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Last words are the champions of history in the back Lady Red Devils of Georgia Public Broadcasting presents the 2009 Georgia High School Association's state basketball championships.

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Live from the arena at what, etc..

It's the 2009 GHC State Basketball Championship.

Today it's the four day Girls title matchup between the Southwest two Cab Lady Panthers at 28 and four out of Region six taking on the Fayette County Lady Tigers, a perfect 31 to no out of region seven.

And good afternoon, everyone.

Dave Gardner alongside Dick Williams, my broadcast partner.

And Dick, here we are again looking forward to an excellent basketball game in a rematch of last year's game, which we did just last year.

Southwest a cab, of course, last year's state champions.

You saw them celebrating in the open, but they were decimated by graduation.

Guess what?

They're back.

They're back.

Let's go ahead, talk about the Southwest, the Cab Lady Panthers.

They've got a lot of great athletes on their side.

It begins with Taylor Lewis.

Kendall Lewis is the leading scorer of 16 points a game.

She really is the foundation of the team because there are so many young players and she's a good, strong inside player.

She can play the wing and she steadies the group.

Absolutely.

Of course, the starting five today for the Lady Panthers, as you see it, Kawana Rivers, Alondra Rivers, Yes, they're sisters.

Kayla Lewis, Loquacious Lewis not related.

And Tanisha Blake, the senior again 510 inside.

Meanwhile flip side of course taking a look at the Fayette County Lady Tigers.

What a job they've done.

Number one team undefeated 31 to no end of the state championship.

Coach John Strickland, clearly a candidate for Naismith coach of the year.

They're led by Tessa Holt, who is probably the speediest player I've seen in Georgia in a long time.

She doesn't score a lot, but she has an uncanny ability to hit and on Youku watch today as on Youku breaks and Tessa Holt hits her with a no look pass and it's an easy layup.

There's your starting five Holt again, Dakota Walton, Kassidy Welch, Sasha Sims and Emma Anoushka.

That's right, the five, two and Junior.

Very consistent throughout the playoffs and looking forward to a great game here today.

Right now, let's go ahead get go courtside to our PA announcer Dr. David Witherow of Chatsworth, Georgia with today's introductions and I had to go a bit more earlier on a six cylinder number three oh, I don't want to pay more for 40 a show later for six one senior number 45 Love pre-show looks at the head coach of Southwest DeKalb is not the all time now let's take the starters for the Fayette County Lady Tigers and go by senior number 11 Dakota Walter right guard a56 senior number 21 test so I post a six foot junior Number 24.

Such a senior at post the 510 junior number 40.

I'm Luke who and that forward a57 senior number 45 Cassidy Well the head coach of Fayette County is John Strickland.

This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station set for tip off of the four eight girls championship.

Let's go downstairs.

Lisa, we standing by.

Lisa, what's going on?

Thanks, Dave.

This rematch promises to be a good one and it's really not about revenge.

Yes, Southwest did beat Bay County last year.

It, of course, beat County would like to return the favor.

It win their school age first team title since 1964 when the baseball team won it all.

But the later Tigers are just thrilled to be back in the big game and they want to finish the journey.

They started here a year ago today and they really don't care who they play.

And Davis walked away.

The Panthers are just as thrilled.

They would like nothing more than to repeat a state championship.

All right.

Thank you, Lisa.

We'll be talking to you throughout the afternoon.

Again, Lisa was the third member of our broadcast team here today.

I'm Dave Gardner alongside Dick Williams and the rest of the DVD crew as we welcome you to championship Weekend right here on GPB.

And I tell you what, I can't believe it's already that time of year again.

Here we are sitting here at the Arena Gwinnett Center, getting set for some state championship.

I know this is it.

This is our good weekend.

This is the best we get to relive for that center.

We had to make a the center plex.

And it's all basketball all the time.

Wall to wall action.

First up again for a girls title match up between number one, Fayette County and Southwest.

A pair.

The lady Tigers control the opening tip in south loss to tap in the road to Fayette County on the home white this afternoon as you see Tessa hope her 20 156 senior with the basketball there and momentarily go baseline knocked away and the lady Panthers back and running the other way Great up and under move a little short go by Taylor Lewis and already inside the first 30 seconds of the two players dig we focused on in the pregame show touch the basketball well I've got to have a little talk to Tessa Holt she's greater here tonight and in all the previous games, her hair has been playing all around.

And maybe that's why I thought she was so fast.

We'll see.

Coach John Strickland in his fourth season in Fayette County, an impressive record there, 91 to 28 and one count it.

Great baseline move right there by his brother.

That tells us, oh, he's she's right there.

And that kind of surprised me the other night, the semifinal, she hardly shot at all.

She mostly passed.

She had a tremendous number of assists.

You know, she averages 7.1 assists per game, completed a three point play right there.

And it's Fayette County who finds the board first three nothing Lady tigers again region five that shot by to Lisa Blake off the Mark Holt back and running the other way try to squeeze it in between some traffic there the way passes do a nice job of closing the door based on what I've seen here, that's a rare over force pass.

She's usually right on the money.

Warner river is the five three senior averages over six points a game here.

We've got Fayette County in a23 zone that's to counter that size of Southwest can.

It's a pretty effective little zone.

Southwest game's got to get inside.

But she's not to reward Rivers with a trey.

The first points of the game again last year for Warner Rivers and sister Alondra Rivers basically rotated in and out with each other.

This year, of course, they're on the floor at the same time, starting out inside Soft Shot, but goes for Sasha Sims.

And just when you think that Tessa holds the go to player, which she certainly is, Sasha Sims is certainly a nice piece out there, the six foot Junior, well, she averages ten points a game and the offensive scoring is spread around four players and a three point shot off the money by Kayla Lewis.

And now Fayette County works on the other end.

Five three Lady Tiger Lee, that's three point shot off the mark who would not go finally controlled by Alondra Rivers lost the handle on it there momentarily Jump off I'll call possession Aero southwest Yeah good hustle by AMA a new crew of Fayette County jumping in there to to tie that ball up.

We're talking about a new crew and how consistent she's been throughout the postseason has basically been in double figures.

As you see our game officials here today, Willie Crosby, Amy Tardy and Esther Ray.

And I know you're familiar with a couple of those folks.

I am Esther Ray and any of your members of my association, Peach State, where we Crosby comes from the Gwinnett Multi-County Officials Association.

It's up inside.

Would not go with Lisa Lou as far as a long shot still would go battle for the loose ball still on the floor and finally Kayla Lewis comes out of there with it and gets the roll in.

Good work underneath by the Lady Panthers.

And then a turnover.

We'll get the call and it's right back to Southwest The Gap, a tie ballgame five apiece And it looks like the the show Kayla Lewis right there, she just sails down the middle of the lane and gets a shooter's roll and a bounce on that.

Take the three point shot Will Lewis back of the iron.

Rivers keeps a lot blocked.

Nice job here by Jamison Blake working on the other end trying to get rid of it does so high off the glass won't go for it to go to Walker the ball goes out of bounds, though, and will stay with Fayette County and that's 45 chastity Well 257 senior averaged four points a game who will inbound it gets it in quick off the inbound too strong off the glass wouldn't go rivers again just five foot three but runs the floor like a general for that Lady Panther team there They're working the ball in there to help turnover got a hand on it I think that's what Southwest the Cavs going to have to do that they're going to have to get the ball down near the post and use their size for short shots.

Tessa Holder clips, the 1400 career point mark last week.

A new CU stands at 997, so we'll have to keep an on her here tonight.

Colt of course already committed to play for the Florida Gators and I think with her speed she'll get a lot of play and I think she'll be a nice addition for that program.

Absolutely.

Nearly a plus one for Elijah Rivers.

But she will go to the line nonetheless.

Point here.

So there's a lot of rivers and she's the fan county player there just to go to Walton just said you're not going to score this basket reached over and grabbed her arm and said there that's you got to go to the free throw line.

Now you see rivers numbers on the year very impressive And she knocks down the first year it was averaging just over ten five six junior in the second one on the way it is there to the to the rivers on that trip and the lady Panthers take a lead.

We'll take a quick break and be right back with 375 southwest of it's been a county in this for a girl's championship.

Now downstairs the Lisa we standing by with a special guest, Lisa.

Thanks, Dave.

Joining me is Bay County's principal, Dr. Charles Ward.

How exciting is it for the school in the community for the girls to be back here?

Lisa, it's terrific.

It's great to be your Fayette County Tiger.

We're so proud of these ladies back the second time.

And it's been a terrific season, undefeated, as you know.

And then, you know, the strains of the competition.

So it's really reflected of our school in a very positive way.

As you know, we are a blue Ribbon School of Excellence and were primarily focused on academics, but having strong athletic and fine arts programs are so key.

So I want to thank everybody for their support and we're just really proud of them.

Thank you so much.

Dave, back to you.

All right.

Thank you, Lisa.

As we start this second quarter, seven five southwest to Chad with the lead.

But yeah, what a great ride for the Lady Tigers back in this championship game for the second year in a row, making the trip from Fayetteville, Georgia, and out of Region five.

They've got her Dick Williams alongside the rest of our Gp-B crew is the race of course the third member of our team here today that's Sasha Simms opens up a quarter with points for the lady Tigers here.

Kenny High School's had quite a resurgence, not just this ladies basketball team, but their men's basketball team, the boys basketball team and their football.

They haven't been around much for a while, but they've really come back.

And a lot of sports, great ball movement right there by the Lady Panthers worked it down into Lucretia lewis, the six foot senior who picked up two back.

On the other hand, that's Simms once again that shot missing this five shots the center with four points in this first half scramble jump ball call possession arrow will stay with the lady tigers for trail back to Kelly she's a little bit out of sync from what I've seen them I saw their previous two games their passes aren't as crisp they seem just a little bit disorganized.

But knowing these players, we're going to see it come back to them with that.

A day to rest, I guess, for the four teams, not so much for the five, eight teams later on.

They're playing, of course, last night, two centers.

But these two teams have a day to get their legs back under them for that foul was called in previous years.

That would have been more of a hill ball situation.

But there's been a point of emphasis that when a player lands on a player already on the ground, there's a penalty incurred.

And you saw exactly that on that play.

And that's two on to go to Walton.

You're going to look at coach Cathy Ritchie Walton seventh season at Southwest a cap 153 and 50 has also done an excellent job with this Lady Panther program out of Region six.

I want you to think I'm a hairstylist or something, but she always wears her hair down.

And I asked her about it and she said she the kids are going to natural all season to get some braids in there.

So she's done it.

I barely recognized her.

You know, the TV cameras are on.

I mean, hey, it's the perfect time to break out a new look.

Sure.

So, yeah, there it is, southwest of camp again, trying to get it inside, not making a shot, but they got a good open look against that two, three zone in the middle.

And what a job I did go to.

Want to keep that ball in play.

Nice save there along that baseline Good work that was Welch cut it to the other side and could with her first two of the night is one point within a thousand career points and remember that she's just a junior watch a new crew it's fun to watch her.

She moves very well off the ball and she has surprised in hopes she can really get up in the air, waved off the foul, going to be called there before reporters in the second leg of that last at the Southwest.

The Cavaliers last bucket here, Fayette County off the glass.

That was an excellent interior pass and that's what you look for.

She didn't force the ball up to the basket.

She passed it through lane to the open.

She off the inbound right there.

Kayla Lewis, Using that 511 frame to her advantage, goes up in traffic, makes the catch and then puts it in for two an extra.

That's a mismatch there because Lewis is taller than the Fayette County play whistle is that what's going to be on all of her first true team fouls as you see coach John Strickland are all register the senior as you see the field goal story four of 13 for Southwest a cap four of nine for Fayette County and a good looking bucket right there by Sasha Sims.

Now six points here in this first half kick.

And Sasha again gets off to a good start.

Kind of surprising to me because Sims is one of the three double figure scorers.

She averages ten.

Maybe she's a decoy tonight.

If the defense is looking at Holton in YouTube rebound, well, that's a whole nice move.

Springs open unable to get the shot to go the follow off the glass ball go three opportunities but unable to hit That's what I mean about them seeming a little bit out of sync and you could doesn't miss many of those put backs she's got great inside possession and she'll only convert those three point shot on the way would not go weak to Lewis working and gets the bucket scores four points for Lewis here in the first half and it's 1311 southwest to cab breaks a tie ballgame southwest to camp able to go inside and score against this smaller team tough drive right there shot just wouldn't quite go for test the whole that would have been one for the highlight reel if she would have gotten that one to go in through.

She's certainly no stranger to national high.

A lot of tension there.

Of course, one of her plays earlier this season made the ESPN top ten plays in at number two.

It was a halfcourt buzzer beater in the region tournament against Douglas County.

Right.

Everybody wants to be on SportsCenter.

That's the quickest way to get there is a winner hit the half court shockers win a big ballgame when I should have been getting some sleep last night.

Syracuse and Connecticut go to six all stars actually.

Now a game a game like that would play havoc with our broadcast.

I think it would.

Final seconds ticking down.

Holt takes the shot off the mark would not, though.

An action packed first quarter here from the arena Gwinnett at center with southwest to cap leading Wayne County 1311 take a break and be right beat this is Georgia public Broadcasting, your PBS station on All right the defending Florida state girl champions Southwest a jam Lady Panthers have a two point lead over the Fayette County Lady Tigers.

You see the cheerleaders of the house here today from South Mr. Gavin Smith, Fayette County firing up the crowd here as folks file into the arena.

Gwinnett Center on her, Dick Williams with you.

Lisa was courtside today along with the rest of the GPB crew.

And that was a very action packed first quarter, a little bit ragged on both sides, certainly not shooting particularly efficiently.

And while we talked about those cheerleaders, I just kind of wish that the Southwest Acab marching band, which was near the ledge, I'd love to see them.

Oh, absolutely.

Absolutely.

Now back to action right here.

Lady Panthers with the basketball up by two feet.

Kenny staying in that zone now?

Yeah, they're still in the zone, but they've changed it up.

It's more like a two 1 to 3 point shot on the way.

Would not go for Khadijah Moten, the five six junior taking a lot of burn the time out Also number 33, Olivia Gibbs the five nine freshman in the game for the Lady Panthers.

And you see Chastity Welch had it taken away Elijah Rivers on the other end takes it all the way a little bit short on that one.

And here we go.

The lady Tigers back at home.

Nice look open.

Look right there for RPO register unable to knock it down, ball loose on the floor but the tigers up with it.

What a terrific play by online UConn.

She's kind of stumbled over there out of nowhere and got the ball through Grant let it play Oh hope had it stripped away by rivers lays it up shot would not go but they will get the foul here the second consecutive steal by Alana Rivers She's got field candy kind of speed.

She hasn't been able to convert them but she has got gotten the foul rivers is yourself foul on register there you look at long rivers three points here today this is on the first flight of the third, Jada Williams, number 34, rather, Olivia Gibbs take back.

It is just a reverse numbers, two points and a rebound for the junior.

So far, it's that defense that's helping her.

She's got that kind of quickness that can step into those passing lanes.

And she did it effectively there twice.

One of two on that trip, three point ballgame, 14, 11.

You know, this is the Southwest, the cap team dig that graduated three division one players last year.

You see number 40 on who do you put that bucket right there 1001 career points how about that And as we said at the outset, that was Tessa Holt having this chemistry within your core set her up at the top of the at the foul line there and she just broke pass for defend in scoring run away knocked away by Fayette County looks like it will stay with the lady Panthers in last year's state championship the first for Southwest Academy the semifinals also back in 1990 and nearly a chance for a three point play there by Louis.

But you'll have to settle for a chance for to call this a big bonus here for the can can have four teams in the finals.

It is a Southwest camp being really kind of a surprise of the group, especially after graduating those players last year.

For Stevens, South Carolina, you have Rutledge, Mitchell, both D-1 there as well.

So try to replace this kind of players, you know, but basically just two losses to Marist this year and then the other two out of state against Oakridge, Tennessee and Bishop McNamara out of Maryland.

Mackinaw is a traditional power in the Washington, D.C. area.

So, you know, this is a good watching what Southwestern patch doing when you see a freshman come on or for Southwest to cap, you know that in four more years.

Yeah.

Good Lord willing.

And we're here she'll be the dominant player that we featured before the game.

Yeah.

If you could if you could work your way into that lineup with those upperclassmen as a freshman, that's saying a lot.

And that program know.

Okay, Kayla Lewis was six points here in the first half, has done a great job.

And you see Coach Richie Walton looking on.

I just can't get over the bridge.

Just not used to that turnover.

Fayette County seven South lost the game with just one here in the first half.

But despite that, still within three yard the lady tigers.

That's what I meant Coach passing is just a little out of sync.

It's a slow, slow.

And they don't seem to be playing with the precision that they played in earlier against not from outside and over the backboard right there for Taylor Lewis and kept on going because it didn't hit anything.

And that's why I knew if you were on the other end off the glass would not go follows their own shot up in.

And right now we're starting to see half of the dynamic duo open up here.

We'll see what happens when Catch the Hole catches fire.

Napier with six points, 5 minutes left here in the first half Southwest to cap averages 67 points a game offensively and there's three of it right there Olivia Gibbs with her first bucket the five non freshman averaging for a game but she's almost there a59 freshman underscore that meanwhile Fayette County averaging around 57 points a game offensively so about ten less but defensively though they give up less at 37 really problems selves on backward pressure matchups on defense as you talked about and really trying to shut teams down defensively Phil Collins has beaten Marist handily in the second round and yet Merrow speaks out first to camp twice handily.

Yes, both games by almost 20, I think in both games this year he fell by that margin.

The nearest there is two inside.

The 33 outside of Miley is her first to the six to junior.

This is certainly a Southwest to camp team that has some size there.

When you look at players like Miley and Lewis six foot six two respectively.

Also a couple of younger players off the bench as well.

It stands out at six foot and Cathy Richie Walton is going deep into her back.

She is playing with younger players that she's got to get ready for next year.

But kind of already.

So we'll take a quick time out and be right back.

For 2115 in this girls for a title match up now to Lisa.

We standing by with another special guest Lisa.

Thanks, Dave.

Joining me now is Southwest Cavs principal John Price.

And I know it's been an exciting week of school.

Oh, yes.

Our students have been very excited about this game.

They've been looking forward to it all day.

The very exciting day and week for Southwest Camp High School.

Well, thank you.

Good luck in the second half.

I know you guys are off to a good start.

Dave, back to you.

All right.

Thank you, Lisa.

Lisa in the principal's office here a couple of times in this first quarter.

I don't know about that, you know, but we'll check back in with her a little bit later on.

Meanwhile, Dave Gardner, Dick Williams with you, 2115 in favor of Southwest Cab leading the unbeaten Fayette County Lady Tigers number one right now, trailing by six points at this moment, Southwest, a cab size and strength is dominating the Fayette County, but that county's quickness is not being used.

They're not that good.

They seem just a tad out of sync and they're not shooting very well.

They do continue play here in the second quarter with the basketball.

Again, that's Chastity Welch, 45.

All register up top.

Here's three from Tessa Holt and that would not go held to three points so far in this first half that one knocked away number 23, Chancey Dunn checking in for Southwest.

The cab got tangled up with one of the lady tigers and it went out of bounds to Fayette County.

Now, in this possession, we'll look to see if Southwest can challenge is out higher with the defense.

Yes they are.

They're going to play man to man and they're going to try to pick them out, but a little bit higher on the court.

Three point field goals, two of five for Southwest, a cap over three to thank them on that time on man you could just got blocked by a bigger player shot from outside would not go for a long pass to a newcomer to tall though and back the other way it goes.

I wonder if maybe the Wheaties weren't right this morning because normally it says a hawk finds on YouTube with uncanny ability that was nearly back four.

It may have been touched in there.

I think it was Chattanooga, but stayed alive.

And Felicia Blake got one to go.

Her first points of the game, the 510 senior average of 6.4, and that's already seven different Lady Panthers who have a quarter.

The name of the Scorebook here in this first half.

And that's kind of the way their season has gone really with the only game in Los dominating on every game on the score.

But it's right on hand making a lot of noise here at the arena.

That's a good drive inside with the left hand.

Couldn't get it to go though.

Sound whistle through taller players.

She's trying to slice to taller players and that couldn't hurt her certain number 11 to go to Walton the senior to step back and just see the crowd filling out nicely here Iguodala Well, we hope you're 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.

And if you're like you, that helped make great local programs like this possible.

And thank you for supporting Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Again.

Find out how to become a member at halftime.

Stay with us right here.

All right.

Coach Shannon Strickland, Georgia Press has decided that being down 2315 is a suitable.

So he had that possession.

He applied full court pressure.

Oh ripped away by a nice steal by Dakota Walton, puts up a tough shot unable to get the roll kept alive over nicely by another recruit gets up there, got great hops neither team really light it up much here in this first half ball loose kept alive ball still loose and now a whistle Looks like that was going to be ordinary for blue as the two players got tangled up for Jimmy some way to duplicate.

That's two on another bench because we've hit the bonus.

Yep.

For Southwest the Cavaliers shooting the one and one here 17 fouls now on the lady Tigers This wonderful arena has got great signage and great space, but maybe it's my age.

I have seen a number of team fouls.

I they're up there.

It's tough.

It's kind of like a driver's test to try and find that it's got to cover one eye and look up there.

You saw Blake knocked down that first when you saw numbers in the 510 cedar with the second one on the way.

This is that one but keeps her own shot alive right here.

Kicks it back out.

And now southwest to Campbell reset the offense looking inside tough turn around wouldn't go for Miley and that's Sasha Simms running the other way with it.

Simms thought about the pull up now we'll take it and hits Boy, she's got a sweet stroke.

She is the bright spot offensively so far for the fans.

Kenny Titus, eight points for Simms the six foot jump first two of the second quarter.

But you're right, she has indeed been the bright spot there offensively gave that one off scrambling to back the other way it looks like she supports the tab opening up a seven point lead here 2417 with under a minute and a half to play in this first half.

Now again, they're going to pick up Tessa Holt out five and not going to give her the freedom to operate.

Faith County hasn't trailed much this year in any ball game.

In fact, they had a 17 point lead, the same as against Jonesboro.

Let that slip away from them, but held on for a two point win here, though they may not have that luxury if they don't pick it up and go with two or she's already in double figures.

Now it's in that comeback by Jones Bowles.

Absolutely remarkable.

The score at the half is 31 to 15 and those four almost came back to win.

Those three.

It's been a tough road.

South lost a tab at a three point game in round one against Douglas County with a seven point margin against Madison County in round two, eight point margin against Northwest.

Woodfield then really took Bainbridge out the series and exploded 8048.

Meanwhile, Fayette County, their games a little bit closer the later they went in the bracket especially that big two for an emotional win on Wednesday night.

What's really changed here is how high out the southwest at their defense is coming.

Two more for Sasha since she's got it doesn't she is picking it up for her teammates Hope.

And then you think Sasha has really been the saving grace here in this first half and pair Kenny has now come out of that zone.

All right.

They're going to play more aggressive defense.

They're going to try and push the ball for a run here.

And one blocked out of bounds, but a whistle on the floor prior to it pull to go to the line for two.

I guess it's a shooting foul circle again trying to Miley the six to JR call for a one there that's five team fouls now southwest the gap gets a hole again as we mentioned held to just three points so far in this first half but at the line yeah success seems a little out of sorts for number 22, Kayla Lewis leads the way for the Lady Panthers with six points in this first half.

Stepping back into the lineup for coach Richie Walton Holt trying to make good on her second bang gets the roll four points for Tessa Holt and it's a 2422 ballgame.

The lady Tigers pull back within two much more aggressive defense now by Thad Cannon, and that's sitting back in that zone again.

Apple.

Meanwhile, the Lady Panthers of late for the final 2 minutes and the final seconds will take on the clock and will enter halftime with a two point game 2422, a good one in this for a girls championship.

Let's go downstairs.

Lisa will be standing by with the lady coach coach while joining me right now.

Your team has substantially they watch it diminish down to two points.

Any changes you're going to make at halftime or obviously going to have to pick up Sash and she's the one that's carrying the team right now.

So we got to do a better job of guarding her and your defense.

You come out strong.

They force a lot of turnovers early on.

Any adjustments they're you know, we've got to stay with our same game plan.

Like I said, we kind of lost sight of her.

But, you know, we know what we got to do.

We're going have to do a second half.

Well, thank you so much.

Good luck in the second half.

Coach.

All right.

Thank you, Lisa.

Again, Southwest, a guy with a two point lead and Kathy Richie Walton.

We'll take a break and more coming up from GPB.

You learn how to be a member right here on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station.

And on 24, 22 are halftime scores, Southwest, the cab leads by county.

Let's go to Lisa West is standing by with Coach Strickland.

Lisa.

Coach Strickland, I know it took your defense a little while to find their tempo.

Any adjustments did you make?

Well, you know, we was getting down in and I was making a run right there.

And I'm telling you, hey, we're with your team.

We're a great team defensively.

And that's what we want to have the first period right there.

So and then we stepped up toward the end and made some things.

So hopefully we can come back the second half, keep doing the same thing and win state championship.

Thank you so much, Coach.

Good luck with the second half, Dave.

All right.

Thank you, Lisa.

Take a look back at that first half exciting half Southwest.

The cab, of course, spreading out to a lead and they had several players step up.

Well, you had Kayla Lewis, of course, who is their leading offensive player scoring in the paint and then coming again here.

She is, a good scoring threat inside and then a bit of a surprise.

There could be some Blake fires longer shot.

Sasha Simms has been the offense for Fayette County in this first half.

She has taken up the slack left by a newcomer.

But Sasha Simms was was was scoring well, shooting well and led them with 17 with 12 points in the first half.

But then, as Coach Strickland said to Lisa, they have got to pick up their defensive tempo.

And I don't think that two, three zone is going to work for them.

They're going to look at the numbers.

They're against seven of 26 field goals for Southwest Captain of 26 for Fayette County, three point field goals.

You see free throws there.

Rebound 7012 advantage for the lady Tigers turnovers nine four again Fayette County ended the half on a five over 40 to close that gap a little bit and that's why it's a two point game and a surprise is that Fayette County is out rebounding southwest again the stats may say that it doesn't look like it doesn't because the much taller lady Panthers we talked about the even scoring there in the first half from the lady Panthers Kayla Lewis with six beyond that it's pretty well spread out.

Meanwhile Fayette County it's all been Sasha Simms Paducah with six points.

Tessa Holt with just four.

The only three lady tigers in the scorebook to this point, as we open up the second half here from the arena again at center.

And to quote Bill Raftery, Fed County is going man to man.

They've got her.

Dick Williams with you right here.

Lisa Reese, courtside as well, along with the rest of the Gp-B team championship weekend continues right here on GPB sports.

A great slate of all games a little bit later on tonight you've got the for a boys contest which will follow between Tucker and Miller Grove and then, of course, five action later on this evening, Tucker and Miller Grove to the camp Kenny Schools that know each other quite well, playing out of the same region.

You see a lot of rivers knocking down the first four points today and a rebound for the junior second.

And on the way, two of two on that trip, Rivers with five points as a four point southwest to cap league and I want folks to see the real test of Holt before this ball game is over.

I'd like to see you really push the tempo and look for a nuclear inside.

And if you felt the pressure, try to kick it back out.

And a foul from Taylor Lewis.

Lewis in the 511 junior Lewis and Miley with an 11 one run in the first quarter of that semifinal win over Bainbridge really set the tone in that ballgame.

Lewis finished with 24 points.

And Alonzo Rivers and we've talked a lot about here tonight, have 15 in that game.

And they've been pretty, pretty consistent throughout this postseason.

Three point shot on the other end by the Lady Tigers.

And it's there for Tessa Holt.

Now, maybe she'll start to get things going.

I think we're going to have it down to the wire ballgame.

They seem to have relaxed each side.

They seem to have gotten used to the state final atmosphere and they're playing more efficiently, blocked inside and ripped away by Holt.

And if you trying to catch up to that ball just so but can't keep defeated which I promoted in the pre game the wonderful magical passing of Tessa Holt to Newkirk and twice it's failed.

So we're going to look at Coach Strickland not happy about that last week with their offense a Holt 15 points at last year's title game against Southwest to cap as you mentioned decay University of Florida commit we're talking about that buzzer beater she had it made the top ten ESPN boys.

Josh had another buzzer beater in round two of the state tournament in it's Osborne a three pointer at the buzzer had 14 points in that game of Newman with 15 and Faith County able to edge off with 5148 Beautiful pass now whistle inside the 43 on an open so she'll have to be careful here with 615 still left in the third period and a 32nd timeout on the floor are going to be called by Southwest to cap off all the way to the semifinals and 2008 for the lady Tigers.

And also way back in 86, Fayette County.

Again, I said that earlier we had a resurgence in sports.

They've had some down years in football, but have suddenly come back very effectively.

And and obviously both their basketball teams.

Last year, of course, we had both their teams here in the final Four.

And it looks like some some coaching changes or some renewed energy have made it great.

I think the principles right.

This girls team is a team to rally around.

Yeah, because of their speed and their and their obvious enjoyment in the game.

Well let's like Lisa mentioned up top here today, the last state title for Kenny was back in 1964, I believe, and it was the baseball team.

So certainly seeing a resurgence here.

And I think you're right, it certainly focuses around this ladies team and Southwest.

A can is always a power and everything.

Oh, you learn a lot from the Panthers and Lady Panthers and a lot of different sports over the years, that's for sure.

Again, Southwest A came out of Decatur, Georgia that shot off the mark kept alive though by Lewis turn around and it goes Taylor Lewis with their first points in the second half and she's got eight.

That was a very nice turnaround.

That was a nice move.

Pull back on the other end, being guarded by Alondra Rivers.

This is the quickness contest.

Holton Rivers Simms had the hot hand in the first half, but kicks back out.

Both the runner would not go rebounding there by Lewis as the lady Panthers have it back the other way five and a half to play here in the third take it away here goes home Oh big block there by Kayla Lewis It got a bit on it Spalding the official ball of the Georgia High School Association.

There you go.

Let's take another look at this one.

She can't go up against a player that size that was she just doesn't there's not enough extension there to make that work in an after a nuku tough break there, although it gets it back three point shot short and out of bounds.

I think Tessa Holt is going to have to get her team going through her defense.

She's she's got to get those steals going to get in tandem with a new they are not playing their game.

Or perhaps the southwest of their defense is is taking them out of their game with their size and their stronger bodies.

The larger of five points, three point shot, it looked like a new kid may have got a finger on that ball.

Not sure.

Another side follows it up.

Nice job right there by Rivers Point six and 730, 25, 30.

Panthers back out by five and eight.

Time out on the floor with 439 left in this third quarter, including 32nd timeout again the for a girls state championship game here today live at the arena at Gwinnett Center right here on GPB.

A rematch of last year's title game.

Go ahead and take a break and take a look at some clips from last year's for a championship between these same two teams with 5 seconds on the floor picked up.

And that should do it.

The final seconds tick off the cardinals and the Southwest, the cat lady Panthers are your 2008 for a girls state basketball champions you to have a celebration is on the court all smiles for the lady Panthers who captured the school's first ever state girls basketball championship center will continue on Saturday after making coliseum But a good game right here, a five point game in this rematch from last year's state title game, Southwest, the cat with a five point lead, Bay County trailing but with the basketball and Tessa Holt with seven points in this game has the ball trying to look inside here to Sasha Sims back to her good looking cut down the middle of the way.

This could not get the shot to fall.

And that's sort of been the thing here today for the lady Tigers.

The shooting is very inaccurate and that is the reason they're having trouble with the size inside the hands up over them.

And Holt is pressing, I'm afraid she but she can win it with some really aggressive defense.

And let's see if they start to pick them up out higher.

They're in a man to man.

They're out of that zone.

See the field goes to a five there for the Lady Panthers, one of eight bloody tigers.

This is they put a little more pressure on with this man in the wild trying to handle that one.

Knocked it out.

If you if you'd seen Fayette County earlier in the week or the month you'd be surprised to see this is the same team, the Southwest, a campus paying playing very disciplined effective basketball looking inside right there, little tall it, able to come down with it gets it to go Taylor Lewis now in double figures the first lady Panthers with two points and it's those mismatches I'm sure that caused John Strickland to open this game in a23 zone.

Yeah well, you know, if you look at that semifinal win against Bainbridge for South with the Gap 8048, very impressive.

They might be peaking at the right time.

You know you always want to be playing your best basketball at the end of the year.

And it appears the way the Panthers are doing this.

What's that all line at the end of the year?

You're not a sophomore anymore.

You're Julie.

That's right.

You're ready to for next year.

Here was Chastity Welch, her first born of the night 3226.

It's six rebounds for the senior in this game and knocks down another two for two All that trip for Welch 3227 for the Tigers draw back within five looking inside a great look they have a great defense to their guy Sasha Sims Yeah Lucretia Lewis thought she had the open look their six foot senior but was in kind of tight there underneath the rim and that defense behind with her caught up saw coach Kathy Ritchie walk looking on three point shot from the corner off the bar And boy hustle Love River is absolutely a on the other end gets the last nine points for Alondra Rivers that was impressive that was a very fine defense Quick to the ball and a man defense against Fayette County Well looking inside but a nice job there by Lewis to knock that one away on the other end left hand and it goes for Jimmy Blake with the left hand.

Just when you feel like Fayette County starting to make a little bit of a run in this game, the Lady Panthers answer as they go up nine in here this third quarter 3627.

Wow we'll take a timeout step aside.

Be right back to the Arena Gwinnett Center.

It's supposed to have leading Fayette County in this for a girl's title game tomorrow.

So the road back here at the Arena Gwinnett Center.

Just a reminder for complete coverage of the state GHC basketball championships and find out how to support sports programing on GPB, go to GPB Dawgs basketball to learn more.

Again, GHC Championship info available on the GPB website.

Again, that's GPB Talk Back slash basketball and we thank you for tuning in this weekend and being a part of championship weekend.

It's a great little reminder, a little piece of March Madness.

This sets the table for the rest of it.

If you're a basketball fan, this is the appetizer.

As we move toward true March Madness southwest of CAP came out with an 8 to 2 run in the last 230 open.

That lead up to nine points.

And it is because I think Fayette County is not challenging enough on defense.

Oh, there's a hand right there.

So Chancy done sighs again about a five inch mismatch Kayla Lewis with ten points stripped away and Dakota Walton not liking that call with her her and she believes and she will be replaced by Earl Register.

Yeah Coach Strickland having a little chat with her right there again three team fouls on player die for Southwest about running a play off the inbound Very nice So two more 3827 first double figure lead of the afternoon for southwest to cap and that one taken away from Welch but back and running the other way here's Alondra Rivers he pulls it back out had the numbers against her did the smart thing but here's Chancey Dunn with the open look in the block by a new crew.

Are you kidding?

A new crew has got the quickest ups you're going to see in a girl that just she rises very quickly.

I'm sure the two, you'll see her come up.

Wow.

Wow.

That's a wingspan right there.

I was looking down, thinking Dunn had the open look and I was just getting ready to Markwell Dunn.

I think Dunn was the most surprised person in the building for this crowd here live.

And you go take a look inside and look at a new man.

She's only five, six or so, but she gets up.

Not just that she gets up, but how quickly she gets up.

Kind of reminds me of Herb White when he was playing for the Gators.

Yeah, the elevator from Decatur.

Yeah.

Speaking of and you look at the blocks here today, Lady Tigers, the three Lady Panthers with two 3827 still with under a minute and a half to go in this third quarter backdoor successfully broken up by Sasha since Johnson's did a nice job to get up to get a hole on that one and on the other end the and they're buying new business got it Finally a new crew.

That's the play that's their basic play.

Fast break to a new era.

But the Lady Panthers have done so well and shut some of these players down a new three with 22 points in round one.

She had 23 in that semifinal game against Jonesboro has gotten pretty much every round of the postseason.

But so far he'll do just eight points here.

Still a whole nother quarter to go.

But credit Southwest, the cap defense holding opponents to just 44 points a game.

Lisa Weise tells us that Coach Strickland in that last time out, told his girls that to win, they're going to have to fight for the ball.

And that I didn't mean to be critical before of them.

I certainly wouldn't be that.

I didn't feel they were playing aggressive enough on the defensive end.

And that's what he's looking for.

Willis Now with 12 points, as you saw, seven boards there as well.

And they're going to throw Jada Williams in for the Lady Panthers, who now lead it by 11 4029 with a minute left in the third.

They're going to look at Tessa Hole.

And that one knocked away by Lewis pulls back behind the arc and rips the three.

So that's how Hall answers that She gets a double play.

Here comes the defensive pressure.

They have got to put this kind of pressure on if they're going to win this ballgame.

Inside off the glass wouldn't go.

Lewis had it knocked away with two or three opportunities.

And that's really been the theme for the Lady Panthers in this game, is having those chances underneath.

You've got to fight for the ball, as Coach Strickland said.

And as the statistics showed, Fayette County was leading in rebounding in the first half.

But as I said, it didn't look like it to me.

Right?

There's two or three just to put backs right there.

A kind of proof of that that the Lady Panthers have had their way inside here for the most part, seven different players to score.

As we mentioned, all the scoring for Fayette County still comes from those three players, Holt Sims and you shot would not go baseline to top one therefore look WHISTLE Lewis time winding down 10 seconds pull down the lady Tigers playing for the final bucket blocking call I'm going to go against Alonzo Rivers some of the crowd doesn't like that but that's one of those calls you just have to make because it tripped up.

She lost her footing.

There may have not have been a big bump, but she she certainly was at the disadvantage.

They put the foul on Southwest to get another backdoor cut would go Holt reverse to tall and that shot well knocked down out of the hands of tabor on account so the score will remain 43 to an eight point lead for South Mr. Cab as we hit the fourth and final beat, this is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station on whether you get a look at the girls for a state champion.

Since 2000, of course, there were only four classifications in 2000, but since then, since going to five classes, you see the winner, Saint Pius, of course, with three state titles and a loss sandwiched in there in 2005.

And of course, Southwest DeKalb, the winner of last year, trying to make it back to back championships.

And they lead Fayette County, 4032, heading into the fourth and final period.

And those great Saint Pius teams, of course, anchored by Kelly Kane, who was at Tennessee getting some playing time after missing a year with a knee injury.

Those were dominant basketball teams.

Fant County opening up the fourth quarter with the basketball in difficult.

We do want to mention I'm a new CU playing with four fouls and she has certainly been one of the bigger players on the floor here today.

Really all year long, as we all know, averaging the most of anybody.

And she's got to be careful.

Well, this limits her game for fouls because she's so aggressive on the boards.

She'll have to take a kind of a step back for sure and stay in the contest.

But being UConn, a newcomer Holt combo, is not connecting in the way it normally does.

Fortunately for the Tigers, Sasha Sims, who stepped up and Anoushka just checked back into the lineup there on that last whistle.

So she is in there and again playing with those four fouls.

Meanwhile, Tessa Holt with ten Points has picked it up.

Sasha Sims with a dozen still has the team lead for Fayette County.

Kayla Lewis with a dozen for Southwest, the Cavaliers too.

That's the other Rivers Sister Kawana, as she seems to be as fast as a system like a1a53 senior with five points here today back on the other end Holt trying to get rid of it does so a new group could not get the shot to fall follows her own shot will draw the whistle she will go to the line five team fouls on Fayette county four on southwest the gap for the yeah I Dave I'm impressed I got to tell you that it is the driving test yes it's got to be our age difference so that was a good job.

Now I know you had to work at it.

I've got my eyeballs.

It's the age difference in the first one is there for Duke, who has not see Andre Rivers stepping back in there.

You look at the Duke, never nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the junior, but she averages 17.9 points a game.

Second one in and out.

This is kind of the day it's been.

She's on her rebound average, but her scoring isn't working out Well, As we mentioned, a lot of folks predicted that the lady Tigers would probably be in this position, be in 31.

And oh, and they certainly had some had to work for it.

So throughout this postseason.

But I'm not sure a lot of folks felt like Southwest.

The Cavaliers are those three Division one players last year as we talk about have the firepower to get back to this game.

They were blown out twice by Marist during the regular season, but find themselves in a position right here to make it back to back titles, of course.

Meanwhile, Mary's was put out by this Fayette County team in round three 6044.

The game was really not even contested.

It was a fair counter just at random.

And it was the old story.

You know, speed kills and quickness does worse whatever that all story.

Yeah, but yeah, but this is impressive Southwest camp especially looking at how deep they go into their bench with these young players.

So she's got confidence in her program.

Rivers Kawana Rivers knocks down the first by all Register will step out to go to walk back in for Fayette County Rivers with one more and knocks it down seven points today for Kawana Rivers her and her sister have combined for 16 on the afternoon and boy, that one blocked out of the hand of bolts follow would not go.

But chalk up another block there for Jamison Blake a nice play by the tenacious right and the lady Panthers with a couple of semifinal appearances as we mentioned in 1928 several quarterfinal appearances but just two semis and of course last year's state title their first.

And there's the follow right there when we show Lewis in perfect position off that river miss for the put back she's got six and it's 4633 the lady tigers want to talk about it 615 left in regulation and this lady Panther team from southwest the CAPSTICK is not letting up a bit but we hope you're enjoying our live broadcast of the best in Georgia high school basketball and ask you to stay tuned after the game for your opportunity to become a member of the Georgia Public Broadcasting family.

Remember, it's viewers like you that help make great local programs like this possible.

And thank you for supporting Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Been at it for a few years now.

Indeed, and getting a lot of good feedback there.

And we certainly want to encourage people to become a member if they like some of the high school programing that they're seeing with the basketball and the football.

Dave, There is nothing better than GPP coverage of football finals and these basketball finals.

It's this is a very diverse state and with third largest state east of the Mississippi River.

Folks up here, you and our Trey may not know the folks down in Randolph, but they may not know the folks at Bainbridge.

So this is kind of a great unifier for the state of Georgia.

The football and the basketball really pulls it all together.

It ties a lot of communities together.

Absolutely.

The back to action here, Dick.

You know, the Lady Tigers certainly have their work cut out for them trail in 46, 33.

And you know the clock really not much of a factor yet but they got to start thinking about really trying to make a little bit of a run here, put something together.

Well, I think they've got to start thinking about a pressure defense.

Those two for the total roster the game that that that that was a helpful play here they come in a little light pressure you see they're not going do anything though like his own trap or the sort of traditional play turn around would not go Lewis got a little anxious right there little piece strong off the glass That's a hole back on the other end, pulls up and knocks down.

It's a two point shot put on the line, but bolt with a dozen and that might be the spark they need to get back in it.

Sometimes the fans get in advance where they want to bring them.

Oh, Lewis lost the handle on the ball.

They get stalled.

Call for the call.

They're against.

Well, that was a break for the fan counting on the ball That's two on Taylor Lewis 16 fouls now the lady tigers and six on the Lady Panthers as you see coach John Strickland in his fourth year has done a great job and a suddenly demonstrative coach, Cathy Reggie Walton, almost to midcourt doing jumping jacks, I guess, to target kids to get their arms up on defense because she hadn't been too animated that much here today.

But boy, she is now.

She's out there, look like class three, first period.

Now it's crunch time here as we hit the five minute mark.

Sasha, Sam's tough shot, trying to make the pass look like Blake was able to step in front of a jump ball for possession.

Hero Lady Panthers and UConn almost committed a fifth foul on that point.

Back to us.

That was close to see Coach Richie Walton, her seventh season, 28 and four in here today.

Xavier on the couch, the 510 sophomore steps back.

And for the second time today, she's stepping in now for defense to protect the UK.

Yeah.

Luca again with 23 points in the semifinal so you lose a lot with her being on the bench, even though she's had just nine today.

I don't think Holton and UConn connected once that I don't think they've connected for the assist in the hoop once that time.

But we got her hands up and knocked away the backboard got Lewis strong to go backdoor that's right now we know it's offense defense because a neutral almost came back in but the ball stays with you Southwest can nice inbound play somebody sweeping this catch with the rebound comes off the bench it's the big board right there Holt goes one on one with the right hand up and in and a good looking drive there by Tessa Holden picks it up She had four points at halftime she's got 14 and all of a sudden 4639 very manageable right here with one hand she can drive on a player her own size, as she did there with a very nice move.

But you can't drive against two girls who are six feet tall.

Yeah, the lady pants will certainly have a couple of those over on the bench in the ball game.

There's no doubt.

Tessa Holt, though, 1400 plus career points averaging about 12 and a half a game this year at 15 in last year's title game.

But the Southwestern campus has got a great job cutting down the chances for fans to get into that, out in that running game and for Holt to run free and look for.

And UConn sounds very effective because we just haven't seen the two connect yet.

Right.

But you got to remember Lady Panthers again, the two seed out of their region did not win the region championship.

Of course, that went to Mary's.

So Southwest, a cab in here as a two seed coming in ranked sixth overall.

You said you have to read our full disclosure.

I've got one at Mary's.

Yeah.

I feel their pain.

Oh, man.

There you get a look at the crowd here and the view from the arena.

Good, etc.

tense the whole 14.7 rebounds.

The senior has certainly picked it up here in the second half.

But this pressure defense is the key for the next 433 if they're going to get back in.

This has got to be through the pressure on defense and Southwest.

The Cavs going to play it fairly methodically.

It looks like a nice fast pitch, a catch right there.

Catch to the post.

That was nicely done.

But Crystal Lewis, eight points.

She said her average on the day, 4839 with 4 minutes and 10 seconds left and UConn being guarded in the post by a player about three inches taller.

So there's not the opening that you expect for her to get Southwest to cap playing man to man defense there.

You know what?

The way both these teams are on the floor, it's amazing.

We have not seen that many breakaway, you know, easy layups know everything's been contested.

That's right.

A tribute to both coaches.

Oh, yeah.

So taller players.

Yep.

Kind of alter her shot a little bit and hit the bottom of the backboard there And now the Lady Panthers certainly don't want to get out of the rhythm, but they can certainly take their time, that's for sure.

Chastity Love's pressure up on the defense probably going to try to force Bay County to come after right here and put them at the line.

It's almost that time.

Maybe not quite.

And I'm not sure if Kenny's got enough fouls to give at this point.

No next one, I think, puts him in the bonus postings.

Oh, that shot by Lewis misses still another opportunity.

Finally out there with it is a new two numbers against her on the other end good defense by southwest the cabinet close the door three point shot is there for home.

Well, it went the other way this time.

It went a newcomer to Holt 17 points for Tessa Holt.

And that certainly changes the complexion of this final 3 minutes.

Yeah, she bombs that through way behind the arc.

But the key was a new crew pulled up and looked back for her shot on that arc and tossed it to her.

It almost always works the other way as witness.

Tessa Holt's average of 7.1 assists per ballgame.

Well, you know, this may account for teams not going to go away as you see their fans in the house here today making a lot of noise for Southwest.

The Cavs certainly brought the folks up from Decatur here today, but it's just a six point ballgame with the Camp County having four schools in the finals.

We really ought to have half of the Camp County here, but the third largest county in the state.

After all, I'm sure they'll continue to pack the place out as your tactics away here throughout the day.

But but now at this point in the ballgame, with just under 3 minutes remaining, it's got to be pressure defense by Fayette County.

That's got to be the patience on offense that Southwest captured on that last possession.

They didn't rush to shoot.

They made seven or eight passes and they looked for only a good shot.

And that's a well-coached team.

And here comes the full court press by the fair county, ready to charge Bay County last year's runner.

Up year before that sweet 16 region champs Number one team coming into this ballgame, a perfect 31 to oh, but that is in jeopardy here today.

And patience again, is part of the drive.

Now.

They've pulled it out.

They're going to look for only the good shot.

I'm sure that's what's good.

Coach Ritchie, Walt was told by an Insiders Lewis early in the game, she probably would have taken that shot.

Right?

Exactly.

So now's the time to be patient.

And now it's also time for Fayette County to foul Holt working on Rivers.

No foul yet.

And there's two points they pay for it.

Kayla Lewis with 14 again we said at the outset size versus speed that was size eight point ball game over the basketball, trying to create space, unable to do so, go against Blake ball loose on the floor, picked up and a whistle one and one now on the other end or you see all registered number ten and I think that's our third foul.

Yeah so now whom do we look to start fouling for Fayette County?

Well, that certainly is not going to be in Utica, but it can be almost anyone else at this point.

Two players with three and UConn with 412 Rivers missed the front in three point shot on the other end.

That's the whole way off the mark makes two, throws it airball but now under 2 minutes to play right here for Blake with the basketball into the hands of rivers and back out Alondra Rivers and knocked away from behind their heads up play by Holt register working now on the other end He's got the best shot would not go follow and a move through at the line and the reverse is pretty good free pressure at 55% certainly not the team leader or even near the teammate that you say 57% of the time out on the floor.

Okay.

Will come back this time out to receive the free throw it 132 left in regulation of course, last year southwest of cap 6246 over Fayette County in this championship game and the two making it back here again did not meet of course during the regular season and the last loss for Fayette County, of course, 31 at was last year in the state championship game was coming up a little bit later on Tucker and Miller Grove for a boys title matchup, then 24 and eight, Tucker taking on 26 and three.

Miller Grove ought to be a good one.

And of course, by the action a little bit later on here tonight from the Arena one at Center Redan and Marietta, 26 and oh, the Red Raiders taking on Marietta, 25 and seven in the five girls championship at 7 p.m.. And then at 845 it's Milton and Wheeler coming your way and the five boys title again down county gets north Fulton right there in a pair of 24 and 17 should be a good one right here on GPB.

Stay with us That's going to be a fun game that five boys because on paper it belongs to Wheeler but Coach David boards very young team, mostly sophomores.

Even a couple of freshmen have played very well since game season.

They've grown and they're they're a big surprise.

But David Boyd, with all of the state titles in several different schools, you shouldn't be surprised at that.

A newcomer You see her numbers there today and now in double figures with ten second one on the way, knocks it down.

So that makes it she will probably go out and hope she's not going out.

Alexis, you're going to stay in with a minute.

32 left.

Something to mention to date, there's three undefeated girls teams playing in state championships this weekend, but the only undefeated team to win a girls title at the last 15 state championship teams, Collinsville seven years ago with Maya moore, her team.

So again, that streak may stay alive for Collinsville.

A stop loss to Cavs able to pull out this game and that of course Redan, one of those undefeated teams later on tonight.

Yep.

And that one inside to Lewis and it doesn't look like the lady tigers are really want to foul that much.

No I'm somewhat surprised but oh time out before the shot you to go strictly call it a 32nd timeout with 59.1 on the clock here inside the Gwinnett Arena.

I said I said I said, oh, because Sasha Savage almost traveled on that play.

Coach Cathy Reggie Walton thought she did it.

Yeah.

And Strickland probably didn't like that three pointer from her at that point.

So he's got the time and I'm surprised that there was a foul to stop the clock.

I know to catching the ball But you're down eight at this point under a minute.

You got to do it.

I'm also very surprised, almost mystified that they haven't played the high octane pressure defense, but they could fall in the end.

They can do with the team speed they have.

And I'm also very impressed by the poise of Southwest to get off the inbound right here after the timeout.

Hold it.

You had to offer that shot once again or maybe one of the the Panthers all 34 jump on ball possession will stay with the lady tigers so they will maintain it but only 54.3 on the clock and trailing by eight and they don't have to start shooting threes yet or anything like that.

They got time to get it to wall will draw the foul and will shoot a pair go to Walton only a 52% free throw and maybe the best person for southwest to have put on the line right there.

So the vault with two points here today and this is on the first number ten all registered back in.

She will come in for test.

We will take a seat and sit with 17 points to play defense.

Tessa Holt is not committed a foul.

Maybe she just needs a brief rest.

Just on the second one right there.

Did Walt and so both up another jump on all this one goes to the lady Panthers so Southwest to cap possession with 46.9.

Now you've worked with this officiating crew right here.

They've done a good job of working it both ways here today.

And it's tell they've they've worked under some pretty good leadership skills.

Wow.

There's a break.

There's a break for a fair Kenny of a really quick dribble steal by an aerial Gary register Here's her register she just jumps in I know where Wells hard but Matt managed to get the pass off and the foul at the as the gal tack the rim I'm surprised she popped up the floor as quick as she did it look like her knees landed right on the hardwood.

I think the kneecaps landed right on the hard.

Wow.

In fact, she almost bounced.

She hit it so hard for Sasha Sanders, 12, 12 points, three rebounds, quiet in the second half.

Great.

First half for Sasha Simms.

Very quiet in the second half.

Yeah.

And the Lady Tigers missing from the free throw line again have not been able to take advantage of being in the stripe.

But now we'll go back on the other end.

And south to Campbell shoot Kayla Lewis with 14 here tonight will head the line.

Dave, going back to your point about the officiating crew, not just because I work with two of them during the season, but this crew is has let these kids play.

There hasn't been a lot of tic tac fouls.

We're only in the bonus here for the first time and it doesn't seem to be a disadvantage to either team the way they've called this game.

They're doing a very professional job.

I would have to agree with that.

You, Jesse, see Lewis numbers 13 points, 11 rebounds here tonight.

A second win on the way here.

You going to look at the Lady Panthers?

Still 40 seconds left.

So no celebrating going on yet over there and that just would not go holt inside to a new girl.

And I'm like, I'm not sure they've still hooked up today.

That's the symbol of the game there.

They the chance for Holt to slip the ball into Aluko and and if you missed under pressure there but this team depends on that hookup I don't Tessa hosts on an overpass all night because the defenders are covered very well.

The Southwest again, defense has got him covered up very well.

And I would say the fat lady is going to sing in about 3 seconds.

Felicia Blake with 11 point lead and Blake, the 510 senior with six points.

Make it seven.

Here are free throws, 5556, 44.

Now, 30 seconds left inside and that one knocked away from Welch.

Another block today for the lady Panthers Alondra Rivers out of there with it time winding down right here and southwest to Campbell looking to make it back to back state titles And there's the icing on the cake from Jim east of Blake and so now Jamaica Blake and Lucretia Lewis and one two rivers the southwest who can win back to back state titles Final 5946 Southwest Cam makes it back to back state championships your 2009 GHC a class for girls state champions the lady Panthers ranked six coming in ranked number one going What a job by coach Cathy Ritchie Walton at Southwest to have the celebration on at midcourt They have come in here and upset the number one in a previously unbeaten Fayette County lady top team.

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

Welcome back.

Listen we standing by courtside with coach Cathy Ritchie, Walt and Lisa.

Coach Walt back to back state titles.

I can't help but notice how excited you were when you jumped off that bench and they won.

What's it like to win the second one in a long season in a matches?

They won it.

I believe it.

I'm so proud of them.

I mean it's a it was a war fair county.

You know one of the best teams in the state and we had to do our best to get them and that's what the kids did.

What can you say about this team and what makes this team special?

Well, they were no name team and they want to establish themselves that, you know, they can come out here and play some basketball, too.

So, you know, it was all about them and they did a great job.

Great win, Coach.

Thank you so much.

And I know there's your principal standing by to and I know he wanted I know you wanted to say something else about these girls and you get a chance to say it earlier.

So yes, I'm so proud of I called Walton her staff and these fantastic young ladies that we have here at Southwest, the Cavs, these young ladies, not only are they great athletes, but they are great scholars.

These young ladies are on the road to this magnet school.

And we have some great students out with the king of high school, and they represent the Southwest, the Cavs high school community very well.

And it made all of us very proud of them.

So this is the great day for Southwest Scalp high school, premier, Southwest High School and the Cavs caddie.

Well, thank you so much.

Congratulations to both of you.

Thank you, Dave back.

All right.

Thanks, Lisa.

The Lady Panthers go back to back and that's going to wrap it up for this for Girls championship.

Once again, Southwest, a cab, your 2009 as a48 girls champions or a Tiger JB group for Dick Williams I'm Dave Gardner saying so long, everyone for a boys action coming up.

Stay with us for body of your part by Georgia's Electric beverage corporation that Georgia Student Finance Commission Regions Bank the Georgia Lottery by viewers like you.

Hey, in the Georgia High School Association who wish to thank the Georgia Dodge Dealers State Farm and naturally fresh for their support of GHC athletic activities.