You're watching the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball Championships on TV.

Georgia Public Television presents the Georgia High School Association's Boys State Basketball Championships.

Major funding for the broadcast of this event is made possible in part by IBEW Local 613, Georgia's Electric Membership Corporation, South Trust Bank.

And by viewers like you.

Live from the Macon Center plex, it's the boys triple-A championship between Mitchell Baker and Crosskeys.

And welcome again, everybody, to Championship Weekend as we continue on here on TV.

I'm Jim Janaki.

Our big game coming up the Eagles in the nineties they were dominant won in 1991 championships in 9899 and 2000.

Crosskeys is still shooting for their first championship.

Rufus McDuffie has done a great job with Mitchell Baker and they look to win their sixth championship since 1990.

That's coming up.

The two guys to call for you downstairs, Duke, Clyde Tenet and Herb White guys.

Jim, thank you very much.

Hi, everybody.

Sue Clyde Tunick, along with Herb White, who has had experience at high school, college and the pros here in Georgia.

No one knows Georgia basketball better than this gentleman.

And I want to tell you one thing.

Hold your breath, Herb.

It's going to be up and down all night.

And when you have games like that, you have to have stars on both sides.

No doubt about that.

Stu, It's going to be interesting how Crosskeys handles this pressure, because they like to play up tempo, too.

But some of the players you're going to be looking at tonight, Derek Haywood, a key for this Mitchell Baker team.

He's the best shooter on this club and he helps keep this team running up and down the floor, applying pressure.

And also they don't have a lot of size.

But Tremaine fashion, face and excuse me is their main guy in the paint.

He's the guy that gets the rebounds and tries to get the thing cranked up and get them moving down the floor.

Now, we've been talking about it all night before the game.

Cross keys.

What do they do?

They still run it up and down or can they slow it down because they're used to scoring 70 a game?

Herb That's an interesting point and I think Cross Keys is going to have to play their game.

They're probably just going to have to play it smart and make sure if they are going to run with them, they're going to be okay.

Michael Bank 6182 one half points a game for Cross Keys.

This kid has an elevator, I'm telling you, watch him.

If he gets some space in the lane, he can throw it down at six one and Kendall Ruffin, 17 points a game.

Both of these guys going to have to step up big for cross Keys tonight.

And Mitchell Baker probably a little deeper team as well.

So we're going to have to watch Cross Keys condition and see how they can hang with these guys.

Where do you play Georgia High school basketball.

And you're called the elevator by the man who was originally called the elevator and went to the top floor.

That's pretty good.

It should be an exciting game.

It is jam packed, as a matter of fact, a slight delay in the game because I heard they had people coming in and going out at the same time.

Let's take a look at the starting lineup.

You go down a lot of time, as you can see, one team, a senior laden, the other one is it?

Yeah, almost unbelievable.

You're right.

Mitchell Baker has got a lot of experience, not a lot of size, as we said before with fashion.

Dawson, B.J.

Jones is going to play center at six three.

And there you see the cross keys line up all seniors.

Stu and I only have one junior.

That's the only underclassmen they have in the whole Cross Keys lineup.

Well, when they have graduation across cross Keys, a lot of the parents are going to be crying and so will Benny Gibbs, because he's losing a lot of his players.

So let's go to the starting lineups.

Our public address announcer will give you them.

All right.

Now you're coming by.

Sharp But cross at four over 33, a six foot four senior Antonio six.

Simpson four.

Mitchell Baker at forward number three, six foot two.

So for Eddie, so far, fast forward number 40, a six foot four senior player Willis Corbin.

So much more at center number 20, a six foot three junior D.J.

Jones for Cross Keys at center number 50 for a six foot five senior, Joe Safa for Mitchell Baker, Guard Number Care, a six foot one senior.

Papa Joe Well, across the guard, number 23, six foot one singer Michael Bangs for Mitchell Baker, Right.

Guard number two, a five foot senior, Eric Heyward, Krakowski.

But Guard number 12, a five foot ten senior center up and if you take a deep breath.

Coming up, the three eight boys championship Mitchell Baker against Cross Keys right after this funding for broadcast at the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball Championships is provided in part by the following.

You're watching the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball Championships on TBS.

Welcome back to the Three Boys State Championship.

Mitchell Bay.

Mitchell Baker in the red, white and blue, but mostly red.

And it'll be cross keys in the home, green and white.

And get ready.

Hold your breath.

Here we go.

Herb, I just saw one of the officials put an extra button or a clip on his pants.

He's going to need it.

I think it's the first time I've ever looked at referees to see if they were in shape.

We're going to find out.

We certainly will.

Here we go.

And I think cross Keys controlled a little too much.

That was like volleyball.

So we get a chance early to see this Mitchell Baker offense, which is unbelievable.

91 points a game.

Yeah.

And people are familiar with him as they've been watching Georgia public television the last several years of basketball coverage because these guys have had some great teams inside.

They go up and good early, easy for Saracen.

Who is there, an inside threat?

Yo, you see it back.

Court pressure already and a steal and a shot and it's no good.

I think we're going to see that.

A lot of court pressure up and good answer very early, but they are indeed go run with him.

That was Michael Banks.

Look for him to run the show for cross keys to two early going long.

Three are pretty good.

Mama Jones can shoot it there's that back court pressure relentless from the start from the opening gun it's time to go get suppressed be patient, find the middle, and we'll see if Crosskeys can do that.

Opening up hot cross keys.

Michael, thanks again.

Not a lot of patience, but a nice shot.

Has anyone missed a shot yet?

The answer is yes.

Right there was cruise up the board.

Well, cross keys again, a senior laden team.

So if any team can handle pressure, you look for a team with a lot of upperclassmen to be able to do that stuff.

And as we see cross keys blowing a little methodical, trying to look for a good shot up it goes and no good off the board but they control inside tough it a foul.

Not a lot of sighs in this year's tournament in any of the classifications.

Last year we had some seven footers.

We had Kwame Brown.

We had the big kid from Albany also.

And, you know, most of the teams in the tournament this year at six, four and six five and evenly matched, whatever.

Forget coming here last year and missing Kwame his game and you saying, let's do that, guys.

Ready for the pros As you see, Angela Simpson, one of the twins on this team, go to the line, brother.

And, Tony, the president said his greatest hurricane death comes out.

What happens, the draft comes up is the number one pick, Phi Phi.

I didn't have much of a scale to call that one.

No, you didn't.

You should have been an agent up and down.

So the early lead to cross keys six, five or 630 left in the first quarter, it has been up and down nonstop action and more getting cross keys on the boards.

And that's what you have to do.

Nice lefty move switch over.

Couldn't get it to go down Cross keys looking for the good shot at a walk he got a little bit of a late start for you folks.

Just tune it in.

It's we started just a couple of minutes before nine.

They had so many people in here for that dictator and the game that they just had a long time get people out of here.

So but now just filling it up in game three, No good.

We'll tell you more about the the Kanter game and why Herb has a tear in his eye in a moment.

But here comes cross keys, cross court and palming the ball.

So the referees by the way who are Andy Howard, Andy Burke and Frankie Harper, who just made that call, will be calling the game for us tonight.

Herb White, of course, played all just a couple of years ago in 65 for the quarter, as we see Mitchell Becker and the record and how they got here.

And they've had some blowouts, although a couple of games in the middle, they're very close.

Yeah, they were down, They had to come back in a couple of games, but they outscored somebody 25 to 8 I think in one of the games to come back.

So this is an explosive team.

When they put that defense on you, they can really make it tough.

Cross keys playing some good man to man defense inside it goes to take up good block and it will be Mitchell Baker's ball That's as I was mentioning for I wanted to say that Herb White went in and talked to some guys from Decatur.

Why?

Because at 65, he went to the state championship.

They lost in the semifinals to put up a good effort by.

And so far crosskeys do a good job on the defensive boards up they come patient as we go up rainbow no good and a fight for the ball And as you can see this is a very active Mitchell play for the team.

They are all over the court 65506 with just underway in the first quarter long, long three pointer.

Yeah.

Tell you what.

Yeah.

He has some confidence to the hole often Good nice move Kendall Ruffin averaging 60 points a game long we go it's a track meet this is how it's going to be all night Another long three point here shooter you got to like playing for these two in cross keys controls and it is four one with the defense advantage still the ball up and up and no good and Mitchell Baker controls the fumbling of the ball over.

There might be a little oxygen over here in a moment.

Up good fake and he gets it down.

Nice shot.

Eddie Dorsett, only a sophomore as you mentioned, Stu Cross Key has been doing a good job on the boards.

And if you play in a team that scores a lot of points, you definitely only give them one shot at the hoop.

That's the way to beat the press.

But one of the Simpson brothers out, Angelo, and it is inside.

But here they come right at you, relentless up and no good rebound.

No good.

It's volleyball finally put away and put in by Derek Haywood and that was that will kill you against the team The Trojan 90.

Let them get the stick back.

Ten nine.

As you can see, cross keys up, shot up and rebound.

How would you like to be the guy doing the shot chart on this game?

Give me that five second shot clock in this ballgame.

Six three pointer up and no good cross keys tries with control.

Nope up fake.

Nice shot.

Nicely done by Derek Haywood.

By the way, we should tell you that this Mitchell Baker team subs at random.

They have five guys waiting to come in the game.

Michael Banks taking it to the hoop.

Nice, but not finishing the pull up and it is good.

Nicely done.

That was Mama Jones.

Very sweet looking jump shot there as Mitchell Baker team goes ten deep cross keys what for them to use maybe seven players and here they come number the tall blue of North Carolina way way back.

I think this is the shorter red.

We'll tell you who's in and who's out and who identified him as he touched the ball.

The trace, Caroline bringing it up for you.

This is a tired second unit and just tired.

New starting five.

Where should we say to subbing five up in no good cross keys on the break, Lamar Jones takes it to the hole or excuse me, that was Kendall Ruffin taking it to the hole and is fouled.

Now here's a theory for you.

Is it easier to run on a team that likes to run because maybe they're so cognizant of running hurt, but they don't get back on defense as well?

I don't think it's they don't get back on defense, but they send everybody to the to the backboard because they don't have a lot of size.

So you can run on a team like that.

Crosskeys has had some good looks taking it down, but they haven't been making their layups and they got to make their free throws and layups against this team again.

When you're out, man, you need every point you can.

Gets the rough on a 66% foul shoot or a senior is 510, 16 points a game.

Angelo Simpson into the ballgame for cross keys.

Now we get to tell the brothers apart.

Are they any saints right now?

Yes.

Locked up.

Second one, no good.

1310 cross keys down by three with 250 left.

First quarter way outside in airball Cross keys controls it by the three, down by the three.

Occasionally.

But if you're scoring 90 points a game, you've had a few.

Why not try one?

Sure corner?

No.

Good.

Here we go.

Back the other way.

Good look by banks to get it to Ruffin for the open jumper couldn't connect it.

Quintin Davis just about six inches too small to snare that one.

So the other way we go and if you're a coach of a team that likes to run and scores 90 points a game, you got to be patient because you can get some turnovers.

Here we go.

Nice controlled break there.

And that was Angelo Simpson inside again, finishing nicely 1312 cross keys down by one with the pressure of falling down hitting Davis.

Nicely done cross keys really getting in after in gambling defensively down here and I'm not sure that may be a good thing to do.

Mitchell Baker a quick team and he cross he's just he's got good solid defense Mitchell Baker leading but seven for 19 They figured if we can throw enough rope enough will go in and the turnover there little patience they haven't taken a shot in 6 seconds so they're working the ball in sort of space up and a walk before the foul.

I'll tell you what, if you're a player, you got to love playing for Mitchell Baker because, you know, the coach is probably saying, look, we don't take 90 shots, we don't win.

So let's go, guys.

They've had the same basketball theory every year that I've seen them over the last six, eight years.

The cross keys breaking the pressure nicely, move in for the layup and couldn't finish nicely done until the Kendall ruff ruff and got to the whole back and forth we go Terrific crowd here and make his play on your board Long three pointer No good cross keys controls Anthony Simpson on that rebound Well they are relentless they come at you on defense on offense non stop wrong three and in good on that Mitchell little reaching by Mr. Baker on defense that time cost him and with 116 left where it's 1515 it's up no good nice job on the boards again it is Simpson Angelo let me give him credit because I don't want his brother getting credit for a rebound.

He'll have plenty.

Michael offers a foul and cross keys again.

Do a nice job down here on the defensive boards.

The Simpson brothers doing a good job.

And that's going to be a key in this ballgame.

And again, you only want to give Miss Mitchell Baker crew one shot at it down there on offense.

And so far, Crosskeys has pretty much limited them to one shot.

You know, for most high school teams, 15 in the first quarter wouldn't be bad.

But when you're scoring 90, you're saying, hey, come on, we must be we must be a little cold.

15, 15 up three eight championship Mitchell Baker Good cross keys and a little zone action by cross keys.

Maybe just to slow things down, Get inside, spin, move up and not finish.

Anthony Simpson, the Simpson brothers controlling the boards for cross keys and keeping them in the ballgame at 15, all to a hoop.

Another offensive foul in the rough and having a tough time.

That's about his third layup.

He's been able to get to the basket, Stu but he hasn't convinced connected on it and picked up the charge in 28 seconds to go 1515 shots have been thrown up, Percentages have been down, but still a good tight ballgame in the first.

And I'm sure coach gives if you asked him where he'd like to be at the end of the first quarter, if he could have said knotted up or right there, he'd have been happy with that because Mitchell Baker likes to come out early and try to blow you out.

I'm imagining a triple here, a steal there as we go down to the last shot and they can blow.

Yeah.

There you see to the hoop hitting person who rebounds it one of the Simpson's cross keys could go up if they get a hoop here.

Let's see what happens.

They won't get a shot off.

There it is.

It ends up 15, 15.

Mitchell Baker and cross keys tied up in the first quarter.

We're coming back right after this.

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Welcome back to the three AA Boys championship, Mitchell Baker and cross Keys tied at 15 apiece.

Herb Early impressions.

Yeah, I think Cross Keys has got to be happy with the way the first quarter went.

STU They're doing the things like we talked about getting on the backboard limit and Mitchell Baker to one shot.

They're getting some shots against the pressure.

They're not knocking them all down, but they're getting enough.

And you look at the scoring averages, Mitchell Baker, 91 or two, a game and cross, he's about 71.

They're certainly closer to what they usually do in a ballgame.

Jon Nelson, our man on the sidelines today.

Let's find out what's going on there as the action picks up in the second quarter.

Picking up on what Herb said, picking up on it a little bit, spent a little time eavesdropping on Benny Gibbs.

He was basically just telling his guys, don't let anybody behind you on defense.

And don't worry, Mitchell Baker is going to take a shot.

So don't worry about all the shots are throwing up, guys.

We just want to be out there.

I think taking some of the cross keys with the jumper off and good.

Very nicely done.

That was Michael Banks, 1850 to start the second cross keys up by three.

Well, I think it's great.

I think if you had that kind of style you guys are less tight.

I don't care if you play in the finals or not, but you got to play on it and take a long shot.

We know.

Good rebound cross keys again.

One shot for Mitchell Baker and out.

I think that's just about what they have to do another three off the back and back and forth we go by the shot that went a little too quick so that's saying something out of bounds and a go cross keys.

Way too hard to decide what's a quick shot in this game.

But you take it three from the deep corner on the fast break.

I think Coach Gibbs might have wanted to take another look.

Coach Gibbs, an interesting guy, played one year for Tubby Smith at Tulsa.

I learned a lot from him.

He told me, Turn over that back and recover.

This is back and forth we go in a battle underneath, and this might be controlled by Mitchell Baker, and they run well, that was it had one of the snaps tough to get by with that went real foul.

Yeah there might be an arm on the on the court that if you're going to make a foul he could do it the state finals that's the way to do it.

It was just to pick up on Coach Gibbs, who played for Tubby and then was an assistant over Willard when they had a couple of good players, one by the name of Shareef Abdul Rahim and Golang, a guy who went to Georgia pretty good too, in there.

So Coach Kidd has been used to coaching some mighty fine talent in the state of Georgia.

Still, you know, for the uptempo game we've got going here, that's only the third foul.

And Mitchell Baker's got three and cross keys as two are Mitchell Baker has two cross keys three.

So playing game so far, 18, 17, 644 left.

But that's going to change in a moment because up and we go 20 to 17 cross keys by three great passing only two passes and a layup on that break.

Red Auerbach said the ball doesn't have to touch the floor.

Of course, he had Bill Russell on Casey Jones, a few other guys.

Here we go.

Turnover in Cross Key.

He started to get on the tempo.

They like, which is I think, controlled running man to man.

And just as Herb said, I'm doing a lot of pretty clean game a couple of near turnovers was Rufus McDuffie 409 wins 140.

He's been around for a while over almost 30 years.

What a career he has had 408 and 40 in it, he told me 409 and he should have you should know.

But, you know, he was he was asking assistant coaches in the background.

He put it this way.

I've coached a lot and won a lot.

And he has He told me that the guys from his 98, 99 and 2000 team all in were Division one athletes, not necessarily all got scholarships in basketball, but football and and basketball combined.

Yeah I've seen some great game Mitchell because the name Jones playing for them a few years ago and great game down here with Deon Glover and his Cedar Grove team in the semifinals one year What a shootout that was.

Lance Willis hits his first to make it 2117 Cedar Grove.

What did I say?

Cedar Grove where he just said that and put in my mind cross keys.

I like that.

Cross keys has to like the tempo controlling the boards.

Second one, no good, but as I mentioned, controlling the boards.

So Lance Willis goes one for two, Mitchell Baker filling the lane.

Something to do?

Well, Herb, if you're going to run, you've got to fill those lanes and they do it well.

Look at the good side.

Foul.

One of The Simpsons, Mitchell Baker, really hasn't got a lot of turnovers.

I haven't gotten a lot of easy baskets and that's their games too.

So right now, I've got to say Crosskeys controlling tempo, playing the game they want to play.

You brought up a good point earlier in that this Mitchell Baker team can break it open at any time.

So you know, you can't talk to me while shot.

You can't get in their tempo.

And so far you're absolutely right.

Crosskeys has done that.

The longer you play with a team that likes to run up and down and you hang with them, tougher gets on that team because they figure, well, it's not working for us.

So everything that we usually do is not working and it can get into your head trying to go inside.

Mitchell Baker will continue to need to have control of the ball and see that's their problem.

They're not a half court team.

They get down here, they having to play in a half court, set, cross keys a little, probably a little bigger, got some active guys inside with The Simpsons and Mitchell Baker not playing their game right now.

You know, every time it's The Simpsons, I think a fox.

I'll try not to do that.

They've got to you're putting on a pretty good show here the Simpson Bowles controlling things inside Keep working it back out.

They took it up a ten footer for a 30 footer inside fight jump ball possession hell going Mitchell Baker's way.

Yeah that was not a bad offensive movement there they got but you're right they probably had a ten footer and pass it out for the long three sort of a it Mitchell Baker alley oop and an almost spectacular cross keys controls a lot of alley and not much use there long three no good foot rim Mitchell Baker coming out your relentlessly as they have all night look good cross keys for guys back in the paint You got to beat them you got to tell you guys to get back or you're going to give up a lot of easy transition layups inside hacked in Eddie Dorsett will be going to the line only a sophomore What a future He has almost averaged 15 points a game Terrific all around player good luck because he tells me you know Mitchell Baker all their guys get the ball in the paint.

They give you that head and shoulder fake the first time they're well, coach, they get you off your feet and then they take it out and draw the foul and try to complete the three pointer.

We mentioned earlier two different teams as far as class go, as the first draws off in their first ten guys, Mitchell Baker.

But they use Mitchell Baker has one, two, three, four, five, six guys returning.

So they may be returning their coach Gibbs going to have to do a heck of a coaching job next year and he's got nobody on his team coming back.

The one junior 2118 cross keys up by three and it looks like Mitchell Baker, which you have to do sometimes goes into a little bit of a zone just to mix it up.

And there goes the three pretty much what you wanted the team to do.

Take a long outside shot.

It's you're Baker run it slowing it down.

Wow what a game at this point it's been up and down a lot of shots that'll tie it again Cross keys out double teaming that leaves somebody open and they made him pay that was footrace Carolina with a nice three pointer and a nice name across Carolina I should say Carolina Carolina maybe because I would have South Carolina was 14 Sweet Caroline on that one.

He's averaging 11 points a game.

He's only a junior.

He'll come back, get another look at the jumper, drains the three from about 23 feet.

So we're not at up 2121 three pointers.

Not too good use of ten for Mitchell Baker to for across Keys but they will continue to throw him up inside Lance Willis so all of a sudden that quickly 2321 he's great dish off the assists off the dribble drive by banks shooting percentages are not going to be that great at halftime Foster's almost controlled inside trying to get the ball and it will go cross keys wide cross keys does the bulletin look like there might have been a foul on that rebound but they didn't call it early going cross keys boxing out.

Well as you see part of the terrific crowd here in the Macon Coliseum and they're getting back on defense, as you mentioned, and not turning it over on the press.

That numbers pulls it out too long.

Three is good.

Nice control that Michael Banks didn't force any things down in the open man for the three that was Mitchell back we go the other way and it's getting to be an NBA slugfest Derek Haywood with the two 2623.

He's starting to warm up a little nice pass rush.

Play the look away.

You don't see those much any more beautiful assists track record long threes up rims out Antoine cradle by the way with that last little pass that was a nice move Not big in stature but can pass turnover stays in the chip Baker try to take advantage Looks like a little bit of luck but no and good D by Simpson to keep his feet not just the foul and Crosby's reasons up with the ball.

Any time you see a big guy dribbling up court, it is usually dangerous and that's the offensive foul.

That looked like a pretty nice move by Anthony Simpson.

Let's see if they give him the basket.

I haven't seen Russ don't go.

301 Look at the bulls.

See the replay here?

You make the call at home.

I don't know.

The defensive man was on the move, moving backwards.

He was not still looked like that was not the best call we've seen tonight.

Perhaps a relative of one of the exceptions saying no bad call.

But here we go, 28, 23 to 56.

What you say is a homer for The Simpsons.

I'm sorry.

Well, we'll reprimand you at halftime for that one.

Cross Keys controls, actually not a bad line as you get to 247 left 2823 and a team that averages there's is team that averages 91 points a game so far has 23 with a 32nd timeout.

Yeah Coach Duffy is not a happy camper over there.

He's letting them know about it.

What are they doing?

Taking bad shots, rushing shots, not getting shots in transition, doing it on the defensive end.

What would you be telling them?

All of that?

Most of that actually, you know, they are they've had some good luck and shots, but they're not again.

Okay.

Okay.

Let's take a look at what happened earlier today before we get into the wrestling over Jefferson, 6549 class a girls final.

By the way, we had a lot of action tomorrow.

So join us.

Taylor County, a winner of the class of 62, the 50 in the boys final.

That's back to back for Taylor County GC a winner, 5543 to basketball CAC double winner last year and this year PI day to finally get into the championship game after many years.

I don't want to say that I was going to cover that one for you.

Wilkerson County a fine team 6445 undefeated by the way.

31 to no not bad in Val we go back to actually Tom Prosky is controlling patience and hit the middle on that press is what you got to do off balance and that's the role we mentioned Wilkinson County, that's their third championship in the last four years.

So even though I'm a dictator guy, I got to take my hat off.

That's a good ball club.

That was Mitchell, by the way, who's come off and got a solid job off the bench, was a three pointer by Caroline, who's doing a nice job.

He's picking up shots, going up Mitchell Baker non stop.

It's like an NBA game with less sellers.

There you go.

That's what you don't want.

Again, a put back by Mitchell Baker and Cross Keys who had been controlling the boards, gave one up there and he Jenkins got it inside pressure needs some help pull very close and all of a sudden that press has become real effective.

Coach Gibbs is going to take a timeout.

He doesn't want that lead to evaporate completely before halftime.

Oh, now Mitchell has come in and done a good job for cross keys handling the pressure in the back court.

Number three, doing a good job distributing the ball.

And I'll guarantee you Crosskeys will be happy to go in even or just a tad ahead at halftime because yep, they will be happy.

You got to keep it close when a team runs it and guns it.

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It's all right here on GP TV when you play ten guys like Mitchell Baker does and Crosskeys goes with maybe seven.

When do you look for that to take effect?

This is Mitchell Baker.

Start really playing a role maybe in the third or does that matter because these kids are young and play well, It can have an effect.

It's pretty warm in this building, as you can see, because we're both sweating and look like you're out of condition.

But, you know, cross Keys is controlling the tempo.

It hasn't been as up, you know, as up tempo or fast paces as you are used to with Mitchell Baker.

And again, that's because Cross Keys is controlling the backboard and has been able to maintain the tempo and has it been running down and Jack and and so at this pace I would assume that conditioning is not really going to affect cross keys 150 left and a half up under good nicely done by Lance Willis.

That was a dangerous play.

Lance Willis stations himself under that basket.

He's always in position to receive that pass.

If the guard breaks, it breaks the defense down and gets into the middle.

That's about the third time he's had that field goal percentage 11 for 36, 13 for 26.

I went to South Carolina.

I know that's 50% and you're going to give me the tough one, but that's going to come in just under 33%.

They're at about 31%.

They're showing off our degrees.

They are taking the shots and throwing them off with reckless abandon.

But it's a fun game to watch.

Cross Keys Controls on the best foul shot by Mr. Willis.

No conscience.

No one does love this kind of basketball.

Up and down we go cross keys on the turnover.

I'll tell you, you get whiplash watching this game and calling it an offensive foul The three not to be.

Yeah A Little Out of control by Antonio Simpson there but I'd like to see the turnovers too because I believe if we got to look at it, Mitchell Baker might have more turnovers in Cross Keys, even though they are noted for creating turnovers.

If Crosskeys was making their free throws, I'm sure I don't know what they've shot, but they're probably not making over half of them.

They could really have a a nice little lead right now.

128 to go 30 to 28.

You see turnovers cross keys by Mitchell Baker three okay.

Any time that happens when I make a statement and I'm wrong, don't put that up on the scoreboard.

They didn't get that memo before we had the production boom, but here we go.

Long, three short.

Hello.

And it will be cross Keys ball.

But again, Stu, if you asked Coach Gibbs at halftime if he's going in, he's only had five turnovers against this relentless pressure.

I think he'd be a pretty happy coach.

I totally agree.

And another thing, Cross Keys is getting good shots off the pressure.

It's not like they're coming down and forcing shots or taking bad shots or rushing a three.

They're getting very good shots and a lot of their shots have been layups.

Yep, no doubt about it.

They're playing their type of ball right now and they're right almost on their scoring average.

And if I was them, I wouldn't rush a shot.

But it looks like they're taking it to a hole.

And what do I know?

The reverse layup, Nicely done by Kendall Ruffin.

And all of a sudden it's a six point lead going into the half with, oh, under a minute to go.

Kendall had 17 points.

The game has been pretty quiet in this ball game, but he may get on track.

Yes, offensive had the little man isolated on him underneath.

But is it too late to put in a vote for the Oscar that was coming up?

BURNS The terrorist burns just wasn't a chance.

It was as it was.

Terrence Burns lowered that shoulder and took it in.

Don't I?

Mitchell, who at about five eight couldn't hold his ground.

Mitchell's played a nice game on both sides at both ends of the court.

Yes, he has.

He's done a good job coming in the Cross Keys backcourt pressure trying to get that turnover getting a late push to the have taken some momentum but cross Keys getting another layup and there it is Lance Willis.

Lance is the man with the plan.

He is right in the right spot every time.

And Rufus McDuffie is not happy.

He's going to have a word with the officials about something.

Well, I called one timeout because he wasn't happy about his guys getting back on defense.

Where's our roving reporter?

He's roving at the wrong end of the floor.

That's okay.

So how would you know?

Good.

How do you know?

37.

About 200 kids made a trip up across keys.

I called it to high school to talk to the coach, and I get the principal of the school.

How many times you call a school and you actually get the principal?

Coach McDuffie is has some problem with something.

He's talked to the official.

Now they're going over the scores table in check and something.

Now John Nelson's on top of the situation and he cowered and Andy Berke talking it over.

And you're saying, John, what do we got over there?

You're right on the spot.

It's it's looking like a time issue.

They're trying to get both the time correct and the foul.

Correct.

For the right player.

Right player, right foul.

And the amount of time left here in the second quarter.

So we've got scoreboard and player issues over here.

Well, the main problem, Coach McDuffie, he's got with the scoreboard right now is he's down by eight points, 3628 with about 32 seconds to go in his half and got to be kind of a surprise for most of the folks in here to see Mitchell Baker averaging 92 points a game with 28 points.

Well, he's going to have some issues with his players when he gets him in at halftime.

Talk about, hey, we need to pick it up.

We need to pick it up on both ends.

32 seconds left, 3628.

I'll tell you what Crosskeys is.

Looks like they're in control of this ballgame right now.

Again, they they are dominating inside.

And that's the way to beat a team like this.

And it'll be interesting to see the rebounding stats, too, at halftime.

I'm sure cross keys might have an advantage too.

You're sure?

They might.

See, that's what I should say when I come out with my.

Didn't know if you were going to catch Shaq.

That's the way to always be, right?

14 seconds left in the half.

Well, count it out.

Mitchell Baker looking to take something into the locker room.

Like a bucket, like simple momentum for the hoop offensive.

Offensive foul.

Now you've got 4 seconds and 4 seconds for cross keys to take some momentum into them.

Plenty of time to get his shot off has two, 4 seconds.

The way these guys move they can get up the floor There you see the replay no doubt about that one.

Someone go long.

There we go.

Nice pass.

Pull up of the girls.

Yes, nice coaches.

John's two, three pointer George.

Very nice.

Mitchell again, 3828.

Could he have any bigger shot take you to it at halftime And he can't be much happier if you are the coach across Keys but he gets our man John with him right now.

John take it away here with Benny Gibbs.

That's the way to end to it.

Yeah, but it's another half to go, so we've got to continue to do what got us this league play defense, play strong, get rebounds and not give them so many open looks.

So far you're three for three in the showcase.

You're beating the pressure, get your shots and you're getting the boards actually for four for you.

Tempo Yeah, everything is working.

Like, like the kids are attacking like I want them to attack and they're finishing, but that's one half.

We've got to finish it off to finish it off in the next 16 minutes.

What do you think?

Anything else?

Just continue to do what we're doing.

Sounds almost too simple sometimes.

Yeah, many games.

Congratulations.

First half, you got a ten point lead.

38, 28.

Go make your adjustments.

And that is how things are.

3828 here at the break, we will be back with halftime activities from the making cineplex right after this.

Funding for broadcast of the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball Championships is provided in part by the following.

You're watching the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball Championships on TV.

And welcome back to the Making Center Flex.

Here's your halftime score.

Cross Keys leads Mitchell Baker 38 to 28.

Let's go courtside to John Nelson.

Johnny Now I feel like the meat in the academic sandwich.

I've got both principals here with me, Jack Willis, the Mitchell Baker and the Ball of Energy known as Grace Taylor for Cross Keys.

Let's start with the new guy.

You've been only at this since January.

What's it been like down in Camilla?

It's been exciting.

It's it's been different.

We have a rather small school there last night, hundred kids.

But as you can tell, that basketball played a very important role in our community and our ballclub.

I want to get this in early.

Our ballclub is a reflection of our coach, Mike Duffy.

There's an awful lot of character out there and you're going to find that they're not going to lose their cool and even though we're down by ten, we can overcome this and we're looking forward to an exciting second half.

Okay, way to go.

Hang with me just a sec.

Let's go to the flip side here now, our play by play guys do play tennis back behind me.

He said he called and you picked up the phone.

Something rare and principles.

You're just raring to go.

No matter what it is, I would do anything.

What is it meant so far for cross keys to come this far into the playoffs?

I'm a child of the DeKalb County School system.

Also, I went to Lakeside.

DeKalb is playing tomorrow.

What's it mean to cross Keys to come here under the big top here in Macon?

It is absolutely incredible.

It has strengthened our school community like nothing else.

It's pulled together staff, students.

We've gotten parents involved.

Alumni here we have four bus loads of kids.

It's everywhere across Keys.

It's been like that all week.

Now let's go.

Let's talk about cross keys.

You got a great support here tonight.

This obviously was anticipated for you guys.

Busloads coming down all the way through, 400 pompoms.

We have four bus loads.

Just a little bit about cross keys.

We've got seven different nationalities and 50 different languages spoken.

So probably here tonight we have a good 20 nationalities represented here at the game.

Some kids have never seen a basketball game.

Okay.

Can you think of how to say basketball in as many languages as humanly possible?

In about 15 seconds?

No.

Okay.

Let's go back to the flip side.

Good answer, because I'm like one English guy, too.

You talk about Camila a little bit and how it means to them.

Obviously, you see the support here from everybody from Camila here tonight.

Everybody is like, last one out, turn out the lights.

When you look at that crowd over there, Carmelo, there's a very small farming community in Mitchell County.

We're about 23, 24 miles south of Albany.

And our our community there, the farm oriented and and community oriented, their family values is very high down here.

And but they love your school and they get behind their ballclub.

And you can see what we got here tonight.

Of course, we're no stranger here, You understand this is our fourth final in four years.

And so we're just excited to be back.

This almost like being home again.

It is home.

Maybe you guys should pay squatters fees.

Okay.

Yeah, right.

Principals, Mitchell Baker, cross keys.

Like I said, I'm the Meet the Academic Sandwich gym.

Two people smarter than I ever will be.

Back to you, Jake.

And I truly understand that statement, Johnny Pie.

Let's go courtside, which took Titanic and her white guys.

We had to answer to one of those.

At least her basketball in any language is basketball and any language.

3828 Mitchell Baker, maybe a slight favorite coming in, is now down by ten.

The difference in the first half.

Again, cross keys.

Let's take a look at the stats first before we get into the philosophical questions.

There you see some excellent field goal percentage for cross keys.

Not very good for Mitchell Baker, three point shooting, just about even cross keys.

Again, only three for seven, Mitchell Baker three for four.

Not many fouls, not many free throws.

Look at that last one to her.

Right.

And three turnovers.

There's your keys A rebound in the turnover stove for cross keys no doubt about it.

And so cross keys not going to have to make a lot of adjustments at half Mitchell Baker certainly is going to have to and that's why they're still in the locker room.

And speaking of being in the room, I might have spent a little more time in the principal's office, but our principal educator didn't look like that.

Cross Keys Principal Well, let's take a look at the highlights as we go.

Now we see some great shooting by both sides, actually cold at first, then coming up with some big shots.

And it was up and down all day.

There you see Mychal with a nice assist on the break.

Control kicks it out for the three.

We'll probably get a look at Lance Willis getting three or four layups off the break.

And we should because I thought he was really a key player in that first half for Cross Keys and Mitchell Baker, you get the feeling we'll continue to take those three pointers and here you go.

Just what you were talking about, the nice move that Simpson brothers had, getting those easy layups.

That is Willis, the guy you have to show if you're showing highlights from the first half of this one.

Yeah, Willis is probably three or four, four, four, five, something like that.

He's all shots inside, receive some nice passes off the break and I'm telling you it's going to be interesting to see what Mitchell Baker can come up with.

All right.

So we'll see what happens.

Again, 3828 it is cross keys over.

Mitchell Baker, stay right there.

Exciting second half, three, a boys championship coming up right after we take a break.

Funding for broadcast of the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball championships is provided in part by the following You're watching member supported TV, your PBS station bringing you the best.

You're watching the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball Championships on TBS and, well, a man who's had a lot of his experience in these finals, Rufus McDuck.

You what do you do if you're coach the.

Well, let's send it over and find out.

Thanks, guys.

Coach, you were telling me that you pretty much got out, shouted out everything in the first half.

What were you.

What were you telling me?

It happened.

They played harder than we did.

They came up with the loose balls up defensively.

We were slow and rotating.

We just didn't play way or defense.

We didn't play with a lot intensity and obviously what are you telling them other than just stepping up here for the next 60 minutes?

Anything specific?

Oh, well, we got to do a better job on the ball than defensively.

We gave up too many layups so we weren't rotating back.

We weren't playing hard enough.

And with the press and everything.

Are you happy with that?

As much as the pace of the game so far?

Is the pace to your liking so far?

Yeah, but but.

But we're not getting the press going like it should be because we're not rotating and pressing when we're supposed to.

All right, Coach, good luck.

Second half.

Thanks a lot.

You got a ten point deficit.

He's got to work on 3828.

Let's go back to Stu and hurt.

All right.

Thanks very much.

We mentioned at the beginning of the game, we mentioned it halfway through the second quarter.

Let's mention it again.

This is a team, Mitchell Baker, that is averaging 91 points a game.

Yeah, and I bet I'd like to see their season stats, but I bet five is the leading scorers for Mitchell Baker.

And you see nobody's really hot but five turnovers for cross keys in the half.

I bet Mitchell Baker usually gets that in the first quarter and that's a big difference right now.

And they're going to extend that zone press out about court now.

Well, they're going to try to do it probably off of transition and off of turnovers.

And there you see it, the very first minute of the second half, we had a turnover and a three and it could change very quickly.

That's big for Mitchell Baker.

Now they're in the one, two, one one, another three, another three.

Derek Haywood hits a couple and all of a sudden it is a four point game and the momentum has quickly changed.

Another turnover.

And now we're seeing why this team is averaging 91 points a game.

It's I don't get it how quickly it change.

And Coach Gibbs, I is pondering, should I take a timeout right now and maybe take a little bit away from my team as far as confidence wise or let them see if they can get out of this?

But first time we've seen the really the zone press out of Mitchell Baker is pretty much man to man pressure early on, but it looks like they're going to trap full court and drop back into some kind of trap at halfcourt to Maine face them first good six five senior averages about 15 points a game.

Who put the second one with Gordon?

All of a sudden it's a two point game and here comes the pressure again.

And why not?

It has worked.

Cross keys trying to settle down.

They take a walk through and not a great shot.

They get bailed out there by Willis Willis on the boards.

But that was not a good shot by Simpson, if you can see that much of the same in the second half.

It's a first when you can spot the basket.

When you're over half court fire and already a better job on the boards.

Face it again inside the pressure again it's tough by Willis.

Oh the man was going up under him defensively kept his control and made the basket that was big.

And I believe that was one of the sensible tangibles.

But still the description is right tucked inside and a good hoop, tough shot inside.

Just keep your hands up.

That's what they did.

And here it goes.

Cross might want to think about slowing it down just Tad 4238 cross keys up by four.

They were up by ten at the half to Baker All the pressure try to look for the good shot and there it is Anthony Simpson left hander looks good back up to six long shots going up Not a good shot.

Here we go the other way.

Crosskeys had a guy who didn't have a head up and up the coast.

Good.

Nice job on the break there.

Just like you want to see it.

A couple of passes and Mitchell Baker's got a player in number 15.

I don't have him in my scorebook here, but he looks like he's about six, four, six, five and they've gone through him inside a couple of times already.

Well, that is according to me.

That's yesterday's session.

Okay.

Yeah.

I don't know why I didn't have it.

That's all right.

He did not see the ball inside much in the first half.

They've already gone to him.

So, you know, Coach McGuffey has said, hey, we're going to start looking for something inside besides just a three pointers, guys.

Well, you know what?

It's almost like football.

Go to the running game and establish it before he got off field with the pass and again, establish that inside game four.

Maybe you go with some of the long balls at the foul line.

Eddie Golson, only a sophomore to personal good, and he does.

And a good looking athlete.

It's like he's around six to about £180 and he could fill out and be a real good looking athlete.

Coach.

He'll could be as good as he wants to be.

I always find that interesting and I understand why coaches say that.

But don't players always want to be as good as they can be?

I know they're giving away themselves sometimes, but here we go.

46, 40 Crosby still up.

Dangerous pass and that's what is happening in that first half.

Easy hooks up with Angelo sets it up the pass just barely got over the defensive player but once it did they had the layup cross keys controlling it.

It looked like they would be out of it.

But look at that.

Another easy transition.

Basketball.

Then he sent Willis some great hands there.

I mean, that pass was slung with something on it.

He caught it with one step and was up and in just excellent hands and body control.

Well it back up to ten point lead the cross keys and it looked in the beginning of the second half that it would be cross keys as we see this nice break point a time out but let's go to Mitchell Baker.

Let's see what coach is telling his guys fresh out of college.

I was shocked.

Well, we're not picking that up.

But Coach Gundy was tough.

He's got to be a little upset when he come out.

Start a half like that.

Do you get back in the ballgame?

Bam!

You're back down ten again.

That really takes it out of it.

Well, I think what he would be telling is, hey, look at halftime, because he told us what he said and he said, Look, I told you no easy hoops play better defense, getting outmuscled.

And in the first minute and a half, he said, okay, did it.

And then they went back into the way they played the first half.

And then we have another ten point length.

Yeah.

And give cross keys credit a couple of really nice passes on the break for layups.

But cross keys, this whole game has gotten back better defensively than Mitchell Baker has.

And that's that's a real key in an up tempo game for a key for cross keys, it would have been very easy for cross keys to get upset, to get a little out of whack.

Everything had been going so well for him, but they maintain their cool and they're still up by ten.

Let's see what happens.

So defense by cross keys try to slow down, which will make the team inside hoop.

That is nicely done.

Nice work there by Mitchell Baker.

Some patience and Derek Haywood with the bucket and Hayward hadn't been much of a factor there.

1017 a game coming in I think cross keys is doing they are not settling for anything.

When they go can get a five footer, they take the five footer.

They're not settling for anything but they don't have to settle for.

Yeah, I think just about every shot they've taken this half has come in the paint here.

You see the replay right there.

Oh that's a strong move.

No foul called.

Oh, could have gone maybe.

Either way cross keys to trigger in for 26 left in the third quarter.

Triple H boys action cross keys up with a clear no good going against Mitchell Baker.

It's been an up and down and fun game to watch playing in the zone cross keys surrounding the ball and that's the way it works that is the way you do it.

The last two trips here have been the best half court that Mitchell Baker's played all night.

Yeah, The Trace.

Caroline went in and made a nice pass phase and kept under control.

Drew the foul.

And you're right against that zone.

That's what you got to do.

And plenty of time for Mitchell Baker to get back in this ballgame, even without pressure, even without running up and down the floor.

It does just make the spark play out.

Grayson set up very effective third quarter at the foul line again, a senior six five and biggest guy on the court.

Second one up he got it there you see that pressure Some good hands there but that is back court.

The residency at the foot was over.

Here we go in front of us here.

Looks like a three second call, too.

They didn't take it but again, a nice pass.

And Andros camped in that lane finishing but he Dawson sophomore Russ just goes right to it And here they come keys coming right at you dangerous cost quartet but they make it.

I thought he was playing with confidence.

Now they know if they can break that pressure up the head of the key to getting a lay there making the nice pass then I'll tell you what herb they have at least ten layups tonight, maybe 12.

Here we go now to take it over on the boards again, that man, you see Angela Simpson doing a nice job.

What's the call?

Got a push?

Yep.

314 left.

5446 quick paced game as we expected.

Cross keys handling the pressure better than I would have ever thought they could have.

They must have really worked this week in practice whenever they had the opportunity turnover off the inbound to the hole.

Nicely done Carolina again cross keys trying to slow things down and look for a good inside shot Smart play there to pull it back out.

This looks like it could be trouble Nice layup and we go Grace doing the job oh nine Mitchell taking it in among the trees Probably not a smart play for him and Mitchell Baker made them pay There's a turnover now all of a sudden you feel it going back and forth I look for a time out here Bob coach gives 50 for 50.

Mitchell Baker getting back into it and a couple of turnovers.

You know what?

Mitchell Baker to get on a roll.

Well, there's the block the other way very clean and that's the way you feel.

Mitchell Baker wants to play this game.

Here they go, spreading things out on offense nicely.

He got some easy shots.

He looks like it's going to be short.

It is now, of course, Key says lets us run with the ball.

Nope.

A slow down back and forth.

It is wild.

All right, guys in the truck, bring out the Globetrotter music.

Michael Banks should have given that ball up when he had it out here trying to beat guys off the dribble, getting completely out of control, and Coach Gibbs letting him know about it the other way.

Turnovers now set up baskets going back and forth and coaches will tell you what they try to do is on a press is they want to turn the guy, make him turn.

So he goes into the double team with his back and he doesn't see it.

And that's what Mitchell Baker did.

Well in that last play.

Here's where you want to get it right there again.

How many times have we seen a nice block, Jason, with the rejection gets it back and the big guys rewarded for the block kept running nicely done that blocked it at one end came down trail the play and a nice little dish dropped behind to phase coming in with a two minute warning.

I don't want to get ahead of myself, but what a fourth quarter this could be.

Coach Gibbs telling me a lot more nervous of my kids.

Come on.

This game.

They seem more relaxed and looks relaxed tonight, looking for guys bending over, grabbing their shorts that's when you can tell guys are starting to get fatigued.

Everybody looking pretty good right now.

Mr.

Grab your shorts a lot.

Give the coach a signal that you wanted to come out.

I used to grab the other players shorts a lot.

Give me an advance when you play.

They were hot pants.

You could hardly grab one for 250, four for 51 turnover.

And here we go.

Cross Keys gets a call.

Mitchell Baker's definitely picked it up intensity wise.

Go into the offensive board and try to get some more put backs.

Now they're going to change it.

Karl Give it back to Mitchell Baker.

Good call.

Good reversal.

5451 151 As you can see, left in the third quarter, three State Boys championship cross keys and his own way up high threes.

No good cross keys controls fourth quarter look to see who gets to the loose balls maybe that'll tell you about something that cross keys is tiring at it as a man.

All right, guys, just make a recording of this Lance Willis with the layup and it's good.

It's going to lead the league in field goal percentage, that's for sure.

I don't know if Kendall Walker has hurt his hand or his abdomen, but he is hurting right now.

I think it might be his right hand comes up with a steal so it can't be that bad.

Nice strip there.

He's definitely favoring that hand.

You could tell on that play right there.

Nice pass.

And for the layup face and doing a nice job in the third quarter and all of a sudden it's a three point game Mitchell back and forth the three watch the tie was it 15.

No but they're getting those loose balls are up.

Yes, they are.

And if they start hitting, the crowd's going to erupt trying to tie it up with a three no good.

Again, cross keys control.

You're going to see nothing when Mitchell Baker ever gets the lead.

They may not look back, but they can't shoot well enough to get the lead.

And I'll tell you what right there, that turnover was caused by the hurt hand up no good, but the rebound is going to be there.

Easy layup, coach.

Kids are going to have to get him a timeout here.

Only 10 seconds left.

So I'm not sure that was Derek, but it takes it out and he's going to take a timeout.

Make sure he gets a good shot here.

State 5655 and I'm not sure when the last time Mitchell Baker led, but it has been an awfully long time.

Well, I think that's why Coach Gibbs wanted to get that timeout.

He'd had a couple of quick turnovers, Mitchell Baker scoring right off and he wants to make sure he gets a good shot.

One shot, make sure he's got the lead going in either by one, three or four.

Begin that fourth quarter, because you're right, Mitchell Baker, starting to get to the loose.

Balls are looking like they're getting a little burst of energy or Coach Gibbs would like a little deja vu and a half.

They hit a three at the offer.

Nice right here.

The fans going crazy.

It is jam packed here.

Great crowds for these high school basketball games.

Maybe basketball at its purest.

My second year doing it with you.

And it's just been fun.

It's fun to watch these kids cross keys.

Full court pressure.

Let's see what they can get with it in 10 seconds left in the half.

But they're having trouble getting it in.

Oh, they're wide open underneath, wide open underneath with Simpson.

But you get the layup and the kid called timeout Nice job by nine Mitchell there.

So that's how that 5855 cross keys up state to an exciting fourth quarter of three Hey boys basketball is coming up right after this funding for broadcast of the GHC Boys and Girls basketball championships is provided in part by the following.

You're watching the GHC Boys and Girls Basketball Championships on TV.

Please welcome to the Boys Junior State High School Championships.

Let's send it over to John Nelson and find out what in the world is wrong with Kendall Ruffin because he looked like he was hurt.

John, this is an injury that is a week old in the Stevenson game.

The finger, his index finger on his shooting hand and dribbling hand was jammed and his was taped before the game.

They took the tape off, but he's aggravated.

So this injuries a week old and it's affecting the team at the worst time for cross easily minutes to go in a three point lead now Giannis over there with some ice do we think he might get back in the game or is he out for the game.

He's going to gut it out as far as he can.

They're just going to see how it feels as it's really swollen right now.

All right, Thanks, John.

Good report.

Here we go.

Action in the fourth put up and good craisins gets to put back.

And I'm telling you, Mitchell Baker's coming on, Stu.

And excuse me, wasn't he Dawson?

Ed And that was a big basket to start the third quarter because they had the momentum go our start, the fourth four, they had the momentum at the end of the third quarter up until that layup and now they've got it going again.

And now they're going to put it and back in the rough again.

And here's a guy who handles the ball a lot for him.

They can't use that right hand effectively.

They get a shooting till close.

Look, he's got a pretty good bandage on their eyes and that's going to make it tough for him.

Got his up no good rebound control by cross key So we've got a one point game hold on enjoy Kowalski's patient Mitchell Baker in a zone trapped good look rebound up and no good That's a big rebound there for Angelo Simpson I'll guarantee you a good look there by cross keys on there's offense what looks good by the way from Ruffin now if it goes we say what a shot He's hurt He did it.

It doesn't go well.

He's hurt.

So we'll see what happens.

You get up there soft around the basket.

Simpson grabbed it and it got Angela Simpson off only a 68% shooter, which isn't too bad.

But it comes down to clutch time.

You going to have to make some foul shots, Cross keys, a good free throw shooting team.

They made a bunch the other night in the semifinals to get here.

This is both controlled by cross keys.

Try to put it back up but blocked and maybe another foul.

Whoa.

Hey.

Look like Faizon got that one.

Pretty clean.

Two great plays there.

One back cross keys to get the rebound and the one and Faizon looked like he got a good block, but they called him.

Here you go.

Take a look at the action you make.

The call could have been when somebody might have got him with the leg, leg body.

He hit something.

Mitchell going to the line, shooting to 721 left two point game 5957 cross keys up That has been up and down and nonstop action as we thought and know now Mitchell again the only junior the only familiar face coming back next year stepped in and played a good ballgame today again the boards a story here often again another one and there it is Willis trying to put it back up and it is blocked out of there I hurt you Yup Mitchell Baker controls three looks at it and couldn't get it to go down You just keep waiting and waiting for an explosion from Mitchell Baker and so far it's come early in the second quarter they couldn't make it Nice move to the hoop.

That was Haywood.

We all of a sudden tied with less than seven left in this ballgame.

Banks has got to be careful with that ball.

There you see it and there's an easy layup coming up for Mr. Haywood.

He'll put it in if he gets fouled.

Well, that was just to go and make him go to the line fires.

Coach Gibbs.

I believe I'd get Michael Banks out of the game for about 30 seconds.

Sit him down, say, Michael, take care of the ball.

You're a little careless with it is tried a couple of passes this half that haven't been smart passes his well you might be right let's see what happens Derek Haywood going to the foul line and Michael Banks is a heck of a player.

He's got to get into control and make the smart at this stage of the game, urge a foul situation and a couple of guys dangerously close to waving goodbye to a championship game.

Antonio Simpson checks back in for O'Neal.

Mitchell getting a little more size in the ballgame, but Crosby's one point game.

Let's see if Cross Keys tries to go inside looking for one of those easy layups.

Two assists in our two a Willis turnover.

Yeah, I got a feeling there's not going to be much of anything easy from here on out.

Stu in the cross Keys.

Got to get back together.

They've lost a little bit.

Their composure and sometimes it's a tangible feeling.

It gets you feel it turning and you sort of get that feeling.

Now let's see if they can maintain their composure.

Nice block there inside.

That was Willis out of control of the boards handled by cross keys Simpson on the boards and running one able I want to tell you right now Kendall Ruffin looks like he's short on that shot And I don't want to make excuses for anybody but it looked like he just couldn't shoot it the way he normally would.

Well, that was not a good shot with three good hands there, too.

Out of control on the break.

And he's only got one.

And they got bailed out a little with an over the back call cross keys looking to get something inside nicely.

Jumper will do that today.

Wow that's a good rebound MVP right there for cross keys so far Willis again with a stick back back the other way would go good no call by the official there.

You brought up a good point earlier in the game but I think cross keys even though they gave it that easy layup is getting back on defense still and we were looking for him to wear it out but I don't think it's going to happen inside.

Oh, yeah.

You're absolutely way up in that time decide to dish it off and a beautiful pass 6362 under to go cross keys and Willis doing a heck of a job inside and slowing it down looking for a little help There it is at zone trap that has been effective the times the cross keys trying to get a long shot.

There's a three.

That's huge.

That's huge.

Anthony Simpson, the big left hander, says thank you very much and we've got a time out.

6662.

How it can change in a minute.

Ruffin is now becoming a playmaker rather than looking for his own shot the last two or three times it's doing.

That's what he needs to do with that hand like that, unless he's got a layup penetrate because he can still drive the ball and then dish and look and go, Oh, that was nice.

All right, let's have fun.

You are the coach of here you go.

Cross key.

If there's a trade in into the paint and gave it up, there's our man, Lance Willis.

He's had a terrific game.

Yes, he has.

And I'm telling you, he is always in position to receive the ball.

He doesn't put the ball on the floor, which a lot of young players do when they get that ball into the basket.

Take it right up for the defense.

Kind of just.

So we listen in, at least try, Right.

Read lips.

Let's put you in both coach situation.

What's your read?

What do you tell him?

All right.

We get down by four.

You have been playing in spurts, but nothing consistent with that.

Well, you got the ball here.

You want to come down?

It's 5 minutes to go.

You down four.

You got to get a really good look at the basket right here.

I take it inside again and see if he can draw the defense.

If they don't, you score inside.

If you do, maybe take it three from outside.

How long of a season it is?

How short it must become when you're going for a state title.

There are only 5 minutes left for winning and becoming the runner up.

Let's see what Crosskeys does defensively here.

Looks like they're going to go man to man.

Good.

Steal.

Good try.

Good overplay.

Michael Banks Heads up play there.

Couldn't Quite Come up with it.

Crosskeys is a good defensive teams too let's don't you know Mitchell Baker's had some problems but you got to give Crosskeys defense credit they have come out and played a whale of a ballgame tonight.

They played the pace of game.

And you're right, they played much better defense and really tremendous on the defensive boards.

The players are looking for that good shot, trying to post inside too fast and he's got a bad steal.

Here we go.

Yes.

And one smart play there by Simpson as he took that ball to the basket.

Antonio Simpson, as you see, is there the defense did not come out and try to stop the ball.

He saw that kept going and knew he had him at a disadvantage through the foul and made the layup good.

Now, where did it go on the replay?

Here we go.

But they're not counting that basket.

That's an offensive foul.

No basket.

Oh, my goodness.

Nobody was up huge.

Is that that was the perfect way to handle that.

That's a break.

No way that defensive player was set there and of a sudden Simpson has found out of the game and oh, does that ever change things throwing up no good Angelo turnover.

Oh, and that hurt you had the rebound 6664 cross keys hanging on by a piece of cross, slowing it down.

Looking inside.

That same trap on the zone has been effective.

That shot.

We're going to have a tie game in a second right there, 66, 66 with 4 minutes to go and turnovers are killing them inside.

They've got to slow it down.

Look for a good shot.

Here we go.

Turnovers off, no good, but it's the turnovers in the last minute and a half herb that made the difference.

Oh, we're going to get a timeout from Coach Gibbs there.

You're right.

It's the turnovers.

Unfortunately, I thought that was a bad call.

It was a big, huge swing.

Instead of three points potentially for cross keys, they lose one of their better players and lose three points.

Those three points if he makes the free throw.

So Coach Gibbs is going to sit him down, talk about it.

What a ballgame.

Terrific ballgame.

And just because you don't have great shooting doesn't mean you can't have a great ballgame.

And so here's a situation.

348 left, 6660.

It's been an up and down game.

We should tell it, 3828 at halftime.

Cross Keys playing the good solid game that they wanted to play.

And if you take the second half, Mitchell Baker has scored 40 points.

It has been their type of game, almost 40 points.

Yeah, and Crosskeys is still hung right there.

We've hung right in there.

Stu And they were up four when that call came at the basket was good.

That's a six point lead.

If he made the free throw, they'd been up seven.

I don't want to keep harping on it, but that was a huge play in this ballgame.

But give Mitchell Baker credit, after that they've come back, got two turnovers and scored both times all the way.

Cross Keys has stayed in it as they have rebounded very well, gotten good shots inside but you're going to have to do to have a strong Mitchell Baker's first lead since what the first second long drive.

Carolina trying to go and give him a lead and he rattles one out.

So it's a6626 and it's good.

So you're right, it's been a long drought, but let's see what Crosskeys has in mind.

Attacking the pressure.

That's where they need to go.

That's where they have been going inside.

Come back to beat that time.

Franks got away with a charge there.

He's got to be careful.

He gets a little out of control.

Do you look up now?

You've been leading for about a quarter and a half or more and it at one point can start looking pretty big on you psychologically.

So Cross Key is going to come back and put a little pressure on here with what looks like a one, two, two or one, two, one, one, two, two, one.

They're all a variation, just as long as it adds up to five four of this will believe you.

330 Hey Tregaron one point game.

We knew it would be good.

We thought it'd be a little higher scoring, but still excellent play for us.

Keys giving up a layup and all of a sudden it is a three point lead.

The pressure back on.

Why not?

It's worked.

And this is the time when Crosskeys doesn't want to rush and they don't need you layup and one Michael Banks with a sling pass the wing underneath Beautiful job to Simpson and you know Michael Banks one of those guys is a great athlete He's got all kinds of skills.

You kind of hold your breath when he it you see him here on the wing, anything can happen.

But boy, he whipped that one to Simpson underneath.

Nice play.

Angela Simpson at the line.

His brother, Anthony Simpson, has already fouled out.

It's good we're tied tot out or just a substitution, not just a substitution.

No timeouts now saved for the end of the game because it's going to be tight the rest of the way.

316 to go 6969 Cross keys to Mitchell Baker man to man, not much pressure, just picking them up.

Three quarter job just a tad tighter on every shot.

Right now Grayson trying to work his way in underneath and as he called for an offensive foul.

Yes, he is.

That's a huge call.

I wasn't watching that play inside.

Maybe we'll get it on the replay.

But he's been trying to back in the whole time and posting up right underneath it.

I've been watching him and he's been backing his backside in and he's really been pushing a little.

It could go either way in a situation like that.

But that time he made the call where you got to make that call, some big free throws coming up here, 3 minutes and 2 seconds to play, all knotted up at 69, all in Angelo's sense, and shown us he can make big free throws, 68% foul shooter.

Walk the clock.

I was going to say you could hear a pin drop it not so loud here.

And making it hard is exciting.

255 left tied up, still tied up inside.

Rebound up, no good.

Nice block.

Here comes cross keys Michael Penix with an athletic shot there.

It's like he might have pulled a muscle as he went up for that one.

No time for Bengay just keep playing now the pressure won't weigh in the third row.

Who's Ben Gay?

He hasn't been in the game yet, has he?

He has it.

No, I heard he's pretty good.

But who would have thought that the big turnover least right now, it was forced by Cross key.

So there's the double teaming in that zone.

Pressure does give him a piece about dangerous pass It is coach with four turnovers all over the place and here it is a three on two break.

Let's see what happens.

Sure Use that bad hand.

Kendall Ruffin, big whoop.

All of a sudden it's a four point game.

Well, he's wincing in pain as he goes back down the floor.

Gutty performance by that senior.

Now there's a time out.

Mitchell Baker calls a timeout with 2 minutes left, 203 to be exact, 7360 9a4 point lead by cross keys.

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Watch this ballgame.

You know, I haven't seen it.

Tomorrow, my high school basketball game.

Still to come, a three day championship is at noon.

So try to tune in.

It'll be followed by Glen Hill's for a that's at 145 a game.

I'll be bringing you and then West Lake against Creekside 334 So total action all the time.

March Madness starting in college, ending here in Macon, and then the five at 7 p.m.. We'll be wrapping it up girls basketball, Collinsville then five a lakeside against real again at 845.

So join us plays exciting basketball huge possession here stoop and it was turnover man if they could have held on to that Yeah stop here and it's it's going to be tough as a matter of fact cross keys gets a stop here they may put the ball in the ice box Well then it comes down to foul shots.

Yep.

And if it's anything like the semifinals, I think they made eight and eight in the last couple of minutes to win their semifinal game.

Three pointer off no good back when the chip makers still controlling, still taking three pointers.

Watch A little bit of a surprise with this much time left, but you never know.

Oh, my goodness.

Good hustle.

Plenty of time to get a two point basket, play some good defense, come up with the steal or put the foul on.

But Mitchell Baker is looking for the three now they were trying to make a charge and his brother twin brother on the bench said come on big guy meanwhile vital seconds ticking off that clock Sure up with a three no good try to get something they're going for the three there's no doubt about that.

The coach has told him that.

Maybe not but said great shot.

Sure And one thing about shooting the three, you get those weird rebounds and they were able to get three attempts out and get the last one down Little guy Haywood put it in and all of a sudden it's a minute to go and a two point lead in cross Keys may try to work some clock, not May oh my 3.0.

That is huge.

That is big.

That takes guts.

That's amazing.

It's not is back and forth we go.

That was Eddie Dawson all of a sudden when the arm should start tighten up.

The guys are loosening up might want to hold it here with a three point lead make cross Mitchell Baker foul There you go.

I think the coach might want to impart that to the guys.

Now, let me ask you this.

If you're Coach McDuffie and you see Ruffin out there and his shooting hand is wrapped up, when you be the guy you want to foul, certainly.

Wood That's a good point.

He's got all kinds of tape and bandages on that hand, and I might even consider getting him out of the ballgame, even though he's a is a key cog in this crosskeys game.

You're right.

Putting him on the foul line could be tough.

And there's a look at that shot of that hand and the index finger.

And as John told us earlier, it's an injury that was caught earlier this week jamming of the finger.

Let's set it up for you, though.

76, 73, Cross Creek Keys up on Mitchell Becker with 43 seconds to go as Cross Keys is going to put it in the freezer to draw the foul and go to the line.

Or do you look for a shot if you get a wide open shot, if you get a wide open, wide open layup, we'll say let's go into the hole at the 32.6.

Let's go one way.

Okay.

You heard Coach McGarvey.

They're going to go for the steal for four or 5 seconds.

Three or 4 seconds.

They don't get it.

They're going to go for the quick foul and Rock-Tenn is in.

And you're right, it's it's a catch 22.

You need him to handle the ball but he can't shoot as well as you probably normally get without the injury.

43 seconds to go 7673 cross keys up to trigger it in.

Let's see if I could come up with the steal.

Well, there's one.

There's rough.

How do you balance.

Well, it's not easy inside and one and that's the worst thing you want to do is it hurt?

Lance Williams Yeah, I mean, they had the opportunity.

Ruffin's got the ball outside.

That's just who you probably want to foul.

But instead they let him penetrate.

Give it off there again, my MVP for the game for Cross Keys, Lance Willis and he's going to go and try to make this a two possession ballgame right here.

Stay, play huge play whatever you wanted to do.

He didn't want to foul it again.

The easy hoop and they are getting a little motion sick right now cross keys but we still 35 seconds left.

That is not our camera doing that That's the Crosskeys bench.

25 points, ten rebounds, two blocked shots and wrote his senior paper tonight.

And that's big Coming up, quick shot Mnuchin 7975, 27 seconds left cross keys just has to get it across and try to wear down some clock.

Remember 10 seconds and there's the foul and well, let's see what roughing does A little surprise cross keys is even out putting pressure full court.

I dropped my team back into the zone and make Mitchell Baker beat me with an outside shot But they led it, left it open and they were able to Danny Dawson take it right to the basket.

So huge free throws right here.

Ruffin took off that tape, said, The heck with it.

Let me see what I can do without the tape.

He did have that one shot that looked like it had pretty good form from the field.

It looked like it hurt him too much.

79, 75.

There's the numbers on rock and six points, four rebounds.

But that really doesn't tell the tale because he really handles the ball like runs the show and no good.

Mitchell Baker trying to get something and there is a oh man here huge turnover.

Well yeah that was the ball game and fans low can come up with that one.

Angelo Simpson Mitchell Baker 13 seconds left, four down They almost have to have a three.

You got to hit it figure it hit a three foul someone help.

They missed the foul Sharp Got a trigger.

You don't have time Someone's got to take a two off and that might be it.

And that very well is it an exciting game?

Unbelievably good ball game.

Cross keys, a tremendous, tremendous game plan played their ball game under control, scored more their scoring average in in uptempo game and held Mitchell Baker 20 points under their scoring average Michael Banks will try to go and ice it away and it's already ice but you're right cross keys handled the pressure I think that was a key and then off the pressure got some terrific shots.

Lance Wallace was tremendous inside.

He sure was And also those three big guys, Willis and the two Simpson brothers controlled the backboards.

A huge game for Cross Keys out here tonight.

And I got to mention, I got two friends that I played against in school that played across these programs with Doug Alexander, Bruce Richardson, their team, 63, 64, when Cross Keys was first formed, two straight Final Fours 50 and seven over two years.

Wow.

They couldn't win a championship.

Let's start with those guys.

I think the peach baskets were too small.

I'm just guessing that they started a great tradition in Cross Keys with its first state championship ever, their first time in the finals.

Since then, taking it down, you're going to hear a crowd go crazy.

Three is up that is good, but it doesn't matter.

The final score will be 8278 Cross Keys a winner.

It's great to see a team win its first state championship.

Mitchell Baker, a great, great ball club over the last few years.

But you got to you got to feel good for cross keys.

Well, Coach Benny Gibbs was nervous.

He told us the other day he was more nervous than his players.

But I'm thinking he's feeling pretty good.

Let's go over to John and get a word with the coach.

Okay.

You look up, they're kind of crane your neck.

They're three zeros up there and you're on winning side.

How does it feel?

Feels magnificent.

You know, the thing is, I'm just so happy for my kids right now because they believed in each other and this is what ends up happening.

Hard work pays off.

Now, one of the key phrases of the night was Lance Wallace.

For the layup.

You were beating them back in transition and had the baseline all night long.

Our guys did a great job of breaking them down, given the extra pass all night.

But they've been doing this kind of type of thing all year long, and this was just a bigger stage for them to showcase their talents.

And they did.

They did.

Let me talk about Crosskeys a little bit.

DeKalb County first basketball title.

How does it sink in for all these people for the drive 90 minutes back north?

It's going to be a nice drive home.

That's I could say a nice drive home.

You had tempo, you had transition, you seemingly out did everything with Mitchell Baker tonight.

And when it got to the point third quarter, when there were the two quick steals and they hit the threes, you guys didn't panic?

Well, like I said, this is the type of team that we had all year long.

We expect them to come back because they are a great team that well-coached and we expect that we're going to come back and give us a run.

But what we wanted to do was be able to sustain it and be able to run through it.

And we did, did.

And they didn't succumb to the pressure under the big top at all and all at all.

And I'm just so happy for, you know, I'm going to get over here and hug all of them now.

Okay.

Go hug them.

Benny Gantz, congratulations.

That's your three night stay champ right there.

I want to sit like that when I grow up, Jim.

I know what you mean, John.

I know what you mean.

Great job down there.

Stuck like a curb weight.

Fantastic job on the game.

Cross Keys wins it 80, 78.

On behalf of the broadcast team and the technical team, I'm Jim Tanaka.

Thanks for watching today's broadcast of the Georgia High School Association.

State basketball championships has been made possible in part by Georgia Electric membership corporations.

I b e w Local 613 South Trust Bank manned by viewers like you until tomorrow.

At noon, we will rejoin you for five championship games on Saturday.

Have a great night, everybody.

We'll see you tomorrow.

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