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And by Powerade, fly from the Alexander Memorial Coliseum in downtown Atlanta.

It's the girls for basketball state championship, Mays taking on Hephzibah.

And welcome, everybody, to our live coverage here on TV of the former girls basketball championship.

This is the beginning of ten games over two days.

We have for today the four and five Boys Girls championships.

Then tomorrow, the single double and triple AA championships.

Live from Macon beginning at 11:00.

But first up, it's Mays.

It's Hephzibah.

Chris Carter and Bobak have to have the call for you guys.

Hey, thanks, Jim.

Bo, you've covered high school sports in this state now for over 30 years and you've seen it all.

One thing we know for sure, we'll see this afternoon, somebody's dreams come true here tonight when Mays and Hephzibah zip it up.

Well, Hephzibah, a 29 and for their young, they're youthful.

They don't know any better.

In fact, their coach was saying they don't even know where the heck they are.

They don't know how the significance of this game.

They've been just an excellent club throughout the year.

Meanwhile, Mays has got their senior leadership and they've got some size in this game.

So it's a really intriguing matchup.

Let's take a look at some of the star power on both of these teams, a lot of it.

And Chloe Jones, a senior for Mays, averaging 15 points.

There you see it, five assists and four steals.

So well, she is not only the senior leadership, but she gets it done scoring defensively and distributing the ball as well.

Another star player for Mays High School, Megan Collier.

There you see 12 points and eight rebounds and contributing with six steals a game to bowl.

So she gets it done on the defensive side as well.

Well, they've got some quickness, but not as quick as Hephzibah.

No, not as quick as Hephzibah.

There you see the starting lineup for Mayes, Collier, Konya, Thomas Jones and Gartrell.

Three seniors in the mix there and a couple of freshmen for coach Oliver Banks who is coaching this team to the finals.

First time since 1993.

Mays has made their way to the state finals.

And there you have a good look at Coach Banks, who has done a fantastic job in his 12th year at Mays, guiding this team to the state finals.

As I mentioned, hadn't been here since 1993, had he been to the state playoffs since 93?

Hephzibah.

No exception when you talk about star players as well and the twins, we'll start with Jacqueline Nelson.

12 points, seven rebounds.

And it's really an inside out game when you talk about the Nelson Twins.

You have Jacqueline who likes to go inside and then you have her twin sister, Joycelyn Nelson, who likes to take it outside despite the two blocks and nine boards per game, 13 points.

She's one of their big three point shooting stars as well.

Bo and the twins are both juniors and they're both 510.

Chris Unbelievable.

And they're going to need that height against this big base team.

You see it 510, Nelson Twins and then Drayton as well at 510.

And then you go down to Murray and Terry as well.

Look how young they are, juniors and sophomores in the starting lineup, not a senior to be found.

Belle And that's what Coach was saying.

He said just the yeah, there you see Wendell often right now he's been there at Hephzibah for 33 years, so he's seen a lot, that's for sure.

He certainly has.

And he took this team all the way to the state finals last year before getting upset by Glen Hills.

And now they're looking for retribution this year.

But without a doubt, this is their window.

This is the window of opportunity.

And he knows he's got a young team.

But as he told me, he said, these kids don't seem to realize how big this game is.

You know what?

He's every single game I've seen coming up to this point, it just seems like in from hearing what he has said, boy, this team takes it to a new level when they have to.

He's even been surprised throughout the state playoffs that and the year is supposed to rebuild.

They've been able to get it this far.

Let's send it to the P.A.. ANNOUNCER For today's starting lineups.

My name is dangerous.

Daryn Fears today it's the Georgia High School Association State.

A girls the championship game between the Maze, High School Lady Raiders and the Hephzibah High School.

Lady Rebels.

Now for your starting lineups.

First for the visiting lady Raiders from Meigs High School starting at guard number three, Chloe Jones at guard number 24.

Nikita Guard Trill at forward number 11.

Megan Collier at forward number 34.

Nikita Thomas and a center number 50.

Ramona Ocho Yeah, the Lady Raiders Head coach.

Mr. Oliver Banks Junior now for the Home Lady Rebels from Hephzibah High School starting at Four-Way Number 54.

Jacqueline Nelson at forward number 55.

Joycelyn Nelson at center number 52.

Tiffany Drayton That guy, number 23.

Lacroix Terry and that guard, number 11, the Shantel.

Murray, the Lady Rebels head coach, Mr. Wendell Lofton.

Your officials, Mike Oglesby, Randy Oglesby and Mr. Duane Gribble.

All right, there you have it.

Both should be an unbelievable game.

Mase and Hephzibah for the Girls Quoddy State Championship.

Coming up right here on TV.

You don't want to miss a broadcast of GHC.

Basketball on TV is made possible in part by the following corporate partners.

You're watching the GHC Basketball State Championships on TV.

And welcome back to our Memorial Coliseum, the Maze Raiders, and hence the Ball Rebels set to do battle the girls for a state championship game.

Before we go any further, let's send it to our courtside.

Phil Proctor's got something for us.

Phil Hey, thanks, Chris.

I had a chance to talk to both coaches real quickly.

Both coaches say their teams are very loose.

The hips of the coach was down to concern.

This is a big game.

He got to realize his kids don't really understand it.

On the other side, Mays came in.

They walked, had a walk through this morning very loose and they ready to go.

Back to you guys.

All right.

Thanks, Bill and Bo.

We're going to find out here quickly which team is looser, which team feels a little bit tight plan for the state championship as we're about to tip it up?

Well, I think we have to see if Mayes is able to take an early lead here with their experience.

Chris, the fact that they are as loose and Hephzibah as the coach coaches, these kids are dauntless.

Yeah, they have no idea because they haven't been there before yet.

They've been able to carry that all the way through, though, to the state championship game.

And Hephzibah wins the tip.

It is controlled by Chantelle Murray springs up but takes a long shot.

It's an airball.

Hephzibah gets the rebound, though.

He sets it well.

She went out of bounds.

It's going to be Mayes ball.

So there you see some jitters right away, Bo.

The airball and the quick turnover.

Well, at least she knew what she wanted to do.

She wanted to take that shot.

And that was Chantelle murray with the shot.

The key to Gartrell brings it up for Mayes.

Mayes working the perimeter right now, looking to get an inside ball at the but does a great job with the zone.

You see how active they are and they're trying to take away that post.

Chloe Jones, the big scorer for Mayes with the first bucket of the game, a three pointer, Mayes with the early lead pull up pressure from Mayes.

That's it.

That does a good job of breaking the pressure.

Epsom is a quick team ball and there's almost a turnover but Henson keeps possession trying to get it inside.

Now and another turnover ball so already two turnovers on their first two possessions perhaps a ball Chantelle murray with a pretty good entry pass there that should have been handled by the big girl That was Tiffany Drayton to let it go out of bounds.

They see the key to Gartrell, bringing it up for Mayes, setting up the offense, getting it down low.

You with the shot in the miss.

I think we've got a front that big girl has said for Mayes.

That's Ramona Iconia.

Oh, nice look nice look shot so Murray hitting Tiffany Drayton for the bucket.

It's three two Mayes with the lead turnover right there.

It goes back to Hephzibah.

I think we might be seeing a little bit of jittery nerves here, but it is expected here in the state finals.

Definitely.

Let's now come with a little bit of a cursory pressure from Mayes.

No full quote right it all.

But just to give them different looks in that full court situation, Mayes almost came up with it.

Couldn't quite keep it in bounds, though.

And it does go back to Hephzibah Joycelyn Nelson, one half of the Nelson twins going to bring it in bounds for Hephzibah back up top for Megan Kelly and she'll set it up for I should say I shouldn't tell Mary Mae's in the Girl.

The girl defense had the backdoor, actually Laconia, Terry had the back door and then she she broke back out of it.

The drill teammate Yeah, yeah.

So both teams trying to get settled in here in the early going.

It's been difficult, as you might expect, the nerves weighing on him.

But Mayes looks like both They're going to going to run this a very simple offense just around the perimeter, trying to get it inside to Laconia.

They've got both girls on the blocks and that's a pretty good entry pass as well.

The moving of feet in there.

Nikita Thomas couldn't quite gather it in, but you see the height already for Mayes.

The key to Thomas coming in at six two from Ohio, Konya at six one.

They bring a lot of size inside.

Coach left hand doing a good job with his defense.

They really react well.

Nice night and cleaning it up is Boise White her first bucket of the game.

Kris, we're seeing a little peek through here from Hephzibah.

They had the backdoor before they missed the pass.

Did that play with the backdoor play backdoor cut to the point guard to very much like what you got, Princeton.

That's the ball with their first lead of the game now at 430 Nikki to go throw at the penetration but it gets blocked she gets it back go for Mayes Oh that's a nice entry pass though Couldn't quite convert and Hephzibah picks it up and starts the other way.

Jaclyn Nelson handling it She's 510.

She says oh, that was her with the block at the other end.

Well, and she's with the shine.

And finally for the forward is the mono Konya for Mayes.

And you can see neither one of these teams.

Now, Hetzel was shooting two for four, so not bad.

All things considered.

Go for Mayes, with the exception of the 13. shot by Chloe Jones, have been able to get on track.

So that's what they're giving.

They're giving them the perimeter and trying to take away the pose.

Now they're in a high, low situation for the key to the guardrail has a shot blocked by liquid.

Terry and Hephzibah brings it up and they run it down the court.

Nice cagey move right there by shot.

So Mary Flurry going to Louisville.

Switch off of that Warren Well the junior with the hey, that's a great move for a point guard if you can get away with it.

You know, you see it at every level.

The key to go throw with the ball.

She's got a great handle, tall, rangy point guard.

She really runs the show and she's a freshman Beau.

And you see at any level when you have a freshman point guard, that's amazing.

It's a five second call here, though.

So timeout.

I'm sorry.

Timeout by Mays.

Obviously Bowa, with the exception of that 13. shot, they have not been able to get things going on offense.

They think in their offensive sets and that's why coach Oliver Banks called the timeout, seeming to help them out a little bit here.

They've shown some semblance of going high low post and then they they break out of it and I think they're trying to get the ball to Ramona Konya and she's a61 senior it seems like Tiffany Drayton for Shoe White.

The Nelson twins have really collapsed when they do finally get the ball inside to a call.

Yes, I just have not been able to get a bucket to see how Hephzibah has been able to make it to the finals wins over Pembroke, Columbus, Kendrick and then Ridgeland just the other day by a wide margin to get here.

Bo Johnson did a great job.

They really come together late in the year.

And as we mentioned in the opening, Wendell Lofton has done a fantastic job coaching this team of all underclassmen.

Mays continues to work at around the perimeter, Gartrell to Collier, over to Chloe Jones in the corner, the senior Jones trying to take it upon herself to get this team going.

Can't do it.

And Hephzibah breaks out.

Nice lob is one to look Chantelle murray the star of the game so far ball with the look to Jacqueline Nelson in the easy bucket in transition Look away this she knew exactly where she was and you know that's the thing about a point good basketball is an anticipation game.

There's a point but you have to have that.

She knew she was going to be there.

Just put her in the peripheral vision and dish the rock.

Megan Collier With the open look, you can't seem to knock it down.

That's the ball, brings it out and settles it down.

They're up 8 to 3.

Just want to set things up now on the offensive side, that was Tiffany Drayton losing the ball and Chloe Jones comes out of there with it.

For Mays that's it the gets the in on everything don't they very quick steals all over the place now Mays has it all in a nice move to the bat It's the bucket by Megan Taylor but she can't put it home.

Well, just a little bit.

I'm worried that she just went just drove underneath her there and took away her.

Her focus seems to be a lid on that bucket for Mays, Tennessee to put one home.

Four turnovers for Mays, three for Hephzibah.

To this point, it's Jacqueline Nelson in the corner and officials time out here.

Looks like it's the player Terry who might have taken an elbow in the eye socket fell down Charlotte Styles replacing her in the lineup so we'll hopefully the is all right we'll get an update on her status here shortly that's the ball missed a shot but they got the board they're crashing the board both they're very quick they're making this happen.

Look at how the backdoor play.

It's a nice backdoor play.

That's the ball right now.

In an eight oh run, Mays needs to get a bucket just to kind of quell the tide here a little bit, though, Right?

Getting that back with that quickness, the quick hands, you see him on the defensive end every time Mays thinks they have a shot, someone's getting in.

They're getting a hand in this nice look.

Joycelyn Nelson, a relatively great excuse and you saw him on O'Quinn you go for the steal on that one and she missed it Oh quick hands by Jacqueline Nelson and she's going to go in for the layup and that's the backboard right now using that quickness Unbelievable cross that coach Oliver Banks is thinking about time out here he's going to stay with it hopefully as point guard Oh nice move the bucket that's how you break a defense down if he did go 12.

Finally Mays gets back on the board.

Very classy freshman.

Then she's got to take over obviously.

And we're over 6 minutes dry spell Mays did without scoring a bucket.

They finally break that and they needed it.

That's the ball patient.

Now we're going to hold for the last shot.

Certainly going to work the offense and see where they go to here with about 8 seconds remaining on the clock.

You can't force a pass when you're in this situation.

They got a blocked ball right there on the sideline, fled.

They wanted to get out of that.

Obviously, Mays bailed them out.

Makita guard drill called for the foul, our first team's first foul as well.

Bo Double Bill Banks, 12 seconds to go.

Charlotte Styles took the bucket couldn't hit it but getting the rebound is Tiffany Drayton and she puts it in great position as we come to an end to the first quarter Bo and Hephzibah with a 14 to 5 lead over Mays.

We'll be back with more.

A high school girls state championship basketball after this.

On TV broadcast of USA Basketball.

On TV.

TV is made possible in part by the following corporate partners.

You're watching TV bringing you the best.

You're watching the GHC basketball state Championships on TV.

And welcome back to Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Hephzibah with a 14 to 5 lead over May's through one quarter.

And let's send it courtside to Phil Proctor.

Okay.

I went over during the break to find out about Latoya Terry.

She got poked in the eye, but she looked up at me.

She said she's okay and I think she's back in the game now.

I feel.

We appreciate it.

Chris Cotter and Beau Bob, get you set for the second quarter here, girls.

Quarter State basketball championship in the Maze Raiders, though, they have some work cut out there but the work cut out for them.

They got some work to do.

They're down 14 to 5 and look away.

Terry is not in the game yet.

Coach wants to hold around a little bit longer, show his style still in there for that was Chloe.

She's the main scorer.

Yeah, she's not shy about putting it up, but she's going to have to score if they want to get back in this thing.

That's the Nelson spins working it and blocked by a corner but Hephzibah keeps it and it's back out to Jaclyn Nelson up top That's a big really does a great job Chris of running their offense they you know we've seen a lot of easy baskets coming off enough of that bluff and a missed that time by Jaclyn Nelson and Mayes picks it up and off makes it makes amends by making the steal taking a coast to coast but missing a layup.

Very smart.

Pull it out, pull it down, settle like you set your offense long three pointer by shots run and another rebound This is three offensive rebounds make it four in this set But now we've got a jump ball and ball coming into the game.

We thought Mayes would really have it inside because of their size.

You know, Hephzibah would be able to use their quickness on the outside, but Hephzibah has been able to out rebound Mayes to this point, six two and five nine inside for Mayes oh Becky Nelson back inside the Joslyn and it's blocked that time by a colonia Megan Collier brings it out Lisa Hardy will bring it up that's been now and girl girl first time tonight I like the midnight zone Kristen Mayes couldn't figure it out.

No, not hitting from the perimeter, but coach wants to change it up.

Always a good idea to change it up.

Don't give him the same look every time down.

Well, when the Lofton has done that all year long, but as you said, 2 to 3.

The man, as long as they're aggressive it, it's going to be a turnover and Hephzibah is going to keep it.

The key to go drill dribbled it off her foot.

Yeah both Gartrell and Hardy that time on the perimeter so trying to make something happen but absent his defense just too much for him right now.

John Taylor Murray will bring it up for Hephzibah.

He set it up offensively.

Jaclyn Nelson with the miss from the outside and Mayes is running.

That's a nice play.

Very nice, pretty play.

The key is our trail with the bucket after Alisha Hardy made a nice pass over to her on the wing penetration and this kick it back out to spot it up and another turnover Baze is running by self-limited Allen and excellent for the boy but good hustle that time by negative value just to make a play on that making value Yeah a little bit of bumping the official's letting it go a little bit by the way Referee Michaels Oglesby, the umpires Randy Oglesby and Dwayne Gribble, Aaron Kelly coming into the game now for May.

She'll replace Felicia Hardy in there.

You can see a nice play right there by Charles Bucket and a Steal by Chloe Jones keeps it under control.

She's a senior.

It's one of us things too much get caught.

Get in the hands of her point guard and keep to guardrail tonight.

So nice play by Jacquelyn Nelson.

Boy, these two twins are something else.

They really are.

They're all over the court.

One, Tanya really doing a heck of a job inside.

You've got about three or four blocked so far in this game.

She's been a defensive presence, that's for sure.

Nikita Gartrell with the foul for Mayes.

Some of those are on the look out for the 67 That's and Terry coming back in the game but Hephzibah she a young lady if you remember her eye in that first quarter so and looks like she's all right that's the ball retains possession with good shot off the mark Mayes with the rebound 50 bucks trying to take it coast to coast looking for a trailer.

She's really going to be something that kid's only a freshman Jones for three off the mark and Chantelle murray pulls the board looks up court and gets it up Court Nice job of screening her side with Anthony Nelson.

Jaclyn Nelson with the Bucket Johnson Murray Great job of seeing the court ball Maye settling it down.

Important time for them right now both trailing 6 to 7 with three and a half left to go back and forth.

So now you see how quickly they double down any time they threaten to make the infamous entry pass into the big girl.

Ramona Antonio Yes, she has not been able to get the ball in good scoring positions though all game long.

It's been all on the perimeter here for Mayes.

So she's got to come across now and she's got it.

That's it.

You've got to present yourself to run the ball here.

It is.

Nice stuff for the handles.

She's tough to handle on that.

When a colonia takes it to the rack to guarding hers.

Portia White It just came into the game.

Perhaps the bird.

She's.

She's only a freshman.

Yeah.

She needs to assert itself down low right now.

At this point in the game.

That will Nelson back up top.

Great.

Look.

Great.

Look a foul being called on Ramona O'Connor.

She is a physical presence down the but you're not going to get an easy basket six one senior Wow that was hard foul you're not going to get it easy bucket down low with her down there Joyce doesn't seem to be makes the first you better come ready to bang Joycelyn Nelson with the first of two so get another in and out and a corner with the board Mayes with the ball looking to cut into this eight point Hephzibah lead Lisa Hardy with the rock back in the game for make for good look she saw she saw how she got a good look at the bucket Tyler with a crossover dribble Barksdale with the board Nice shot that time Megan Callier Nice job of controlling the ball but they controlled it and go into the other side of the bucket literally using the rim that time as sort of a shield to the defender and going underneath as you said, to reverse it.

Not many girls can do that, but for some reason you don't see much of it.

The Big Leon in high school, girls basketball, someone taking it to the other side of the rim.

Jaclyn Nelson dances though, with a three for Hephzibah and the lead is back up to nine points every time Mayes tries to get a little momentum.

But Hephzibah just counters.

Nice job by Chantelle Murray.

Look at her hounding defensively like those hands again.

Say too much dribbling, too much dribbling and none of movement from Mayes.

And now they're trying to handle it like that.

You've got to have the people coming to you presenting themselves, and that's one thing that Ramona and CONAN doesn't do, is present herself looking for the ball in the post.

That's a great move that Anthony Mayes basketball, even though, Beau, as you said, it was a great move.

Still, though, that's her and her presence size and her presence still forced up.

You know, Joycelyn Nelson, her shot to go awry.

And the key to Garcelle bringing it up, boy, she's going to be tired after this game.

As you said, a lot of dribble and a lot of time out there on the court.

Laconia down low trying to bring it in.

She's going to be fouled by shots.

L Mary's got Delmar just a little late getting there.

Just a little late getting there and CONAN created that foul.

So here it is right here.

And now, look, she should be there by now, and she just comes late, catch through on the arm and the bucket by Laconia and the foul.

Now, this might be the spark that Mayes needs to kind of close this gap.

They should find that out.

They should be figuring that out by now.

That's the girls on the floor is that, you know, the big girls, your bread and butter.

Jordan and she's been successful the couple of times they have gotten into him.

As I said, she's got to get big and get wide and present herself looking for the entry pass every time she's gotten it.

Something positive This has happened to me.

Free throw is off days with the board, though, and back up in in Megan Collier with the bucket and on the sudden folks down to a five point heads to believe Well that's a great move yeah great thumbs up great We're seeing a lot of good things from Hephzibah, but lately they've gone cold.

In fact, it's been a bit of a drought that dominated the game and they're only up by five with a 39.9 to go in the first half.

Shantel Murray did a fantastic job quarterbacking this team today.

Bo on the ball rather defensive going into a zone defense.

Murray in the corner.

She's going to take the shot and it should.

There's a quickness and rebounding ability Joycelyn Nelson And not just the fourth ball, but putting it right back up.

Don't waste time, Don't waste any time.

Get it right back up in in.

There it is inside outside game Gartrell the three pointers off and Murray with the boy and just point 4 seconds left Hephzibah was looking for that last shot Now she's going to be a matter of if she's trying to hoist it anything get it inbounds.

I don't know.

You know, I was going to say, I don't know, in high school, if they allow you to catch and shoot with force, they couldn't get it.

So they go to the half.

Hephzibah, 22 and Mayes 15, and Bowl was a half where, boy, every time that Hephzibah got the early lead and every time they tried to make a run, catch the ball with a counter and get a bucket and stem the tide, there was an answer to the lot of quickness and a lot of offensive rebounds for Hephzibah.

Yeah, no doubt about it.

So you scored 20 to 15 at the half Hephzibah with the lead.

And let's go to Phil Proctor, who has Wendell Lofton standing by.

Phil All right, we're over here now, Coach.

The guy's up by seven.

What?

He said he got that time.

Thank you.

I really don't know what to say.

That big deal on the inside.

She's hurting us right now.

I don't know how to stop it.

We give her a base and she don't make it.

We make her come across.

Let it come across the middle.

She's going to be on the free throw line.

We are hustling them right now.

But I'll tell you what.

That big girl is too much of a hassle.

All right.

Thanks a lot, Coach.

Coach.

Thanks, Bill.

Coach, you're doing a good job.

Just keep it up.

Just keep sending that girl, keep doubling down.

It's one thing they're doing.

They're doubling down from different directions against 2215.

Your halftime score, Hephzibah With the lead over Mays, you're watching Girls, quite a high school state championship basketball and its broadcast of USA Basketball on TV is made possible in part by the following corporate partners.

You're watching the GHC Basketball State Championships on TV.

And welcome back to the Alexander Memorial Coliseum here in Atlanta.

Halftime for the girls for a championship.

Hephzibah leads it out to half 20 to 15.

See the guys warming up?

Those are the guys will be playing in the four eight championship coming up right after this one.

GRIFFIN in South Atlanta, the boys for a basketball championship.

Now let's go downstairs to Phil Proctor.

Phil, Jim, here I am again surrounded by principals.

This seem to be the story of my life here with Dr. Tara Smith.

Amazing.

Doc, give me your impressions of the game.

We're a little bit behind right now, but hopefully we're going to bring this back and put it in proper perspective and going to win this thing.

Okay.

Tell us a little bit about Mae's high school.

Well, Mae's High School is traditionally an academic focused program.

We've had lots of luck and success this year with the sports program, and we're very proud of that.

We're a part of the High School's At Work program.

So our major focus is academics.

But we've had a fun year and the football program as well as the basketball.

Our boys and girls have all made it this year and we're extremely proud of that.

But our major focus is academics.

We're part of the high schools that work network, so we're focusing in on that, implementing new programs.

We have a math and science academy at our school.

We're moving improving on those S.A.T.

scores so that we can meet and surpass the state average.

And that's our major focus.

Okay.

What's it been like for the school?

I mean, you guys are in the state now.

What's a community like right now?

A lot of community is excited about it.

It's been an exciting week at school and we've had to really focus on making sure that we stay the course.

They're really behind us.

You'll see the crowd is out tonight at this afternoon and we're encouraging that.

We're really strongly supported by the community and the fans and the alumni from Mayes High School.

Well, I appreciate it and good luck to you guys in the second half over here on this side.

Ms.. Addison, how are you doing today?

I'm doing very well today.

Now, we were talking a little while ago.

Tell me a little bit about the basketball program, because you seem to know a lot about it.

We have a great basketball team this year.

All of the young ladies except for one, are sophomores and juniors.

So they're a young team.

However, they show a lot of maturity when they get out on the court, they really come together and they function as a powerful unit when they're out there on the court.

Good Doctor.

Those of us who don't know where is Hephzibah?

Hephzibah is located in Richmond County, which is just outside of Augusta, and we are part of the Richmond County School system.

We have about 1300 students.

We have a strong academic program, a strong tech prep program.

And as you can see today, a great athletic program as well.

We're very proud of our school.

So any predictions on the game now?

I don't want to jinx anything, but I've got a really good feeling about the game.

All right.

Well, we appreciate it.

Once again, I'm standing here with the great principals of these great schools.

And back to you guys.

Nice to know you're not in trouble at this time of the day.

Anyway, I feel okay.

Well, it's halftime.

The Rebels lead the Raiders 22 to 15.

Jacqueline Nelson, the leading scorer with nine points.

Coming up next, as we mentioned, the Bears and the Hornets, Griffin in South Atlanta for a boys basketball championship.

Now let's go back downstairs to Chris Cotter and Bob Barr.

Guys.

Hey, thanks, Jim.

Appreciate it.

And boy, you see all right.

Now you see the boys for the next game warming up right here, South Atlanta, right there on this side.

And then we saw the Griffin Boys as well.

Check out your highlights here from the first half, your stats, 20 to 50.

We mentioned the score Hephzibah over Mays.

You see the field goal shooting there, 32% for Mays but just 43 perhaps above it.

They've been able to make that work.

Right.

And Mays is the better shooting team, and I expect that figure to change in the second half.

Chris, the rebound is what surprised me more than anything.

Hephzibah has been able to have a distinctive vantage.

At 17 to 10 over Mays and Mays comes in the bigger team, and within that the margin also is even greater offensive rebounding margin.

And Jaclyn Nelson, as you heard him say, the leading scorer so far, nine points and three boards.

Her and her twin sister, Johnson, Joycelyn, have been all over the court.

They've been fantastic as at that point guard, Chantelle murray has been fantastic, perhaps in Pepsi, but has very quick hands are very quick.

They reacted defensively very well.

You look at them offensively and say Fine, nice job, but this game being won right now on the defensive end by her second half of the quality Girls state championship game.

Coming up Hephzibah with a 20 to 15 lead over maids broadcast of USA Basketball on TV is made possible in part by the following corporate partners.

You're watching TV bringing you the best.

You're watching the GHC Basketball State Championships on TV.

Welcome back to the Girls State Championship basketball game.

Hephzibah with a 20 to 15 lead over, May's Chris Carter in Bowl Basket Alexander Memorial.

And let's send it over to Phil Proctor right now with May's head coach, Oliver Banks.

Thanks, Chris.

Coach, would you tell your team at halftime they are rebound.

We've got to have to get down and play some physical ball.

They are moving moving.

That's how they have 17 rebounds out of ten but hey well in seven points down so two quick basket we're right back in the ballgame so they'll be all right.

You have a special motivational to you keep with you all the time.

What is it?

Oh, my newspaper.

I did it today.

I need it.

This is it.

But I feel.

But with this, my motivation.

It's last.

May's good player, Rose Ball.

And we looking to do just that.

Good luck in the second half.

Thanks.

Luck back to you, Chris.

All right.

Thanks, Bill.

Looking to play the role of spoiler.

They've gone all the way to the finals, playing the role of Spurs, filling in for everybody.

And they have when you talk about beating third ranked St Pius beating, top ranked Dalton beating defending state champion Glen Hills, Mayes has toppled all the Giants to this point.

Found a way in the second half beat the same players 5857 so this team knows what it's like to be in close games.

I think we're going to see a different squad in the second half.

Well, you heard Coach Banks say it too well with Phil just a couple of baskets from really making this a game.

You're only round seven points.

Here we go.

And a key to Gartrell will carry it over for me.

That's heading it right inside the inside, outside game ball.

That'll work if you can hit those outside shots.

But you got to hit them.

And I think Mayes from the perimeter hit two shots to the jumper from the corner, one from the wing and Hephzibah trying to get it down low.

And then you see the intimidation factor of Laconia as Mayes brings it out, the key to go trouble.

You see how quick she is?

She put on the jets there for the last ten years.

He took it to the basket and then jump, stop, Let the defender go by the player.

Terry, with the foul for Hephzibah, it is in there.

You can see it.

Yeah.

It was a nice move at the jump stop fake You guys will be rewarded with two free throws in and out on the first way.

This is a prime time to get back into the game with the clock.

Stop the Nelson free throws.

What's it like in this hits the second cuts the lead double pressure Good move goes Johnson Murray a top player clear Terry on the wing and Murray goes down No foul call Baze gets the turnover Great touchdown all the way with the bucket with it with the left hand The lead is now four Nice spin move by Murray Nice ball movement ball they're very well coach the Queen Cherry with the miss and Mayes with the board And here comes Gartrell again Good looks just knocked away by Murray but a good look You can see how she's got a little bit of that hopefully due to her game.

And she's really going to be something only a freshman got thrilled.

You know, Khloe Jones really needs to step up here in the second half.

I think for me, she was kind of absent there in the first half.

And she's a senior.

She brings the leadership off.

They need a big bucket and they want to go to her.

But from the corner with the three pointer.

But we've got a one point game here just like that.

Exactly what Coach Banks said.

Two baskets come back in and whoa, and almost a steal.

And we got a foul called here just like we did.

Yeah, foul is going to be called on Gartrell.

You see it right here.

Look at the square up because the rotation from the rotation gets plenty of arc on it.

Nice.

This full court press is a great move AC mayes nice two for five feet three point land They you need more of that here in the second half Dakota Terry taking it to the basket and getting fouled by angle you fouls in the second foul on a cone your ball and the player Terry at the line knocks down the first and we talk about Mayes getting back in this thing and their three seniors should be able to lead them back in in a tough game like you see how quick it passive is though you break the press off forced it Good idea look good on paper.

See if you're able to break the press like that ball, you should be able to find your big people down low underneath the hoop and Hephzibah gets it back.

Patient Joycelyn Nelson could have forced it there.

And she's very patient.

No sign of a very well-coached team.

And as young as they are, that's impressive.

Zach Allen Nelson with a nice move but there's a can get down low denying it Chantelle Murray looking to take it in and it's stolen away by Mayes.

That's got to be a bounce pass Kris good job of getting there in the bucket and the foul by Mr.. Oh those being saints.

He got there late Megan Collier all the way coast to coast after the steal it is right here it is set that's pretty close close call getting close could have gone either way.

Here you see Cal you're taking it coast to coast.

Joycelyn Nelson just stepping in with the blocking ball.

The three point play by Megan Collier but another steal by Collier Nice play by Joycelyn to block it once twice and get it out Good look get it down low to your big people but trailing great force that's for young freshman player the key to Thomas the bucket and we are end to end series action taken you with the foul called on her and that's three ball and with three and all that Mayes has taken the lead 2624 here in this action here over the last couple of minutes and now we'll see if this young team at Hephzibah can kind of keep it together.

Here it is right here.

Look at these three one block, two blocks by Joyce when Nelson joins the Bucks, Bell picks up the ball, though, she gets it back for Mayes taking a Joyce she's on the line.

Missed the first she'll have another here after the foul by O'Connor Now Konya has to go sit of in a timeout called by Mayes in Laconia was going to go sit Oliver Banks bringing her over to the bench and that's a big deal.

That is a big deal.

Hey, we hope you're enjoying this broadcast of GSC USA class for a state championship.

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We're here now Jan Memorial Coliseum, Chris Cotter and Bo Bok and what a what an unbelievable game this has been so far Hephzibah with the early lead And then all of a sudden it was Mays coming back strong here early in the second half to take the lead.

They've stormed back and let's see what this this youthful head of a team can do about regaining the lead.

Joycelyn Nelson will be on the line for one more opportunity at a free throw.

I think Coach Banks made a great move in the second half and is going to full court press.

Joycelyn Hits the second and it's a one point Mayes lead for 41 left to go here in the third quarter.

That's Alisha Hardy in the game for Mays.

That's that's a guardrail has been the spark here in the second half for them.

Are you looking to penetrate it's cut off nicely by Murray boy they just collapsed defensively Hephzibah did.

And now they're out running Jackie Nelson all the way.

Jaclyn Nelson with the Bucket Sweet left hand scoop.

What a great athlete, great athletic move.

And Clarksville trying to come back, driving and dishing but not being able to hit on the bucket.

You got to use the glass and it's Hephzibah Ball.

It's becoming a thing you guys started and and you know, girls in the schoolyard they they pick it up got to use the glass The key to Thomas wasn't able to do it on that play so it's turnover and Hephzibah has speaking of turnovers now it's Miss and they're running just a little too far, too anxious, still anxious.

2726 Hephzibah so many turnovers already, but at this point I'm sure the coaches are saying let's settle it down.

State title game.

No need to get ahead of ourselves.

Jacqueline Nelson will bring it up for Hephzibah for a sister in the corner.

Are we going to travel?

Call here Stephanie Drake and try to take it inside perhaps the court for the steps.

And another turnover?

Well, I'm going to call the traveling or a mugging.

Yeah, it was.

It was one before the other.

Fortunately for Mays, the foul hadn't been called before the traveling.

Chloe Jones All the way.

Kent by the bucket, by trail gets the rebound.

Or I should say the Hardy as talks about looking inside.

All of a sudden Mays now out hustling Hephzibah and getting those offensive rebounds.

Nice pass by Jones down low in the bucket Megan Collier looking for a second three point play of the half though she's really stepped it up the whole season five nine Cincinnati hitting 12 points a game for Mays Look at that great pass down low as well And the foul nice look by Chloe Jones and Kelly you're going to go to the line now trying to complete the three point play she does and adds to Mays lead banks it home 2927.

The Mays Raiders with a two point advantage.

Let's see if this young Hephzibah team keeps their composure here fall late in the third quarter.

Well, it's doing a good job right now.

Jacqueline Nelson taking it all the way to the hoop.

Jaclyn, very quick off the dribble for a 510 player, very quick, very athletic at the top.

You see it on both ends of the court, both offensively and defensively.

Today.

They hit those free throws though, coming down the stretch Now you just there's that hustle again.

It's about pulling the board and setting it back out up front to reset Chantelle murray down low Nice look in Joycelyn Nelson couldn't handle it looked like it dribbled off or told her they're going to give it back to Hephzibah Bone.

Coach Lofton doesn't believe it working that inside outside game the twin sisters you'll see the percentages here in the second half.

Both teams have really turned it up from their first half shooting and we'll get another foul call.

Well, Hephzibah is going to they could earn it from the charity stripe here, So they're going to have opportunities.

But as you said, Chris, get a converted you're going to make it here you see Chloe Jones committing the foul.

It's a nice shot That time by Tiffany Drayton, though Take it to the hole Strong goes getting very frustrated over these misses from the line she makes the second and it's a one point Mayes lead 215 left to go in the third quarter.

There's a running jump trap right there it's good boy Oh everything but convert on the bucket Bo What a nice step around and very nice Makita.

Thomas did everything but get the bucket on that play a beautiful play down low Mayes two inbound out front to Gartrell and Hardy now setting it up from the point Grandma's becoming very patient he plays Jones he to continue to have good ball movement.

Chris Carson Boom, boom, boom.

Now Hardy back up front near steal that time by Hephzibah because it had to be defensive quickness again always getting a hand in there, always messing up there is Baze again looking down low Oh he's got a foul down low on Mayes I didn't see Chris fouls on the the key to Thomas picking it up for a second foul and it's a 16 foul on though which may be important here as we heard just toward the end of the third quarter Jaclyn Nelson bringing it up looking for her sister Joycelyn nice move and taking strong but losing it on the way up.

Mayes has it in there running.

Cottrell It's up and down.

Just lost control of it on the way up.

Took it to deep Chris before giving it up.

Making up your mind.

She was indecisive.

14 turnovers for Mayes, 11 for Hephzibah battling down low to the board is amazing.

That's a big even deal.

That was a clean rebound Hephzibah finds a way get the hands in there again to get the ball back Well I think if these girls hadn't figured out where they are yet, but they figured it out by now, it's the state championship game and they're fighting for it.

We're getting close to the fourth quarter.

Oh, Nelson, deep in the corner.

Can't hit Mayes with the board.

And here comes Hardee.

Nice dish.

The guardrail with the bucket.

Good looking fast.

Great pass to ignite it over the top.

And then the dish to the open girl and the defensive pressure out front.

Joycelyn Nelson at the top of the key.

And while all this is going on, the big girl Tonya sitting down.

Yeah.

Oh, good point.

Trying to get it down low to take advantage of her absence and can't do it.

Nice play by Nikita Thomas Clarksville now needs to stay in control.

Good job to set it back up, Bo.

She's really back shopping.

Looks for that last shot.

Hardy has it.

She's going to throw it up.

Oh, Ken hit and Joyce down with the block right at the buzzer.

Made 31 to 28 after trailing by seven at the first half, have taken the lead here by a score of 31 to 28 heading into the fourth quarter.

You're watching Honey Girls Basketball on TV broadcast of GHC.

Basketball on TV is made possible in part by the following corporate partners.

You're watching the GHC basketball state Championships on TV.

And welcome back to Alexander Memorial Coliseum on the Georgia Tech campus.

Bobak and Chris Cotter, along with Phil Proctor, 31 to 28, Hays with the lead over Hephzibah heading into the fourth quarter.

And speaking of Phil obstinate courtside at Phil right now.

Okay Chris doing the time out helps him.

The coaches came over.

They said that we have got we got 8 minutes to go.

Santa murray told the team we have got to push the ball.

We've got the crystal ball.

You can see desperation on their faces.

Guys, back to you.

All right, Phil, appreciate it.

Jon, tell Murray the point guard at Hephzibah is really been controlling the action all game long for the rebels understands the plight that they're in, but they're a young team, so they've got to stay focused.

They're only down by three points.

You got 8 minutes left to play and Mays will be bringing it in to start the fourth quarter by Bell gets it in to Nikita Thomas.

Back up top to Megan Collier and she'll set it up now.

Got 12 on the winning popcorn was back in there down back in there for the fourth.

I would just get it down to it.

She needs to work for it.

She used to worry about presenting himself.

Yep.

There's Hephzibah again.

We got a jump ball called and they react favors Hephzibah.

They react so quickly.

That's really excellent.

And did come at Okung from different directions.

They doubled down from a different position every time down the other.

The lesson to be learned there, Bo, is when you're when you're big down low and you get the ball, make something happen, you got to make it happen.

Shontell Murray, you heard Phil talk about it, how she kind of took over the leadership role in the huddle there.

Well, she just sunk a bucket to close Hephzibah to within one.

That's what I'm talking about.

You do something with a win, you get good answers from Mays The lead back up to three shots.

L Murray taking the shot and missing it and Mays with the board got three.

Nice pass.

Oh, and Megan Collier can't finish, but you'll have an opportunity to get her two points at the line.

Tiffany Drayton is going to pick up the foul coming up next here on Team USA Boys Quad Action Griffin in South Atlanta.

That's going to be a beauty.

And I'll tell you what, the game after that women's five game, Stephenson versus Parker, who I predict may be the best girls game you'll see all year.

Unbelievable.

It's going to be fantastic.

I'll tell you all day long, though, when you talk about great talent, you'll see it here on TV.

And that's a great pass right there.

NAGY Talia couldn't convert, but she's at the line.

She hit the first and Timothy Drayton just got loose runs and needs a foul.

Megan Collier has been fantastic here in the second half for Mayes.

They have a five point lead now.

There's a colonia doing what she does defensively down low just yet another block shot.

She must have a half dozen block shots tonight.

Well, she's six one Christian has long on wait that Griffin game coming up you're going to see a a michigan signee and then later on in the Wheeler game you're going to see an Alabama signee.

A lot of great talent here at Alexander playing hoops today.

You can catch all the action on TV, plus good looking squad, Mayes with a five point lead and the ball six and a half to go in this Quad girls state championship game and control that time and Joycelyn with the ball and looks to run she does and Charlotte styles converts in transition Boy that's what Hephzibah needs an easy needed and answer yes so we get back down to three it's been tight the entire second half Mayes trailed by seven at the half but they closed the gap quickly and it's been nip and tuck ever since.

Pat's in the picking up at half court, disrupting them a little bit.

There they are getting the hand in there again.

And Charlotte Styles went down in a heap after a nice defensive play.

She hit the back of her head on the court.

Hopefully that's just one of those stingers.

Yeah.

So here it is right now.

They get it down.

Lowest.

Yeah.

There's the game, Boy and all game long ball Great defensive help down low once again Here she comes Look how strong Alcorn is Let's hope that she's all right Charlotte Styles down on the court they all the state basketball championships to be seen live on the Gp-B website WW dot jetport All games will also be archived and available at a later date.

And while you're there, show your support by signing up to become a member of TV.

That's WW W dot dot for my C steak SHAPIRO over along the way Bo he's going to join you for that next game and that's me with the price of admission right there.

Just checking out YouTube, guys.

I get a chance to tell about Griffin, one of my favorite schools in the state will evolve from Griffin that guy I played with at Miami.

Doug McGee.

Great.

Running back.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Kermit Darren Hancock played as I was there as well.

One of the living legends here in Georgia State High school basketball.

I had the opportunity one time we did the Prep Player of the Week program.

In fact, one of the coaches here mentioned and said, I wish we were still doing it due to something I started 25 years ago.

I had the opportunity to go to Griffin to give the Prep Player of the Week trophy, the Willie Gall.

They had no pep rally, so we decided to come in that Friday night at halftime of the game via helicopter.

It was the greatest thing.

It was unbelievable.

You weren't wearing a big white sequined suit.

It was nice.

But my dog was mad, but he didn't go that far.

Charlotte Styles Savage exiting the court on her own power.

That is very good news for Hephzibah, and it looks like Latoya Terry might be coming in for you.

Get the know it's gonna be Michelle Johnson and she's seen her first action of the day bow for Hephzibah.

She's going to come in and take the free throws but the injured player is the coach has the option to choose which player comes in and Michelle Johnson has a pretty good free throw.

Shooter is going to come in first.

That's pretty cool.

She's sitting on the bench for the game and comes in without a warm up and lets it fly in a state championship game some way.

Wow.

Michelle Johnson, she's a junior five nine guard.

Hephzibah trails by just one point with 549 left to go here in this quarter State championship game full court pressure now bow using that quickness, Mayes gets it over.

Step up.

Oh nice play by Alisha Hardy all the way in the layup One of the few times we haven't seen help from the heads of a defense there that pivot did not step up and and take the chance where nobody cut off the ball shots L Murray now in the corner for Hephzibah didn't look good from the beginning but barely caught Iron May's with the ball trying to get it out there a corner does and the outlet pass Nice job three on to good job good job by the freshman and getting it into a corner and back out by trail with the long three and misses and hits the ball with the boy.

Michelle Johnson pulls it down.

Nice crossover jump stop by Murray in the bucket which shot by Johnson Hey she's coming in Really give him a spark here this one out with a bow base that lead now down to one point.

She looks like a player Wonder why she hasn't been playing.

Oh Jacqueline Nelson with the foul called her first foul on Jacqueline Nelson who by the way, leads Hephzibah in scoring with 11 points.

At this point, this looks great.

This game is going to come down as we've seen so many of these high school playoff games.

Again, comes down to the last possession.

Now he's up by one inside again, a konya, no foul call.

It's going to stay May's ball.

She's battling down low tough customer to deal with And that's what you got to do.

You got to go to her.

And when the Lawson's going to call a timeout, these rebels over Kenya's the Shaq of a women's basketball here in the state of Georgia really?

Let's go to Phil Proctor standing by courtside.

All right, guys, I came over here to check on Charlotte Styles to see how she's going after that nasty bump on the head.

On-Site Medic said just a nasty bump.

They were standing there just to make sure she didn't go unconscious.

She had a bag of ice on her neck.

She's up in the team hotel right now.

She seems to be going well and shaking her head, trying to encourage the team.

Back to you.

Appreciate it, Phil.

36 to 37, Hephzibah with a one point lead here, 413 left to go in the fourth quarter.

And we mentioned players like Megan Collier, we mentioned her in the opening bow, how she is one of the senior leaders and stars of this team now with 12 points leading the Mays Raiders in scoring to this point.

Well, that's senior leadership.

We thought it would be a factor in this game and it has been against the young heads of the club.

But, you know, they've shown they've shown a lot of resiliency and a lot of smarts here in the second half.

Just resetting May's four timeouts remaining, Hephzibah with three possession Harrow in favor of Mays as we head into the final 4 minutes of this girl's quite a state championship game, Mays has the basketball will inbound underneath their basket Laconia trying to get it in and Hardy running the point that's the ball back to girly girl defense aggressive defense Bobby Jones with the Miss and Hephzibah with the boy.

Oh, good hustle.

Now you got a foul.

Let's see who's for It's going to go on and guess who's going to go against Hephzibah Stephanie Drayton down low lost the basketball and then committed the foul Manziel get the ball underneath the basket to one more and Mays will be shooting Nice love.

Oh nice inbounds It was a great inbounds and there's a good foul under the circumstances otherwise she was going to easily convert that the key to Thomas cutting to the hoop.

So the key to Thomas is a62 freshman has not seen much action this afternoon in and out on the free throw, you'll see the cut to the basket and the foul right there obviously on Sean cell Murray One more for Nikita Thomas both sinks the second it's a two point measly line of play denied against Chantelle murray.

The Nets have a point guard and a frustrating play that time.

Jacqueline Nelson Just losing it out of bounds.

Coach Lofton He just wanted to kick that ball up in the up the stands and too much dribble, too much dribbling going on.

Both teams now.

Shontell Murray returning the favor of playing tonight against the Maze point guard, but Trail with the Miss and Joycelyn with the board for Hephzibah.

She gets it in their hands of her sister and nice feet.

Oh, that was a tough thing, you three checking it.

Chris I haven't kept track, but she's got about seven blocks.

Oh yeah.

She has been a defensive stalwart offensively, maybe not as much as Maines would like to get from her.

Just six points at this point, but defensively, she's been dominating down low and another block of Tiffany Drayton right there, though, to pick up the loose change tied up.

And I was thinking that was an important possession that we're all tied with just over three to go here by 12, running the show here for Mays, coming over to this side, make the answer pass over there it is.

There's offensive quickness.

And again, coming from another position to double down, it's too obvious that that's what they're doing though.

Let's see what's happening now.

She can do it down low, loses it out of bounds for those last touch by Mays and hence the ball the possession size thanks to the work done by Henson.

But Chris seems to get into the paint spin and be out of control and not know where they're going right.

Michelle Hardy back in the game for Mays and a key to Thomas will catch a breather that's about inbounding the ball so styles with at the top every possession used now we're tied up tries to go down low to Joycelyn back up top to a twin system Murray with the open look off the back of the iron and a cone you will not be denied for that boy And here some sparks out.

Oh, just missing the layup But she was fouled Strategic mistake perhaps A the guards court got caught up inside and that tells us broke out of there wherever the kid is it yet nobody back in Charlotte Styles actually Bo did a good job of hustling down defensively just to get the foul and prevent the easy bucket.

Knoxville Since the first at 13 point of the night, she leads all scorers make it 14 for Nikita Gartrell and the Maze lead is two 4238 Boy, we are coming right down to it.

Ball Oh and a con you call for a fourth foul.

Bo Another close call.

But I thought it had to be and I thought it was a smart move going into the post against her.

And you can bet that the coach is going to win as well as Coach Oliver Banks.

Grandma's.

But Coach Lawson will probably next trip down also go inside and try to get him.

Tonya Ed Mays calls the timeouts timeout lady Just a reset.

By the way, Mays also has the possession error.

If you get down to it though, that might be important as well.

40 to 30 82. lead for Mays.

Just over 2 minutes left to go it looked like both right before the first half.

Hephzibah might run away with this thing.

Defensively, there was so much quicker than Mays.

Mays wasn't using their size down low and it just looked like that seven point lead might become a ten point lead, a 12 point lead.

But luckily for me, and they kind of held it together in the first half, they kept it at seven and then in the second half they exploded and closed the gap like that.

Within 30 seconds to a minute.

I think that the Mays probably has overall the better basketball players.

They're certainly more experienced on three seniors and they come in with two freshmen.

But the freshmen certainly have been pivotal in this game.

In fact, the key to go credit, I think this grabs the freshman point guard for is probably the best player in the game.

I would say.

So to this point, both her and Megan Collier for Mays really sparked that second half comeback and got them going with a lot of fast break points.

Mays now making their way back a corner, of course, staying in the game even though she has four fouls, just 210 left to go.

BO This is crunch time, this is for everything.

So she's got to be in there.

Tiffany Drayton on the line for Hephzibah States the first big thing great big freeform just to tie the game up lost and a akoni with the board and Chloe Jones the senior off and running it just trying to do too much got settle down now you got the lead granted it's only a one point lead but don't try to force passes it'll be Mays basketball as they try to wind down and they do.

Chloe Jones has it here on the near side wing.

Lisa Hardy almost lost it.

So it's not Murray's defensive pest.

On the defensive pressure now heavy for Hephzibah Jones looking for help and Mays calls another timeout.

Now that's a pretty good timeout both on that possession let down.

Yeah they're not getting anything They're not getting into their offense.

You know what?

The turnover was coming.

So Coach Banks did a great job calling the tow there and there you see when the locked it in the steps of the rebels discussing their strategy with a minute and a half left to go they've got to create a turnover here ball and got to play strong defense they had they were playing strong defense Mayes burned about 30 seconds off the clock on that possession, but they were getting a little haggard here in the in the backcourt.

And it was time for you know coach Oliver Banks called timeout settles charges down a little bit for Hephzibah defensively don't antsy don't yell don't try to force anything I don't think you need to make a great play defensively there's still plenty of time here a minute and a half to go you're only down by one let their offense come to you and just play stout defense And don't forget South that Lynn and Griffin coming up next on TV boys quality action and so you don't want to miss that.

That should be it.

We've already got a lot of people represented here in the stands.

Mike Griffin fans in their yellow and green.

A lot of South Atlanta fans in the Teal, a lot of fans here.

Jennifer, there you had a griffin in South Atlanta.

Should be a good one.

Stay.

SHAPIRO is going to take over for me as I head over to the Thrashers game maze inbounding the basketball and leading by one point overhead to the minute.

27 left to go in this quarter April State Championship game reach.

But Hephzibah is turning it up right now, so they have to get Chloe Jones, the senior with the basketball on the wing, loses it on the way down the foul call is going to get Joplin.

Nelson the region foul by Zachary Nelson Yep tackle in the second foul but this time one senior buries the first 12. lead now for Mays just a minute 12 left in this contest.

They come under pressure.

She's the team's leading scorer during the year and 15 points a game she had produced that number today just five points.

But two huge free throws here in the final seconds.

Still plenty of extended run your offense you don't need the three gets it in the end the point guard Tiffany Drake put up a shot, missed it gets her own rebound and gets the follow and the bucket is good and the foul on Chloe Jones chance for a three point play for Hephzibah A disaster turn golden Oh you're exactly right here.

See the replay?

Just taking it every time But I would think that's not the girl that you want.

Taking the final shot or taking one of those shots from the perimeter.

She doesn't look like shooter and you have to know your game.

But Tiffany went and got the rebound.

She went after it, got the rebound, put the got the stick back and the foul.

So she'll be on the line to try and complete the three point play.

Last trip to the line, she converted one of two, just a sophomore, Tiffany Braden at 510 and she gets the three point play one minute to go.

We're tied up everybody falling.

Jones brings the ball up trying to set it up for Mayes, but Hephzibah continues to play that pressure.

Defense Jones on the right wing, looking to head coach Oliver Banks for instruction.

Now Hardy on the right side takes it in and we got a walk right football side for the jump start Yeah couldn't get Boston a little bit Chris there got antsy and now Wendell Lofton wants to call a timeout and talk to his Hephzibah about what they're going to do offensively.

But let's see what he's going to draw up here.

You'll see the play one two right there.

If she could have stopped both feet planted, she would've been fine.

But drop two steps.

And now Hephzibah, with the basketball all tied up, 34.3 seconds left possession.

Harrell favors Mayes as he gets down to it.

So any help ball situation is going to go over to Mays.

No need for the ball.

No, no, no, no.

The great thing about high school basketball ball is there are a lot of fans here waiting for the Griffin game to start, waiting for everybody out there into the game.

Yeah, they know what these girls have worked so hard all year long to come down to 34 seconds.

Everybody's on the edge of their seat.

Full court press, pass the ball, inbound the ball and Declan Nelson will do the honors, gets it in shots.

So Murray almost stolen, but Shots controls it.

Plenty of time.

Plenty of time with the get over to the corner and blocked away by Antonio Mayes has it but trail all the way he settles it down out front to Jones over to Hardy on the wing 12 seconds left.

Good call And Banks calls a timeout to set up one final shot.

Both.

But what do you think, Chris?

Are you going to open it the deuce?

It's a great job of doubling on her.

Take it away.

She's well, doesn't have the best feet.

You know what I mean?

By going to a corner?

I say send it right back there.

You see the block by a cornea.

She's been fantastic blocking shots today all night long.

Gartrell trying to find fast break points.

But smart.

There wasn't anything there.

Bo No, I thought she was going to see.

She's going to put a head down.

Just take it to the basket with She's the smartest player on the floor and only a freshman.

I might work that inside, outside game, go inside to a corner and have her feed it right back out to go 12 for Collier and see if they can hit an outside shot.

Here we go.

Because, you know, as soon as Oconee gets it on the block, Pezzullo's going to send three players on Gartrell to inbound and you get the turnover, heads to the timeout right away.

And here comes Chloe Jones on the right wing inside open.

Yeah, she fouled with 1.2 left to go They got it down low Bogie good news and drop step It's a nice move they let her get too deep on the block Of course she's so big.

I don't know if you can keep her out but you have to really work at that.

That's a good night.

Let her get that position.

And a 32nd timeout being called by Hephzibah.

You're right.

Both Watch how low she gets.

She's right there.

Yep.

That drop step with the right foot has have had Ashley Ball earlier in the game did a better job of making sure she was getting it for the outside drop that couldn't kill him nothing you can do in that situation that's like sex like hacky sack when Shaq gets it down low like that, you got a foul in it?

Well, they did.

They did all that they could do.

That's exactly what they had to do.

No, you said you can't give it that layup.

But again, the Hephzibah, a double team got there a little bit later on the better.

So Ramona Konya the six one senior and out of pocket they have an opportunity to put Mays on top with just 1.2 seconds left in this girl's quarter state championship game.

It's been one heck of a game Bo coach doing a good job here.

I like the strategy of just bringing everybody back to take away the home run pass deal.

If there is a rebound here, take another timeout.

He's going to take a full timeout.

The girls, the light bulbs, they're all turning and popping on him.

The coach lost his head right now.

Everything he could think of because you have to assume when you meet with your coach like that, are you drawing up a play?

What's going to happen in your mind if she makes it?

She makes one or two.

It doesn't matter.

She makes one.

You got to have one play.

If she misses it, you got to have another play.

Well, she makes that call time out.

You got to show because he's he's got four girls back.

You've got to set something up.

We are tied at 40 to Hephzibah Mays.

Mays senior Ramona Oconee on the line trying to give Mays the lead in This girl's quite a state basketball championship game and Robson was another timeout guard Take him home he minds they'll use him coach That's right but just 1.2 left now he's done.

So Lofton has used his last time out so he didn't wait to see if they made the first free throw.

So that was interesting.

I thought they might wait to see Laconia.

Has two free throws, so I thought Lofton might wait to see if she made the first bell.

One point to good Somehow find a way to get the ball to Sean Murray going toward the basket from the baseline.

I'm talking from the back court binder going toward the homerun pass over the top.

Well, we've seen it a lot of times you almost hope if you're Hephzibah Falcone's going to make one, make the second, she can take it out of bounds.

She misses the first bell.

Pretty cool, though.

Yeah.

So the seniors up there, this one could be for a state title.

This is both t0tototo.

They have no timeouts left.

We're heading into overtime right?

We are heading into overtime here.

Dallas in the Memorial Coliseum, Hephzibah and Mays battling all the way down to the wire for the state quarter Girls High school championship.

And as if 32 minutes wasn't enough.

And then it's Hephzibah now because up field is 5000 they'll call you at 4000 right Well you know you can't come to her.

She's got to be despondent over losing that.

They've got to get their focus and concentration back.

And I'm sure that's what Coach Banks is spending this time out doing, getting them refocused and getting the back end.

This is hey, guys, that's not the end of the world with winning right here.

We didn't win it in regulation.

Let's win it right now.

Absolutely.

So you think you go right at it, but you have to get it right at Oklahoma.

Get right out of there.

Well, what a game it's been.

The key to Coach Gartrell, your leading scorer in the game with 14 points for Mayes.

Megan Collier has added 11 or 12 points, I should say, for the Mayes Raiders on the other side for Hephzibah.

Yeah, Tiffany Drake.

So who has played a fantastic game, the sophomore with 13, Jaclyn Nelson, one of the twins with 11, and Joycelyn, her sister with four points.

For Hephzibah, the rules are now you get one timeout in overtime.

Okay, so both sides, Mayes and Hephzibah, have one timeout.

The possession area continues in May's favor and we'll tip it off the around here.

Crowd yelling, Yeah, shake it off.

Hey, no, shake it off.

Play ball.

She has to come.

You have to shake it off.

Forget about it.

You got four more minutes left to play.

But Carroll will jump it up with choice.

Nelson Hephzibah throws There it is.

Go right at it.

That was a nice play.

But of course she was there hustling after the forward is Joyce When Nelson just got tried to go over the top and a turnover Mayes ball Joyce Nelson with the errant pass to Alisha Hardy sophomore point guard for Mayes.

They're pulling it out.

Oliver Banks and he's head coach shouting instructions, telling him to be very patient.

Nobody's going to guard Alisha Hardy.

It's just going to be now somebody steps out.

Remember the Hephzibah Rebels?

I think, have said they should force the action.

They've done it so well all game long, down low.

And there comes a konya with the double team still gets the bucket.

You talk about coming back.

It needed that bucket.

All she did she was lucky to catch the pitch, did a great job of catching it in traffic.

She hit it frenzy backseat going on was, able to pull it down and convert.

Oh and Tiffany Drayton both she's been great all game long the sophomore with the bucket to tie it back up again her 50 point she leads all scorers gets no style points but gets it done Yeah back inside to a corner the drop step too low.

Can't buy a bucket but she gets the foul.

She's just too tough to control down there.

Two to physical one right here looking to get the drop step, but she's too low.

There's the blocking foul right there on Tiffany Drayton.

And that's it for Tiffany Drayton.

And a standing ovation from the crowd Here Now Sam memorial and well worthy media.

When you talk about a performance like that, clutch shots, free throws and shots and 50 points.

Michele Johnson coming in for you lose some size and some there Okogie off the back iron and she is clearly frustrated because shooting got it she got it Nice shot good rotation Watch it come off the finger.

Very nice.

Just to stop and off of Mayes and it'll be Hephzibah Ball.

Yeah.

Yeah.

She just looks as though she's thinking about it too much.

You get a nice delivery, but just thinking about that shot too much.

And now she's going to take a seat for a breather real quick.

Good.

Yeah.

All the banks wants to just kind of and wants to settle it down.

Settle it down.

Also protected.

She does have four fouls after all That's the ball retains control Little Harry there in the back court liquid Terry bringing it up and now shots out Murray and Mayes and the girl the girl defense picked off that pass they've done that about three times this afternoon trying to go over the top and the key to Thomas, the six two, it's been had a hard time throwing it open.

Jim is getting full and the crowd is getting nice.

Move the cutting by the bucket.

That's about the fourth.

And they turn it right back over and it's Alisha Hardy with it.

Four makes Michel Johnson, who just came into the game, who threw that bad pass, download it to Senior Jones and it's blocked out of bounds and it'll be May's basketball 126 left to go here in overtime.

Hephzibah and Mays are tied at 44.

Here's the replay.

Nice cut by Jones.

Nice, nice play by choice and Nelson to block it away.

The Court Terry, back in the game put Michelle Johnson out and I wondered why she didn't play this.

She seems as it's great to from both teams one for four in the extra session shooting she just is that inside outside game but Jones couldn't get the shot up quick that block by liquid Terry so quick the sensible team is very quick defensively now Michelle Johnson's back in the game and Coach Lofton is trying to pull all the strings trying to find the right combination here for the last minute.

21 double teaming the post.

He's got 12 No one picks her up, had a notion to take it to the ten.

Is Michelle Johnson again missing her assignment and that was almost a disaster not knowing who to go with the bling bling on the start.

Johnson shoots to miss that.

Oh, nice.

Look what a play Chloe Jones was lost underneath Credit O'Connor for that great look under a minute.

Fawcett and Mayes with the rebound gets real looking to push it up Alisa Hardy now double tap got it over there in traffic.

Kick ball.

Mayes will retain possession with a two point lead, 27.5 seconds left to go in overtime.

Nice.

Look at it.

Nice block great block liquid Terry with the bucket Mayes retains possession coach Allen leading with it Keep it out and keep it alive and they do foul and it's a hard foul at that low Jones was nil by Lacroix and Terry extends a hand and says Oh hi men just wanted to make sure we got the whistle with Jack Tatum defense.

Here we go.

Because it wasn't taking any chances.

They wanted to get that whistle called right away.

Blow that was and send the senior Chloe Jones to the line.

Big opportunity blow.

Mayes leads this game 46 to 44.

You're it is now a three point Mayes lead missing.

The second is Chloe Jones.

What does Hephzibah do?

13 seconds left.

They need a three pointer.

They go for a two and miss it.

And Mayes has the fourth and a foul calls it.

Just 1.4 seconds left.

Alisha Hardy will go to the line.

Mayes leads by three and ball said Coach walk and have one timeout remaining and then in the overtime I don't think you plan on using nine.

I would if I thought he was going to take time out and set up the set because it's not too tough.

When the three Charlotte styles took the two point shot and that's it.

Just about ice.

And Alisha Hardy sinks the first of two and the Mayes lead now goes up to four.

Well, credit the coach.

So Wendell Lawson, a very young team, they have every opportunity to be right back in this spot again next year with it with a more experienced glove.

Absolutely.

The Felicia Hardy six both free throws.

And that is going to do it.

The Mayes Raiders first time in the state playoffs since 1993 have captured the girls quarter state championship.

Congratulations to Oliver Banks and his true beau.

What a game come from behind victory.

All right.

Let's send it to Phil Proctor right now, who has Coach Oliver Banks.

Phil, Coach, what a game.

Congratulations by Joe Butler.

We knew when Bigelow at halftime we were always seven down and they were just out playing us and I'll hustle us but our key is stuck, man.

And we picked up a few cheap baskets late on in the quarter, so that gave us a more comfort zone.

Feel real good about the win.

When you went into the overtime, what did you tell your team just before you came out?

Be patient.

Be patient is no.

And hey, it's just new ballgame.

Pick your head up.

Don't worry about free throws.

Missed.

We got another game to play.

And I was at high value with Ramona.

I mean, she just dominated inside, steals heels.

They won.

Okay.

All right, Coach, congratulations.

And thank you for having me.

Come back to you, Chris.

Thanks, Bill.

And there you heard it straight from all the banks now Ramona corner.

Despite missing a two free throws at the end of regulation, Bo the most valuable player in his mind for her play today I think Zo with four fouls able to stay in the game and be a factor down the stretch.

All right, let's take it out.

Mays your state champion and girls Quarter eight 4940 for the final.

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