DeKalb teams advance to final four
By Brian Egeston
Sports Editor
be@brianwrites.com
The ham, the hand and the heartache
Carrollton - Tucker head basketball coach James Hartry is a lesson in theatrics. He runs the bench costumed in a spiffy suit, a towel used as a prop clutched in his hand and a scouring look bested only by DeNiro. He calls the referees Mr. and Sir, though he’d rather be calling them something else.
Regardless of his coaching style, with the curtain closing on the 2009 basketball season, Hartry is one of the few characters from DeKalb still on stage.
Tucker was one of nine DeKalb County teams from all divisions to enter the elite eight at the University of West Gerogia last week and is now one of only five DeKalb County teams heading into the final four.
After facing Marist for the third time this season, the Tigers were undercats having lost both previous meetings—once in the regular season and once during the region tournament. “We saw the last two [previous games] tapes,” said Hartry. “We know they’re good, we know they’re tough. We continued to push, we continued to press. There’s something about that pressure going down the stretch.”
The War Eagles outscored Tucker in the first half holding Manny Atkins to eight points while J.J. Mann from Marist was quietly amassing double-digit scoring shooting 100 percent from the line to put 13 points on the board in the first half. Marist entered the locker room with a 28-23 lead, securely in the driver’s seat.
Mann continued his solid play and the War Eagle defense continued to suffocate Atkins. Three minutes into the second half, Hartry called a timeout and took center stage. “How is it, we’ve been on the floor for three minutes and Manny ain’t got the ball one time!” The squad, catching their breath, sucking on water bottles had no answer. “That’s my gun,” Hartry would say later. “If he’s on the floor, I need him to have the ball.”
Marist obviously knew this and continued to make the game difficult for Atkins. With less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Hartry’s performance this time was critical. “Mr. Referee. Mr. Referee,” he shouted, squeezing his towel. “Can we change the score please, sir?” The catch was crucial. Points had inadvertently been given to Marist. The coach’s plea changed the count from 31-27 to 32-28.
Early in the third quarter, Kerrick Metoyer came out of the game and took a seat at the end of the bench, holding his hand and grimacing with pain. A teammate next to him had some harsh words for Metoyer, who hadn’t scored a point all game. “Get you’re hand wrapped and get your [explitive] back on the floor! Ain’t no time to be hurt!”
Metoyer, it seems, is accustomed to working through adversities. Hartry said the small point guard is a Katrina survivor who has been through the floods of a hurricane. With less than five minutes on the clock, play was stopped for a jump ball and the possession arrow belonged to Marist. Tucker called a time out and when play resumed, the Tigers were given the ball. The crowd erupted as the referees ruled that a Marist player had stepped out of bounds.
With 4:23 remaining, Marist was clinging to a 43-41 lead. Brandy Dawson took a dish outside the perimeter, spun around a defender into the paint and finished with a finger roll. Less the two minutes would pass before he duplicated the move, this time tying the game. “I wanted it too bad,” Dawson said. “I won state as a ninth grader, and I want it again.”
Tucker’s margins of defeat to Marist had never been more than three points in their previous meetings. Now with a chance to advance to the final four, the score was tied with less than 20 seconds to play. Tucker held the ball, passed it around the perimeter and finally it got into Metoyer’s hands, one of them bandaged and still throbbing with pain.
The clock ticked down to 13 seconds. Hartry, still in character, yelled for the guard to penetrate. He did and was fouled with eight seconds on the clock. He went to the line, made his only two points of the game, securing a spot for his team in the final four. “I’ve been the point guard for 28 games,” said Metoyer. “Once I heard [my teammate yell at me] I knew I had to put injuries aside. Anything that hurt I had to put it aside.”
Tucker student wins WNBA essay contest
By Brian Egeston
Sports Editor
be@brianwrites.com
Lauren Green was unsure about the disturbance in her English class until she saw a woman standing 6 feet, 6 inches wearing an Atlanta Dream t-shirt. “I didn’t know if it was for me or for someone behind me,” said Green. The reality set in when Green was announced as the winner of the 2008 Living the Dream Essay Contest sponsored by basketball team The Atlanta Dream.
The 14-year-old freshman soccer player said it took her eight minutes to compose the essay. Entrants were asked to describe, in 500 words or less, what living the dream meant to them and how they were making strides in their personal lives, communities and schools. According to Atlanta Dream representative Sprague Paynter, more than 80 entries were received.
Green has aspirations of one day being an author and magazine editor. She’s currently working on a book called I Remember To Forget and is researching literary agents with hopes of having it published one day. “My friend got me into [writing]. She just told me to write one day for no reason, and I ended up liking it,” said Green.
The Dream sponsored the essay contest to celebrate Black History Month and National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Along with the visit by Atlanta Dream center Chantelle Anderson, Green also received a Nintendo Wii and 100 free tickets to an Atlanta Dream home game. She also will be recognized at a 2009 Atlanta Dream home game as an honorary captain.
To read Green’s essay, visit www.wnba.com/dream.
DeKalb schools advance to basketball state playoffs
By Brian Egeston
Sports Editor
be@brianwrites.com
DeKalb County rivals Redan and Stephenson went head-to-head in the boys’ and girls’ Region 2-AAAAA championship games, and it was Redan coming out on top in both contests at Newton County last Saturday night.
The No. 2 ranked and undefeated Redan Lady Raiders (22-0) made it three in a row over the No. 10 ranked and defending Class AAAAA state champions Stephenson Lady Jaguars (20-7) since the state finals loss last season. Redan hosts in the first round of the Class AAAAA as a No. 1 seed and Stephenson also earned a host role as the No. 2 seed.
The Redan Raiders (18-7) gained some revenge on the Jaguars (20-7) in the boys’ final with a 73-63 victory after dropping both regular season games. Redan goes into the Class AAAAA playoffs as the No. 1 seed from Region 2 and Stephenson is the No. 2 seed.
The No. 1 ranked Miller Grove Wolverines (25-3) claimed the Region 6-AAAA boys’ title with a 55-49 victory over No. 4 ranked Marist (23-3) to earn the No. 1 seed heading into the Class AAAA state playoffs. Mfon Udofia hit for 17 points and Malcolm Frank added 12 to lead Miller Grove in the championship victory. “Our boys are battle tested,” said Miller Grove head coach Eddie Johnson after the game. “A lot of our players have been playing in games like this all their lives. I’m proud about this team. This team handles pressure like adults.”
The No. 10 Tucker Tigers (19-8) defeated DeKalb rival Stone Mountain (13-15) to earn the No. 3 seed out of Region 6-AAAA. Manny Atkins hit for a game-high 35 points to lead Tucker in the consolation game victory. Stone Mountain advances to state as a No. 4 seed. Both teams go on the road in the first round of the Class AAAA state playoffs.
No. 6 ranked and defending Class AAAA girls’ state champion Southwest DeKalb (24-4) lost its bid to repeat as the Region 6-AAAA champions with a 64-46 loss to No. 4 ranked Marist (26-2). Miller Grove (13-9) is headed to its first-ever state playoff appearance as the No. 3 seed out of Region 6 after defeating Tucker 62-54 in the consolation game at Miller Grove. Conisha Hicks hit for 29 in the win while Tucker’s Serena Clark led the Lady Tigers (13-14) with 20.
The No. 2 ranked Columbia Eagles (26-2) ran past Druid Hills (21-8) 73-31 in the boys’ championship game at Columbia on Saturday. The Eagles will be the region’s No. 1 seed, and Druid Hills takes the No. 2 seed into the Class AAA state playoffs.
Dunwoody (19-7) upended the host Columbia (20-7) 39-36 to prevent a Columbia sweep of the Region 5-AAA championships. Kristin Nash hit for 15 points to lead Dunwoody to the No. 1 seed heading into the state playoffs. Destinee Smith hit for 13 points and Mecca Frost added 10 for the Lady Eagles, who earn a No. 2 seed.
Flipping for the lead
By Brian Egeston
Sports Editor
be@brianwrites.com
There’s a kid at Marist named John Gramlich who can go from one end of the basketball court to the other in about five seconds. At times, he rises five feet off the ground. Too bad he’s not on the basketball team.
Miller Grove’s Wolvernines traveled to Marist’s Centennial Center in an effort to continue their dominance as the best basketball team in the state’s AAAA region. After an upset to Lakeside at home, the Wolverines had to prove they were as good as the hype suggested. “Sometimes instead of playing good basketball, we believe in the hype,” said Miller Grove head coach Eddie Johnson“Because we have the talent, it’s easy to fall prey to that. We try our best to keep the boys humble.” Marist attempted to help with a lesson in humility.
The War Eagles of Marist outscored Miller Grove in the first quarter 12-10 led by J.J. Mann. Mfon Udofia, in uncharacteristic play, was scoreless in the first quarter. The Wolverines, however got a boost from 6-foot, 8-inch freshman Tony Parker, who’s shown strong development through his first season on the varsity squad. Parker tallied more points than his teammates in the first quarter, a sign that his contributions would be significant in the contest. “Parker is a godsend,” said Johnson. “For him to be that young and have that type of foot work is amazing. His basketball I.Q. is growing every game.”
Both teams matched up in man-to-man defenses early in the game with Dee Goens guarding Udofia. Goens’ ball handling skills served him well as Udofia, who averages 3.6 steals per game, couldn’t strip Marist’s star point guard. “My mom told me to go scout [Miller Grove],” said Goens. “I knew Mufon was gonna take over.”
The takeover began in the second period with Udofia starting his scoring barrage with two three pointers early in the second quarter. The Georgia Tech commit began shooting jump shots at 12:30 p.m. earlier that day. And during last period P.E., he was at it again.
Miller Grove outscored Marist in the second quarter.
Michael Strahl showed prowess for Marist, making each of his free throw attempts in the quarter. Adarius Fulton came up with big defensive efforts for Miller Grove in the first half on his way to four steals in the game. At the half, Miller Grove went to the locker room with a comfortable 31-25 lead. It seemed the Marist fateful had little to cheer about—until Gramlich made his move.
The recent developments of high school halftime shows have left parents and teachers cautious about dance routines and any other exploits at intermission. Gramlich, standing in the bleachers, removed keys and coins from his pocket, took off his shoes and made a run for it. He began with a flurry of back flips and ended with a double flip just in front of the Miller Grove cheerleaders. He looked at the opposing tumblers and shrugged as the short-skirted clan deliberated as to who would step up to the challenge. War Eagle students went crazy.
Miller Grove’s lead tumbler Dion Pettis, it seemed, was on the injured reserve list with wrist injury and the squad was unsure how to respond. Little did they know, Gramlich, the junior class president, is a state diving qualifier accustomed to flipping from great heights. But before the Wolverines could send a tumbling delegate on the floor, the teams returned. Can there possibly be cheerleading momentum?
Daniel Spingola started the third quarter with a big three pointer for Marist to make the score 31-36. Johnson’s squad held the ball, controlling the clock for several possessions in the third quarter. Each possession ended with Udofia penetrating and dishing to Parker or another of Miller Grove’s stable of big men. Marist would outscore Miller Grove by two points in the third quarter, but the visitors still clung to a 41-35 lead into the last quarter.
Before the last quarter, Miller Grove found its moxie and sent a tumbling attack onto the floor with three cheerleaders all flipping in different directions. Gramlich, not to be outdone, followed with a routine more suited for Beijing than a basketball game. The crowd was back in the game, the teams were back on the floor and Marist would not die.
“People look at Marist and think these kids are privileged, and they think they’re soft. The kids know that, and it makes them work harder,” said Marist head coach Gregory McClaire.
With less than six minutes remaining, Mann stepped up and sank a big three-pointer to make the score 43-40. Johnson sent his crew into a full court press that resulted in a turnover as they pulled away once again with the score 50-41. Mann made a running jump shot near the baseline to cut the lead to six. With 25 seconds left in the game, Mann would knock down another three pointer to get Marist within four. Timeout. One last go for Gramlich.
On the inbound play, Goens took the ball coast to coast and was fouled on the made basket. The free throw put Marist within one point. Malcome Frank was fouled immediately on the next Wolverine possession and missed both free throws. With 10 seconds left in the game, the score 60-59, Goens got the ball again, but couldn’t penetrate the Wolverine defense. Frank was fouled again with one second left and made both free throws this time. “I just had to make up for the [misses],” said Frank. “It’s a big game and good guards don’t miss big free throws. I knew I had to hustle on defense and keep my head in it.”
The final buzzer sounded at 62-59 in Miller Grove’s favor and a voice came over the speakers banning students from running onto the floor, even the high-flying Gramlich.
Wait and see
By Brian Egeston
Sports Editor
be@brianwrites.com
Warning to coaches who carry out chess strategies on basketball courts: three pointers and free throws trump checkmates.
In the dark drab gym at Avondale High School, there is trouble for visiting opponents. Most of the trouble comes in the form of 6-foot, 4-inch center Courtney Brantley who controls the paint, catches alley-oop dunks and, on occasion, drains a few threes.
Brantley was Cedar Grove’s main foe last Saturday night, a day after the Saints suffered a loss to Columbia on the road. Brantley tallied nine points in the first quarter, including a jumper from behind the arch. |
|
Not to be outdone, the Saints made their own highlight reel when Kylan Clark-Freeman contributed to an alley-oop slam by Damian Goggins, who is known throughout the county as Sunshine. Brantley posted two monster rejects in the first quarter taking control of the lane on defense.
The Blue Devils crept out to a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Avondale’s head coach Tobias Brinkley began pushing his Rooks out farther than Cedar Grove would have liked. Some players take the ball and go home. Avondale took their eight-point half time lead and went to the lockerroom after the team literally held the ball at half court without a single dribble for more than two minutes. Cedar Grove held tight to their queen and simply watched sitting back in a two-one-two zone.
“I just wanted to get to halftime without Damian getting any more fouls,” said Saints head coach James Martin. “I thought the game was being called very ticky tacky. The games we’ve lost have been the games when the other team got to the line more than we do. When they decided to hold the ball, they played right into my hands.”
Check.
Brantley dropped 11 points on Cedar Grove in the third quarter, but the Saints squad came alive with five players scoring. The team also had seven attempts from the line while Avondale only shot two free throws during the third quarter. With 3:25 left in the third quarter, the teams engaged in a three-point shooting contest. Brantley and Clayton Humphries made a pair of threes for the Blue Devils who held onto a 44-36 lead at the end of three quarters. But not before Brantley took the ball coast to coast for a dunk with 33 seconds left in the third quarter.
Midway through the game, Martin admonished Clark-Freeman saying his shot was off because he’d been practicing half court shots before the game. The forward found his range. Perry Long and Clark-Freeman combined for four three-pointers in the second half to get the game close. Avondale’s one-two-two zone broke down on the base line, and Clark-Freeman kept hitting big shots and stole an in-bound pass to make the score 48-52 with 5:04 in the game.
Pawns were being destroyed.
Strategic defense kept Brantley out on the perimeter and Cedar Grove’s rebounding helped tighten the deficit. Goggins dished to Victor Turner, who cut the lead to two with 2:27 left in the game. A few plays later, Goggins would sink a free throw to take the lead for the first time since the first quarter. Bishops toppled, knights gone, the queen was running in the open, unprotected.
The Saints put Avondale in a full court press and held on to their point lead at 59-57 with 1:06 left in the game. The Saints brought the ball down court and did something eerily familiar. They held the ball. Avondale, trailing, was forced to foul, giving Cedar Grove 16 attempts from the foul line in the last quarter where they would hold on to win 65-61. Checkmate.
|
