This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station.

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Year other champions of history in the Lady Red Devils of Georgia Public Broadcasting presents the 2009 Georgia High School Association's state basketball championships.

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They are one of the best high school basketball teams in the country.

He could be the very best high school player in the country.

It's a three boys high school basketball championships west over against South Atlanta.

As we wrap up, another sensational year of high school basketball.

Hi, everyone.

Stu Plotnick, along with my partner and friend Herb White, for what should be a very exciting game.

You are going to see one of the best high school players in the country.

So what's it mean for this Westover team and what do they have to do to keep up with this very talented South Atlanta team?

Well, it means they have a heck of a challenge on their hands, do no doubt about it.

He is the Naismith High School Player of the Year, which is the preeminent award for high school players in the country.

He's six foot nine.

He scores 27 over 27 a game about 14 rebounds, blocks five or six shots.

So Westover won 26 ball games so far this year.

So, you know, you got to respect the team that does that.

They just don't have anybody, size wise that can match up with Derrick Favors.

But they do have a guy that can play T.J. Noble to his teammates.

T.J. is a slasher and a gunner, 20 points a game.

He got 28 in the semis to get his club here.

They got him down to ten points a game.

They didn't.

The coastal coach told me he was averaging 20.

So let's take a look at that starting lineup here.

Herb, let me just mention one thing.

Take a look at the starting lineup because a few minutes into the game, it's five in and five out for this West over team.

They go 12 deep and they substituted an awful lot.

So they're going to have to put a lot of pressure.

They're going to have to have a lot of players running it.

Got it at the south end latitude to have any shot.

Well, and that's what they're going to try to south.

Atlanta is not a deep team that maybe their one flaws.

They're not a really deep team.

So that's what Westover is going to try to do, is wear them down.

But they're deep enough at the post with Derrick Favors, and he's going to have a five inch height advantage over anybody that Westover can put on him.

And he's just a great, great player.

Headed to Georgia Tech.

He's at Georgia Tech Commit, but they have some other players that are going national signing, too.

Well, look at the size of this team, too.

Nicholas Jacobs, only a sophomore at 686963 across the front line.

This team is absolutely loaded.

So let's take a look at the rebounding early in this and let's take a look at the pace of this game and the pressure that Westover can put on South.

Atlanta is going to be an exciting game.

You are going to see a couple of stars of the future in college basketball because Georgia Tech, I know as tough as it is for you as a bulldog to admit this, he's going to be a star next year.

And a couple of these other kids, including some players from Westover, are destined to be Division one team.

You bet.

Mr..

But I'm not going to take it.

I wish all the best to the jackets.

It's going to be a fun game to watch again.

It's going to be exciting.

It's going to be 108.

Let's take a look and listen to the starting lineup for tonight's triple-A game.

Tonight's final game will have the Westover Patriots with a record of 27 wins and seven losses.

Dressed in blue as your visitors on the scoreboard and the South, Atlanta Hornets with a record of 28 wins and three losses dressed in white as your home team, may I have your attention for the starting line ups?

First, for Westover at Guard number ten, a five foot ten senior Dontrelle hits at guard number 20, a six foot two Sophomore Malcolm Sapp at Guard number 22, a six foot one.

Senior Kenji Breedlove At forward number 23, a six foot four senior, a Brandon bit at forward number 24, a six foot four junior.

Chris Weaver and West over his head coach, Dallas male.

And now for you South Atlanta Hornets at guard number 1a6 foot five senior Andre Malone at guard number 11, a six foot one senior Nick Walker at forward number 25, a six foot three senior, Mikhail Carter at forward number 34, six foot nine.

Senior Jarrett Haber at Center 54, six foot eight.

Sophomore Nicolas Jacob at South L.A. head coach and Parker Reddick.

This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station.

Welcome back.

It's west over against South Atlanta.

Let's go courtside to Eric Hunter.

Hey.

And Herb Westover has that balanced scoring attack, but none of their players averages more than ten points a game.

Now, for South Atlanta, Favors is obviously the favorite.

But last night only hit 12 of his 21 free throws.

So watch that tonight.

We've got that Atlanta versus Albany, north versus the south.

Throw for taking on the 229.

Let's dial up some action still.

I love these numbers.

You know, you talk about players and they're great, as you know, with guys.

Pretty good.

Derrick Favors in particular, when he had 26 points in the semifinals and he had it all back and he shot 21 free throws.

So he's taking it inside, going to the rack, and it's going to be all about whether, you know, Westover can contain him a little bit in the paint.

But this is a well rounded South Atlanta team.

And they they play a national schedule.

Of course, they haven't lost a game in Georgia.

They've played some great teams, some great academies.

Okay.

And some other folks from out of state lost to Lawrence.

Oak Hill and Laporte will play out of Florida.

And that's it.

It's Isom Carter and Western officials.

And here we go, underway.

Glad you're with the Stew Clark Quartet and Herb White for making it.

It is the final, final triple-A boys high school basketball south Atlanta in the white South, Atlanta, one of the very best in the country.

And this other Westover team very quick and used a lot of players.

Herb.

So we'll see if the depth can help them out against a very, very big and talented team.

Well, I'll tell you what, you had to go over some trees already to get that ball up.

The rebound control by South Atlanta and here they come so far to the play guys on the ground Huddle up for the dunk this for the dunk.

Well, Westover is going to have to play almost a flawless game.

Let's face it, Stu.

They're going to have to really take care of the basketball and make sure every shot counts.

And that was Nicholas Jacob, six eight, only a sophomore.

So he is the future of South Atlanta.

And it'll be it's interesting to me, Herb, always for these types of games to see the intimidation factor you can you can say a guy six, eight, six, nine, but there's no way in practice you can sit right there.

What you see about close.

How are you going to play against him?

Well, and it's one thing to be 6 minutes and then the same thing six nine with probably a 40 inch vertical like favors probably got.

So but Westover hustling after getting out to create a couple of turnovers there you see that quickness time out already Westover So early going no score with a minute to play to this three basketball game.

We've talked about it over the years.

You look at top coach Dallas Smith with a great record over eight seasons, the talent that comes out of Georgia year in, year out, girls and boys basketball.

I would stack up against any state in the country.

Oh, no doubt about it.

Let's look at what's just come out of South Atlanta.

Christian, In the last three or four years, you have Jahvaris Crittendon, you have Dwight Howard.

Now you have Derrick Favors, all great, great players, and Albany, where you know, Westover is over the years has produced some great basketball players.

Coach Reddick watching his guys that's another dunk.

And Westover on the attack just underway three and there you see south Atlanta with that pressure outside long jumper no good Well those are going to have to go for Westover Oh that's a good job of splitting the defense, creating something inside and pitching back out for the three, but they couldn't get it to go down.

And you're right, they're going to have to hit some from outside.

But here's what Coach Dallas said they were going to do with pressure throughout the game.

Try to keep the pressure on the outside.

Well, at the ball inside to those big guys underneath Favors trying to post up south Atlanta, working around that double low post.

That is tough.

Six, eight, six, nine.

Underneath.

Well, the thing is you've got to have great outside help and favors probably a pretty good passer.

So he's going to look for his six eight man.

When the other guy comes to help, he can drop it to him for the slam up.

No good rebound and there will be a foul and Watkins will be going to the line and there we see the offensive rebound He got a lot of ball but when you come over the back and the official from outside called that when you look at the south Atlanta team I mean Andre Malone six five guard going to Auburn talk about favors going to Georgia Tech.

Nick Watkins averaged 16 and a half minutes ago.

No telling how good Nicholas Jacobs going to be.

He's just a little puppy six eight is dead, 611.

So he's got some growth there.

The second one is good.

The early lead goes to South Atlanta.

Good crowd has always hurt the Metroplex.

Their backcourt pressure by South Atlanta like a running back can't turn that corner.

It's the second year good defense by south Atlanta.

Somebody's got to come back and help out.

That's what coach Dallas Smith is saying as long, but almost a back court, almost south Atlanta looking inside.

Why not do favors is going to be double a triple team all night way outside toward the three no good rebound underneath up and no good.

And so far you can see that height of Derrick Favors hit the boards here just over not ready to run with it but ready to throw those long legs up.

And here we go, jump ball.

The arrow is going south Atlanta's way, so it will be the Hornets ball.

West out over cold early from the arc that's three they've thrown up.

How many times have you seen favors in person?

You saw a little bit of a man.

I think they were playing Oak Hill Academy in a game and they didn't touch the ball a whole lot.

It was a fast paced game and like you say, he's got plenty of teammates and they were running the floor reach in there, but I'm going to take people's word for it.

A consensus high school player of the year.

You think he's got some talent?

Paul Hewitt certainly hope so.

And Coach Reddick already knows so to help look out below thought he is ready for the tap in and easily done for in early going three eight championships.

Well there's there's all you know you're going to see some nicely done credit check or excuse me yep yep and inventory at six four with some nice hops on the follow so they get it right back down and up.

You can see how Favors runs the court so far I think six nine.

That kid got down there, put it in and go for a three point play.

Let's see the follow through.

Really nicely done.

Good elevation at six four.

Yeah.

Favors is you know they don't just go to him as great as he is, I mean they don't feature him, he just gets his points off what comes off the boards are in the offense and great job by coach Michael Riddick to do that.

I can tell already from the foul line it's got a nice stroke.

So he's got five of the seven so far.

Long range off the boards.

See the arc they had to put on that one.

Westover Taking that step down, taking those threes and that might not work against this South Atlantic team as they control the boards.

I like this kid, Andre Avila, already six five get a handle up and no good with the left tackle no good there it is.

And that's as easy as it gets.

Well, they're letting him play underneath and that's certainly going to work in South Atlanta.

Christian Staples and the getting ready to come in.

As we mentioned, another five for this whistle of team.

So they'll be fresh.

It's just a matter of they can keep up with south Atlanta was me I'm living in the past long jumper.

I'll tell you what Herb lock fast break it easy Lay up on the other end.

Let's see if you can play that.

Yup.

Nicely done.

Is an easy layup goes for Baker It's tough Atlanta back on defense and I'll tell you what blitz over something for those outside shot because they might be intimidated inside and that's not going to work You got to try to get it inside at least to pop it out for someone else.

Left it too early, going with about 4 minutes, left this three eight game and you can see just how good this South Atlantic team is favorite, just dominating the dunk and running.

Well I'm they've missed two and he's got one I call it 11 was what I call for and having to have a hand out miss to get one so I guess I'm not sure I will so favors unofficially with I think seven points and can make it eight right here Go to Georgia Tech, as we mentioned.

Look at that shot now and it's 13 to so west over trying to find some answers to the south Atlanta team tall, rangy and might not be the right idea.

That's tough.

Let's start with you have two guys that size stacking up each other and covering the basket for the jumpers and then going, you can't blame them for trying to take it to the hoop.

It's just tough job inside against this group.

So far, so good for South South Atlanta.

So far, we control 30 to 2.

Let's go to Eric Hunter.

Courtside.

I'm joined by William Chan, principal at West Over.

You've got to be proud of these student athletes.

I'm proud of the faculty and staff and the entire student body at Westover High School.

I'm extremely proud of our basketball coaches and our basketball team.

They have to endure a lot this basketball season, and here they are today playing for state championship, the seventh one in the history of our school.

And I could not be prouder, but there you go.

Some of that patriot pride, guys.

Well, hopefully that Patriot pride will carry it a little further this first quarter.

This is unbelievable.

In the three eight games that the South Atlanta team has played, they have won by an average of almost 35 points.

And you saw the field goal percentage there.

It's obvious why it's a 13 to 2 score as Westover tries to inbound, it hit something on.

Well, as good as they are offensively, they're just really tough to score against, especially if you don't have some kind of a presence inside.

And again, it's six foot four, the tallest man for Westover, it's just going to be a tough job.

Favre's favors already with seven points and three rebounds and several intimidations.

And that I meant to say, folks coming out of the same neighborhood.

I said South Atlanta, the other you know, as far as Crittendon, of course, and Dwight Howard came out of South Atlanta Christian Academy in Atlanta, South Atlanta, a public school.

Nonetheless, a lot of talent coming out of that coming out of Georgia.

That's a tough.

Second one is up, second one is good.

And finally, Westover gets back on the board, putting all that pressure to try to control turnovers.

This could also cause some dunks at the other end.

So let's see what happened.

He got to try to get closer.

There's great pressure all the time.

Yep, that's what they've got to do.

They've got it.

They've got to win this game.

This side of the court defensively gives turnovers.

Well, they've got quickness, there's no doubt about that.

And they've got to use what they've got and quickness is going to be one of the things they can use because when the game slows down and gets under the hoop, it goes all south.

Atlanta Stadium search.

No, T.J., no.

As he's done to his friends and coaches, he is the man for this West over team.

So get up at second gear, baby.

A little confidence building off of this press south Atlanta and underneath open.

You know it's funny too you can see Jacobs is the young kid who's six eight favorites.

It's just how differently they are in aggressiveness.

And he favors a little more seasoned.

JACOBS A little less aggressive, but he will get there great opportunity to him for him to play with a guy like favors, to learn from him and take some of the heat off of him.

This week with Jacobs tries to get it.

The ball goes over to the rest of them.

All of a sudden, things are looking a little rosier for this one for the team.

Very 13 to 2 and Alex, 36, well, they're scrapping the scrap and they're going to have to win the battle of the loose ball, that's for sure.

Stop Atlanta standing.

Their defense after the court can do that when you have six, eight, six, nine back in the up the hoop, but a whole nother crowd that's in the million guys three team fouls now in south Atlanta.

Give them credit they're still taking it to the to the paint and that's what you try to do to a shot blocker.

You want to get as close to him as you can to create space.

That's when he can block that shot.

Nice move there.

But the template, by the way, Chickenfoot, South, Atlanta and Okefenokee, one of my favorites.

What will that name all night stop Atlanta with the ball on the long try to fox off the cap swings it to the other side long three pointer and boy that starts happening that is bad news as Roger hits the three pointer for south Atlanta.

Well, they're going to get some open looks just because you have to pay so much attention to the big guys from South Atlanta gives those guards a lot of wide open looks at threes.

Robert Pitts, the little sparkplug off the bench this year, Coach Reddick says, really likes the way he runs the show.

So the big guys double low post try to get it inside triple team favors, try to get it out.

There's a turnover, nicely finishing, nicely done and that's who going to have to come up big for this team t.j. Know nice body control is a typical length of the floor spreading the floor.

Now stop Atlanta stripping I'll tell you what a play favorites and he is fouled.

Yeah there's a lot of bodies coming together in there and Hayes West Westover he's got to play that way and if the officials are going to let you that's that's the only chance you got is to play as hard and as tough as you can.

Hopefully you can knock some passes away and maybe maybe get a couple of nicks and favors, armor saw Coach Reddick.

It looks like he could pass the people down low.

They tell you, if you're going against these big guys, get them when the bring the ball up.

Zach with the other long three pointer Don't do it There's a control on the boards off that's all you drive it back up again Favors and second shot no good This is volleyball right now Finished by Jenkins Yeah.

Once the ball is sitting right around the cylinder and you're going straight up and down, it's just too much hype.

South Atlanta, straight to the hole.

But again.

BLOCK And that's our man, Derrick Favors, up close, but not over the rim to get that one right here, Travel great hustle by West overstepping and they have some quickness.

Let's see the block You had two or three guys going for it.

FAVORS Got it.

We will fill out a statue for you a little back court pressure Westover down by ten but not out of control.

Try to keep their guard going in and out and try to put the pressure on.

Boy that was a dangerous pass.

If they just get it over, if it felt like less than a minute to go with the first quarter on there, it's the guy, T.J.. No keeping him in this ball game.

Nice soft touch.

Get the can bounce off.

Look out, Look out.

Number two, saw that one coming.

That's not going to be last time.

You know, you got to press it.

We got to try for the turnover here.

But if you if you don't get it, this is what happened.

He's looking down in the basket on this one.

Good pass break.

And again, here they come, pulling up for the three.

Rodrick picks off the bench with two threes now but it can happen that fast.

2310.

His team's got the whole package there's no doubt about it.

Got a foul Got a foul on that last play.

Let's see if he's going to go to the line where he's going to be shooting free.

If they call he shooting three back.

Hold on here for a second.

All right.

Timeout out.

But they call the foul timeout three, three, three, three free throws at the buzzer.

So Craig Green you go to the line, three shots and if you're a coach that'll jog you Absolutely crazy.

Tough job.

Shoot those free throws with nobody else on the line and time expired, that's for sure.

But he makes the first one one up and good It pretty impressive for the young man and these are big free throws you knock it down to ten points and you look up there and you say, hey, whether to score them a little bit, we're still in this game now.

That's a great job.

This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station on.

Welcome back to boy three eight championship basketball at South Atlanta by ten over whatever we were talking about Derrick Favors being able to fill out a statute that he can do nine points, eight rebounds, one block and four or five intimidations.

And again, he's getting them out of the offense because, you know, they don't get the ball into him every time he gets his shots off the boards or he gets it off the fast break.

Although very impressive, all those intimidations like half a second football, something like that.

That's what I figured.

Westover came down right in front of us at midcourt, trying to get something going offensively against the land of the Giants.

The South Atlanta team Greg Green hit three free throws right at the end of the first quarter, though.

Keep West over in this thing.

Derek Murray checked in for Jacobson down low for their south Atlanta team and that was another block right there just ended it So here comes out Atlanta with favors trailing or that's Pitts he's been hit more threes favors there with a nice pass okay up and he will go to the foul line No okay And T.J. no got his money's worth on that one, coach.

You know he gave the fake and know from behind that already committed himself and he said what the heck I'm just going to hammer look at this South Atlanta team and some of the talent they'll have coming back.

Same for Westover.

I said and we've said it year in and year out that we do these games have more talent to come, more talent on these teams.

A lot of these players you'll see next year as they mature.

Well, we talked about it last night in two years.

A lot of the scouts are saying that to be the most talent to ever come out of one state in high school class ever in one year and next year, a lot of great players come out.

We saw a lot of great sophomores last night for that Milton team that lost the state championship to Wheeler.

So you're right, it's just an endless stream.

And the folks in Georgia are lucky that the Georgia Public Broadcasting is giving them the opportunity to see these kids.

That and another all three of our guys.

And, you know, it's been a little bit in south Atlanta.

What's that zone?

Pretty good handling and passing right there.

Pretty impressive.

There's the big guy underneath.

Could have been called for a foul.

Puts it in.

It's just that easy kid Body control.

We could see why he was recruited by just about every single school that would he'd accept the letter from he's got the same kind of body that Dwight Howard had about the same time in high school.

He can put on another 15, 20, £25 in two or three more years and really fill out south Atlanta in that zone, racking up Westover looking for that good percentage shot.

I thought the first quarter they took some that were way out there Nice drive and again and gets the wall takes a step right past the big guy and lays it in Greg Gregg glossed over be having some shot blocks but they won't be intimidated they've got this down below double digits on offense versus hey when they take the shot of us courtside and get to see the reading my bad side.

Yeah, of course the only good side is watch right behind me.

So coach of the line that for the South Atlanta team unlike a lot of these things alone Nick Watkins, a61 senior impressed with South Atlanta's ballot.

But when you play their schedule there's the rebound by hockey up and no good favors try to bounce it back in They're tipping it but nope in South Atlantic control who puts takes it he's been hot it was up nicely That's that's the tough shot right That's a nice shot He's had the little floater from about seven feet and about 11 and a half feet in the air on Westover, trying to get something inside and look for Chris Nowell.

There he is.

And he's double teamed by the state.

Two coaches on the west over there.

It's like, say the name of what?

What was that?

All the ball, Jump ball, jump ball.

The arrows going south Atlanta's way so still back port pressure from Westover hits control it takes it right to the hole Nicely done Beautiful move by Watkins for the easy layout of the west over defender that was with favors stayed with him and he had to because as soon as he went to help out it was a little lob for the dunk so pick your poison for the strange game.

Just what do you think South Atlanta is going to pull away something good happens from Westover It's normally a No.

Three pointer but they have hung tough so far.

That's a bad idea.

Yeah.

You're just not going to get him to leave his feet because he's five inches taller than you.

So you just going to have to either get it right on top of him and shoot it or shoot it on the first move.

Look at low hits from outside.

And he's been hot from there.

Not this time.

That's an easy hit.

No rebound.

Rebound in favors is racking up the rebounds and the Hawks, I believe 14 points is the largest lead for South Atlanta tonight.

A long three pointer and I'll call it South Atlanta's way.

Well, I've seen enough to be impressed.

I tell that.

I was going to ask you about Mitchell.

He's put it on that little baby hook.

You didn't go over anybody in any way.

And he hasn't forced a thing.

It's a lot of great players in these tournaments over the years, and some of them maybe shoot a little too much when they're a superstar.

But Favors is getting everything he can off the offensive boards and out of the offense.

And that says a lot for the young man and says a lot for coach Reddick's coaching.

Well I can tell you it says a lot for the South Atlanta to when you can take a guy out six nine and put his substitute in Jacobs at six eight, you don't lose any size at least whatsoever with the pressure on three one half court traffic great pass happen great pass just a great look by Roger picks underneath and they just pass right over the top but favors is out so maybe they can take something inside.

Although there's not much hype differential.

Now Jacobs is in the middle this takes up and they call it an offensive charge.

So right now everything going south, Atlanta's way and coach Dallas Smith trying to come up with some answers for what is one of the best teams in America and certainly top teams obviously in Georgia.

It's a go to high school, to Georgia.

This.

There's no yea back with you on the way across south Atlanta.

Let's go to Eric Hunter courtside with one of our principles.

I'm here with Scott Painter, one of South Atlanta's principals.

Now, you actually have four schools on your campus.

We do.

And August 27, we opened up as a campus of four small schools for principals, for student bodies.

We do have one athletic program, but we've already, in our second year demonstrated a big growth in terms of being able to retain students academic gains on and of course, test and graduation test.

So we have a lot of exciting things going on on our campus.

Thanks, Scott.

Go to your guys on guys.

You know, Herb, one of the things that makes me feel so bad is when the principal looks about 40 years younger than you and he's the principal, the high school.

Well, you're a college professor now, some would say.

Well, scary South Atlanta, We're going to get the ball with a cushion of 16 points in this final against Westlake.

Let's see what they can do.

What's over, I should say, looking inside a zone now, up, falling backwards.

No good, but so tough inside.

Jacob's over the back.

Yeah.

Did you give any thought to the best team?

Well, I was talking about that South and Southwest making team had Terry Fair and Michael Hunt, and I believe Malone went on to Mississippi State in the NBA.

A lot of people said I think it was 79.

And a lot of people think that team, of course, Dwight Howard's team a few years ago was pretty good.

And it's really hard to peg.

I tell you, some of those Norcross teams that I call the last few years have been pretty tough with Jodie Meeks and Aminu and some of those folks trying to get in there.

Westover can't fight It increases in his zone defense and not a bad idea to make him shoot from the outside because it is awfully tough to get Andy to inside.

But look at that That's a big time move by TJ.

No trying to carry his team.

He's taking it to the rack and he's making some outside shots just doing it.

All three Derrick Favors checks back in slash in step.

He's going to make somebody a good guard at the next level.

The South Atlanta team and most of these high school in terms of we've talked about it as a person, just completes the three point play and it's still within reach.

It's 34 to 21, only a 13 point game.

Both these high schools going out of the state to play some great competition.

Favors on the floor, loses it.

Here we go the other way.

This is what Westover likes doing, is running the ball.

We have a foul called on Jacobs.

They got a lot of ball, but that's what you know, Westover is doing what they need to do.

They're playing aggressive.

They're coming up with some turnovers and they're taking the ball right at the Defenders and that's all you can do.

You know, they're really the difference in the game right now is these is the offensive rebounding and it's just almost impossible to stop them from getting offensive rebounds with the size and athletes they have won.

Well, we thought that would be huge to watch the rebounding and see where it is.

That would tell you a lot about this game.

But this Westover team, with their pressure and their turnovers, is keeping it close where you are, right?

They can keep the ball from getting up there and getting a shot up where they can offensive rebound.

They have a prayer room as we have a little time here.

Let me just mention that we hope you, of course, are enjoying our live broadcast of the best in Georgia high school basketball and ask you to stay tuned at halftime for your opportunity to become a member of the Georgia Public Broadcasting Family.

It's viewers like you that help make local programs like this very championship possible.

And thank you for supporting Georgia Public broadcasting.

It's I've been in a lot of markets and no one does it better than the guys in the truck.

And we're glad to bring it to you year in and year out.

And as we mentioned earlier this evening, we made the announcement last night at the five eight game at halftime that or maybe is before the game.

It's a long time ago, but new three year contract between Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Georgia School Association airball their favors with the rebel will try to go back up and it's a jump ball arrow going west over his way.

Tell you what else is keeping watch over in the game.

They are ten for ten from the free throw line and Chris Wheeler reached in there when Favors was going up with it made him go up and down, called for the travel, heads up, play rebounds what you would think South Atlanta more than doubling west over probably half of those are offensive rebounds and I can't see if that's what was in my what I think it was Wheeler great delay inside once again going to the hoop was the aggressiveness I can tell you what you do sometimes you can roll a team into sleep and all of a sudden I think we're okay, we're okay and you've got a game and we've got again, it's only nine points west over was giving it everything they have and they're coming up with some turnovers.

They're swarming, doing exactly what they need to do to battle off a bigger, talented team.

Michael Carter checking in to shop Atlanta, checking out Derek Murray.

2 minutes to go.

In the second quarter, this three championship game, that is good competitive wrestling like good boxing out the other way we go look coming up with another rebound South Atlanta drops back in that zone two three over working around the perimeter trying to find a good open jumper.

It's tough to find something or anything with south Atlanta size underneath south Atlanta trapping in the corner.

There you go.

Wheeler is just taking it on the baseline and taking it to the big guys.

And he's doing a great job along there.

And we've got a seven point ballgame.

And the closer it gets, the more pressure you got to think.

South Atlanta is feeling such a heavy favorite coming into this one.

Let's see if they try to go down hill.

Gets something easy to Purvis, who's triple teamed.

So they've got to work it out.

Good job by the smaller Westover team inside.

Let's go over on a90 run up.

No good call up.

Oh, that's a tough one.

Well, we'll see a replay of that one, but RJ Malone, I believe, will go to the line and heck of a game so far.

Toughest call in the book right there.

The charge a lot of people are saying they want to see that dotted line like they have in the NBA going to college.

It may not be a bad idea in high school the way these kids get off the floor these days, of course, we're not at all.

And how many times do you say, just keep it close, keep it close, because you never know what can happen in that fourth quarter.

And as West over, we've talked so much about South Carolina.

Yeah, we get it why they're here.

But this looks over to this scrappy court.

Well, it's a three possession game right now.

Wheeler is just getting everything off the defensive boards along the smoke.

There's a turnover not needed at this time when you're making the run.

Let's see what happens up and good Nice move by Nick Watch.

It's almost looked like a foul but no call you don't want to turn over so keep it a close Now just take it in the half.

Westover done a great job of taking care of the basketball up to this point, going for one with less than 40.

You would think so.

Don't want to take it down on that corner.

That's where you get trapped.

Sterling.

And it was a walk.

The court a little bit out of control and probably would have been a good idea to hold the one there because he had it in a three possession game.

You get a three there and it's down to a two possession game.

Don't foul here long three pointer off the win and no good unless you had a 2014 check clock and go two for one that might not have been the shot you wanted to take and that was an interesting move right there by T.J. Ward and a little delay call on the walk.

That was a little strange to shoot, but I picked it back up.

Should have been a walk about three or 4 seconds before.

But as long to get the call back.

Call, right.

You're okay.

Dallas puts Dallas missing, maybe.

Hey, we looked at a couple of missed plays there.

You know, south, south Atlanta gave them the ball back, a quick shot, gave the West over a chance to come down and get the last shot.

But they got a little discombobulated there.

Andre Malone's for six from the field.

Oh, for two from line.

So one of the leading scorers for West over having a tough game so far.

Talk about a guy that's out services for South Atlanta 20 points a game.

So you're absolutely right here we look out for the darkness.

Oh, look at that time.

So favors with the easy hoop from the back the other way up the buzzer got a chance.

Oh, look good from here for a second.

So south Atlanta unknown and uncharted waters as far as playing teams in Georgia.

Very competitive game, 3827 west over with everything they've wanted it more.

Let's go down here and see what this South Atlantic team wants to do in the second half.

Well, Coach, how do you assess your team's performance so far Up and down?

We haven't been consistent as we needed to be, but overall, we're winning.

But we're not playing as well as we can any.

Sign of fatigue after having to play last night.

Oh, none at all.

My guys are in tremendous shape and we're looking forward to the second half.

All right.

Thanks, Coach.

Good luck.

This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station on all.

Welcome back, 3827, your halftime score.

Let's go courtside with Eric Hunter and coach Dallas Smith.

Thanks to coach.

I know none of you guys grew to six foot nine during the halftime, but how do you try to contend with their big front line?

Well, we're giving up an easy basket.

We dove in on the block and we're not transmit back to the defense like we usually do.

So I think if we cut down on the layoff that we've given them to pick up the intensity on defense, we would be okay.

All right.

Well, good luck.

The second half.

Back to you, Steph.

Thank you, Eric.

It has been up and down and mostly over the river.

Well, what's going on, PJ?

No, most of the highlights for West over for sure.

You know, the getting inside and when they put up a shot, they got some rebounds because the big guys just not as quick but it's off tough top as far as you know, South Atlanta goes it's been inside and outside Game four that yeah Chris Wheeler doing some yeoman work for West over inside there's the big guy getting hacked getting the call and putting it in And this is a guy off the bench that I thought Pitzer favors again.

I thought Pitt's gave a big lift with the three pointer, two big guys underneath favors.

Of course, the story coming in favors a story during this game.

And you can see why.

Just a sensational town.

It was we look at the halftime stats.

You can see the difference in this ballgame.

Well, yes, 36 shots up for south Atlanta, but, you know, eight for 22 for the west over.

They're getting intimidated on some of the shots, doing a great job at the free throw line that's kept them in the ballgame.

And they're getting out rebounded badly, but they're getting after they're coming up with a lot of loose balls.

And that's where they've been able to stay in this ballgame.

And let's give them credit, man.

A lot of people thought this was going to be a blowout from the get go, and they stayed in here and made it the ballgame.

You know that rebounding stat might be a little misleading, too, because on two or three plays it was volleyball and there are three or four rebounds on one play.

So it might be a little tighter than you think.

Well, the really killing stat on the boards was the offensive rebounds for South Atlanta.

So let's see if Westover can do it then.

They did a little better late in the first half.

We started getting four or five defensive rebounds and keeping the big guys from putting them back in Stuart-Black.

HENICAN Herb Whyte, our pleasure to be bringing you the final of our championship games this season.

Big guy Babers goes to the hole.

Nice move, Sweet.

He's got everything.

It's six, nine.

And of course, he doesn't have to worry about anybody blocking his shot.

When he goes in there.

That will change at the next level, but he looks like he is the real McCoy back court pressure, at least half court pressure by South Atlanta.

And they're going to tell you you cannot tell you they're going to tighten the screws a little defensively.

Does it matter?

Nicely done by West over and out and said that was that sophomore big shot for West over to get this half started for them on the board so it's a ten point game It hasn't been this close in a long while way outside Andre Miller Andre Malone up but the big guy underneath again.

Well, what a soft touch he's got here Malone is just stays cold for south Atlanta but once again favors just making up for with his board work.

Well, I'll tell you how deep and how good this team is when you're 20 scores over whatever you're still and those long shots will eventually catch up with you.

You could hit one or two threes, but eventually you're going to have to get the ball inside.

Westover Keep the ball.

Get another shot at it.

South Lake In that zone defense Derrick Favors good hands Leon down in the middle so only a sophomore Nichols Jacobs number 54.

So you can see the size of this South Atlanta team who came into this championship game with only three losses.

None in Georgia, where they're doing a good job of getting out of that double team in the corner.

That's a smart play.

Great play.

Breedlove fake up going to the big guy Joel foul.

Let's see it again Watch the hop Nice head fake to the line four to catch a three love only six but goodbye Take it to the good guys Westover Still perfect from the charity stripe the seed right here so South Atlanta trying to get in a rhythm and really give Westlake credit for not letting him do that.

There's the big guy, put it on the floor.

That's what happens.

Jump ball will be going.

Westlake's way west over just to double what's left of the ball past.

Westover Westlake from August, a pretty good squad there in the playoffs.

Issue back court token pressure by South Atlanta west over no problem the breaking of it going to the hole and that might be a bad idea if it's fits in favors with the rebound Jacobs underneath left hand it off the rim no good inside let's try one more time alone for the offensive foul Good call by the official alone turned in with the shoulder you've since any frustration from the south Atlanta team Let's see it good defensive play by west over here in frustration with south Atlanta.

I don't think so yet.

But if this game continues like this for another two or three, 4 minutes, you could see it for sure.

It's funny, they're up by 11.

I'm asking about well, they've had a couple of those threes go down in and come out would have been huge over trying to post up underneath trailing on the play blocked by Westover going to get a foul over the back and the big guy there it is a little drive for the teardrop that's great camerawork just block big guy when you're so big to have a 10 to 1 reach over But south Atlanta now trying to pick up the tempo with the full court pressure.

Yeah it is good And snap again the sophomore with the floor Wilson Snap and Kinsey Breedlove done a good job since they come off the bench for Westover it is a nine point lead for the south Atlanta team that's favors trying to get it all fouled.

It will go to the line.

Not a bad play.

He really struggled at the free throw line in the semifinals.

I think he was 12 for 21 or something like that.

So not a bad idea to make the big guy make some free throws.

Posted up under a triple team.

And you're right, make him run it.

Good looking stroke on that great rotation from the foul line.

So once again, Westover had it down to a three possession game.

Now it's back up to four.

But hey, you look up there and you see you're still in the ballgame with these guys and every minute you're in the ballgame, it gives you a little more confidence.

And most of all, stay fresh.

We mentioned at the start of the ballgame there, 505 out there, about 12 deep.

Second went up, second one good.

I got a feeling they're going to put Derrick Favors on the line some more before this ball game's over.

I think you're right.

I think he's going to have a couple more dunks before the game's over.

Turnover for West, over and South Atlanta with a little pressure that is in fact, you know, Westover overall has done a great job of taking care of the basketball.

We talked about they had to play a near-perfect game, especially a floor game, and they've done a great job with that one.

HURT and looking inside the wall, trying to get started in there, he finally gets a roll.

Andre Malone has had a long night for this South Atlantic City, just under 5 minutes to go.

In the third quarter.

There's a steal by the big guy.

Look out.

Let's see what happens.

Gives it up to the little guy, back to the big guy.

And that was a fun combination.

A lodger picks his five seven.

Derrick Favors is six nine and back and forth they win.

They got us maybe a push up kick really pushed him below the knee.

All right Roger picks up the off the bench.

I think he's giving us South Carolina lift five in and four in and four out for Westover Go up to eight yard Who's in there shoot green One of them parents No of course back in it just a jump ball there and it will go south Atlanta's way where maybe we have a little confusion on the referee.

Want to have jump ball and he's going to rule the day 46, 33 for 43 left in this triple championship game favors double team to tip the team underneath and there's another turnover and this loss over a team just hangs in there nobody around the shoelaces he put it down on the floor.

They've got to come up with it.

Well, coaches will tell you that third quarter.

What did I say if they lost that one out of bounds, had a couple of opportunities to take it away here.

Well, that's easy.

Just the lob so simple, it's hard to miss.

Westover Good defensive work.

It was over on that one.

The Patriots battling right in the paint with the big guys South Atlanta settling on it to three the stand underneath and play the perimeter tough wanting to make Westover shoot for the outside Got to call that one don't it But they're going to give him two anyhow read with the banker all of a sudden it's an 11 point game.

Westover Just hanging in there in this third quarter walk.

Well south.

Well, just try to force things a little.

Yeah, it might be time to try to get the ball and we are back soon, clutching an herb white line for your father.

Well, make it Metroplex South Atlanta 46 to 35 so far.

Your impressions for this is still a ball game and leftovers done what they've had to do Yeah they've gotten some good play off the bench from mountain sap and Kinsey Breedlove brains giving them some good minutes and.

Well they've had a couple of steals that they didn't quite come up with.

They had a couple threes that went down and then so this could have been a lot closer than it is.

But we still got us a good ball game and they're great at moving their feet and creating the turnovers and they decided at the moment to go south.

Atlanta continues with the full court press.

He could do that, but he got a six guy guy back on the back line ready to block it.

So we got it's going to be turnover South Atlanta's way.

But I mean, you got to know who's coming behind.

You didn't pay attention and he lost that lane.

Full court pressure for both teams, as Westover knows, they have to do that way up for the ball rebounders.

Malone and turnovers and it's turned around.

It was 9 to 3 in favor of South Atlanta at one time.

So West over done a good job of stepping up the defensive pressure and creating some turnovers, as you mentioned, trying to go inside defenders.

Let's see if they still trying to do it double and triple team they're not there so the bring it back out.

It's outside.

They're just trying to work itself inside.

Malone Trying drive added favors they want to punch still nothing there long three pointer no good slow to the rim but South Carolina is going to get a push off underneath Tennessee who they call that on the nose on the left Westover is going to get the ball good defensive sequence for West over there kept favors from getting the ball and when he did, he had to give it up and they didn't get a good look at the hoop.

Somebody's got to be open.

This Westover team is a small team.

They don't have aa64.

You're going against a team that has six, three, six, eight, six, 965.

They have six five, six, nine six in the starting lineup.

And you're looking at this game close whatsoever way outside and see the dozer that's green with the long three pointer and this is as close as we've been for an awfully long time we've got an eight point game now.

Look to see how South Atlanta handles this, See if they start to press them a little bit.

We're glad you're with us on GPB as we have traditionally the last few years.

But you the last game and they've been pretty good ones and this one no different what looked like it would be a lot of an open match.

Has it been a terrific basketball game?

Westover saying prove it to us.

Coming out, pressuring the ball, just doing a great job.

And there you go.

A little frustration, favors showing a little frustration on his face.

Now Westover comes down and get to the bucket here.

There's no telling what's going to happen if we go into the fourth quarter at this stage, just like it is now, because This Westover team has shown a lot of guts and courage, but they've done it with defense in this half.

They've really stepped it up, haven't given the dunks and the offensive rebounds they were giving up earlier in the game.

They've got some numbers right here trying to get to the hole.

That's tough to do.

Davis doesn't leave his feet, but gets the block.

And leading the way is with Watkins up and good he finishes nice play good job and not fouling Westover try to give it a little composure half court pressure that's working right now for south Atlanta.

Bodies flying all over the place favors just scores a chance.

Good job by the big guy up shot green trying to take it right at the big guy and he did the favor stood his ground Smart play through the charge less than two to go this third quarter three eight championship basketball.

What a game we've had.

Westover came in at 31 and six south Atlanta at 28 and three.

As we've mentioned, it has been out of the state teams that they have lost.

To the remind you for complete coverage of the state GHC basketball championships to find out how to support sports programing on GPB, simply go to GPB dot org slash basketball.

For more shots, Atlanta going for that title drive in a dream season.

And right now see what we have there.

Is it going to be offensive all.

Yeah I think it's set the block giving up a block so shot Jackson trying to draw that towards that point he turned his body a little sideways.

You got to keep squared up to get that Trier charged off the block.

Is that the line for the South Atlanta team?

Back to back games for kids?

This may be tough at all.

Watkins With a solid game ice coach at the line for the South Park.

There's that pressure keep waiting for the south Atlanta team to have that run to break it over that open.

But so far West has just hung in there but shot they're going to go the other way.

Rebounding, leading the way is.

Michael Carter for the big guy up there, there's a three pointer or at least the possibility of one.

Nice break.

There you see favors, ability to get out and fill that lane at six foot nine and put the ball softly off the glass while getting bumped.

The Westover is having some opportunities against this press because South Atlanta has four players, you know, in the forecourt here.

So, I mean they can get past that initial wave they did a moment ago.

They had three on one.

They didn't convert.

So they've got to make that first pass a good one.

And they got a chance to score against the South.

Atlanta pressure that off.

So a 14 point game feels a lot closer to that because the way Westover has portrayed it to that's a block and that is a foul They're referring with the hip oh good game plan after west over is feeling pretty good about what they've been able to do but they're still 14 down south Atlanta trying to trap in that zone defense just about a minute left in this third quarter.

What?

Oh, my goodness.

Tremendous by T.J.. No, that's the shot of the evening so far by TJ.

No left and dipsy doodle around the pick at four point game.

He gives you a little momentum going into the final fourth quarter.

Let's see what South Atlantic could do in this last minute of the game.

At least third quarter stop and pop.

Nicely done by the clock and a 16.4 game score.

And he's doing a nice job keeping the ball in the control box.

And he dug deep in for that last shot, tapped it up, tap it in the chip Jackson with the big hoop.

That was a big whoop.

20 seconds left Don't foul big guy trying to get something going again.

Nope trying to go for that last shot You have fake with ten left to the hole No rebound up on.

He's all over the place.

It's good it's Watkins gets it just before the half This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station.

And we are back 5642 boys, state three a championship and some pretty good basketball played at this level over the last few years.

Stu, do you feel like, oh yeah, those are some great games.

We had the opportunity call a lot of those and do some wonderful things, wonderful players like every year that you feel like they've kept sabers somewhat under control.

Tonight, not let him.

He has had a quiet game or so you would think.

He's had a quiet 25.14 rebounds and four blocks and got a quarter to go.

But Westover has done what they wanted to do.

They're still in the ball game at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

South Atlanta still with that back court pressure and the first few moments of this fourth quarter, we'll be telling Percy's second.

So it looks good all the way.

There's another block tip in and let's see, we've got to balance it.

Is it on the big guy that Rashad Green battling in there on the boards, managed to get the rebound and get fouled Couldn't get it to go down but he's got some hops at about six foot tall.

I will say this about Westover.

They have not been intimidated down low.

I mean, they've got they've gotten their share of shots blocked, but they're going back at the big guys first went up and off and this team has been so effective at the foul line, certainly needs them in this fourth quarter.

Every possession is going to be big for West for sure from here on out.

So make the free throws, get good looks at the hoop with the second up and no good favors with the rebound.

I guess that's his fifth team.

So West over continuing to put the pressure.

But this might be trouble because it's man to man and there's only one guy on stage and there you see what's going to happen Oh, that's impressive.

Get the rebound right into the basket.

Take it back up for two west over players.

That's watch it here.

You got to rest over players right on it.

It's not bad.

And you know he was single coverage.

You could see it coming down for a while and that got his trouble with this big guy.

So.

Well, it's one thing to be able to go up and duck the ball.

It's another thing to be able to go up and dunk the ball with people hanging on.

Yeah.

And that's what he has the ability to do.

And you brought up a great point in the first quarter.

This kid's going to put on 15, 20 more pounds of muscle and it's going to be just that much stronger for Georgia Tech and the Yellow Jackets next year.

And all of a sudden he got a 17 point ballgame wide open underneath, intimidated, then try to get it up a little too quickly.

And who can blame him?

Well, I'm going to say just watch favorites.

All right.

The rest of the side underneath, because he's now got single coverage and that's trouble.

And if Andre Malone starts getting his act together, it could be tougher.

And there we go.

All of a sudden we were saying the game and it's it's a 19 point explosion.

But yeah, I mean, Westover is trying everything they can.

They're scrambling now and south Atlanta just spread the floor and using their athletic ability and when they miss a shot, you have favors there to get the rebound.

So Coach Smith said to take a timeout, see if they can regroup a little bit.

A timeout.

And I don't know what you Tell him here, though.

Keep going.

Keep doing what you're doing.

Doing what you're doing.

Don't give up.

You got too good of a season, too long of the season to give up.

Now just hang in there, but keep your heads.

Let's take a look at some of the scores from earlier games.

Of course, Atlanta over West Georgia, 30 to 40.

That was in the adaptive sports wheelchair game we've been bringing to you for six years.

Great athletes there to set limits all the time.

The winner of over Fayette County finals yesterday.

These are all girls, great players that we've see, girls basketball.

Miller drove a big time winner over Tucker by 18.

What did I mention?

Impressive against a very good guy.

I got to tell you, we all know.

I know.

Wheeler keeps out, finishes going good.

That was a blow out west led by 40 And we'll turn out the scores as we continue to watch this fourth quarter.

But all in all, as we go on, I'm always impressed to talk to basketball, high school basketball.

Yeah.

You always see some teams that you'd like to see matchup against each other in the different classifications after you've called so many games through.

It's it's it's true.

I'd love to see this Wheeler squad with Eric Stewart and Richard Howard go up against this team South Atlanta Nick Rockets takes it in and a bit of a hard foul there and they're going to sponge work on that one one football they did go for the ball.

For the ball.

It went so hard they called it.

But Richard Howell at 618, Harry Stewart in about six seven and a good leaper would have been a good matchup with this front line of South Atlanta.

And you know, Howard, for a while there back in I think it was the seventies Georgia did have an all classic play the regular tournament and then the four winners of those tournaments would play each other and it was pretty popular event here at Watkins with the second Yeah I'd like to see him against that little team.

I think they get everything they wanted one second one is good and it is a 21 point game.

Yeah I've been reading in Southwest.

It can't be a match up in girls basketball.

I'd like to see as well.

Indiana State still.

Well they did have the all classification.

They may have changed that now I am not sure but it'd be nice if year in and year out there'd be some kind of flexibility that you'd be able to have played catch ups in Georgia between the classes underneath to the big guy.

And it's not easy.

I mean, we total now at 31 or 32, whatever.

I'm talking about dunks or dunks.

We may pass 11, maybe My original 14 is for the money.

Well, I'll tell you what, when he talks, it's it's way over the rim.

And this was a game for three and a half quarters, a little less than three and a half quarters.

And Westover did everything they could to keep this just to see that last stuff.

Here we go.

And that puts favors, I think, at about 31, 32 points for the evening.

I will tell you who a guy that favors reminds me of in high school and college, and he'll probably be a better player than this guy.

What do you remember Roy Tarpley of Michigan?

Oh yeah, it must be a lot of Roy Tarpley.

Big law.

Tarpley was a good player, outside shooter favors 30 points, 17 rebounds, four blocks and again all of his shots have come within the offense he has, I have to say he has taken a bad shot all night.

Well if you do it, if you did a shot on him I don't think he'd take a shot beyond five feet.

But we knew it was going to be a load for this west over team with nobody over six for and Greg Green looks like he might play a little defensive he's leads the team in tackle so far this basketball season there's no doubt about it he's just that young man not afraid to contact going long term loans that he goes out Orlando Stevens a senior you fly and Westover controls so if you came to see a show you're seeing him right.

So we're trying to begin putting through the effort.

Six more minutes to go in this game.

You get a close look at this kid, Georgia Tech.

You get to see him grow only for a year.

Hopefully.

I was going to try to scare some tech people and say he was reconsidering his commit, but that would have been just a wild rumor.

So I'm not going to say it looks really good at the first one, though because they'll blame it on me.

Everything you say after these games, they always blame on me.

Second one up, second one.

Good, right?

You always put me up to it.

Sharp Atlanta pressure that they have in the entire game but handling it well.

Well there's a lot of teams in the country this thing with a beat by 30 or 40 and west over scrapping right down and then coming up with another turnover.

Nice play.

Well done.

Well finish the shot Green shot.

Great is right And the shot Green is just a sophomore.

So he's getting a lot of great experience in this championship game.

Well, the turnover at West Elm doing exactly what what I said there with it.

Keep your head up.

Keep going.

Step right.

Yeah.

Took a look at Derrick Favors before he went up for that one.

And he lost the baseline, caught between 95 feet and a lot of underclassmen on this Westover team.

They got a lot of sophomores and juniors on this club, so expect to see them playing some good ball down the road as well.

From behind Cardinal Sin Westover gets the ball.

I've got to tell him.

He's got a man coming from behind and they're letting him play a little physical ball.

Three pointer off the control by this South Atlanta team could have drop that three and it would have been a five possession game ever.

Let me ask you something.

You said three possession game.

You said five assists.

And how much did you go up when you get a lead like this, you're third down by 18 and you say it's a six possession game with 2 minutes to go, I'm going to hit in the head.

Okay, I can go two possession game, I go even three.

You get a five possession game.

That's a stretch.

That's just saying you got 5 minutes to go and five possessions.

That doesn't sound like that much, right?

I love you.

Thank you.

Derek Murray will be at the line.

Exactly.

No back's been to lots of arts and it is good, fun game to do.

I was interested in seeing a favors in person and he lived up in the hills, no doubt about that.

Well, he said it not forcing a thing.

Yeah, that's what's impressive about the young man.

He just.

He busts his tail on the board he gets defensive rebounds, he block shots and he goes to the offensive board and gets a lot of points there.

And then when they do get him the ball down low, if he gets the double team, a triple team and kicks it to somebody else, he's just a good all around player, a smart player and unselfish player.

And when you're six, nine and multi-talented, those are great combinations.

South Atlanta continues to put on the full court press with just a second over 5 minutes left in what's been another exciting season, as always, with tremendous talent in the state of Georgia, if you recruit the best players out of Georgia, get two or three of them a year, you're going to be in business at the collegiate level.

Well, don't forget my more.

We talk about the guys all the time, but you talk about a basketball player and I'm in my mind she's the best all around player, male or female, that's come of Georgia, maybe ever as far as what she could do on the basketball court for the team, we got to do her game.

And you're I'm with you.

She's the most impressive high school player I've seen and that that it that's quite how to win the game in there South Atlanta with control up by 19 try to complete a terrific season Davis's try to show you a little rain Oh man Well I was about to say we haven't seen his range from 15, 18 feet, but we have found that was.

So we've just got time to go for 40.

Is he hooked at low now?

It's just going to be up and down.

And who can lay the ball up easy?

He's he's going to go for there's a whole you got to be a little careful right now.

You ain't get a little out of control and whatever.

He doesn't want to be embarrassed.

And if you start trying to embarrass somebody by running up the score, they're going to give you a hard foul.

So we'll take it easy, fellas.

Take it easy.

Referee's call probably a little tighter down the stretch, then.

Rightfully so.

Derrick Favors only with 32.17 rebounds four blocks in serving dinner after the game.

Coach Just sit down, Michael.

Let a coach run it.

Just saying, you know what?

I got to get myself a state and national championship.

Well, I you what is gaining the wall decides to stay at Georgia Tech another six nine player from Georgia who's a heck of a player led this SCC and rebound in this year and you put him out there with Derrick Favors that's going to be a heck of a front line all you had a tough season no doubt this year but some talent returning and certainly this kid this kid is going to be great at the next level.

Well, you figured Derrick probably would have gone two years ago and he gone straight to the NBA.

So with the new rule by the NBA that you can't take high school seniors, that kept them in in the college ranks.

Backcourt pressure by Westover.

It's been that way all game long and this is what has happened broken in south Atlanta has up no good big guy there for another rebound Another point I told you he's going to he's going to have a 40 point night.

Impressive.

Just under four to go with this three eight championship.

So good to have you with us once again.

Westover Well, up for the three, that's it's pretty much a state game now.

The guy with another rebound, no chance footwork to step over Westover as players and they're still running and looking for the pull up jumper.

Wow, Nice.

Nick Watkins He's got a nice looking stroke with that south South Park shot.

He's had a couple of times, pulled up and got it.

Still looking for the turnovers, but a little footwork there that blockers would have been there just a half step quicker to the draw.

The charge was right.

And if you are Westover, these are the longest 3 minutes of 20 seconds of your season, which has been a great season, has been a great season.

All the teams that lost in the championship finals, it's tough to look at it, you know, a few minutes after the game, few weeks after the game, but a few years down the road, you're always going to be proud that your team got to the state championship because there's only two of them that do it every year and you were one of them.

And probably going to look at Derrick Favors play and in the years to come and say, Hey, I battled that guy right down to the wire.

But a lot of stories fans just say get dunked over here by the teams.

The second one is good.

Westover Continue to put the pressure continuing the effort and there's a turnover.

Great job by West over trapping over there in the halfcourt corner.

Watkins with a little bit of a walk south Atlanta continuing to press settle down by west over they backed out of that 230 and that has worked What are they not afraid of?

The big guys is going to show us some ball handling skills as he brings it up the floor stepped on the in-line favors pretty good field goal percentage 15 for 21 from the field.

You only wonder how he missed six.

Well he missed one dunk early on.

He's about three feet over the basket.

Coach Reddick probably thinking about bringing in some subs and giving this guy some ovations fairly soon as it is a 20 point game under three to go.

Wow.

Three pointer far in a row for West over as Steph gets the 317 point ballgame with that keeps you guys on the bench a little longer here looking for the ball right now we've for fun the ball so let it come up within a minute Give the guys a break Time out south Atlanta as they are up by 17 and head for Detroit six possession did don't do it Don't do it.

Well here's the road to the championship for south Atlanta and 40 just look at those scores 3333 close game last night and it will be a fairly close game tonight.

Pretty impressive.

Columbia, one of the great programs, of course, in Georgia's turn in the state finals and won some championships in the last few years and always putting out some great players and again Westover within 17 points with 228 to go and South Atlanta is not called off the dogs they've continued to play hard West over some tighter games, especially last night over Gainesville too to get here.

But an equally smart effort wise impressive team deep and never gave up and still are not giving up.

I like to talk we always get the closest championships anything stand out to me this year is different than other years.

It's just good all around town.

Derrick Favors as you know there's interesting in the Atlanta at the Gwinnett County Arena with the game program and I wish I had one in front of me because they were talking about the all time Georgia greatest players in Georgia.

And it was a pretty good article in there written by Jay Rosenberg's guys over there.

It scored Atlanta.

And while Frazier was in there, of course, a lot of people don't remember Walt, who played in the old Georgia Interscholastic Association, which was actually the African-American High School league before integration.

67 was the first year of integration in Georgia.

And before that, there was a black high school league and a white high school league and a lot of great players, football, basketball, track players in that league.

I might as well go ahead and tell you I've been working for the last year and a half on a documentary to honor and recognize the coaches, athletes and players that league.

And it's going to be a great thing.

A lot of folks that didn't get the recognition years and years ago that deserve it.

And hopefully we're going to get that terrific look forward to What's it what should that be ready?

Oh, just look for the next year and a half or so.

All right.

Favors with a another rebound and putting up just some over the top numbers as he has all season.

Try to run this clock out pick Watkins up control over the big guy Michael Carter to the other good guy.

Let's see what he's going to do he's got to be close to on if he's not there already.

Jeff Malone, the guy from we mentioned a while ago from that great Southwest team was on that list of great players.

Whoa.

Well, spectacular Grand slam by Christine Etheridge.

Excuse me.

They want to slam Brandon Corey.

Let's see.

That one's worth watching again.

Let's see what's that's worthy of her.

That's right.

There we go.

Slam of the evening.

What more?

Where do they average?

38 points, 20 rebounds.

Quite impressive night for the young man.

Well, it's it's been quite an impressive season, excellent career for this team.

Dwight Howard was on that list I'm talking about who else Howard Ronnie Jeff Maloney mixing and Dale Ellis sharpshooter from Marietta.

That's two way back.

He averaged 27 a game in the NBA one year.

Shareef was an honorable mention for a series for him.

I think three Rollins was on that list as well.

Teresa Edwards for the females, a great Georgia player.

Yeah.

I mean, when you start the list, you can go on all night long, no more Smith was one of the all time great shot blockers from Georgia down around to make an area play Kentucky State I believe seven footer is it Kentucky State or Morehead or Moorhead's in Kentucky?

So leave it alone.

Okay.

Details.

South tries to take care of the final details of their state championship.

But the main thing is Georgia Public Broadcasting has brought another great year of high school sports and we'll be doing it again next year and next year and next year.

Hope to be part of the favors with the reach around and it might be time to get close to getting the big game innovation he he deserves.

What a career it has been.

There is no give up in this quest.

Everything go into the hole still competing.

I'm going to have to compose a highlight reel.

Yeah.

Got years and years and years of tapes over there.

Georgia Public Broadcasting to maybe a slam dunk tape.

I mean, we have got some highlights that we can show.

And here's another one.

Over the years, I have I've seen them and I have been around as long as you have.

It has been a tough test.

Took Murray to go to the line and substitutions and you should hear an ovation for one of the best high school players ever to play in the state of Georgia.

Derrick Favors being taken out.

What a nice with hug from Michael Reddick, his coach.

And I just it just looks like a great young man.

There's his points again, 38 points, ten rebounds, four blocks.

And again, not a bad shot in the lot.

Does what a big man supposed to do.

He rebounds, he blocked shots and he takes good shots around the hoop.

We saw his jump shot.

He's got an excellent shot he brings the ball up the floor.

But you know, he plays within the team and that's probably the nicest thing you can say about his game.

Oh, also, he doesn't get to handle the ball off guards, too, So but still, yeah, you're absolutely right.

He doesn't just get frustrated, doesn't hold his hand up, always looking for the ball.

Terrific play.

I haven't seen him whine or question of what referees call.

He's taken some licks tonight as he's gone to the basket and didn't get the call but never once looked at the officials.

I'm guessing he's pretty upset this season.

Steal, stealing back over to west over goes it's about the final score now hard foul there whatsoever go to the foul line with Chris Williams going to go put his name on the record puts this a big guy on the sidelines again you wonder all those great players coming out of that south Atlanta neighborhood in the last few years and then they keep doing it well south Atlanta's got some more got some young players, as you mentioned, coming back next year.

But the more big guys go make this Jacob Sanders South Atlanta team.

Let's see how develops.

He will certainly grow but he can be bigger by the time it's all said and done.

And Andre Malone takes a seat on the court in 28 game this year.

Just south Atlanta, going to Auburn usually has unlimited range.

Had a tough night tonight could still happen so what his state high school championship boy he's a good looking six foot five strong guard up and good look that's got a minute to go in this triple-A high school basketball championship.

Back to the line we go another good time here.

And don't forget, you can tune in next year and see all the highlight from this year.

And we're going to have a endless reel of those show you next year.

So yeah, boy, we've been doing it all the last two days up and good.

Yeah.

I mean, if you're a high school hoops fan, it just doesn't get any better than what you have right here in the state of Georgia.

Right.

Just unbelievable the amount of talent.

You know, we've said it so many times, but they just keep coming and coming and coming.

And it's been that way for many, many years.

It's not a recent Derrick.

We're getting a couple of hugs as he comes off the court.

That court pressure does it all game as well.

Keep it up, I guess.

Westover Trying to get a good shot to end this game and it has been an interesting year.

Give Westover a lot of credit as they count it out a way Oh side for the three pointer south Atlanta trying to add a little more for their lead And another guy you mentioned about a minute ago, a guy that was on that list that I didn't mention of all time.

Great players going way back.

Mike Mitchell played at twice high school in Atlanta and went on to a great NBA career, you know, average in the mid twenties, several years, played for San Antonio and several other teams in the NBA and just a great, great player.

How in the world did you miss that list, Lester?

I think they went back that well.

Well Frazier I guess the what to him offensive charge just a combination of a tremendous season for this Southlake team for South Atlanta to realize they were ranked nationally they had only lost three games coming into today and this evening they showed you why they are one of the best anywhere.

Well and west over upholding that tradition of fine basketball teams coming out at Albany because they had given South Atlanta all you could ask for and they just didn't have the size to really compete inside.

That's been the difference in this ballgame close that was two guys struck it over a little guy Look at it still hustle Booker I'm still going at it with 9 seconds left in this three eight game Again, our pleasure to bring it to you on TV.

What a season it has been as we count it down to the boys three eight championship.

Westover Trying to bring the ball up and maybe get one more hoop.

So it's all over.

Let's give this crowd as the ball goes in, they count it down and there it is, one of the best teams you'll ever see in high school basketball anywhere has.

Won the three way basketball championship.

That's one of the best ever.

Derrick Favors almost 40 points south Atlanta, 81 This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station on 8162, your final.

Let's go to Eric Hunter courtside and coach south Atlanta state champs.

What does that mean to you, this team and the student body is a great, great honor.

The guys I have is a special group of guys and worked really hard from the beginning.

You know, my wife, Deborah, allows me to come out here and put the time and energy into it and my family.

But with this special group of guys and the work that they put into it, nothing else would have been fitting for them to have a great player like Derrick Favors and other great players like Nick Watkins and Andre Malone and the senior class that had just a special moment, special feeling go out and the community who will get behind us and supported us.

You've worked so hard over all these years at South Atlanta to build this program into a state champ.

It's got to feel great personally.

Yeah, well, been here before and didn't get it?

But this time we took it home.

Great group of guys will enjoy this one.

Great job, Coach.

Congratulations.

Still, we have our final state champ of the season.

There they are, the South, Atlanta Hornets.

They deserve it.

We're back with more right here on GPB.

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