Georgia Public Broadcasting presents the Georgia High School Association's state basketball championships.

Major funding for this program is made possible in part by IBEW Local Number 613 South Trust Bank.

Georgia's electric membership corporations Dodge State Farm and by the Atlanta Journal Constitution lies in the arena at Gwinnett Center.

It's the 2004 GHC five eight boys Basketball Championship featuring the Tipp County Blue Devils and the South Gwinnett Comets.

And welcome again, everybody, to Championship Weekend here on GPB.

I'm Jim Tanaka all three great games earlier today and now another big one ready for us here on GPB.

The Blue Devils come in unbeaten at 28 and all the comets of South Gwinnett at 30 and two.

The Blue Devils, of course, won a championship back in 1996, so they are looking for their second.

The Comets are looking for their first to call it courtside is Charles Ward and Herbalife.

And thank you, Jim.

And we're looking forward to some good basketball action in this five eight matchup featuring the comets of South by that and they pulled the Blue Devils a tip county Charles Ward Herb White with a play call Herb another spectacular ballgame on tap we expect the fast paced contest between these two teams and like to get it up and down the floor.

Well, I think South Gwinnett probably likes to get up and down a little quicker than tip count.

It should be a good matchup because South Gwinnett has a lot of talent.

Two of the better players in the state, if not the country is juniors and you've got Tip county is a very balanced senior team.

They've got five seniors in the starting lineup.

They're very well coached, very disciplined.

So they're probably going to try to slow it down and control the tempo.

And here's one of their seniors now, not one of the leading scorers, but Thomas Hightower is a guy that averaged about eight points a game.

But look at that field goal percentage for a guard plays really guard.

They got him at forward guard, but almost 60%.

And there you saw him against Lithonia in the semifinal.

So this is a guy that really can stroke it from outside and they're going to need him with that jump shot tonight.

So, indeed, Hightower will be the key for the Blue Devils if he can get free.

As we take a look at the starting lineup for the Blue Devils, it'll be Tolbert at the forward spot Brownlie.

He's the scoring leader for the Blue Devils.

The rest of the crew is in the middle.

Hightower The one of the guards we talk about.

Phillips The other for the Blue Devils are tip county in this five matchup.

We talk about the other side of the ledger now the comets of South Gwinnett.

Robert Moore I'm sorry, the head coach of the Blue Devils, a tip county his first year great start, 28.

No in his first season.

Can't ask for much more than that for head coach Robert Moore and Tip County.

Now we go take a look at Lewis Williams, the guard for the comments of South Gwinnett and the Blue Devils will have their hands full with him.

Herb Well, you got that right.

Lewis Williams The stats don't tell the whole story.

Unbelievable stats here.

Mike Mercer Both great players.

Lewis Williams can elevate probably as well as anybody in the country.

At about six two, he'll put both elbows over the rim and you can watch early.

There you see the points he scored against beats the other night.

And about a third of those were on spectacular dunks.

And they'll try to get him an alley oop early to get this crowd juice comment starters look this way backcourt joining Williams will be Mike Mercer at the other guard up front is juice at the center position performance counts as one of the forwards and Allen all the other head coach for the comets Robert Roberts Roger Fleetwood in his fifth year at South Gwinnett as we kick it over to the piano also David Wetherill with our starting lineups at Guard number 20, Thomas Hightower or at forward number 21.

Stanley Brownlee Thad Guard number 23.

Michael Phillips at center number 24.

Antron Bowers and that forward number 25, Dwight Tolbert, the head coach of the Tip County Blue Devils, is Robert Moore.

Now let's meet the starters for the South Gwinnett comments.

Fast forward number three no lay, no power at forward number 14 Gray in the locker at guard number 2040.

Lewis Williams at center number 24.

Avery Jukes And that guard, number 33, Mike Mercer, the head coach of the South Gwinnett Comets, is the rocker of Fleetwood.

He had the starting lineup.

So both squads, we get set to kick it off from the arena at.

That's it.

Coming up, it's the comments of Sam for that and the Blue Devils of Tip County coming your way after this cheap TV is Georgia Public Broadcasting, a member of the Georgia Public Broadcasting Family of Services dedicated to providing programs that educate, inform and entertain.

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We are back live at the Arena.

Gwinnett Senate getting set to tip it off with a5a match up.

But before we do that, let's go courtside.

Jon Nelson yelling.

Thank you, Charles.

Let's talk about the two extremes with the head coaches, all that.

Roger Fleetwood, 32 years of coaching, first time he's ever been here.

He says he hasn't even had the opportunity to enjoy it yet.

And for Tip County, Robert Moore, he was coaching junior college in Tipton and Abraham Baldwin, Agriculture, going to stay a little closer to home, got the job of Jeff Downey and you see what he's been able to do and he's going to try and fight what he perceives to be a bit of a North Georgia bias.

He's not getting any respect.

He's going to try and get that here today.

And now the tip about ready to go.

One last thing, tip and says dancing there.

Practice, practice, practice.

Let's see if they got enough practice in the books.

Okay.

Now practice is over.

We're getting set now for some real game action.

The winner is five state champs, The Georgia dollars, of course.

And it'll be capacity for Test County against Dukes, for the Comets.

Of course the today the comets control first Howard off front much pressure already by the blue devils took down right side Williams with a runner in the paint Nicely done by Williams to get a starting He's got the whole package Charles.

He can leap out of the gym He's got a fabric touch and man, this kid can throw some nice pass beats you off the dribble as well.

He did it there for the first two of the contest.

Cook County back the other way.

Phillips misses on the jumper left side they go now Mercer with this first off from behind the arc is off the mark Parker on the inside comes clear to lock it lock it hold it Immersive immersive Mrs. Blue Devils Now they're on the floor.

They work on the right side.

Tolbert handles it get it on the inside.

Nicely done by Hightower for the lay and he's highlighted Hightower in the pre-game show not because he's the scoring leader, but because he's going to be so critical for the Blue Devils if they're to win this ballgame.

Tonight.

His first two of the contest inside his 40 alley oop.

Expect to see a lot of after the going inside the Williams at the pass is Aaron Alex loose on the floor and Phillips controls the 10th counter yeah you know I'm sure coach Moore told his guys hey Louis Williams is going to go up and throw down some nasty dunks on you before the night's over.

They only count two points.

Just let it go.

It's going to be a basket.

If you could take the crowd out of that.

Now, that's that's a good lesson.

Well, you just don't want it affecting your players.

And sometimes you can almost become demoralized when a guy's playing at about 11 and a half feet drops completely as Phillips turns it over on the travel violations.

Comets have it back the other way, Howard Inside to the block.

Those lawyers, well, that's what happens.

They're going to run that man to man.

Pressure South Gwinnett is a great back door team.

They will explode to that basket.

And if you're overplaying them, you're going to give up some of those look them to look at them to spread the floor.

And that's what they've done.

A couple of trips down the floor that resulted in basket counting.

Now they're on the floor high handles out behind the arc up top to Bromley on the move left side with the jumper Nicely done but he missed the rebound those two jukes and the comments Williams behind the arc for three and he takes it he works it on the inside and he pops up with the triple dare tip count.

He's not the kind of team is going to get shaken their senior team they're going to have to be careful, but they're going to run their offense.

They've got a very smart, well-disciplined team.

You're right.

They play a little League semifinal silicone.

He has to come away with the steal by Williams.

Williams got the layup, but he fell off the mark and he was fouled.

So he comes away with the steal and going to the line of correction is Mike Mercer that's got to steal it He'll go to the line as you take a look at the replay Louis Williams is going to go to the line.

He's a riot.

yeah This is a very very explosive team South Gwinnett and explosive teams with a lot of talent.

If they do get the lead and get out front and can play a little looser, then they can be very, very difficult to catch.

Williams misses on the first of two double substitutions for the Blue Devils.

This is far, far from a two man team, Charles.

I mean, Mercer and Williams, again, both great, great players, but they're very solid football and they can go their bench two or three things as well.

Always gets one of two from the line.

Thomas leading at eight two over the Blue Devils back court now Collins and Collins picked up a front three working on the left side.

Bromley in the corner and over to Tolliver pulled a double team and there goes the steal by Mercy Mercy left side He goes to Williams Williams downloaded the lane final shot slotted inside by Tolbert for the steal comes back to the lane Ohio Collins gives it over to Marshall with the jumper off balance basketball goes out of bounds and belongs to the Blue Devils them now taken by coach Robert Moore.

He's not liking what he sees.

They haven't gotten a really good shot down there on the other end South Gwinnett with a lot of quickness defensively so the pace up front with 450 remaining in this first quarter belongs to the comets of South Brunswick laws.

Williams jump start here in this ball game I this display this car on offense Howard Davis side him the task of getting on Thomas Hightower and making it very very difficult for him to find any daylight is when you see him shoot he's got on the pure strokes great spin nice arc.

You're going to make it very, very difficult for him to get the ball and get an open look.

Louis Williams actually as a freshman, Charles, I think, averaged 31 points a game.

So he's dropped down a little bit.

And as Mike Mercer was starting to come into his own because he can put him in the hoop too.

Well, he's just a junior and so is Mark Nelson.

And the really good news pulled off so far, right side of the canvas down at the block.

They've got an easy one ground in the three got to has an outside help with the defensive man fronting they didn't get it.

Talk about that senior squad a tip county the rotation that's up down to Florida got the easy basket left quarter Williams on the move spinning out the block it's off the mark but the rebound comes clear the rocket whistles down low.

Robert Moore over there hollering for over the back look like it might have been but they didn't make the call.

Here you see it was lock at the JR inside he was fouled he'll go to the line block it on the season just over five points for the game and almost five rebounds per contest.

The lefty hits the first free throw.

Take a look at some of the crowd here near capacity in the arena with an excellent it has lots of gifts to second shots to the nets.

First trip to the state finals as a tap of the way the Blue Devils trying to get it inside to Brown with a good defensive work by Lockett.

Nothing fancy about south pronounced defense they pick up across halfcourt and just play good solid man to man rely on their quickness and athletic ability.

Collins You got a great semifinal ball game.

The Tip county works in right side.

Brian tried to comfort down low to brown.

And just as inside, basketball belongs to soften up, well, that's where they're going to have to make some headway is down low in there they got a little bit of a size advantage can they it get it then.

No.

Louis Williams coming up the floor for the Comets.

Take a look at the early turnovers.

That county were fired from the net about to make their first and there it is.

There's the steal of the floor from the right side with the reverse in by Collins but it's off the mark basketball comes clear so the comets right side behind the arc Marshall for three the rattler hits the front of the rim across the line Hightower calls for the Blue Devils Collins Hospital inside the paint across the floor threw it out of bounds.

Coach Moore doesn't want to see that.

He knows his team has got to control the tempo and cut down their mistakes to a few as possible tonight because they're playing against a team with the talent edge.

You know how it handles for the committee.

Thomas were second to second region titles this year set the record for the most wins in the regular season with 27 as Williams fires from three point range.

He missed it down low, fighting for the rebound on the inside of the Xavier Jukes.

And Duke's got the two for the comets ball had a set play now coach more see what he's got up top around the left side they go to Brian Bromley on the lead Blue Devils way away from the basket at this point, moving to the inside, hanging in the air the lay in is good by Tolbert and Tolbert was fouled They are really shadowing Thomas Hightower and you watch it off screen Here's a nice play pull that just hanging there and he just hung master if you will But if you watch and you get the full screen Dylan No Howard is really all over Thomas Hightower and other than that early basket, he hasn't even had a check on the ball so Tolbert Seahawks on the three point play averaging 16 points below him in the regular season back the other way Myles Williams wants it right side Mercer Mercy when he jumps from ten and up nicely done by Mercer inside the paint under 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter South Bend at 14 to 27 six more point guard can give you nightmares in high school.

Bromley Right side top of the key they work it now Tolbert left side with the jumper Bryant rattles that home.

It's only two though just inside the arc Williams works to the right side of Whistler's out front He was fouled by the now colored pellet Collins trying to cover Raleigh for Williams with a quick first step as we take a look at the replay there you see it he's really got that explosive first step is a lot of Lisas do they had Bromley on him initially that's the steal by tech counter Collins back the other way Collins with the lay in except Tony will come into the comment leave all across the timeline Mercer right side provided by Hightower across the floor to Hollis free got to square look at a three rattles it but he missed it rebound thought for it the block basketball belongs to the blue devils I heard some folks comment himself one that does have a weakness Charles and sometimes they lack a little bit of intensity.

And you know the players sometimes have a tendency to stand around and rely on Louis Williams and versus talent, and they'll lose a little rhythm sometimes.

Sometimes nothing happened when they have to pull off at prolific scorers like that and back the other way.

Collins gets called for the offensive push off of Louis Williams.

Williams displaying that quickness again.

He can do it on both ends of the floor.

Three point lead for the Comets field goals.

Thus far, each team with five field goals have counted five of ten itself, but five of 11.

Williams walks it out top Brown with Johnny right side.

They give it to Mercer running jumper from 15 and Mercer is getting into the scoring Nicely done on a running jumper.

Not the most perfect form of the jump shooter, but he's got good results with it.

Comets by five out front of stolen away.

Yeah.

Took it away.

When he left the stuff for the comics he took it away from Collins out front Lewis Williams with a jump start here at the Arena seven point lead for the Comets.

Coleman looking the right side all the way through the glass, got the lay in and he threw the foul.

that was just sweet movement there.

Charles Tolbert, the senior with a fine job of maneuvering inside the paint for the Lions, took a pass, two players off the dribble with a nice head and shoulders fake lay.

Then softly, you see what he did with the semifinals against Ron Fournier?

21 points, 12 boards as he misses on the free throw.

Three down comes Collins and Tip County.

A little change to the the basket approaching 30 seconds remaining first quarter left for Williams guarding Collins they're going to hold for 120 seconds with Collins as Williams going for the steal basketball stays with 10th county contact their is going to shrug it off the Williams rattling Collins just a bit with his defensive work out front Tolliver to inbound it just in front of us 60 seconds remains out front to Collins right pressure by Williams top of the key and there's to steal Marcin what he had right side and Dirksen gets into the dunk that on the inbound play Howard goes to the steal fires up a three at the buzzer but he's off the mark and a quick spurt right at the end of the first quarter and the comets leading at 20 to 13 over the blue devils of Tip County will step aside for a timeout.

We'll come back and we'll start to second from the arena.

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This is Georgia Public Broadcasting, your PBS station back live at the start of the second quarter 5 a.m. matchup South Gwinnett leading to County 20 to 13 as we get set to start the second Charles Ward, Herb White, John Nelson, sideline as Phillips handles up top tip county they work at the left side to Hightower Hightower up top to Tolbert over cross from the left side Now back behind the arc and firing three shots short by Brownlee The Raven's Clear by the Comets.

Coach Robin Moore was over there pleading his case during the quarter break.

Sammy, thanks.

He letting the rest of his life in South Gwinnett get away with a little bit of physical contact against his guards.

Williams tries to dump it down low at the block the juke through the too hard jukes on the inbound line basketball now for the blue devils a tip county just underway second quarter and it's a tough matchup for Michael Phillips.

They've got him listed at 5872 with his five eight Charles.

He's about five three.

He's playing against the guy with the long arms and great hops right side backdoor this young man Phillips at the block but the shots off the mark rebounds caught four cleared by Marcell quickly off the floor They split with the pass the jukes again jukes at the baseline steps on the inbound line basketball back the other way.

Well Michael Phillips heard those footsteps coming from behind.

Got up a little too quickly.

You see Coach Moore going to his bench, couple of players to the set to come in.

Next up, Ball Brantley and Talbot really got to go to work for Tip County inside.

Give them some points in the paint.

Phillips works on top of the key looking for Hightower on the week and finding those and that from the other side all across the floor Hold it for three shots off the mark backside rebound Lewis Williams and the Comet Williams Hospital behind the back Court three now dumps it in the corner for the little Howard who fired a three.

The remains of the match up rebound.

Tolbert will take it up the floor himself on the dish to Phillips down in the corner Wilson on the play followed by rice among the blue devils in the corner foul has quickness really given this tip county blue devils some problems.

They probably haven't seen a team with this kind of quickness before and they really got them out of the rhythm offensively.

Charles Bromley rattled in the corner there, commits to travel violation They just got to hang in there with south Gwinnett stay in the ballgame and try to get their offense Crank back up seven point lead now for the comets they walk across to Palmer Howard out front bounce pass over to Marcin running jumper to the glass off the mark Evans cleared by Tolbert and the Blue Devils Thomas is spreading the floor so lively on offense that Thomas Jefferson just to stop over and back by Collins and the basketball belongs to the comets Lewis Williams forcing the pressure on Collins and Collins commits the violation there timeout taken on the floor no question about it The Blue Devils were a little bit rattled by what they've seen on this defense from the comment.

Well that's what quickness will do to you.

Charles and Collins was looking up he's a he's seen how quick Williams is his long arms he can reach in and deflect the ball.

He's trying to look up, see the floor and keep how it was Williams at the same time lost track of where he was on the court.

And Coach Moore knows it's early in this ballgame, but he's really got to get his guys back into this game because right now south of Man is pretty much in control of the fans supporting the comets of South Quartet.

And they'll have the basketball 46 remains in this first half.

Howard handles in the back court left side down in the corner to Williams up top Mercer alley oop to Williams at the block It hit the cylinder but there is Williams so the tap his taps off the on they play above the rim Tolbert finally clears for the Blue Devils Bryant out front over to Collins Collins right side spins on Williams rejected by Williams basketball Lewis on the floor comes third a turnover Tolbert had a slot it got off a bad shot pass the ball comes through the rollers again inside the paint and a whistle call foul on Collins boy don't want to beat it to death but once again the quickness and athletic ability of South Gwinnett just wreaking havoc with the fifth county offense.

Take a look at the replay they there you see it in the corners Culver trying to get that shot up but it was hit in mid air comments just not being denied taking every opportunity to swat at that basketball and they have got the Blue Devils out of sequence.

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5 minutes 10 seconds remains in this first half tip counter you can see they're trying to control the tempo.

Every time they get a rebound, they hold it.

They don't look to run against this team, but they're not really getting into their offense and they've really got to get some play down low physical on the block.

That's what you're going to have to do.

This South BURNETT game is be very physical with them.

Thomas Whether they're on the floor or they run in the weeds.

WILLIAMS Behind the arc for three, this one shot hard.

Hightower clears a rebound by the whistle down low ball as call and as he shoots the sophomore inside and actually tip count is kind of fourth fortunate right now the south Gwinnett is not really stroking the ball that well on their shooting guard.

So this really could be a big leap at that point.

It's not doing that well from the perimeter at this point.

Door open for the Blue Devils.

And that's what I'm saying.

Maybe not as intense as they should be.

They got the seven point lead.

They might could really take it out there if they really stroke their offense.

Philip Hightower Behind the arc and a good look whistles down low bell at the illegal pick Tolbert up top the trying to free Hightower the three point specialist for the blue Devils they caught Tolbert that time.

Now you look at Mercer and Williams the back court for the comets touted as the best junior back court in the state of Georgia.

Marshall on the runner left a short rebound comes clear away out front to Howell so the comets get another look forward with a run to take it high and another rebound at the blocked shot slot it finally cleared by tech county They had had three looks at the basket.

That chip not able to put him down.

A lot of people saying this the best back in the south west Macon with Jeff Malone and his partner Harper over on the weed inside it's hightower to the glass he clears and we got the lay and for the Blue Devils they need it that we have a partner in that Jeff Malone back court and his body Jones back inside and as Louis lawyers for the thank you Charles that's pretty nice That was a great basketball team maybe the best high school basketball team ever in the state of Georgia.

Terry Fair at the center.

I remember that they put us out of a tournament, Death County back the other way.

Hightower behind the arc had a good look, but he missed it.

Rebound comes clear to the comets again volumes across the timeline right side all the way through strikes past the defense that is Apple and it will be a long night for the blue devils if they're not able to tighten up on the Wolverines, letting them go coast to coast.

Yeah, smooth with the Capitals.

And he also has that really long explosive step where he can just eat up a lot of territory going to the hoop.

Russell's down low had a foul on the Comets.

You may be old enough to remember this guy.

I talked to a couple of people the other night.

Williams kind of reminds me of the guy I played against in the NBA.

Dave Bing is about a63 guard, had really great elevation, a nice jump shot, same type of body and a little bit of facial resemblance to Louis Williams.

I'll date myself and say, Yeah, I do remember Dave, a good player, solid form, great player, Blue Devils work it up top it's Tolbert for three Missed it on those three point shot rebounds cleared by sloppy blue devils simply out of sync on offense Mercer across the timeline possible to try to get it up the defensive block by Tyler High Tyler comes away with this deal for the Blue Devils see if the sparks the Blue Devils offense.

Well they had the advantage and sometimes you just have to go ahead and run.

Yeah they could have had a lay up that time.

He had four on two and still were not going to run it well up on the lead exit to Brown down low at the block.

They do what they do on the inside.

Did it well Culver got the lay in approaching 2 minutes remaining the first down Marshall to lock it Morsell penetrating running jumper from 15 shot at hard right arm cleared backside by Bradley and here comes the push by the Blue Devils They make it a five point deficit with the basket here.

Well they've had a couple of nice looks out of the last four trips down.

They've had two nice execution for right there.

Another illegal pick, Bradley trying to get some separation on Lockett and he pushed off a minute 44 remains this coach Robert more concern as south Gwinnett leads it 2417 and coach Roger Fleetwood in its fifth year and momentum favoring his squad second foul on Bradley And that's the seventh on the team So Thomas at the in the one and one rocket to shoot it missed the first but the rebound two jukes inside Duke's had swatted by the blue devil defense gets loose on the floor on the inbound line was Williams basketball the tip counter.

Take a look at the replay down low excellent defensive work at the block.

Tolbert with the SWAT the fifth counting it get out his first half for them five or six points for south Gwinnett Charles knowing they didn't play a very good ballgame they're a little more accustomed to the quickness and they can come out and close the gap in the second half.

In fairness to them, they started slow in the semifinal ball game as well, down low brown lays fouled.

He'll go to the line and 26 remains.

First up Brown.

They turned in a great defensive performance in the semifinal ball game as you take a look at his season stats 18 points.

He too will get to a goal percentage of 56%.

But in that semifinal, about eight, he held Robert Dozier Laconia to just nine points.

You don't do that very often.

Now, Dozier, a sleek six eight forward, also thinking about the Bulldogs.

They may be famine next year, but about two years from now look pretty hefty, So proudly connects from the line.

Well, that's big.

If they can stop here and then go down and probably hold four one, they're in good shape by Todd Marshall up top walks it to Williams now trouble Williams with the jumper leaning back and he bangs it home Shades of Michael Jordan on that shot 2619 here for the two from always tough to hold the ball for one against the quickness to the south when that team let's see what happens under a minute remaining first half left side Hightower now Bryant in the corner Tolbert on the move to the glass by Tolbert inside some authority there that's got to fire up this tough county blue devil team and their fans He was streaking Bakhtiari and Williams answers with a triple almost on the sideline Well that just rips your heart out You have a nice dunk get things going your way and Williams hits one from 29 feet eight point lead nine Simmons behind the arc bounce pass Hightower he's got a three point look yes Thomas Hightower the senior with the triple 40 seconds clock running down here 11 point lead a steal Williams goes behind the back down at the block He's got them and they're good pass to Brandon Sims Sims able to convert on the steal and inbound play and Howard hits the basket at the buzzer and south for that with another spurt at the end of the quarter They lead it now 33 to 24.

As we go into the halftime two mistakes at the end of the ballgame.

They shouldn't have been out there putting pressure on Louis Williams.

They should have dropped back in the lane, gave up the layup and then careless with the pass.

Let's go over to John Nelson, standing by with Coach Fleetwood John.

Thank you, Charles.

Let's talk about that last 10 seconds of the first half big momentum shifter.

Yeah, it was.

You know, they kept making runs as we got off to a great start, but we could never quite we had three or four opportunities to really get away from.

We didn't do that.

They kind of got back on that three that was really going their way.

And then we get four points in the last couple minutes, 14 minutes of kind of hiccuping offensively.

The last two look like Lewis and the rest of them were finally getting their stride.

Well, James Gipp gave his 17 year old kids they're probably more nervous than anybody here, but they're busting their button.

That's all I can ask.

Coach Fleetwood, thanks for your time.

Charles and Herb, back to you.

Thank you.

As Coach Fleet went south up nine.

Thank you, Johnny 3320 for the Collins leading the Blue Devils.

We will step aside for a timeout.

We'll come back with more from the arena at the CNN Center.

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And welcome back to the Arena at the Gwinnett Center.

It's halftime of South Gwinnett and Tip County.

The Comets lead it 33 to 24 as championship weekend rolls on on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

I'm Jim Tanaka.

Here's a special show coming up on Sunday morning on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

I'd like to tell you a little bit about that.

It is the love and logic.

Don't miss this premiere broadcast of an Introduction to Love and Logic.

It's every parent's dream to send their children the world prepared to make a positive contribution.

Love and logic can help make that dream a reality.

Lies in the GPB studios.

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Sunday morning at 11 a.m. only on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

One guy that we all love here on Georgia Public Broadcasting is Jon Nelson.

He's back in the principal's office.

Hello, Johnny.

Yes, Yes.

There is no detention quite yet.

I am here with Barry Simmons of South Gwinnett.

And we'll start with Mike Duck over here with Tip County.

Let's talk about what this week has been like for you.

It's been a while since the school been this far into the playoffs.

What's it been like in Tipton this week?

Been fantastic.

The town has been a great supporter of our young athletes, our coaches and kids have done an outstanding job.

Our student body has been absolutely wonderful, full of pride.

Enthusiasm sounds great.

It's great to be here.

And I notice that there's a lot of the student body here.

How much of Tipton finally came to this particular game?

Was it one of those situations where the last one out in Tipton turns out the lights, or what was it like the last one that left?

Tipton turned out the lights and they up here to support our athletes.

Now let's talk about how things are at Jeff County High right now.

Is there anything going on right now that you like to focus on where Chip County is concerned?

Is there things going on in Tipton that you like the rest of the state tournament that they may not necessarily know?

They have kind of high school, have County Board of Education?

We are doing a wonderful job improving our kids test scores, moving them forward educationally, academically and also athletically.

We're very proud of our school system, We're very proud of our Board of Education and the support that our community can get.

Thank you, Principal Doc, I appreciate your time.

And that's two separate words.

Principal dunk.

First name last night, principal stuff.

Let's go over here to Principal Simmons, Barry Simmons, talk about what life is like being at South Gwinnett.

It's been a football school this year.

You guys have been reaching both.

But what's it been like for South Gwinnett this week?

Just been a great week at South building on that success of the football team being region champ basketball.

Our comment crazy has come out and I'm sure you hear them all tonight great enthusiasm all week what about academically and what does it meant for pride for the school outside of the common phrases?

What's it been like to have this kind of a run for the school to being one of the oldest schools in Gwinnett?

Our alumni have gotten really involved.

I think we have the best support of any school in the state of folks traveling to watch this play and then also academically, again, the kids get excited, want to be friends, they want to participate.

And it's just been fantastic.

Now, look, five years down the line, you've mentioned that the school's about 50 years old and everybody's kind of sitting here talking about the other schools.

What's it like to finally have people talking about South Gwinnett and Gwinnett County?

fantastic.

Again, I think success builds upon success and we've had that opportunity right now.

I'm hope to continue that throughout the rest of the year.

All right.

I appreciate it.

It is time for me to escape the principal's office and send it back to Jim.

All right.

Thank you, John.

And I'll tell you what he was talking about.

Success.

We've got a successful second half coming up between two great teams that are playing some great basketball, The Blue Devils.

In the comments, South Gwinnett leads at 3324 back to Charlie Ward and heard later.

Thanks Jimmy.

First half in the Bucs 3324 Herbst take a look at some of the stats or this first half a basketball from the arena when that's an well against south Gwinnett you know Tip County's a very very good shooting field goal team and they're with their way below their average shooting 43%.

They're one for four from three point distance and they're hot.

Their three point shooter, Thomas Hightower, has had one look at it.

Not many free throws for either team.

The turnovers is the key against South Burnett's defense has really been put the pressure on Tipp County's offense and you see it with the 12 turnovers there Charles And they've converted a lot of those into slam dunks.

Take a look at Louis Williams performance in that first half 19 points and five rebounds.

By far he's on track to have a big win.

As we take a look at some of these highlights from this first half of basketball and highlights, as in my the emphasis that's county on offense inside weaving is with the basket and the lay in was Tolbert now back inside again it's Tolbert once again at the block on the move Tolbert with the dunk total with a lot of the offensive punch for the blue Devils in that first half but on this side of the basketball this young man Lewis Williams, provided the spark for the comets with his first dunk of the ballgame.

Now here on the steal comes Mike Marshall, his counterpart in the back court, and he got into the Dunking act as well.

Now behind the arc, Williams drains the three just a good display by that backcourt of Williams and Mercer and they lead it right now the comets 3324 over the blue devils of Tip County and our John Nelson standing by with Coach Moore and Malik Thanks, guys here with head coach Robert Moore.

Let's talk about the turnovers.

Obviously, a big bugaboo for you in the first half.

Yeah, I thought we turned the ball over too many times and they gave them a lot of opportunities.

They already got two great players and if you gave them more opportunities and they need you in trouble and let's talk about things for you offensively, kind of there were starts and stops and starts and stops.

Nothing consistent for you offensively.

Yeah, we got to be more consistent on offense and get ourselves some easy buckets.

I feel good about this half though.

I thought we had two turnovers that he and it kind of hurt us.

But my guys, you can pick it up and it never quit so we should be fine.

All right, good luck for the second half.

Thanks for hanging out with us.

Charles and Herb, he's got a deficit he's got to take care of, and we'll see if they can do it as we get set to start this third quarter.

But before we do that, we're going to step aside for a timeout, 3320 for the comets, leading it back with a third after this cheap TV.

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We are back live at the Arena at the Connect Center as we get set to start the third quarter boys.

Five eight championship Comets of Softball.

That and the Blue Devils tip counting Charles Ward, Herb White and John Meltzer with a play call as we take a look at Lewis Williams 19 in this first half that he set the Endowment for the Comets here in the back court Philip surprising on Howard Alex Benz across the time line looks it at the post left side the jukes now to give him a go from Williams the jukes jukes missed on the lay lane rebound comes to Lockett he missed on his first offer but the put back is good for the confidence.

Well quick count it cannot afford to give over one shot for this south Gwinnett team and as a nice give and go by Lewis Williams there Phillips working it right side for the blue Devils they dump it down at the block Nicely done the Bromley convert it really is that's a killer shot and that's just what they want to do when needed some easy baskets and you can't miss those and Anthony now has 11 whistles out front Michael Phillips tight pressure on Howard and they got him for the foul.

He's got his hands on it, evidently just kind of coming out, trying to step up the defensive pressure.

Michael Crawford trying to create something out there just on the way in the third quarter.

The power handles in the back court is stack offense and work it down.

On the left corner to Williams takes a look at the three fires it and they missed it Rebound though comes away they lock it everything bouncing right right now for southpaw that as they get the air in shot and another look not they spread the offense Phillips will take a steal Howard in the paint a runner from five shots off the mark basketball belongs to the Blue Devils block It touched it on the way out of bounds.

Yeah, you're right, Charles.

That ball bounced right to Lockett.

I think it kind of surprised him.

But the bounces are going their way.

Keep down.

He's got to come down, run their offense, get some things inside.

Maybe if they can get a couple buckets inside, they can open up something for Hightower outside.

So far they've been all over him.

Collins has a stolen by Williams.

Williams going back the other way and he's got to lay in for the Thomas Collins with all kinds of difficulty against Lewis Williams.

Williams The long arms couple of steals on Collins already in this basketball game up top Ryan now Brian back to Tolbert for three Tolbert hit the back of the summer rebounds player by Williams they're going to be in a world of hurt with their six six guys shooting out there and they need to get some help bringing the ball up the floor.

They're trying to have their guard go one on one with Williams it is not working.

They need to get some help in the backfield, get the ball up the floor.

Marshall handles up front for the comments on the back on Hightower.

Now to Howard on the move.

That's him off for the glass Nicely done by the on Howard they've got the offense the comments do they spread the floor and they are running it to perfection.

We talked about the backdoor plays possibilities in the pre game and that's what they're doing back the other way rattling it off Bromley his shots off the mark rebounds loose on the floor Collins clears for the fifth county and I'll have one more look at it Collins All the way through to the glass the spinner comes out the rebound fourth quarter and down at the block with the sudden whistle as Tolbert shot fell off that he had brought it on first count.

He's not really getting good shots.

Little Rush.

They took about a 17 footer after just a few seconds across halfcourt Take a look at it down inside the paint how much contact there by A.B.

Jukes.

But enough to draw the foul press in a little bit.

You can see it.

You don't get those layups like that.

You just press them a little bit over 99, eight points, four rebounds, rattles and misses the first two free throws and the rim unkind Right now.

Tolbert transferred into the blue double problem from Coffey Count.

That's for the second we got that when the ball royals across the timeline with a quick step right side at the block in trouble up top to Mercer Mercer on the run and sit in the corner and down to the seven with the shot goes Jukes and he got it to fall even the mishandle the basketball by the comets down low results into a basket dangerous time here tries Coach Brooks has got more hasn't gone to a timeout Take a look at the field goals in this first in the second half coming up in this third quarter to tell you yet to convert on a field goal and the comets a perfect four four.

Well when you're undefeated Charles and you get behind but to a team like this you're not used to it and they just don't know what they can pull out to get some easy shots.

Collins will handle in the backcourt approaching 4 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in this third quarter.

And Bromley handles up top.

Now, Hightower is Tolbert.

Tolbert at the block the Brian Bryan head fakes got Mercer airborne and Marshall commits the five so tipped counted they're able to walk the offense patiently and they found the free man inside the paper.

They've got to do a lot more of that well that's what they need to do for the rest of this ballgame.

That's the only way they're going to be able to stay in this game.

What's up for now is the work fall in the paint?

They can't beat them with their quickness on the outside.

They've got Thomas Hightower smothered.

He can't even smell an outside gunshot.

They've got to get the ball inside work.

It's got a good shot every time.

And convert Ryan converts on the first of two free throws 4126 lead and similar it also Charles scuse me find a way to stop south Gwinnett that's been a big part of the formula that hasn't happened yet as Ward and Thompson thought the time line and bounced a lot over the covers.

Collins in the backcourt lost it momentarily but it comes clear they told him to pass.

Collins Now they took it behind the block whistles on the play that Collins out of control and runs over one of the comic offenders.

Cook County not used to playing at that helter skelter pace.

And it shows.

So.

PHILLIPS back on to the floor for the Blue Devils places Collins in the lineup.

Marshall to Howard Marshall lost it Good defensive work by Phillips on the steal and they did convert some of these turnovers Charles Phillips bounce pass right side holding one here we've offered up to Phillips Hospital left side all the way through to the block dunk get download of Bryant he lost it They don't convert turnover back to motion nursing in the Thomas to the glass missed on the lay in the tap one looks off the mark second tech off the mark There's a third tap that was off the mark and Murray Adams finally cleared by Tolbert and the Blue Devils.

They got a three on two.

They kick it up side with the three pointer Brown Lee and he brings it well they needed that one three times down the floor.

They didn't get a good shot that time.

They drained the three 315 remains third quarter whistle down low basket by Lockett Lockett was fouled defensive lapse there by Jeff Canning that's the man wide open under the basket turned his head in transition Lockett gets the basket as you take a look at the replay Bryant is trying to get back on coverage but too late.

Mercer and Williams both with that great court vision you get open, they're going to get to the ball BLOCK It's going to be part of the three point play.

And he does so 4329 now, comments with a lead Blue Devils with a basketball.

Phillips across the timeline line holding for three it's better done inside gives it to Phillips Philip Peters man and he got the lay in still don't understand you got your six six man out the head of the key pass into a53 man basket it worked there but suspicious strategy it works there for the basket Mercer back the other way in the paint and he bumped Phillips inside so.

Phillips The sparkplug for the Blue Devils gets to charge foul there you see if he's got something started for the Blue Devils.

Well again you see a couple of trips down the floor.

The last three or four they've made the mistakes happen that just kind of go and get two baskets out of it to show for it.

They really need to score off the turnover it out front.

Brown will look for three This was 30 short rebound fourth quarter at the block Lockett had I thought he lost it out of bounds.

It'll stay with the Blue Devils he's 31 remains in the third quarter Phillips to inbound it to Hightower bounce pass up top the believers left side running jumper for 50 It's off the mark He runs down and hits Aaron shot now Tolbert for three tried to make it but he missed Howard clears for South Bend and approaching 2 minutes remaining in the third Williams left side all the way through to the glass basic hedonistic rebound tackle around and tap good by Williams crowd Fournette with those quick leaper keeping everything alive on the misses.

They get two or three taps at it on every miss in the corner.

They take it away from Bryant McConnell's down.

I got a two on one Williams up side all the way through to the cylinder back to lay in and he draws the foul and Hightower as well and you could see some frustrations starting to show on the fifth county players on the right Lewis Williams just put a burst of speed.

You saw him go by two guys at half court and take it and hang in the air and convert and forces the time out by the Blue Devils, the work by Williams.

They'll be going to the line after the three now comments leading it 48 to 31.

And right now Lewis Williams and the rest of the comments just having the way you talked about the Blue Devils with some turnover opportunities just not able to convert with a team like the Comets, you've got to take advantage of every opportunity.

Having done so.

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But discount is limited in their options and not the kind of team that come out.

Put a lot of pressure on you for it, especially against a team of South Bend that's quickness.

So they just got to get back in this ball game the old fashioned way, getting good shots, getting on the board and they cannot continue to give South Gwinnett those second attempts at the basket.

Lewis Williams the junior tonight with 23 points seven rebounds and has one blocked shot putting in a good performance as you throw in the third round ball game against north Gwinnett 24 in a semifinal contest and another 24 in the second round.

And the pace right now to eclipse all of that and all the starters coming back next year for South Gwinnett Thomas.

So some coaches already wondering what they're going to do.

Had a little spill there on the Blue Devils sideline.

Was maintenance handled by the officiating crew.

It was set to get a lot of action.

Williams trying to brought on a three point play and he does so.

Phillips Across the timeline, Pettis County works at the left side.

Ryan the freshman wants it outside to Tolliver down at the block to trying to get it to Brown Lee Brownlee's there got it to the seven on their calls Good for them.

Here comes Williams in the comments left side Williams lost it momentarily got able to get it down at the block with the pass to jukes shot fell off the jukes but he was fouled Well there you see Fournette there trying to put some pressure on south Gwinnett in the back court.

Williams is absolutely blows by a team players off the dribble and once he gets in the open court he's going to make the right decision and find the open man.

Let's throw it down.

So David Dukes, a sophomore at the line, rattles the first and the pops out.

Also, a good looking young player, Duke, looks like he's going to add some more weight and size.

Only a sophomore, he stepped in that thing could be scary.

Next year, throw Duke's at six seven converts on the second minute, 12 from his third quarter.

Like they're not scary.

Now let's just at the block Brown swatted from behind by Lockett It's loose on the floor Bromley clears out a shot he missed a rebound to Lockett this trip for the Comets under a minute remaining in the third Williams quick step all the way through inside the paint spins to the center with the shot off balance but he got it to fall.

It's almost impossible to guard one on one that high out on the basket.

Williams Putting on a clinic right now in the arena left side is rounding up top.

Bryant now from the left side wasn't shoving runner inside he bumped Avery Jukes and they get grounded for the foul Well good defensive quickness again Bradley and Tobin still getting most of their looks from outside trying to force the action.

Russell back on the floor for the comets I like at coach Roger Fleetwood.

He's been riding the officials pretty good since about midway through the first quarter.

But I think a little frustration there.

He didn't have anything to say about that last call.

That was certainly an foul.

26 seconds remaining in the third period, Toledo Howard will inbound it.

Blue Devils showing full court pressure up the floor with the pass to Williams.

Williams slicing inside the paint for another basket for the away Dixon off Williams with so much body control that time playing the arms they get him for foul.

But take a look at the replay here in between three players and it should have been a walk the free throw in a basket the defensive player slid in there on didn't quite get there in time but the break goes to the blue Devils 15 seconds means and working left side probably for three airball backside rebound loose on the floor Now Howard had it but he slid on the inbound line It'll stay with the Blue devils of Tip County.

well it just gets to be very frustrating Charles when you're playing against a team that is really that much quicker than you and these guys have that deceptive quickness, they don't look like they're playing that hard before they can just turn on that quick step and be by you.

And then, as you say, they have the great body control thing once they do.

Bootsy Collins turned down that for the Blue Devils Brownlie behind the arc firing a three.

It's the front of the cylinder rebound comes to Williams up the floor to Howard Howard at the buzzer Yes the little Howard taking the Hevesy pass from Lewis Williams and converts on the three point shot at the buzzer cannot get any better for the Comets coach what a play by Howard to end the quarter 5533 The comets leading it will step aside for a timeout and we'll come back with the final from the arena and the one at seven.

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This is how the Comets ended that third quarter.

They lead it 55 to 33.

They had an excellent play in that last play of the quarter.

Take a look at it here.

The time running out, Williams with the heads the pass to Howard and Howard placed a three pointer to make it 5533.

As we get set to start the fourth and final quarter in this five eight matchup, I saw Coach Fleetwood set up that play from the bench.

Did you diagram the whole Collins right side down inside and it's taken away by Larkin The Comets in no hurry now Williams across the timeline left side Williams head fakes to the glass left at short follows a shot missed on the second still following it bounces it inside taken away by Hightower the Blue Devils trailing by 22.

Got to get something going early here the fourth right side Tolbert looking inside at the block the proudly taken away by Lockett that's what you call telegraph in the pass textbook Tolbert there the receiver call Williams back the other way Howard out front three comet players near the mid strike forces on the play Well he didn't penetrate to get a five second rule there at half court closely guarded you have to make move to the basket got the first things out perhaps that's wrong and quite a while to the fleet they had a quick look at him at the sideline.

It's clear that are going spread offense just trying to kill some time now HIGHTOWER The Blue Devils don't have that luxury out front.

Brownlee fires a three pointer, hits the back of the cylinder, the heat rebound, chased out the sideline and comes down to Tolbert in the corner.

HIGHTOWER For three that was at home for the Blue Devils.

Well, now you can see you know, just happen to get a fortuitous bounce there and got the wide open jumper he's got the stroke but I'm telling you that Fournette was well aware of him in this game started Charles power and an outside the arc left side lost it out of bounds Basketball for the Blue Devils 629 remains Blue Devils last state title since 1996.

As a steal comes a little Williams Williams right here you got to lay on for the Hornets to extend the lead 5736 Blue Devils their own worst enemy in terms of getting back into the contest.

Collins Inside the paint dumps it over the target.

Hold it still for the stuff for the Blue Devils.

I venture to say this is probably the highest turnovers that Cook County's had this year and maybe by quite a margin to look at the replay.

COLLINS Nicely done.

On the inside, the total tally, more out front Howard being pressured by Collins whistles away from the basketball and a timeout taken back to Roger Fleetwood and the narcotics 50 raise comments.

This is their first trip to the state finals as they coach Fleetwood is not really worried.

He just wanted to get his guys over there, get him back on the same page, say, Hey, let's play this thing out like the champions we're going to be.

If we hang on here, let's execute our offense and let's smart basketball pocket the remaining in this with us.

Take a look at what's on tap tomorrow with more state championships in the girls class elevation Savannah comfort Hopkinsville that contest coming your way at 11 a.m.. Then at 1245 is Whitfield Academy event against Siac a 1240 contest for the boys and in the two way division West, William plays Terrell County as a 3:00 tip off for that contest and the two way for the boys, Randolph Clay versus Carter.

Clearly tomorrow at 4:05 p.m., the Live three at 7 p.m., it's Gainesville versus Fannin County for the girls at three eight.

It's all on tap tomorrow and GPP continuing coverage of the high school championships behind the ARC.

It was proudly four three for the Blue Devils 5941 back the other way come the comets whistles on the play blocking foul down low.

Bryan tried to get there not in time as he fouls Jukes and a legally awaited game at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy game and Whitfield Academy again with a possible another number one NBA pick in about the fourth year Kwami Brown four years ago now Dwight Howard, people saying he's going to come out could be the number one drafted in the NBA playing for south east Atlanta Christian Winfield Academy.

That was great basketball team.

So that's going to be a heck of a ball debut, right?

A lot of folks anticipating that contest tomorrow.

The foul was not called on.

Bryant's basketball belong to the Blue Devils.

They have it there with the floor now out behind the arc firing a three is Bromley just went short must have tried to come cool with a rebound but Phillips took it away.

Now behind the arc Tolbert for three and Holbrook hits the three for the blue Devils 5944.

Well quickly back the other way around the floor and rattles it on the lay in right side They're just not quick enough to pick him up He's got to be around 40 points now.

Charles We got to look at what he's got, but he's got to be right there back the other way, firing a three is Ryan.

His shot is off the mark.

They chase it down in the corner.

Basketball will stay with the Blue Devils there to the floor.

That's 32 for Lewis Williams and Williams, averaging 25 points per ball game in the regular season, 32, his highest in the playoffs.

On the inbound play, Hightower got it to the cylinder for the basket and a timeout taken by coach Robert Moore after the basket by Hightower they took 6146.

Nice execution They're here.

You see it on the inbounds play and that's what you got to do again against the South Gwinnett team and you look back during this fourth quarter and even about midway through the third and all the really bad passes that TIFF County threw Charles and really it wasn't bad.

I mean, they threw three or four away trying to feed the post and they just kept looking and looking and threw a bad lob pass inside a couple of really weak passes out slot here.

You take those five or six turnovers back and they stolen half of those buckets.

Then you got under a ten point game here and you got a ball game and still not out of the realm of possibility right now.

A couple more threes and maybe they could get South BURNETT to tighten up just a little bit.

Comments started out with a very tough defense in terms of pressuring the basketball and that very well rattled the Blue Devils early on.

And after they relaxed on the pressure, the Blue Devils never made the adjustment to take advantage of the easiest pressure.

But you're right, that's an excellent point in terms of what happened with the Blue Devils.

They've got a steal some out with 428 left to see if they can string something together and you know they had 12 turnovers at halftime.

They probably have at least you know that many in the second and I would venture to say five or six or seven of those turnovers were really unforced.

It was just poor execution after the timeout.

Now the comets will inbound it left of the a full court pressure by the Blue Devils in the quarter.

Williams sidesteps the defense and here comes agility into the frontcourt dumps it down at the block the Mercer Mercer dumps it over the suns he gets to lay it on the floor to do that for the comets.

Once again, excellent ball movement and excellent looks from Mercer and Williams, and a full court press by the Blue Devils are ordinarily would work with teams Thomas just too quick and elusive to get out of it inside the paint Tolbert shots off the mark and he gets his own rebound for the putback That's full court pressure.

Williams had it bounce off his leg tapped out of bounds Good call by the official away from the basketball Williams falling to the surface able to knock it off of Brown Let's take a look at the replay Great hustle by both teams their ball off of Williams leg Look at that last play at the moment bounced off of Bradley.

They keep the basketball as a result.

Nice work by the GPB camera crew as well.

Howard out front now on the way to Williams Williams lost it inside the paint Collins back the other way spins inside and back outside the arc Holbrook on the line for two shots off the mark rebound to Marshall Mercer across the floor trying to get it over the send it put a little mustard on that one closely but not real happy He's going to call a timeout, talk it over a little bit, get some discipline back on the floor.

324 remaining in the ballgame.

Mercer with the basket, all of their front court kind of lull the defense asleep there But with the quick pass across the floor to Sims Sims not quite ready for 6348 Stanford it still with a commanding lead yeah I tell you Lewis Williams can go in so many different directions so quick he can go up in a hurry, he can go forward in a hurry and he can go laterally in a hurry.

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Charles, I'll tell you, the last player that I can think of that had that type of first step, the quickness that you see out of Lewis way from Tony Aiken.

You remember him?

Sure.

Duke played up in Gwinnett County and then of course, started at Georgia Tech.

Tony Aiken was a very quick player and had that great first step, but didn't have near the hops, of course, that Lewis Williams did or the stroke.

So, you know, it's just that little bit that gets that separation, the Michael Jordan type of first step, Kobe Bryant.

And he's this young man certainly has Williams with all the tools.

Blue Devils have the basketball 315 remains in the contest.

COLLINS inside the paint.

Got it to the seven other shots.

The mark Williams will clear for the comets.

WILLIAMS Quickly to the right side inside the paint, just forcing the action and draws another foul.

He just accelerates past other players almost effortlessly.

I mean it's just a beautiful thing to watch.

And Mike Mercer, who is would be a superstar in any other team, of course, and he's about six four and has that kind of frame.

Looks like he could still out maybe go to six foot seven and put on some weight.

And then you're talking about a point guard that's really going to get people fit.

And he said it a few minutes ago talking about the next year, the comets.

They will be scary then, but right now it's put a lot of fear in folks and having their way in this championship ballgame thus far.

Hey, you can't fault you can't fault this county's effort.

They've given it everything they can.

It's just up against a really, really talented team that's on their game tonight.

305 remains Hightower across the timeline left side Brian Bryan up top Tolbert head fakes in the paint by the dump it down low does so to Bromley Well he got it to the cylinder shots off but a foul call up I would have liked since more of that action between the two big guys passing the ball to each other in the paint.

I think they could have had some better results down there and got to the free throw because that's when it really doesn't have the bulk to keep those guys away from the basket.

That's what we anticipated.

Stevens in the Blue Devils to work working on the inside.

But the bigger players, well, the quickness took them out of the ball game early and they just never recovered really to get their offense back in gear.

This is the way you counter the bigger players on the inside.

If you can rattle the guards out front to make it tougher for them to get the basketball on the inside.

You take a look at Brownlee's performance, 14.3 rebounds and he gets the second under 3 minutes remaining.

Now, Williams scooting across the time line, left side draws another foul up front.

Well, I know Coach Dennis Felt the University of Georgia like to put up a wall around Snellville to keep out all the coaches I think there's an early signing period in October.

Of course, the guys have committed, but they haven't put their name on the dotted line yet.

Foul was called on Collins.

That was his fifth.

So he departs as you take a look at Williams on the night, 34 points, ten rebounds and one blocked shot and I can't remember him putting up a bad in the whole ballgame.

Charles best performance in the playoffs at least on the front end rebounds cleared by Brownlee basketball Kick it off Stay with the Blue Devils with Robert Moore his first year that Tip County gave him a lot of.

Undefeated season as Hightower fires a three pointer.

Nothing about air basketball belongs to the Comets.

Well, maybe we shouldn't have tipped off Coach Fleetwood about Hightower being the key to the game before the game started because they really clamped him down.

I think that was also responsible for taking the Blue Devils out of their game because he had been really playing well in the playoffs up until this game.

Williams In the backcourt and now into the fourth down at the block bounce pass a pass got there and got it Got a lot of jukes jukes with a head fake He drew a foul.

They're going to count the basket at an interference by the Blue Devil defense.

So it's 6749 now, Thomas with the lead, take a look at the replay.

That's got to be a good feeling for a big fella like Duke's at six, six, eight.

It's a sophomore somewhere in there six, seven.

And knowing that Louis Williams can go out and score all the points he wants to, but he's willing to give it up to you if he'll just work and get open.

Williams with another phenomenal play at this side of the basket drew the foul continue with the shot able to bank it off the glass and he'll go to the line.

So just a stellar performance by Louis Williams show absolutely no phase of his ball game tonight out of sequence and again really has it forced the action.

Charles does let the game come to him.

He's played good defense.

He's come up with a lot of steals, put pressure on the ball, can't ask any more from the young man.

Williams converts on the three point play from the line to a team remains.

It's been all comments of support at our front is told of Tolbert with the left hand nicely done but he left the shot short rebound to Howard for that Put a three on to the left side He goes with the pass to Muslim Russell over the defense of Phillips for the lay and acrobatic shot by Mike Marshall extends the sample that lead Hightower right side to the glass shots off the mark I believe Williams may have tipped it Howard up the floor to Williams now Williams right side still penetrating in the paint now kicks it back out to Marshall a minute 30 remaining Wilson is fired up front and coach Fleetwood now going to take an opportunity to allow the fans to show their appreciation for his starting five as you have five substitutions that are set to come in now for the comments of Southpaw that nice move by coach Fleetwood with a minute 25 to go and you know South Gwinnett really didn't try to embarrass they really didn't do anything They just played their game.

Now they spread the floor and they took advantage of what they had.

But a very classy way to win the game.

And I think Coach Moore is probably going to sit in his bench as well.

Both sides conceding for different reasons to get the ultimate into the lineup.

Tough way for these seniors, for Jeff County in their careers.

But, you know, you can look back on a great season and hey, we just got beat by a better ball club tonight.

Nothing to hang your head about.

This is a very, very good basketball team.

They're only going to get better in the future.

Well, stay the Blue Devils going to all see your starting lineup.

So we'll say goodbye to most of that team from tip counter.

It interesting to see if Coach More keeps putting it back together and making another appearance here in the finals next season.

Well, you know, when you get a good team and you make a run like this, as far as the younger kids in your town and in your county, you go out there and work that much harder and it tends to feed the, you know, the system and keeps it going.

So, you know, and you got a good coach and you got a good program.

And they certainly do.

You look for those guys to have a good team every year as well.

Congratulations.

Going out to coach Roger Fleetwood.

You saw him at the sideline.

He got his ultimate players into the lineup as the Blue Devils.

Now work it out top.

Ernest Taylor handles basketball over to Hagans.

Now they give it back in the corner to Taylor, his shots off the mark.

A-Rod's cleared by Mike Marshall.

Well, second out, a trailing man dumps it down low.

Inside that Jason Miller below shot is off the mark with the rebound comes clear to college Shepard Shepard bounces back outside to Marshall under a minute remaining Mercer running jumper in the paint rattles it and it falls good for Mike Marshall to go after the basket by Mercer.

He too will take his seat first.

Langly replaces him in the lineup and Mercer gets a big hug from Coach Roberts.

Lethal is coming to the sideline as well.

We mentioned it early in the ballgame, just a great, great back court.

They got two guys to go, one on one.

They can the ball up the floor and beat the pressure.

He's one of them.

They can make the play, taking it to the hole themselves that they can dish off.

So you know, it just gives you so many options as a coach to have one player like that, let alone two players in both, again, committed to him.

Yes, sir.

So the Blue Devils will have the basketball.

3D comes across the timeline.

Well, thanks to our guys in the production truck again, Charles, another great day of basketball court.

All that great action on instant replay, great camerawork, great calls out of the truck.

And I'm just amazed by the hard work and long day that got those guys.

Put it out there, blast a match up with our production crew and esthetic but it also back the other way with this 19 seconds left to the basket with Langley and Langley was fouled.

I always appreciate the opportunity to work with you on her couple of football games they had on tap tonight with the girls and included with the guys.

Certainly is.

And of course, Jim Donahue, the anchor of the whole show, doing it once more in Deja Right.

And John Nelson, it's sideline Langley from the line misses on the first.

Did we miss anybody?

I think we got everybody.

We just want those checks getting here early, don't we?

Got a running late converts on the second and another full day of action coming your way tomorrow you hope you'll be watching Behind the arc is speedy.

Down to 5 seconds.

And what's a jumper?

It's Johnson it's off the mark the rebound to the comments and there you have it.

Comets win it 7549.

They are your five a chance in the state Georgia that is the first ever for south Gwinnett.

Just a dominating performance on both ends of the floor and the result they win the state title.

Yeah Charles you know it's it's hard to say this team won't be back in the finals again next year.

I mean when you look at that, the talent they have on this team and what's coming back, there's a lot of great teams in Georgia.

But you got to figure these guys are eyes on the at least get back to this game.

They started from a beginning tip You just commanded the contest mostly through Lewis Williams, but you can't pin it all on winning.

It's just a great team effort by the Comets.

Yeah.

And then, you know, Tip County 2728 No coming into this basketball game have not lost a game all year and so this is very, very impressive win.

All right.

John Nelson standing by with a winning coach, Roger Fleetwood.

And Nellie, thank you.

Cheers.

32 years of coaching that takes us back to the Nixon administration.

You finally have a title.

How does it feel?

And it feels wonderful.

The kids are just such great kids and we've got a good team.

We knew all along we could win this thing and we put it in your ear from last May, you know, since school was out, you started talking about winning the state championship game.

We were pretty bold in the paper the beginning of the year and said, you know, if you don't think you can, don't say it.

We thought we could win.

Think we were the only team that could win it, but we thought we were one of the teams that could win it.

You had a decent margin leading at the half third quarter.

You really kicked it in.

Yeah, we did.

Defensively, we really played great.

You know, we get criticized all the time for being a showboat team.

The won't guard anybody who will rebound.

And I think we proved in the tournament we can guard some people.

And you've also got some shooters.

Lewis Williams, Mike Mercer, thanks for your championship.

Charles and Herb, send us home.

Thank him Ali 7549 win for the Comets.

You're five a state champs in the state of Georgia and they do it in fine performance.

Herb certainly did and I think the coach said it all you know this team yeah and let's don't forget we got the first ever historic event we'll broadcast in the 2004 wheelchair championships.

And where do you see these young athletes in action in the morning on the on Georgia public Georgia Public Broadcasting, 7549.

Once again, the final score, your five state champs, the Comets of South Gwinnett Charles Ward on behalf of Herb White and sideline reporter Jon Nelson and everybody at Gp-B say thanks so much for joining us and we'll see you them all.

This broadcast of the Georgia High School Association state basketball championships has been made possible in part by IBEW Local number 613 South Trust Bank.

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