GPB Sports: Basketball
GHSA 6A Girls Final: North Gwinnett vs. Norcross
3/9/2013 | 1h 40m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
GHSA 6A Girls Final: North Gwinnett vs. Norcross - March 9, 2013
GHSA 6A Girls Final: North Gwinnett vs. Norcross - March 9, 2013
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GPB Sports: Basketball is a local public television program presented by GPB
GPB Sports: Basketball
GHSA 6A Girls Final: North Gwinnett vs. Norcross
3/9/2013 | 1h 40m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
GHSA 6A Girls Final: North Gwinnett vs. Norcross - March 9, 2013
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHe's going coast to coast, clear the runway.
He's coming in.
It's a slam jam.
Pull up from three.
Watch this guy Go wheel drive.
Backs it in and gets it from the Macon Coliseum in the making Center flex at his time for the largest classification six AA championship.
That's to be decided here in Macon Madness.
It is a battle of Region seven Norcross Lady Blue basketball coming in with a record of 26 and four North Gwinnett ranked as high as number three nationally in points this season.
Coming into the game tonight in Macon against their arch rivals with the record of 29 and one.
I am John this is Shaun it is time for the six eight championship game on the girls side and you've got star power on both ends.
Yeah John you talking about the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe Bryant in the Miami Heat with LeBron James, that type of player caliber.
Is he on the court tonight?
Both teams have exceptional players, great coaching.
I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it.
Well, we need you to talk a little bit about it.
Let's start off with the Norcross Blue Devils, Angie Hendry chasing after her sixth state championship.
And you want to talk about a diamond who is not a diamond in the rough?
There is a star right there in diamond.
Oh, my gosh.
You're talking about a special player that does it all.
She's growing up.
She's matured over the years and she's a special player now.
The Naismith Girls Basketball Player of the Year, an award you don't just get handed to you, something you earn.
Watch her.
Watch her explode.
Now, take our talents to the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Sylvia Hatchell has compared her to Michael Jordan.
So that's Jordan.
So let's go to the flip side.
North Gwinnett, Brian Sellers chasing after their first championship, the Ladies in red, they've got some power, too.
But what you talk about is Lexie Brown, a six foot guard that can do it all.
She's a special player.
She's fun to watch.
She's going to Maryland now.
Here's here's a statement on these two we're going to keep fouling out.
Makes you know, hardwoods in the season.
Lexie Brown has a chance to get an edge or diamond this year.
Whoever wins that night has bragging rights and take it down to college.
After this, after this game, they will certainly do that.
Third member of our broadcast team tonight is from the SCC.
It's Nikki Noto.
What's the early word, Nikki?
Well, guys, it is no secret that Georgia did make hot bed for girls basketball.
And tonight in this class six eight region seven matchup, you are going to see a showcase of talent.
We're talking about watching the national player of the year and three All-Americans all in one game and on one court.
These ladies will be heating up the hardwood.
And John, I know you have some stats on what and who I'm talking about.
We certainly do.
Nikki, you got the shields and everyone else.
Let's go to our starting lineups brought to us by our friends at Regions Bank, Regions Bank.
It's time to expect more.
Lexie Brown You just saw her.
The rest of the lineup, the three guard lineup for Sellers Bayley, Rex and Jocelyn Belcher, your guards, Stephanie, Amelia Peyton To win it up front for that's for North Gwinnett.
Also on the flip side, you're talking about lineups here and it is stacked five deep each way across.
Lexie Brown heading to Maryland, Peyton Whitted for North Gwinnett, heading to Penn State.
You're talking about Norcross Time and DeShields is heading to North Carolina.
Charlotte Cooper is heading to Georgetown.
So when you have all of this power, are you looking for those from the other places to get actually get Meg to make their impact?
Let's go to the keys to the game first before you answer that question.
The keys to the game brought to us by our friends at the technical college system of Georgia to see, learn more, earn more keys to success for Norcross.
Yeah, Norcross has a limit.
Their turnovers don't come out and play.
Not like you've been playing all spring.
You see a postseason long place fundamentals sound.
Play your game, have fun tonight.
Let the nerves get out in the first few minutes of the game.
And then the flip side for North Gwinnett again to limit turnovers.
Both teams want to come out here and pound very quickly, get points on the board.
State fundamentals sound.
There's an equal mindset between both coaches on both programs.
There's no secrets on this.
Play the game and have fun.
All right.
Starting line ups really quickly for North Gwinnett, Lexie Brown, Bailey, Rex and Josh, Lynn Belcher, Stephanie Emeka and Payton Whitted for Norcross, their starting lineup Sidney Marshall Bri Williams Colby makes number 20 Diamond DeShields 22.
You're going to put a circle and a star around diamond Charlotte Cooper also number 32 for Norcross so you're starting fives once again there for Norcross 1013 2022 and 32.
And on the flip side for north Gwinnett for five, 15, 23 and 25.
So Angie Neal talk about Angie Embry nervous and in talking to her before this particular game where North when beat her two out of three times she said she was nervous she knew that this building was going to be about 400 degrees.
And one of her biggest focuses early on was to make sure her players were drinking enough water.
But, John, that's what it's about.
That's about competition.
You want to be nervous if you came into this game with no expectations, with nothing on your heart and on your mind, you don't have a competition.
But inside your spirit, that's Henneberry Understand?
Embrace the nervousness, embrace the atmosphere.
Let's go out here and get us the W last championship.
Angie Hembree, one for Norcross was a win 7663 against Vernon two years ago.
Norcross wins the opening test, coming down in the paint, trying to find some place to throw the basketball baseline jumper is up and good.
Sidney Marshall the first two for the game off the elbow.
Yeah.
Nice touch Nice scream of the diamond.
Two seals getting a tap going into Norcross.
Allow them to get the first two points in the game shot for North Gwinnett just a little too long.
Norcross trying to come out They don't have numbers, but they're going to press it anyway into the paint block where they're going to call foul.
WILLIAMS Coming out and attacking, attacking, attacking.
And that's what you have to do, John, Get the early fouls and the defense forced the tempo and get to the free throw line here to rest a foul down with it.
She's got to do a better job of going straight up and down again.
WILLIAMS Attacking, attacking and that's what I like about her at the point Williams first free throws up and short 28 seconds in Norcross with the first two on the board Norcross lost two of the three in the season series to North Platte.
The one win that they had was January 23rd when they held north Gwinnett to 29 points and won by 17 second free throw up and go.
There's Angie Hembree.
She's already processing things easy too on the back end there for North Carolina.
Stephanie and he has a glow and people stay off the free throw line.
No communication there between the coaches and the players.
He's got to do a better job of understanding what's happening on the court with Ryan Sellars.
It's like he's got a bit of a off here going 40 seconds in now 45.
And the only points on the board I thought about trying to put inside that fake getting into the play off with the left hand will not go from Peyton with it, but there will be another foul call.
You know, both teams not trying to shoot outside the three point line.
They're trying to attack, attack early, get the nerves right.
Get your balance going.
John.
And you know the game as we saw them, fine.
So is already put the field in front of the north side.
Welcome the gum making a run in the floor like every other coach in the game trying to get the last game of the season to be a better than free throw off and good luck with it.
One or two more tied, three one minute in here for the girls.
Six eight championship plays can't catch with legs coming back around looking for someone to pass through.
Thinking about the three was enough to game in the sealed from about 27 feet by against it from the basket fell in love with every sport world class is working the inside the basketball gets close to opponents the team in the game so they're going to come to the offensive Alamo Cross coming back the other way made it 18 and launched the three and down it for Lexie Brown.
Well, that's a Crown season special player the way she does it all.
She is fun to watch how yellow she's always is, making sure the cameras get a chance to see who she is.
Big attack on Charlotte Cooper's past.
Let's take a look at the day.
Go for it.
Yeah, She just decks.
He bounces and uses a high ball screen.
Nice rotation.
Good touch.
Three.
She knew it, too.
She had a big smile on her face coming back down the floor.
Minute 40 in North Shore, leading Norcross by the score 6 to 3 six a championship being the side of who worked on it, chasing after their first title, once again ranked as high as number three nationally.
It's sometimes during the year out of bounds in the state.
What you see when you get a shot blocker like Payton, Rick, he can't go so deep in her dominance You pull that maybe a step or two further back.
That way she could have had it easy angle to the basket for a jump shot Lexie Brown averaging two and a half points a game dangerous passing by Diamond DeShields picked up storm on the inside Charlotte Cooper be another south although north Gwinnett looks like a eight who were going to Georgetown taking her talents up north to the D.C. area.
This is leading this team in double doubles leading them in rebounds.
She's a solid player but legendary first free throw up and good for Cooper.
6 to 4 now.
And you will be analyzing early trying to communicate by Williams on the way back down the floor as more all sets up defense patience good six five is a high IQ in the past trying to break Chris Brown in the corner three point attempts rimming out no good block on the inside willing Shayla Cooper Cooper coming out with it from Norcross Williams was sent the offense playing catch with holding Meeks now rotate over far corner and leadership looks like she would have set a high pick but she'll get the high ball inside the paint.
Intercepted Ayton would have trying to come out with a four north Gwinnett two on team pressure.
You don't want four bodies in one space because that's what happens Diamond to shields with the easy pass blew the bunny and the follow that's 2000 weighted John the basket case could be a difference maker here in the early part of the game Great person great deflection.
Damasio misses the easy two points continues the fight great charge with the foul possession.
That's exactly what you do not want.
If you coach Kelly, you do not want your best post presence with early in early foul trouble and also she's your best defensive player as well to fouls in 2 minutes and 37 seconds into the ballgame.
Melissa Munroe on the sophomore and if that means you know she's the daughter of former Georgia Tech player James Monroe.
So the pedigrees continue on both rosters.
There's a13 one half court zone by know across well pass up seven six body lay outside the three point line and again the jumper is good Jocelyn Belcher with the three north Gwinnett now at nine seven yeah Belcher definitely known for her three point shooting you got to know where she is regardless whether you're man or in zone John Williams makes playing catch near side this time I'm in the shields over far and he's looking try to go inside the Charlotte Cooper trying to find something to do left hand off the glass too hard gets her own rebound up misses the second shot trying for a third time and gets it.
Well there's not a post presence defensively now for north Gwinnett so Norcross is going inside John attacking at the high post and so just doing a great job of staying with the shot Lexie Brown Nice pass inside the paint blue The bunny again was North Gwinnett Rebound second shot bottom of the backboard fought four on the floor and north when that's going to come out with it Lexie Brown will try to reset things and calm things down a little bit here.
Here's a nice matchup up top the two all Americans versus one another.
Belcher and Williams going at it pass thrown away Bailey wrestling having problems with it launch the three for north Gwinnett off the rim no good picked up by Norcross coming out with it one more time the defense positioned there by north Gwinnett from Georgia with that ball going out of bounds we're going to take a timeout with him 356 for the first Norcross in north Gwinnett over the first 4 minutes, 4 seconds, nothing's resolved.
We're tied at nine.
We'll be back for the rest of the first quarter.
When we come back.
Welcome back.
Making policy making cineplex 356 to go first quarter.
Norcross and north Gwinnett are tied at nine.
Nothing is resolved.
Senate down to Nikki Noto to talk about one of the biggest chess matches of this game.
Nikki John I had the opportunity to catch up with Coach Sellers before the game and of course, I had to ask him the diamond question, if you will.
How do you contain a player like Diamond DeShields?
He immediately laughed.
He said, I knew you were going to ask me that.
But then he followed up with, You can't contain a player like that.
You can only hope to slow it down.
And most importantly, he said, we have to keep Diamond DeShields out of the lane.
Okay.
Coach Shawn Golden, what do you think about that assessment by Brian Sellers Well, that's a great assessment by Coach Sellers, but this is what coaches have to understand.
If you focus on the other team instead of being your own, you put your team to an injustice.
He's now without his tough inside presence right now with Payton winning with two fouls, that's the focus of concern right now.
Big loop pass and the diamond is shields and she hit the ground hard, but she's back up in a hurry.
Here's Williams with the big pass over the top.
Mr. Shields goes to the foul line very athletic.
She has time with the SEALs going up there using her height and ability to catch and get to the free throw line for the alley oop.
But again, John, let's talk about this here in the first half with 342.
First quarter with 340 to go, you don't have Peyton with it there in the paint.
If she was there with that presence, I doubt that would have happened.
We'll keep an eye on that and see how many times that happens as we continue to go second free throw.
No good rebound on the offensive end is good by Charlotte again.
Norcross doing a great job of taking advantage of Pegg's absence right now inside the paint.
So let's see what the recipe is for Ryan Sellers here on both sides of the ball starting on offense without Whitted inside that big post presents Lexie Brown Crosscourt to Jocelyn Belcher.
Belcher guarded by DeShields all the way out beyond the three point Lexie Brown now picked up by De Shields double team to the point by her and Williams bounce pass into the paint and it's going to be all finished possession and that's going to stay with North Gwinnett this time.
Yeah, Norcross is taking the fight now to north Gwinnett without the big person inside north Gwinnett does not have that post presence that they need to have an inside out game.
Sarah Butler on the good defensive in there for Norcross in the ballgame now for Angie hundreds Belcher time to come up with some kind of offensive formation trying to find it Lexie Brown intercepted coming back the other way is Meeks and she loses control knocked away great defensive play on North Gwinnett Lexie Brown coming back with it so coming back is Bailey Rexy who made the play get more win at the ball free throw line jumper Good one I told you she was smart she was solid.
That was a great decision.
Didn't go so deep into the paint.
Johnson pulled up at the free throw line for the easy two in transition Norcross leading north Gwinnett 1211 girls six eight championship region rivals Diamond for long three in hits.
Hey, that's a stroke of genius.
Nice rotation Good shot Great stroke.
She's a special, special player going to North Carolina next year.
Diamonds three makes it a four point game 15 to 11.
Lexie Brown looking to drive.
Andre Williams inside.
There's going to be a whistle and let's see what they call the fouls are going to be on Charlotte Cooper's in The SEALs are stepping into it.
Nice elevation, good stroke, great rotation, bottom of the neck.
Lexie Brown inbound.
It goes it all the way out here to Jocelyn Belcher near half court.
She drives Diamond to Shields on defense Lexie Brown three point attempts rimming out no good.
Once again, the tall timber for Norcross was not there for North Gwinnett.
Easy rebound, this time for Sierra Butler And here comes Diamond the ship.
I'm telling you, John, that's going to be a factor in the game, especially in the first quarter.
Not having a post presence entry pass to Sierra Bender for the easy to an athlete is six bounce pass inside look for that thought about it back out to Lexie Brown sticking with that the three guarded by his bounce pass back inside intercepted again Sierra bucket they get the sailor Cooper who will bring the ball up the floor for Norcross yes she's missed do it all so put Williams to the shields thinking about the three guarded by Bailey Rexy nice Pull up the payoff timeout Got to get a timeout to much momentum Minnesota Twins no balls no play at least by the time out.
Not soon before next possession and sellers sticking with it right now.
An eight point game 7 seconds to go for the first not concerned on the outside Lexie Brown nice drive for two they needed that but what if she can do I can do better Lexie Brown says Give it to me.
Let me show what I am an all-American Airball Ball.
They're back to North Gwinnett with 55.5 to go in the first quarter.
3 seconds sub in for Norcross.
Javon Stanfield, the senior guard.
So it's Stanfield, DeShields, Meeks, Cooper and Butler.
Four more cross here as well with 45 seconds to go left in the quarter.
Lexie Brown jumper off the rim no good.
Once again, a battle picked up by Norcross No probably so that has numbers Jumper missed everything out of bounds to Norcross with 37.2 looks for the run shot right here was for the one shot was a set play coming by Norcross down the court the SEALs win in the corner Diamond walking it up 30 seconds to go now first quarter getting her instructions from Angie Hamburg.
Lexie Brown now picking up dime in the shield.
Bowlby makes easy passing along the perimeter right now for Norcross down to 15 seconds.
Bounce pass inside.
COOPER And they're going to call step, step.
That's a nice set play there.
Coach him.
We had four north calls versus his zone of North Gwinnett Cooper just got caught with the travel daily Rex thing with the basketball down to 7 seconds, does not have something to do.
She's going to drive with the high teardrop off the rim.
No good out of bounds with 1.8.
It's going to stay with North Gwinnett.
So they got to come up with something quick but semi might want to set up where he get down to the she is out so she can't pick herself out well over 1.8.
He could surge on him if he could happen in a short period of time.
Let's see.
Brown's three point attempt is no good, missing everything.
And that's going to do it for the first quarter.
The girls six eight championship, lack of height and foul trouble has North Gwinnett down six Norcross up 1913 after the first 8 minutes second quarter we come back on GPB a bit now welcome back making coliseum may consider first 8 minutes in the books North Gwinnett missed their last five shots were down by six as we start the second 8 minutes as well cross into the quarter on seven 2 to 1 and part of that we'll get to in just a second watch Georgia endorsement side your living room.
You'll be able to cozy up with bats and frogs, although I don't know if we really can cozy up at bats and frogs, although you can hang on the beach to sea turtles and kayak down the Also my river get while with Sharon Collins and nature watch Georgia outdoors in the great GPP March 30th in a 30 PM.
Stunning show a lot of great work done by Sharon Collins and videographer Shane Keating.
And you can see it all right here on GPB.
We want to talk about someone that we focus on in the open.
22 ways to understand.
The first quarter was oh, no way, she was fantastic, came out giving us eight points in 8 minutes, did a fantastic job.
What is this one turnover?
And she's doing it, John, in so many ways.
Definitely from the outside with a great stroke and is being able to penetrate and do certain things, you got to play with whoever she has the ball in wins right here.
Just rip it through with the pull up jump shot right there at the elbow.
That's nasty.
That's perfect.
Two of five from the floor for Diamond in the first quarter.
Your chance at eight points in 8 minutes.
That's a pretty good pace.
Bounce pass to the inside at the bottom of the backboard No good look at trying to come out with it intercepted by diamond misses the layup again five for Charlotte Cooper up and in Yeah here's the thing Payton did it and now you're seeing that with the paint people she's in the game for a precious time for some really quick test shots until the game was pretty much in the second half.
This is what people did third foul when it barely played 3 minutes before she picked up those two fouls.
Long shot no good by North Gwinnett coming out with it is more cross I'm in the shield guarded by Lexie Brown inside the paint shot no good and they're going to call alternate possession it's going to go back the other way is look what happened the last time down the floor and John lost Maddie.
This is what we're talking about.
See, with it on the outside, not involved in the ads.
And she's only a presence on the court time.
Not a lot of action.
North Gwinnett down eight 2113 one minute into the second quarter Bailey relaxing with the basketball start about driving baseline has to turn around and come back out Payton Whitted to Josh Belcher back here with it flexing wide open off the elbow but she's going to take it herself off the glass and in for two.
So what you do is when you have two foul shots.
Yes your presence defensively but offensively you can't attack.
They've got to go to her and get her some confidence, get the ball in her hands.
Norcross is laid back down to six, a minute and a half in to the second quarter.
Sarah Butler being harassed by Lexie Brown.
Cross-court Williams thought about it.
Step back three.
Got it.
Nice shot.
Nice shot.
She came out attack in the first quarter of game time and now hit with three right in the deep corner 20 for 15 the lead back to nine for North Cross Lexie Brown trying to drive on Williams the high picks it by waited Bailey Rixon thought about the three she's going to drive it a little further two pointer off the rim no good rebound Charlotte Cooper Cooper Williams crossing half court for cross trying to do something in transition holding it back Cooper Usually the four on the trail Lexie Brown a little bit jumper is short picked up by Lexie Brown Bounce pass Belcher will bring it up with it.
Drive left hand off the rim thoughtful picked up by Belcher.
She had some help behind her wasn't there and it's going to be more process basketball and send it to Nikki real quick what's up with.
All right guys So I was hanging out in the huddle with Coach Hembree and the Norcross girls, and you have to love her passion.
She's been doing this for a long time.
And she was telling her girls to focus Hembree out of anyone.
She knows that there are no second chances.
And she was telling her girls, We have to win this quarter, guys, and it starts right now.
Won the first quarter.
She wants to win the second.
North Gwinnett has missed 11 of their last 13 from the floor we're told you don't have to it in the game the game plan changes Who loves to play inside out time without her presence you have to play outside in it is tough to hit jump shots.
Look at the quickness here.
Great handles.
Don't go by the puzzle.
Don't go by the puzzle.
But I'm impressed by what she could do.
SIMON Trying to get a bit of a clarification on that.
And you know that there's going to be points in this ballgame where DeShields is going to go up against Lexie Brown.
You're going to have these one on one exhibition, 32nd time out called Is My Angel Hembree and Norcross, as he's done things like that, plays like that.
We unify.
A lot of times you get caught up with trying to be so textbook.
Sometimes you miss the best players play.
You talk about two of the top 25 players in the nation, three player of the year going up against the number ten player in the nation.
Let them go.
Sometimes streetball John comes out at times, especially here in the championship setting or it looks like streetball and it really is just the organized chaos of the game, organized chaos of the game.
John One on one basketball dominance.
She was showing her ball, handling her ability to go one on one and create a play for herself.
Just as talented a softball player at Norcross.
And she was for basketball.
And there you see the numbers right there.
Two thirds of the points for Lady Blue have come from Charlotte Cooper and Diamond DeShields.
Not really a surprise, but reinforced again tonight.
Bounce pass inside looking for Lexie Brown incomplete.
Here comes Diamond DeShields with it looking to drive it those long legs here is took up a lot of space missed the shot and north when it comes out with it Lexie Brown on the break Meeks on defense missed a layup.
Meeks had it down with Bayley Rex thing on the floor and what are we going to call alternate possession heading the other way?
Yeah, that's great defense.
Great defense on no crosses behalf.
I'm getting back.
Meeks does a great job of getting off the easy path to the basket, but Lexie Brown makes it.
Brown has to finish that.
Put her in the hole, get home.
You point your side and get the two points in transition foul on Bailey.
Right.
Saying that'll be her first coming up on 440 to go first half Norcross is leading north Gwinnett 24 to 15 Williams being guarded by Brown Javon Stanfield in the game for the lady Blue Devils meets with it Cross dangerous crossed Stanfield back to Williams guarded by Lexie Brown.
All they seem to be doing right now is just working the high triangle past the point, trying to figure out if they can get a cut.
Diamond shields And there's your pass inside Shot up no good by Sierra Butler but we got to whistle another foul on North Pole That was huge on this call coaching that's how great coach of coaching Avery understood Hey instead of forcing that for us to the play let's take that time work the ball inside off of a good set now Allen Bailey relaxing that's the second foul she's picked up rather quickly the free throw line is good this year Butler Defensively we've seen this setting before versus southwest of Tampa.
Milagro It's very difficult to beat a team multiple times in one season.
Now North Gwinnett up 2 to 1.
Norcross is now taking the fight to the Bulldogs second free throw rims out.
The lead now ten to Norcross as we at the halfway point here second quarter you make in coliseum the making center flex the girls six eight championship going to be decided and the winner is going to come out of region seven.
Lexie Brown Trying to find any kind of entry into the paint Whitted setting a high screen spin move.
Brown off the glass, short rebound, picked up Sidney Marshall.
That was a great defensive segment there by Norcross.
Step on the back screen.
Great help, great contest, solid check out Good rebound here by Williams Marshall thinking about the three thinking against it dominant take the three and head it Hey that's in a rhythm She's in a rhythm She is feeling really good now John showing how she can play without the ball using it down screen hitting it three of the top 13 for a run right now for all loss leads up to 13 of 2815.
We're coming up on 3 minutes to go here in the first half.
Belcher having problems at the pass to Payton Whitted he's being guarded by Sierra by the way outside the three point line that's out of her comfort zone.
Lexie Brown guarded by Williams again with a high screen inside will take the three and hit that too.
Hey, tit for tat, let's go back at it.
These two especially players back and forth.
Lexie Brown and the SEALs give it to either one of the two and let them create for their team.
Thought about rolling around the high screen step by step dementia.
But then she pulled up and hit the three on her own, Brown, averaging 18 and a half points a game and she hembree calling for motion with two and a half to go here.
28 to 18 Lady Blue up ten pass inside of the shield she's double team loses control of it heads back to work and that's when the ball delivers And with that ball heading out of bounds we're going to take a TV timeout on our own Diamond DeShields and Lexie Brown.
We knew it was going to be the marquee match up on the two have not disappointed.
DeShields from long range and then Lexie Brown says, Anything you can do, I can do just as well.
The lead is ten for Norcross on GPB and there's a reason to party here at the Making Coliseum in the Making Center flex, everyone showing a little rhythm here.
Norcross Up ten.
Norcross His offense, Lady Blue definitely in a big rhythm as they take on their region rival North Gwinnett North Gwinnett winning two out of the three.
And speaking of threes launch city man All right.
Let's listen to the Knicks at times, John, just showing you the silky smooth shooting there of Norcross.
And also Courtney Norcross is shooting deep downtown.
And you see this leading the way with their offensive skills.
And when you're in his own like that, take a look at the numbers.
Norcross 60% from three hitting three of five north Gwinnett, three of nine.
But I've never been in the zone like that as much as I enjoy hitting the 28 foot rainbow following as much as I have.
Yeah.
What's it like to be in the zone like that?
And it feels good, especially when you have a lot of confidence in the shields.
Right now.
Is riding on a high just being named this week ton National Naismith Player of the year.
That's something that boosters to another level and also being on the Mack Delmas all-American team, that's something that's his dream for all of your life.
Lexie Brown to 18 and counting.
Get to Bailey Rec Senior Corner.
Rexy Not afraid to throw off the jump shot trying to pass it around but I'm in the shields.
Great heads up makes its way up.
It started with the seals, with the denial on the way we talked about our system.
But defensively down with the seals is dominating this game.
Jocelyn Belcher looking to drive on to Shields DeShields with the BLOCK and a push off is called we thought she's good launch in the three How about take a look at some defense that's a deflection that's a steal, that's two.
She is also going to advance the ball up the court.
She's doing it, John, on both ends offensively and defensively.
We talked about being in an offensive zone.
The better your defense is, the better your offense prevails itself because you get easy baskets, You're now more involved in the game and back down the other way to shoot free throws.
Colby Meeks did not cross up 30 to 8151 for the first half, first free.
Throw the fun into the one and one is good.
Second free throw back home is also getting and only one more cross on an 11 three run for a 14 point advantage.
The 3218 Lexie Brown guarded by Williams again.
Bailey Rex Infante, the Big three, guarded by Colby Meech near corner with it Drew guarded by Sheila Cooper, ferociously being guarded by Sheila Cooper.
Well, back out.
Allison We felt Belcher trying to come up with some kind of an entry goes around the double screen there, guarded by DeShields Whitted.
Back to Lexie Brown 118 to go first half look for that frustrated but Lexie Brown high off the glass no good two shields had the rebound tried to tip it back to herself three point attempts North Gwinnett is good Jocelyn Belcher They need it back three That's a great shot there by Brown to be able to knock down for three especially with all the scramble that's going on zone.
That is something that North Gwinnett can build on going into the half coming up on 50 seconds to go first half north pass up 11 Williams guarded by Bailey Rexy out by the halfcourt line It's dangerous coming into the corner Charlotte Cooper driving off the glass easy to just great job of attacking attacking with it knowing that she's not going to put forward a high end defensive effort.
3421 under 30 seconds to go.
Lexie Brown looking to do something guarded by Williams.
I like the battle now, the flare, and I love that battle down low sail with 23a winner just going at it defensively and offensively too high off the glass rebound kick back out Rexy for three rimmed out again 9 seconds to go Norcross is going to have to think of something quick they're going to double team the ball don't let it get it off.
Lexie Brown picking the pocket diamond DeShields throws it up and nowhere close as the first half comes to an end, dominating performance by Lady Blue against the Ladies and Red out of Region seven to determine the six eight Championship.
We'll send it over to Nikki Noto with Coach Angie Henneberry.
Nikki, Coach, you were telling your girls before this game that you have to play perfect in order to win this ball game.
What holes are you seeing in your team right now preventing you from reaching that perfection?
I still want to see us do better on the boards.
We've got to get more second chance shots.
We've got it.
We've got to dominate the boards because without that, I'm not going to.
It's just too good a shooting.
Take.
All right.
Good luck, coach.
In the second half, each first half in the books, girls.
Six, eight championship, a lot of outside shooting and a lot of defense, a lot of star power and a lot of offense on the board.
North Boston's lead, 3421 as well through his 60 minutes in the girls six eight championship on the great GPB.
Welcome back to the Macon Coliseum we are at halftime of the girls six eight game as we bring you the games as a girls and boys state high school basketball championships at the half north crosses leading 34 to 21 over north Gwinnett.
And we welcome to the program now the principal Norcross High School Mr. Will BUZZER and boy you've bought a big group of fans down and there's good reason for that You've got the girls playing and the boys playing there.
Absolutely.
We're thrilled that both teams are here.
And it's just it's been an outstanding year with our football program as well.
And so it's it's really neat to be here and have all these kids here with us.
What's it been like in the quarters of school this week?
Because you had both teams coming down here to making the play for a state title?
Yeah, it's been really exciting.
We had the band down the halls on Friday morning and decorated a lot of the doors in the school and things like that.
So teachers are excited, our students are excited, our community is excited.
And what's funny is it actually turns into good stuff in the classroom.
More kids are in school, attendance is up and grades are up and things like that.
So it's a really neat thing for our school.
All right.
Time to play.
Are you smarter than your students?
A question from our Today in Georgia History project.
And your question is Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, became embroiled in a bitter political dispute with his opponent, Lachlan.
How did they settle this dispute?
Was it a rock, paper, scissors?
Best two out of three, whether it be a celebrity dance off with a C by asking their happy or D the duel to the death, I would guess it's a duel to the death.
You are right.
It was the duel to the death.
Thank you very much.
Good luck in the second half.
And in the boys then coming up.
Thanks so much.
Appreciate it.
All right.
Today in Georgia, history is a joint production of the Georgia Historical Society.
And for more information, just go to the day in Georgia history dot org.
And now let's check in with Cattani.
Yes, Thank you so much, Mark.
You know, we are enjoying everything that's going on here in the Colosseum, but the energy isn't just happening here in the Colosseum.
It's also going on online.
And the woman monitoring all of it is social media correspondent Grace Olson.
Hi, Grace.
Hello, Kat.
All right.
Now, one girl that makes a great impact on the court all the time, Diamond shields.
I was just over in the stands talking to her mom.
Her mom was a track superstar at the University of Tennessee and her brother.
So I know this.
She also has been tweeting us he was the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft.
In the MLB draft, I'm sorry, in 2010, he said at GPB Sports, Norcross Nation, My sister Diamond is about to go off.
Blue Devils Nation.
NORCROSS So we've been tweeting with the lineup.
The whole family has got it going on, a family of athletes.
And we want you to get involved in the conversation on Twitter.
We've got hashtags Nation going and hashtag Blue Devil Nation.
So talk about your school, Talk about the game.
We want to hear it all on Twitter and also on Facebook.
That's right.
You know what?
I'm going to give a shout out to my tweet buddy, Jenna AMC three for six who tweeted a picture of us that's on Twitter right now.
You know what?
It's not just on Twitter.
It's Facebook as well.
So log on to your social media platform of choice.
Just let us know that you're watching and tell us where you're from.
I was at the picture coming up and I'm trying to pull it up right now.
So again, log on to Facebook.
And when you log on, tell us where you're from, where you're watching for, Oh, there's my girl.
There's my girl.
You know what?
I'm going to go up into the stands and take some more pictures.
I'm going to send it back over to you, Mark.
All right.
Thanks so much.
Looking good.
Looking good over there.
And social media, we're at halftime now.
The girls six eight championship game between North Gwinnett and Norcross is.
Welcome back to the program.
The principal of North Gwinnett High School, Mr. Ed Shattuck.
And Ed, talk a little bit about what it's been like at school this week as all the students get ready to come down here and watch the girls team play.
It's been a very exciting week and it's not often you get two McDonald's All-Americans on the court at the same time.
I was down for the wrestling a couple of weeks ago and I don't know, that was more physical than and it was really cool.
A while ago.
That was a physical first half of basketball.
These two teams know each other.
They played three times already.
I think this year played three times.
We won two.
They won one.
We won the region game.
But this is the one you want.
So tonight's nice, very important, played very good First half.
We've got to come out and fight the second to to have a shot here talk about all the fans because there's a lot of black and red up there in the stands.
Absolutely.
You know obviously we'd like to have this in the arena, but this venue has done well.
We've brought about 200 kids and then just hundreds and hundreds of parents come down on Saturday has been wonderful.
All right.
Time to play the game now.
Are you smarter than your students?
A question from our Today in Georgia History project.
And the question is, it was the first steamship to cross in the world across the Atlantic.
No other American steamship would do it for for almost 30 years.
What was the name of the ship?
Was it A, the Savannah, B, the Love Boat, C, the Mayflower, or D, the Black Pearl?
I'm going to go with it.
Yes, Savannah, that's absolutely right.
You're smarter than your students.
They appreciate it.
And good luck in the second half.
Thank you.
We appreciate you guys.
All right.
Today in Georgia, history is a joint production of the Georgia Historical Society and GPB.
For more information, just go to the day in Georgia history dot org.
And now let's check back in with Jack Carney.
Now it's time for our Career Play of the Week, presented by the technical college system of Georgia.
You know, the health care field is broad and full of rewarding careers, medical and clinical lab tech jobs are growing at a rate of over 2% annually.
Jobs in biotechnology labs are growing at about the same rate as Georgia continues to compete in high paying science and technology fields.
Other areas of health care, like pharmacy technology, have provided stable jobs for many years.
Even working as a veterinary tech can be a rewarding way to make a living.
That's why health care is back in the spotlight as our career play of the game.
How about it now about it?
You know, you and Grace have it going on over there in the social media, tweeting, Facebooking, and logging on the Internet world.
We're having a good time.
You know what?
I think I'm going to roam around a little more.
Take a few pictures, tweet a few pictures.
Do you know what?
Get on Twitter, Get on Facebook.
Let us know what you think and like is like it's on that Facebook.
We're getting ready for the second half of the girls six day state championship game, as we know across the north Gwinnett.
We are back with the final 16 minutes of this game from the Mason Coliseum live on GPB right after this timeout.
Things on.
Welcome back Macon Coliseum Macon center plex getting ready for the third quarter here in the girls six eight championship Norcross up by 13.
Nikki Noto is on the sidelines with north Gwinnett Brian cellar coach you knew coming into this game that it wasn't going to be easy it was indeed going to be a challenge.
You're down 13 points right now heading into the second half.
What was the message that you gave your girls in that locker room?
I just said we have to step up, make our shots and not turn the basketball over.
We'll protect the ball and step up and knock some shots down and we'll be fine.
All right, Coach.
Well, good luck to you in the second half, John.
Thank you very much, Nikki.
Let's take a look at the first half highlights.
And North Gwinnett had a lead, actually had three points at one point with 641 to go in the first, Lexie Brown got her start off.
Yeah.
Lexie Brown, here she is coming up with the jump shot but Charlotte Cooper down low without the presence of Payton with it in there, getting the push back.
And here's our superstar right now.
So far in the first half down with two seals doing her thing Knocks down the two knocks down the three she led Norcross with 11 first half points.
Charlotte Cooper had ten.
Here's a look at the first half stats brought to us by our friends at Farm Bureau, Georgia.
What sticks out with about the free throws right now?
Norcross Nine for 12 north Gwinnett one for two in coach stories that tells this John whenever you actually have a chance to make more free throws than your opponent attempts, the opportunity for you to win that game, the probability is pretty high.
Now, you talk about first half numbers, field goal percentage, 29.6% for North Gwinnett.
You look at Norcross numbers 58% from the floor in the first half.
Yeah with Payton with it went out there in the first quarter it gave an open to the inside of the paint.
Norcross this attack they attacked inside they got to the free throw line.
John And that's something that's going to have to make a change here in the second half.
Two fouls in the first 2 minutes and 37 seconds for Payton Whitted.
She was sitting for most of that first half.
She's heading to Penn State.
Got to be a little lion, you know, And she's got the skills, John.
You know, it's just unfortunate she picked up those two early fouls.
But we've got a chance to see who will get a chance to see what she can do here in the second half to take to the 14 point deficit to Norcross wreck.
Seeing a meteor and with it for North Gwinnett.
Each have two No.
One in any kind of foul trouble for Norcross.
A couple of players with one foul each Williams makes into shields.
Look I thought we had three fouls in the first half by themselves.
The first bucket of the second half goes to call they make.
She now has six and joins the attack with it when it was extended Meeks Meeks attacks her because we didn't want to pick up a first down early here in the third quarter.
Lexie Brown for three rimmed out no good rebound on the inside too hard spot for Bailey Rexy chasing it for North Gwinnett It's going to stay with the Lady Bulldogs for Risa Meeks with the drive attacking with it Sister Jodie Meeks standout that played at Kentucky He wore the same number number 20 more the same white and blue when he played it North Bronx 30 seconds in third quarter North Gwinnett down 15 shot too hard rebound on the inside gets the roll for the two sets but it go step dementia Yes he's got to be the force inside John gets some get some presence down low gets some inside shots in the paint and and now with four coming up on one minute down here in the third quarter lead back down to 13 for Norcross Norcross biggest lead is 14 in the first half they head back with 151 to go in the second quarter time of the shields head fake drive it baseline nice little lock step.
There's three steps nice long strides no basket there for Norcross North Gwinnett coming back with it.
Lexie Brown thought about the three that someone's going to take the three off the rim no good.
Jocelyn Belcher She was wide open.
She took it.
She only hit iron though, to try to trim the lead for Norcross.
Here's a Palm Court stat here.
You see the teams trying to stack up at the high post.
Just isolate the SEALs, give her a chance to it, penetrate to the basket to have the turnover there.
Now the ball going to no sweat it.
But look, they did do since it went to MGM, we gave Angie the opportunity to talk to the officials, put in a couple of words before she handed the ball over.
140 gone.
Norcross leading 3623 against North Gwinnett Girls six eight championship fourth time.
These two teams out of Region seven have played this season North Gwinnett with a season advantage of two games to one I off the glass no good no one in the paint for north Gwinnett rebound picked up by Coby Meeks and back home the lady blue devil teams on the last two positions on the board North Gwinnett has gone one on one isolation offense That's not how you win this game.
You get back get it.
You have to move the ball, reverse it side, top side and get a half decent shot.
There's the match up.
We thought we'd see a lot of of brown in the shields jumper No good Bailey Jackson coming out with it Double team along the far in line ball was knocked out of bounds Looks like it's going to stay with more Korea You see coach similar to the diamond give the ball to sailor why we want her to attack it with an inside get back to our game plan that got us the 13 point lead fell on three Williams to be her second first team foul for North Norcross here in the second half Got to go for the finger on the layup no good by Lexie Brown back comes Norcross with it Williams thinking about his isolation I talked about Jong this attack with it look the ball around give Charlotte chance to and get the ball up top and isolate the shields and brown going at it and it last possession as well Meeks guarded by Belcher Williams guarded by Wrexham pass out of the paint Sheila Cooper looking to drive bounce pass in the end for the hesitation easy through that time this year Butler And that was a great call by coach hammering this run the offense now through Charlotte Cooper because she's not going to be harshly defended by with it jump shot off to miss on the floor everybody trying to scramble for it coming out with it.
Charlotte Cooper has got Williams for the right two shields on the last time you guys are on timeout now here's a timeout coming up north to let this game get away down a little bit of a stroll towards Central Falls Blue Devils walk with answers So last five in six out of their last seven here in the third quarter alone and we knew we'd see the athleticism and it's been all Norcross here in the third quarter four and a half minutes to go in the third Norcross lead 17 on the great GPB walk Welcome back making coliseum make and center flexing.
Before we went to break all of this something really just players is making plays.
That's what we talked about, the all-American here this time with the shields, this holding in here with the Colts.
Nice finish Nice pass by Charlotte for Cooper.
Here it is again, The song you watch those two can do together, Batman and Robin.
And let's go for a third time.
Let's see right from Charlotte Cooper's point.
And you don't think they practice that in practice before?
And I think they practice it.
But I also think they probably practiced a more authoritative ending than just laying something up off the glass to think they have.
But in the setting right now in the state championship game, it's more about the two points than to show Charlotte with the alley diamond with the first four and a half minutes to go here in the third.
And Norcross is about ready to put the pedal down on north when that leading by 17 what goes in here for nos this is a lot there's a lot of basketball to be played 4 minutes and 30 and change here in the third quarter, John.
But now it's about protecting the basketball.
Don't lose your composure.
Know your focus.
Let's send it over to Nikki Noto.
What's the word?
Well, John, I was just in Coach Taylor's huddle with his girls and Coach Zeller.
He's he's maintaining positivity right now and he's telling his girls were, okay, we're okay.
We have plenty of time in fact, we have four and a half to put ten in.
He said.
We're going to put ten, and that is our goal.
So look for that.
We'll see what happens.
Keep an eye on those numbers and keep track of them.
Thank you, Nikki.
Coming up on 420 to go third quarter more that needs to get to work if they're going to turn the 17 point margin.
Anything step you sit right there with north Gwinnett.
Hey more about the field goal percentage John Field goes north to net 14 of 24 and see the north limit 9 to 35.
No passport to the 24 north Gwinnett not shooting the ball well Norcross going have to sit inside Williams deep pass inside to shields off to the glass wind out no good look like little green over the top if they're going do the north for them back with Grady Lexie Brown guarded by Williams let's see Brown has a chance.
He's got to start taking over.
Use the ball screen up top, try to penetrate it, make a play, get to the free throw line.
There's the drive you were thinking about.
Woodard flexing three point attempt off the rim.
No good.
I'm going to call a jouster.
They're going to call foul.
When it was going in, I'm going to call after a possession.
Stay with North Gwinnett as he say hello.
COOPER Even though he's a little undersized by right then she's elected.
Not a little, John.
A lot tougher here.
Insecure in this offensive rebound.
Offensive rebound.
And Jean Hammer, he's going to take a 30 to think about it.
She's obviously seen some things in the last 40 seconds that she wants to address here as we hit the last 342 for the remainder of the third quarter.
They want to talk about great programing on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
We'll give you another example of that.
Local productions.
Watch.
George Outdoorsman inside your living room.
If the shows you up with bats and frogs hang on the beach with sea turtles and kayak down the ultimate high river hit, while Sharon Collins and Nature watch Georgia outdoors on the great GPB and go from one end of the state to the other to see what is beautiful and what needs to be preserved here in the state of Georgia.
You get to look at it right here on GPB and getting rid of the North in a cheerleader's show and their spirit and support.
North Gwinnett right now down 17 as we hit three and a half minutes to go here.
Third quarter for the six eight championship bounce pass inside high off the glass no good coming back out with the rebound Sterling more cross here a butler now whoa Williams will clear over half court it by Bailey Wrexham sliding near corner looking for an entry pass into the paint knocked away by Payton weighted as she's trying to go straight Yes Charlotte Cooper just sliding down zone and with it came over the top was able not the ball out of bounds that allowed the easy path to the basket Williams will inbound to Shields wanted to cut baseline picked up by Kobi Meeks guarded by Lexie Brown pass intended for DeShields Shields as she tried to loop away back around out of the far corner.
Looks like it was last touch north Gwinnett as Delta was guarding the shields on the way back North Cross on an 8 to 2 run to open the second half to get to this 17 point margin.
Pass it to Meeks Meeks Charlotte Ripple way outside see how far outside Payton Whitted now has to be on defense and back to Williams to reset it John that's exactly what more cross wants take away from the basket.
Maybe isolate her up top with the drive.
It's only Cooper and see where the foul was here in the near corner too Right now offensively what Norcross is doing tonight is it's a similar delayed game.
You got to start with two players at the high post on both sides.
Whoever has the ball can penetrate left to right.
If they hit this near you, pop out to the top.
If it's not, you can penetrate to the basket from the wing.
Third foul on Bailey Wrexham.
It's going to be in a dangerous position for the backcourt for North Carolina.
Use a high ball screen.
That is exactly what he wanted and not exactly what coach wanted.
Right for UCLA.
So Butler gets called for the foul.
That's her first team, second here in the third quarter.
Both teams with two fouls each timeout situation and necessarily a factor right now.
But North Cross has three remaining or four that has four checking in City Marshall replacing Sierra Butler, 240 and counting here third quarter North Cross a dominating performance here in the girls six eight championship game step back jumper Lexie Brown this is everything pick back up by Norcross North won its first nine of their last ten one turnover only entry pass inside Charlotte Cooper double team download puts the shot off and in no time Awesome It was school her way to that side she got in position and also it was real her way to get those two easy points 210 and counting here up and in for Stephanie and each year so end up with another two there.
As we hit the two minute mark here and Norcross is up 40 to 25 diving in.
Is Williams trying to get it?
Lexie Brown gets it in return.
Bailey retching, trying to find some help instead of put the ball off the glass, gives it back to brown near corner.
Brown looking to drive nice little stutter step off the left hand diamond.
She comes out with the rebound, nice spin move and she's going to come down.
She's in attack motion to attempt she is in attack mode Eurostep new style new skill diamond to seals crowd still a really good eye over that one.
That one's going to be played a couple of times tonight by the time this game and the other games are almost guaranteed 75 seconds to go for the third spot for the inside also the possession is going to go down the floor once again.
It's going to go with Norcross.
And this is dance fever right here.
That's a bold move.
You assess a new style.
You want to do Australian style.
So this using her ability, attacks in transition, the defense can't do it.
And this is an open court zone.
This is left, right, left where you go?
Yeah, it's not bad.
No, it's not.
She's a special player, John.
We can talk about it from the beginning of the game and the end of the game.
But the thing I'm impressed about her tonight, John, she's number one.
She kept her composure, but number two, her defensive presence.
She's done a great job of getting deflections and skills and rebounding for her team.
More class up, 1969 seconds to go for the third.
This is by the officials.
And we're going to inbound from midcourt 16 point games to the 19 point game.
Now is the time remaining for the third 65 seconds and counting before the spread action here.
Not a rush to score good isolation here for triple team against the wall.
You know, doing all they wanted to do is, as you say, look Cooper up top and isolate, isolate, isolate for some people willing to come out and defend this center for trying to finish up her three point play.
So we've had a couple of artists go at it here the last two possessions down the floor for North Cross, three point play up and good for Charlotte Cooper.
That's one of the reasons she's heading to Georgetown next season under a minute to go in the third 725 Norcross, Norcross, leading by 22.
Nice drive that time Payton with it tries to get her own rebound knocked out of bounds It's going to stay with north Gwinnett the frustration from Payton rewarded and Geno as she as he went to the basket done it missed that layup I was saying to myself she only missed that layup not because of lack of skill ability because her mindset is not focused She's not at 100% now.
She got it early twice, John, and that put her on the bench Now when she was out of sync for the entire remainder of the game.
Now the missed layup, the bounce, the technical foul, she's going to add another foul to paint wanted Diamond DeShields shooting the tee off the back of the rim no good So there's something that she needs to work on.
No not necessarily you know there's an open space open when you get open.
You had a free throw here, a technical foul.
There's no one at the rim.
Cindy Shields is human and the team is gone A lot of times with players and people understand it's a free throw.
But when you don't have anyone at the line, you know, the presence of people in the paint and the paint just makes it a more normal free throw without anyone there.
It kind of adds a little mystery there to the shot finished Wilborn in for north Gwinnett number 24 replacing Payton with it will sit for the remainder of the third and probably a significant amount of the fourth is Norcross is up 2348 25 and off to Charlotte Cooper way up top Brown guarded guarding to shields and seals trying to find a way to spin herself here into the paint.
We're going to call it charge.
Yes, right.
Call.
That was the right call.
It's the right thing.
They should not have a chance.
Some Irving in the end of the glass on just 23 seconds to go here in the third quarter, there was a great chance he went to the basket, lowered her shoulder.
Bam!
Right to the heart of the defense.
Good call by the official 30 of the 47 points.
30 of the 48 points scored by DeShields and Cooper, 31 of the 48.
So you're talking roughly 75% of the action coming from those two players.
For Lady Blue today, Jump Shot is Short by Jocelyn Belcher with 5.9 to go on the clock.
Her first fouls on Javon Stanfield, her first for Norcross.
Hey, John, when we came into the opening part of the broadcast, this is something we can look to for the fourth quarter.
Both You talked about both coaches.
One coach was under control, which was Sellers puts him through.
She was nervous.
You have to be nervous before this game time.
You have to embrace the atmosphere.
You have to embrace the moment.
Hey, Coach Henry's kids have followed her mindset and have come out here and taking the fight to North Gwinnett 4826.
The score right now at 5.9 to go second half those free throws.
Good Make it 4827 C right now John I don't see the fight in north Gwinnett.
Here's the question of themselves in the first quarter and no one's over on the sideline with any necessary energy.
Belcher makes two North crosses.
Looks like they're just going to sit on it for the end of the third quarter and they've got every reason to.
That's not a new dominating performance here in the third quarter, dominating performance overall, 14 points to seven Norcross is in complete control.
It's been a lot of high wire action.
Diamond DeShields on display here in the making.
Doll seemed to make it cineplex like toss up 20 as we head to the fourth here on GPB.
Welcome back.
Make it coliseum, make it center flex.
And this is what happens when I give dance lessons, right?
Show the Harlem Shake.
You know what's up here?
My seat.
I'm doing the Harlem Shake.
I'm doing it discreetly.
Nobody can see it.
See, that's what happens when they say dress up from the desk up.
What they can't see can only be left to the imagination.
That, however, cannot be left to the imagination.
Let's take a look at how these two teams got here to the Macon Coliseum, the Macon Cineplex road to the championships brought to us by our friends at Georgia's EMC, Georgia's EMC lighting Way wins over Lambert by 37, Archer by 24, Alpharetta by a 14 point margin in a big win over North Cobb in the semis, 57 to 40.
That's how North Gwinnett made it to the final game of the year.
On the flip side, for Norcross beating South Forsyth by 48 beating Park to you.
And that was a big win for them, is that correct?
That was a double overtime game.
Park View John was undefeated at that time.
I see Norcross Norcross coming out with the Cherokee by 33 and then Langston Hughes making their first ever semifinal, losing by 46 points.
It's a long day for Langston Hughes.
Langston Hughes, it forgotten to bring the right color of Jersey, so they had to race back to the school, delayed the game, and they started the game with a technical hit by Diamond DeShields, dominating performance there by Norcross Lexie Brown for the three, and they definitely needed that to start the fall.
Well, that's something, John, Again, I talk about this.
He's a day late in the dollar short that action needed to happen in the first quarter.
Hopefully she can cut into the lead here in the fourth points in the paint Norcross 24 to 8 so far.
That's what happens when you have Payton winning in the game because of foul trouble shot up no good pick back up by north Gwinnett Lexie Brown coming back down the floor trying to find any kind of an opening kick back out.
Belcher thought about the three Lexie Brown will take the three and hit it Call a timeout Coach Henry Barlow Time out to control the game, which is smart, which is what she did.
Not necessarily thinking about on the field.
Tell him just now, let it get comfortable here early in the fourth quarter.
Speaking of early in the fourth quarter, Nikki Noto, what's up?
All right, guys.
Live lives in coach Henry's huddle and she was telling her girls to play solid.
And I mean, you know, they're up by 20 plus points.
But she was also telling the girls play like they want your ring and we want it back.
We have 8 minutes which it's now 716 to go.
She is still pumping them up.
That is the passion that we know that is all too familiar when comes to Coach Angie Hembree.
Thank you very much.
Nikki North went out on an eight oh run and they're doing it from the outside.
Well, the key starts now with Lexie Brown.
She's playing at a higher tempo, John.
She's a matt Dillon all-American.
She has to come out with their focus and drive, I think, emotionally.
John, she got caught up with not having her sidekick Peyton Rudy, here in the first quarter, pretty much the first half.
Now she's having to put this team on her back.
I know she can do it.
She knows she can do it.
He has enough time on the clock to 414 is a team north opponent in the third quarter, shooting 24% through three quarters.
Lexie Brown had a long day, four for the fourth quarter.
Only four of 16 from the floor coming in to the fourth, ten points, a rebound and two assists and it looks like the engine might be starting to get warmed up for Lexie Brown here in the fourth Antonio, is that right?
You talked about the engine here of North Gwinnett.
They've got to start off with their defense.
You cannot score this North Cross team.
You have to get stops, stops, stops, stops, creates starts.
Let's see if North Gwinnett can make another stop down 1450 seconds in Alison Manley on Williams defensively trying to find a cutter Cierra Butler kicks it back out to Charlotte Cooper near halfcourt to two all Americans to one another.
That's a matchup we've got to watch for.
Lexie Brown keep up with Brown in the series The year with the basketball.
Get back to Williams.
Williams guarded by Elizabeth Smart coaching right now.
Coach him taking time off the clock, controlling the momentum that no Nate picked up the last 2 minutes and every player for Norcross touching the basketball out Hyde Shields give to Butler Charlotte Cooper now guarded by Lexie Brown and after Williams guarded by Manley back to Diamond.
This year to right now, the momentum just changed.
John back to Norcross, because now North Carolina, it has to defend and exert unnecessary energy scramble near midcourt, pick back up by Norcross the shields, get back to Williams and no reset works from the perimeter in no hurry.
Butler Ball went off and Norcross Lance goes to north Gwinnett for you got it in the wrong offensive hands they're of Butler but not a great offensive player handling the basketball as he found it.
John is knocked out of bounds now north with that ball to him and it's gone fourth quarter George Fournette on an 801 Belcher trying to go on to Shields Lexie Brown off the back of the rim no good for the three balls out of bounds Great job shielding by Charlotte Cooper the North Cross cameo last night what kitchen that ball she would either walk or she could possibly go out of bounds and get the ball back to North Gwinnett on this side of the court.
Great offense, great mindset she had right there of children off the defender dangerous passes to get it into that court to roll out of bounds to Norcross triple teamed in the corner once he get it passed and that's a dangerous proposition when you got three in black and you're the only one holding the basketball for Norcross Yeah, no cross just got to protect the ball.
North Gwinnett playing with a sense of urgency here in the fourth quarter Boston with the back four to Williams Williams will bring it up guarded by Manley from the two shields coming to give help picked up by Lexie Brown.
Here's a up we talked about you can't be too crafty here comes a double team Charlotte Cooper trying to bounce it down to three Williams didn't happen they're not coming out with it into the hands of Lexie Brown looking to drive on.
But Butler pull out.
Jumper got up to go.
That's the all-American we talked about up top.
John She's now taking it to the defense and north of north Rose 4836 3 minutes gone in the fourth north when it has scored all the points here in the fourth quarter and the last two of the third, it was 20.
It's now 48 to 36, down to 12.
And Charlotte Cooper being guarded by a new Williams by Madeline double team, kick back to the three zero Butler had the baseline drive didn't take it picked it back out and once again reset very smart basketball but what happens now John you can get so legs offensively you have to continue to attack diamond the steal trying to save it behind it that didn't happen back comes north Gwinnett one more time Felicia Wellborn trying to get to Lexie Brown and does have numbers down into the paint off the glass No good scrambling for it, picking it up as Jocelyn Belcher she'll drive baseline blocked by Cierra Butler it'll come back out with the rebound bounce pass look for the three it's going to be short missing everything it was finishing well for coach Bryan Sellars reminding his players to just run the offense We need to take that three right Well John is not about taking that three the person that's kind of the cart of the coattail now.
Lexie Brown season when you want to handle the ball and take the majority of the shots, you got Peyton really coming in now you've got a12 combo to possibly help you out to get to this 12 point lead with it in will borne out 357 to go regulation more cross leading by 12 they were leading by 20.
So right now John you have to have a here where you can attack the rim instead of being passive.
The passive offense right now is allowing North Gwinnett to get some rest and also forced the game turnovers to possibly go back and score in transition defense to the least Ryan Sellars is going to take a timeout Norcross has had three their last three possessions down the floor.
And let's give you a quick reminder about what's going on here at Georgia Public Broadcasting.
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And you want to talk about momentum.
Bryan Sellars has had it scoring the last ten points in this ballgame and see right now be on the comeback mindset John They're doing everything they can to be in attack mode, attack, attack offensively and defensively, hard fouls and hard at the basket.
Offensively, no across zone.
On the other hand, they're trying to protect the lead sometimes in the process, John, of protecting the lead, you can actually give it up.
You have to stay in attack mode at the same time make smart decisions.
If you go across there's your matchup right there.
Look at the numbers when you got north Gwinnett 19 points in the first quarter double figures all the way through Diamond trying to say no one out of bounds got to call for the foul and Williams will inbound one of her own back to right now no not even close to the bombers in any style there's going to be a shot out of bounds for low cross Williams had a wide open shot, didn't take it.
Now she wants to drive the baseline.
She's going to need some help.
Kicks it all the way back up Diamond DeShields, Jayla Cooper dribble drive off the glass up and in.
You've got to do that John.
You have to attack from the top.
You have to have the right people doing it.
Charlotte is the one I want, but I want her to handle the ball to make that type of drive from the top of the key.
Roku channel run by North Gwinnett lead back up to 14 320 to go regulation Lexie Brown thinks it will three doesn't do it kicks it back to Josh Allen Belcher Belcher will take the three it's short again and out of bounds to north runs here comes at press now by north Gwinnett Norcross get the right get the ball into the right people's hands and attack the rim Norcross was held scoreless for the first 4 minutes and 26 seconds of this quarter, finally getting that two on the board dangerous pass intercepted Payton with it coming down Nice bounce pass Lexie Brown giving go easy to him you had to be in attack mode don't protect the ball attack the rim I'm in the class attached to the basket There we go Cierra Butler wide open easy too.
You have to have that John Norcross has his maintain attack mode.
Stay focused, stay in control.
Lexie Brown looking to drive she does off the glass.
No they're going to call a foul on the drive so go to the free throw line to shoot to Brown leading everyone right now with 18 points zero for 17.
Butler called for her second foul.
So five points and two first free throws up.
And good for Lexie Brown 235 to go regulation second free throw is running around in end that's the lead back to 12 Bryant Sellers is going to call a 32nd timeout to think about it once more for North Gwinnett So North Gwinnett will have two timeouts left if my math is correct.
And Angie Henry will have to as well for the final 235.
But John, this is a great city.
Get down by 12 points if you know, if women pressure, pressure, pressure you want to trap the ball with when you seals gets it, you want to get the ball out of your hands and you want an early foul.
The worst of the worst record shooter on the court, which most like it for Norcross.
He's going to be up well against the ball.
You want a foul her immediately.
North Pass has two holes left on the board North Gwinnett has a 60 and the 30.
There's the leading scorer right there, Lexie Brown with 90.
All across tries to send everyone down the floor Diamond DeShields cuts back will bring it up the floor fouled by Lexie Brown and we're going to have an intentional there John No, not necessarily intentional defense, no.
What have you got?
Two players going hard, especially in championship games.
Lexie Brown called for the intentional foul and here it is, the shots.
Yeah, I didn't see the push at the end zone.
You're right, that is an intentional foul and I think that may have put Norcross in the driver's seat for the remainder of the game.
Push in the back sends Diamond DeShields to the line all by her lonesome with 232 to go.
So you get two shots in the free throw line and you get the ball.
John easily could be a 4.5. play.
The Shield's first free throw.
It's up and go Nice stroke, good rhythm defensively.
John two for two again.
The foul call was on for North when it fell foul foul the Knicks found not to miss going to be in the bonus to be going to the free throw line and the ball 50 for 40 right now two and a half to go regulation dangerous almost Williams with an over and back by the time she caught the ball and she brings it back into the frontcourt playing catch with Cooper it was like a foul on Bailey and I think that's her fourth overall so seventh team foul for one point out three Williams to the line now for blue and with 6 seconds off the clock the five foul free throw no good Jackson coming after it so there's more it out and that's when it's down the floor down 14 You know a lot of offense in a short period of time in the hands of Lexie Brown guarded by Diamond DeShields around the pick finger roll no good rebound Sierra Butler DeShields has it looks like she's fouled by Alyssa Mullin on the way back up the floor with 209 to go Yeah the SEALs in round match up with one another right now John lady happy game you want a highlight package yeah here's Cook right there gave him the game in the third quarter.
The shield during her euro move starting off the game with deep threes she's a special player going to the Tar Heel State so on Sylvia Hatchell compared him to Michael Jordan.
Now we're kind of seeing why, Oh man, she's a special player, John.
But the thing is, I'm impressed by the way that she's matured.
We saw her last year.
She had the cast on her arm.
She was very frustrated here late in the playoffs.
She didn't have the right mindset.
This year.
You can see her focus, determination, her drive or the way she's great plays out of place here on the court tonight, 5640.
Coming up on 2 minutes to go, Regulation north when it needs a lot of threes and a lot of teams in a short period of time and that's it started off right there Payton hit it for the deuce 14 point game look for north Gwinnett to foul very quickly provided they can catch up with diamond shields and that's the fifth on Bayley Rex that might not be the person you want foul jam might not be the closest to the points in one game so base breaks and no for her shooting she's committed to Ole Miss.
Didn't have the city like she's accustomed to having she get a chance to do it again.
She's only just one of the shields at the line.
We've said that a lot tonight.
First free throws, good times per mindset, her focus, her drive.
But just down to be she has a way of coaching him.
We came in and had this team mentally prepared their attack coming from the beginning 24 and three, now 21, four and three.
For Diamond, the Shields lead back up to 16.
Coming up on 100 seconds to go for North Cross to win yet another state championship.
The last six points have come from the free throw line from all across.
Only one field goal free throw up.
But the three point shot up no good outlets.
Diamond DeShields, guarded by Lexie Brown, Charlotte Cooper, the two big Division one players bringing the ball up the floor for Norcross right now Meeks Cooper foul by Payton with it was one of those fouls just to stop the clock time with it fouling out with her fifth What a great year what a great career she's headed north Gwinnett John going to Penn State next year.
She's a special player.
She's going to have a bright future next level.
Charlotte Cooper admitted after the semifinal win against Langston Hughes that they came out with a chip on their shoulder because last year they lost in the semifinals to eventual Champ McEachern, and they knew they'd be facing an opponent that could up on them.
They kept putting it on Langston Hughes.
They didn't want to let up.
And you talk about what Diamond DeShields has said throughout the whole tournament.
Coach Hembree, DeShields is reminding us Coach Hembree has said to play with a sense of urgency, no matter who you're playing against.
And they wanted to be the aggressor in the semifinals against Langston Hughes.
And they did that again today.
Right now, they're up 18 with 78 seconds.
The John sees their head at the table.
Coach cuts Hammer has done a great job of getting her kids prepared for a lot of things in life and especially winning a championship here tonight.
Pass blocked by Kobi Meeks out of bounds.
It's like it's going to stay with that 64 seconds.
Lexie Brown the inbound Belcher long three by Lexie Brown off the back of the rim no good picked up by Sierra Butler in the hands of Charlotte Cooper and a diamond to sheer the fields foul by Lexie Brown on the way by here's the last time North Cross won a championship beating them down court That's the way there's a lot of championship from a couple of years ago last championship win for Norcross.
It was back in 2010, and Norcross went up against the darned free throw too hard by the shields that time 6142.
Coming up on 45 seconds to go to John.
If you think right now who's the best defensive player on the court, he is only going to have dunk.
Oh, he lay up three legs to do it.
See how two legs do it?
No, to try it.
I've seen it tried before.
30 seconds to go, Norcross is up 21.
Lexie Brown will try to launch it three off the back of the rim in the backboard.
No good Rebound picked up by mix three Williams will trot it up the floor.
It's going to be a coronation for Norcross.
Diamond Shields gets a championship for Angie Hembree.
It will be Henry's sixth and she'll in rare ire when it comes to Georgia high school basketball 21a lady, Blue Devils are your six eight champs.
How nice.
Diamond Shields finishes with 25 points.
Nikki Noto with a victorious Angie Henneberry goes, You know, this feeling is all too familiar for you, but it has to never get old though.
Congratulations to you and the Lady Bulldogs.
But what does this win this title mean for this particular team?
Diamond DeShields bringing an end.
Talk to both of you.
Diamond, what is this win mean for you?
Going out on diving every day?
It means everything.
You understand how much time and effort we put in practicing every day.
Every day.
This lady that is, you know, it was going to be every four years.
Hey, you know what?
This one, this is the best coach.
What does this win mean for you?
It is probably it's just so special because I love these so much and they worked so hard and they put up with me all week because it's been the longest wait my life and I love them so much and they play their hearts out.
I can't.
I keep saying that.
I think I think that is plenty.
Thank you so much.
Congratulations on your win.
Celebrate with your team.
They're ready.
Wow.
Wow.
John works well, but Buck, action for Diamond DeShields finishes with 25 points in various pods.
It's been fun working with you this weekend.
I enjoyed it so much.
ZBB and the state Championships here in Macon, Georgia.
Norcross wins by 21 boys coming up here on the great GPB and it's time now to make the presentation for the girls six day state championship trophy in Our Lady Blue.
That was it.
That was over the day just over in the Yarborough Coach Jamboree on behalf of the Georgia High School Association and Dr. Ross Orange.
And I want to congratulate you on a great season, great championship game.
Congratulations, Coach Lisa.
Yes, I have to say Gwinnett County, born of it, Gwinnett County Farm Bureau Board and the Georgia State Farm Bureau.
And JP Du Ball, the president Farm Bureau, back to a point of view, far behind champion on the state of Georgia.
Congratulations.
Thank you so much.
And to talk a little bit about this win on the Norcross, I know you were very nervous before the game, but you got it done.
The kids came out from the get go and executed incredibly rebounded the ball.
It goes my hair and I couldn't be more proud.
We're all week long.
We've been working.
They've been putting up with me because been a wreck all week.
And they just came out here tonight and absolutely played the perfect game.
And I cannot say enough about the Norcross House faculty, about the Norcross fans, about the Norcross statement.
It just came out in busloads to support us and how much it means to us.
Well, congratulations very much.
As I say, La Cooper, you're one of the seniors on this team.
Talk about what this means for you or is can't even explain I mean, this one is so special because we're seniors, so we get to go out with a routine.
So it just feels good.
I can't even explain.
Let me talk to the other half of the dynamic duo.
They don't see a diamond DeShields.
Talk a little about what it means for you to go out as a winner on your senior year.
Oh, my gosh.
I mean, words even explain like Shayla.
So and with all the accolades and everything, I got people who say things like, you know, this can't be that special.
You've done so much more.
But this is this is the most exciting and most important win I've got.
And for these girls right here behind me, I wouldn't be here without me.
No, cause I just want to tell you I love your student body.
I appreciate you all for coming out tonight.
You're the best ever.
This is all right.
Norcross had a big year.
The football team wins, The girls team wins.
The boys team has coming up next.
And we wish they were going to be right there with him.
The hallway.
All right, congratulations.
The Norcross Lady Blue Devils, the six eight state champions for the state of Georgia.
And now let's go to Kat Carney with our GPB tailgate party.
We have had an outstanding outstanding weekend of high school hoops here.
But you know what?
The excitement isn't just in the Coliseum.
We've got the Hockey Nation fans right here.
We are online right now, Twitter on Twitter.
We're tweeting live.
Great.
What's going on with Hawk Nation?
Well, supposedly the hashtag they're using is g g og.
I think it means Grove go or die.
They want to get that going viral tonight.
So let's get Jiggy ode on your Twitter feed.
And that's going that's what's going with the Hawk nation.
And you know what?
They are actively tweeting right now.
In fact, I see them right now.
They are like hovering over their phones.
I mean, they are online.
So are you a hawk nation?
Are you of Hawk Nation?
Maybe you're for the other team.
You know what?
I think you might want to get on Twitter.
We can have a little Twitter war going on.
Why?
We've got like a war going on on the on the floor.
That's Right.
We got the Blue Devils again next game.
So let's get Hot Nation and Blue Devils Nation going this past game.
Diamond DeShields, I have to say, she lit it up on the Twitter scene.
One of the most recent tweets was from Jay.
Well, she goes, Diamond.
The shields went ballistic tonight with 25 points for Norcross High to win State.
Congratulations.
So Diamond Shields all credit to you on Twitter tonight.
Also make sure when you tweet throughout this next game, use hashtag GPB ball That is where the conversations to be all night long for the rest of this fantastic game that we have coming up on GPB Sports.
Well, thank you so much, Grace.
I'm going to check in with you later because I want to see what's going on with Hawk Nation.
Going to check that out.
But now I got to see what's going on with Mark Harmon.
Well, I tell you, there is so much electricity in the making coliseum right now.
The Norcross Girls one, the Norcross boys getting ready to take on Hillgrove.
It's going to be very very exciting and a lot of exciting things going on with GPB Sports these days.
Not only are we bringing you the basketball championships this weekend, but we're already hard at work at GPB sports for the upcoming high school football season.
Here's John Nelson with a preview of the upcoming Football Fridays in Georgia this fall at season three of football.
Friday's in Georgia.
Join us each Friday evening starting August 30th with the all access Pass pre-game show as we kick the season off at North Gwinnett High School for a doubleheader with the National High School Gridiron Challenge.
That will continue every Friday all the way on the road, the dome and finally, the 2013 GHC championships from the Georgia Dome.
On and off the field, GPB Sports showcases the best of high school football, starting with the all access pregame show a live full half hour that takes you behind the scenes of the towns and high schools we feature each week.
They they're all catching the spirit.
We'll show you how they made it to the semifinals last week at Fillmore East.
But it is winning time live on GPB.
And that's followed by the kickoff of one the best high school matchups in the state.
Shovel pass and up and they're going to take it in for a touchdown.
We bring you rent check checking in with the parents here for a segment we like to check.
Let's play some rent check and see how well you know Trey as well as are you smarter as we celebrate the school and community all night.
Ring the bell.
You are right.
You are smarter than your students, say Football Fridays in Georgia and from Ringgold to Valdosta and Savannah to Lagrange, it's year three of Football Fridays in Georgia, along with the all access pass all season long on the great GPB and the high school football season will begin August 24th with the Corky Kyle Classic.
We've got ten outstanding team, five big games.
It starts at 9:00.
It'll go till after midnight.
That's football season kicks off on GPB.
Now we welcome into the program one of the stars of the Norcross High School basketball team, Diamond Shield.
SIMON, You were very, very emotional when you talk to Nikki Noto and myself there briefly as a senior.
I know you wanted this so badly to go out with a state championship.
It was it was a team effort, like I said, up there on the podium, if it wasn't for the community and my underclassmen, our junior classes, you see William Butler, Sidney Marshall, those guys, I love them.
I love them to death.
And this is my last go around with Coach Hembree.
And, you know, it was emotional for us both.
I've been with her for four years and this is all I ever wanted to do in my senior year.
And we did that.
I'm so, so proud of everybody who out and played their hearts out tonight.
You know, what time is the fans not just in the Coliseum, but the fans online have been tweeting about you the whole time you were playing you've been playing.
What do you have to say to the fans out there?
Oh, fan.
You guys, you guys keep me going.
Oh, I love you guys so much.
Those who I don't know.
Those who I've met, those unsung heroes.
I love you guys, like, genuinely love ya.
And I'm going to continue to put on the show for you guys and to see you to do great things and just be the best that I can be.
I love.
Oh my gosh, I love you guys so much.
You know.
Did you feel any additional pressure because just recently you were named the National Player of the Year.
You know, as they head into the playoffs here, no pressure.
All I won that award based on how I've been playing.
And so when I came out here tonight, you know, my mindset was keep playing.
How you been playing Diamond and this kid, Jeremy Nelson I have on my shoes.
He's driven me a lot throughout this go around and he helped me a lot.
Well, I know it's a very emotional time.
We congratulate you on your championship.
We wish you all the best as you head off to North Carolina next year for your collegiate career.
Thank you so much.
And fans, once again, I love ya, ya love ya, Diamond.
She is on $1,000,000 sign.
Congratulations.
Another state championship for the Norcross Blue Devil.
And hey, Diamond, don't go away.
One of your biggest fans here, Grace Olsen, is standing by to see it.
Time for a picture, of course.
While they're doing that, we're getting ready for the boys six eight championship game and for a what to expect Regions Bank game preview.
Let's check in with Gil Tyree.
Herb White.
All right, Connie, I'm very happy for that young lady, Diamond DeShields, What a wonderful, wonderful testimonial to the game of basketball.
Not just girls basketball, but basketball in general.
And I'll tell you something, Kat and Marc, you need to tell Diamond to have 1500 people to like us at GPB on our Facebook page.
I guarantee you she knows social networking and it'll blow up big time.
I'm happy for her.
I'm sure her daddy was watching out in the Cactus League out in Arizona.
Her mom, Tasha, was here and of course, her step mom as part of the GPB family.
And we consider Diamond part of us.
We look at our game here tonight, Herb, We got the boys game, New kids on the block, huh?
Yeah.
We're going talk about this a little more in a minute.
But, you know, we've got another perennial power Norcross going up against, I guess you could call them an upstart.
They've never been here before.
When you think of Cobb County Powerhouses, it's not hill Groves that comes to mind is Wheeler and a few other teams.
But we've had a bunch of these stories, and we'll talk about it a little more in a few minutes.
But it's going to be another interesting matchup.
Of course, the Norcross Boys will try to do just what the Norcross girls did moments ago and then add on to the trophy case, the football team as well.
So they want to make it three state championships here in the great state of Georgia.
Marky Mark, it is back to you.
Thanks very much, Bill Tyree.
We're getting ready for the boys six day state championships.
You know, one of our missions here at GPB is to raise awareness about the dropout rate in the state of Georgia.
It's important to stay in school.
It's very important to get that degree.
To that end, we've created the Stop the Drop campaign.
And we welcome now the Teacher of the Year and the head of the CTA, Westlake High School, Katie Hall.
Thanks for coming on with us.
And how did you get nominated for the Teacher of the Year award?
This is an award that your colleagues vote on.
So teachers within each school.
And then it moves to the district level where they do a top five and then it's a panel interview and then the county selects.
Well, keeping kids in school is really one of the big things that you're concerned about.
What can teachers do to kind of see kids that might be at risk and try to help nurture them along to get that degree.
Any any student that might be at risk.
There are telltale signs there that might be withdrawn.
As a teacher, it's our job to as to just inspire and get to really get to know the kids so that if we, you know, we're spending 8 hours a day with them.
So we have the biggest impact and we just have to stay on them and let them know what life is really like after high school.
You know what advice do you give to your students about the importance of staying in school and the importance of getting that high school degree?
Well, because I teach in the career Tech Education Department, our big focus is, post-secondary options or the workforce.
So at any point drop out or not, you've got to go to work.
So we try to set goals of, you know, where do you want to be in life?
And we try to set them up on ways on how to get there.
What's the best part of your job as a teacher?
I laugh every day.
I love my students.
We laugh and we have relationships.
And when they succeed, it just is very overwhelming.
Katie, thanks so much for coming on and talking about staying in school.
The important to getting degree.
Thank you.
All right.
Katie Hall, the teacher of the year from Westlake High School.
Now, let's send it over to Kat Carney, who is standing by with some wild fans right.
Because I want you to know something.
These these fans are so dedicated.
They are so dedicated that you guys missed.
What big event at your school tonight to be here from.
Yes, But I hear you're going to have a formal afterwards, right?
Yes.
They're doing it just for the basketball team.
Oh.
Now, what's on the back of your shirt?
It's my boyfriend.
But wait, wait.
You had a you had you tag the boyfriend, too?
Oh, no, I don't have a boyfriend.
But I'm a big supporter.
Also play for him basketball.
A shout out to her girl.
Great.
Why?
We were wondering why we were waiting to come over.
Did you guys say that you had a cheer?
A special cheer?
Yes.
Let's hear it.
Hear it.
Cheer.
Now's your mom.
It's you.
Look, I put them on TV.
Now they're like, What's the cheer?
What's the cheer?
Okay.
All right, let's hear it.
Let's it.
gg0codggod.
And you know how that's also their hashtag on Twitter.
So check us out on Twitter, Twitter, GPB Sports right now.
If you could bottle that enthusiasm, you could light the world.
We're getting ready for the six day boys game coming up between Hillgrove and Norcross now.
Time to check out the Georgia EMC High School basketball championship scoreboard.
First game today, the girls won a private.
It was South Saint Francis beating southwest Atlanta Christian 62 to 56 in the boys private class AA game.
It was green force over Saint Francis 55 to 51.
You're final there in the girls triple A It was St Pius winning a championship 77 to 55 over Dauphin County in the boys triple play both teams out of Savannah it's Dotson of Savannah the atom smashers beating Savannah 61 to 51.
You're final there the team that the game that we just got finished telecasting for you the Norcross girls they beat north Gwinnett 63 to 42.
Your final score in the game we are getting ready to show you coming up next.
It is Hillgrove taking on Norcross for the boys six eight championship title.
We have crowned all but one and we're coming up on that game right after this Time out lay for live from the Macon Coliseum live on GPB like us on Facebook.
Aw come on in there away with a tip off for the boys six day game dancing in the aisles right after this.
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