular, Kendrick, which has had most of the momentum here in the second half, it will affect them.

I promise you it will as an athlete, former athlete, not as a current athlete, but as a former athlete, When you stop play for an extended period of time, there is a cooling off.

The adrenaline slows down a little bit and there is the concern.

Yeah, it and she's a key player here.

Farley seven points eight rebounds and she has really helped to trigger this basketball team in the second half.

Yeah she back into the lead here.

She's sitting her back.

Yeah, she's up and that's a good thing.

It's a good thing she came down.

You don't want to speculate back or hit Pass me the way she hit.

Hit the ground very hard.

Yeah.

We've talked before.

20 players on this team.

Only 15 dress Farley.

One of those ten at the top of the roster.

That doesn't have to compete for a spot.

But of the other ten, they compete for those five spots.

That's A great sign right there that she's walking off and she gets a hand as she comes off the court for she has played it well.

The game today.

She has.

And she's going to sit down.

I think it's the hip I really do.

She really came down hard on that hip and our prayers with her.

Yes, definitely.

She's okay after this.

E, let's see what this did to the complexion of the games.

Could be a momentous point in the game.

Would be here.

Yeah, absolutely.

We see a Ashanti Jack now, the senior number 24 coming in to take her place, a five point lead for Kendrick to 28 left.

All right.

Let's go to Grace, Grace Taylor, Farley just on the ground for a while with the medical staff.

She fell really hard on her hip.

That's all they know at this point.

They wanted to just make sure that she was okay before they set her up.

Back to you guys.

And with a steel long pass down on the corner batted away stolen back by Kendrick on the run.

Here comes Kendrick.

Don't worry about the pace.

It hasn't slowed down at all.

Lawrence smartly know you didn't have numbers Bring it back Look in the hands of your playmakers.

Lawrence drives to the basket whistle at a foul at the 202 Mark Lawrence went right for the basket.

Something Surprising here and this is just unofficially my own numbers.

Well double check this I don't I don't think that Lawrence has scored this fourth quarter.

I don't think so either.

That's a fifth foul right there.

And that's it.

That's a big loss for Wesleyan.

Carmona Edwards, a six foot senior, such a great defensive presence in there for Wesley, and she's now out of the game.

And Furkan going to come and take the place down on the free throw line and Lawrence going to go to the charity stripe hit Lawrence first free throw attempt today, 21 points for Lawrence.

What a nice day.

Seven rebounds, 21 points, second shot up and coming.

She's just as good of the free throw line as she is from the field.

Wesley is pressured in the back court.

158 left driving, working top of the key combs driving long three good.

That was a great shot and a great play that was created by the freshman Mikayla Combs.

And you see what she did right there.

She drove drew the defense to her because she she's such a multifaceted player.

Here's a whole great passing here.

The thing about Kendrick's defense is they're so active, it feels like you're playing five on seven because they spread the court so well.

But watch this draws the defense to her, gets it out to Booker for the three.

That's a great play that was set up by a couple of young players, freshman to sophomore, just like that.

Wesley And it's pulled within four points now.

Excellent, excellent play.

That is textbook play right there when you're when you're doing that.

The thing that is amazing, Larry, is that most freshmen won't pull the trigger on a shot like that Late in the game.

These freshmen from Wesleyan, they'll pull the trigger any time.

And as we've talked about a couple of times, again, they they're a K-through-12 school.

They begin playing in fifth grade.

It's some of these coaches aren't former players coaching the young players.

By the time they get here, they already know the system.

They know all the plays, they know how to play aggressive.

And so it's not you learn anything.

You're just stepping right in and you see coach Hicks right there.

He said, You know, no, not a smile.

Yes.

No, these are not smiles.

This clear day that that scowl has knocked.

He was up by ten points at the same scowl there on the sidelines.

He was not a happy man at halftime when guys talked to him.

He was a man of few words.

Here you go.

The flies in the locker room got a show at halftime.

I tell you that Kendrick 11 out of 12 Wesley and zero out of one Kendrick in back court and Wesley and Kendrick going to call timeout here they got in trouble Georgia Tech wins.

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This is something you can't miss only on GPB 1656 141 left in this 14. lead, Kendrick had to call timeout, couldn't get the ball.

Westley and Kendrick have both been just all over each other defensively, all day long.

The surprising thing is, is that we haven't had more fouls than we have.

That's true.

Yeah.

One timeout now for both teams as a Cherokee just called that one I'm sorry Kendrick called that when the Cherokees let's see now now it's in Lawrence coming off the ball we're trying to get it to her here on the inbounds and look out Larry they're headed your way.

Stepped on the line, Rush, lay on ball.

Hey, we're getting lots of love to the Kendrick full court press.

How about Wesley in here while they've done the job the last couple of times?

Yes, they sure have.

Furkan going to come out, new number going to come back in, Devin Lowe going to come in to trigger it.

Three point shooter, low looking, trying to get it in and does get to the cones drives laying it up and travel Kendrick ball going the other way 135 left Kendrick by four you like the rookie Yeah yeah yeah Lurking back in that was Wesley In's 30th turnover Wow that is a wow looking to get it in and does here's Kendrick in back court a head up and good key basket right there Nice way to break the press good passing by it was not the prettiest you will ever see but it got the job done McKissick with the basket.

Watch this.

Struggling, struggling.

And McKissic just splits the seam of two players and goes up and lays it in.

Nice strong effort there by McKissic, the junior and kind of a quiet dame.

A chance now for a three point play and more importantly looking at least a three possession game now for Kendrick Perkins with a foul no good with a follow up Wesley and comes out of there with it and thrown away threw it behind lone she was she turned the wrong way and got to make a substitution here.

Dooley Going to come back in?

Yeah it is definitely down to Casey's with 120 left Kendrick trying to get the ball in play batted almost stolen away Scramble for it.

Here goes Lawrence.

Who's going to pull it up She didn't die for.

She could have gone, but did not whistle in a foul.

A word, The foul.

That's going to be her fourth.

And Lawrence is going to go to the line at the 110 mark.

I was kind of surprised that Lawrence didn't go ahead and drive to the basket, but she pulled it back and moved it around.

Obviously, they're going to try to kill the clock at 110 here.

Well, the important thing for her and for Kendrick is she kept the ball in her hands.

She's the best player no matter what it is of its defense.

Offense dribbling, whatever it is, ball control is leadership.

She's your leader.

Keep the ball in her hands as best she can.

And again, yes, but now you've got to hit the free throws.

That's the other thing is you need to hit this, make it a three possession game.

Otherwise it all goes to night.

And Wesleyan wins that part of that battle in the chess match.

Seven points.

Everybody from Columbus standing.

And I tell you what, they're getting excited over there.

Still a lot of time left with 110 left whistle and a foul.

I believe that one's going to be called on McKissick And was just out of bounds.

Out of bounds.

Okay.

Sorry.

That's Liam driving.

There's a foul blocking Foul going to be called on Kendrick I will say this Kairo Booker Young sophomore is not afraid to get into heavy traffic.

She's not at all Cheatham there on the foul.

That's that's her second foul.

She gets caught sliding on that one.

That's a good call.

104 left in this one.

Booker fires good.

Not that nice shooter's touch.

Furkan going to come back in and going to get some help from Dooley who also is going to come in Riley Casey in the game for Wesley.

We see this chess match now.

Both these coaches have won state championships, have been here before in the past.

Of course, Wesleyan six a row.

They've won here.

The Titans up to eight.

Kendrick in back court.

Heavy pressure by Wesley and Lawrence in fourth court.

Double team deep pass down around the baseline Lawrence right side going to pull it back out but 5 seconds to make penetration here to get it in and she did And Lawrence, with 41 seconds left going to trigger it back out.

They're going to keep it away.

Play and keep away.

Whistle a foul, foul.

It's going to be called Landon Dooley.

36 seconds left and Kendrick crowd is standing.

Two shot foul.

Look, look who's shooting Taylor for.

Charlie up.

Good.

And we've got another.

It is definitely a two possession game here.

Three possession?

Yes.

This is big as well.

Farley, as you joined us late, left the game a few minutes ago with an injury down for several minutes.

The hip injury takes him both.

Yes.

Here's Wesley and in fourth court.

Going to pull up and shoot high off the glass.

Not there.

And Lawrence comes out of there with it, gets it ahead.

Whistle and a foul.

Kendrick, France coming in, making the drive from Columbus, starting to feel it now they can smell it.

23 seconds left, eight point lead for star Lawrence at the free throw line in the two shot foul 6557, 23.6 left in this one up and good 6657.

Do you think we'll get a smile out of Coach Hicks?

Only if he's holding the trophy.

Second one up coming.

I'm not sure he has teeth.

We haven't seen them yet.

Got it.

Ten point lead Lady Cherokees in firm control here.

Late stolen away and lost out of bounds.

Wesley and Ball headed the other way at 16.2 left in this way WHISTLE and a foul.

Right, right, right Lawrence you see Lawrence talking to tip to the game saying why did you foul you know Yeah and coach and coach is saying the same thing Yeah yeah.

Just get back out of the way.

Yeah, yeah yeah Get caught in the moment.

Low misses the first free throw 14.6 left 6757.

No, no.

Wesleyan coach Dan Azar's.

We see Coach Hicks here 14.6 seconds away.

You know, she said that at the girls don't win it they feel like it's it's a failure and there's no failure here.

No.

Well they are they're fantastic.

And so many freshmen and sophomores.

This seems to be fun to watch for a very long time.

67, 58.

Kendrick going to go to the line with a nine point lead.

So the Kendrick Lady Cherokees are going to finish undefeated 31 and oh which you're about to see after this free throw here.

Mass substitution, probably.

Again, some of the players at the the players who who earned the right, those five players who earn the right, again, to wear the uniform today at end of the roster and they'll start to come in now.

Yes they are Justin Murph comes in.

We also have Alisha Thomasson coming in to the game 24 to 14 run after a 44 tie for Kendricks.

I got it done down the stretch.

Second shot.

Good.

And another substitution.

I love to see this.

Let's Shayla Green also in the lineup.

Some of the younger players obviously long shot ups and no good jump ball possession arrows going to go to Kendrick 6958 with 4.1 left.

Oh what a game.

What a game.

You are exactly right.

And Wesleyan fighting to the end and the game is going to end there.

Kendrick, 69, Wesleyan 58.

Let's watch the celebration.

Oh, let's get a smile.

Go ahead.

Grace Pope, Coach you've been extremely serious all game long, all season long.

Can you finally crack a smile now that you've won the state title and then smile?

I'm I'm happy.

I'm very happy.

I'm very happy.

These kids, they put in a lot of work, put in a lot of hearts.

And I'm very proud of them.

But I don't smile a lot.

So this about this, I'm good.

Now, you told me earlier this week that to be champions have to practice like champions and that you each team practices like champions every day.

It looks like you did that on court today.

Every day they finish this dream, you know, they're probably good.

I can't see an animal get worried about me.

I mean, I'm proud of them.

They deserve this.

Now, you're seniors like Talia Lawrence, 25 points today.

They've time to heal last four years to get to this pinnacle.

They have.

They have.

I mean, a lot of hard work.

Sweat and tears went into the championship and my colleagues stepped up finally and brought home the trophy.

But I'm very proud of everybody who got in the game.

You know, go see your kids.

Congratulations.

Try to see you smile.

It's in the back.

Over to Tommy.

Enjoy celebrating, Coach.

I think we got a smile.

I think we did.

I thought I saw when they're 69, 58.

Let's take a break.

It's been all we thought it was going to be final 6958 Cherokees will win it.

They are the 2014 to a girls state champions.

Kendrick Cherokee is winning the state girls championship 6958 all over the defending champion Wesleyan Lady Wolves.

Let's go now to Mark Harmon.

Thank you, Tommie Palmer.

Time now to present the championship to Lady Cherokees of Kendrick High School out of Columbus, Georgia.

For that, the executive director of the HSA, Dr. Ralph Swearingen.

Thank you, Mark.

An exciting game between two excellent basketball teams just now on behalf of the Georgia High School Association and Georgia Farm Bureau.

It's my pleasure to present the state championship trophy to Kendrick High School and the Game ball Coach, congratulations.

Talk about holding the trophy and the basketball right there and bringing a championship home to Columbus.

It feels great.

It feels great to bring home this championship and to be a great team like Wesley.

I mean, all the hard work these kids put into is really paid off.

And I'm proud of them and I'm proud of everybody that came out supported us tonight.

I'd like to thank you also.

All right.

Kayla Lawrence, come out here just a minute.

23 points tonight.

Talk a little about being a senior win in your final year out here and going undefeated.

You know, that's what we practice for and we've been talking about it all year.

I came in my sophomore year.

You know, we didn't do so well and making it to my senior year, making it to the state championship, we knew we had to get the job done.

Taylor Farley, you played a whale of a game lottery bounce, some crucial free throws.

You took a big bump down there.

How are you feeling and how does it feel?

Honestly and good.

You got to do it again next year.

All right, Coach, one final word, being undefeated.

What's this mean to you and your school?

If it feels like all the hard work paid off this is what we expect.

So we finally got one.

We just made it.

All right, hold that championship.

Hi.

We congratulate the Lady Cherokees of Kendrick High School out of Columbus, Georgia, the Class two state champions.

Well done.

And now over to my colleague Claire Sims.

As the GB tailgate party kicks off.

Thank you so much, Mark.

One game down, but we still have three more exciting games ahead before that final buzzer sounds three more games and we're going to them all to you.

Every single dribble, every shot, everything you're going to want to see.

So stay tuned because these tailgate party starts right now.