The match-up for the GHSA 2A State Championship is now set with Buford and Greater Atlanta Christian squaring off in the championship game on Saturday in Macon. Buford got their by way of a 63-59 victory over Laney that many considered an upset. T.J Shipes scored 18 points to lead a Wolves team that overcame an eight point deficit at the half. Buford led by eight points in the fourth quarter twice before holding on at the end. Jake Burnette added 11 points for the Wolves.
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Buford's opponent in the 2A championship will be Greater Atlanta Christian who handled Swainsboro by a score of 71-58. Virginia recruit Malcolm Brogdon led all scorers with 29 points scoring 20 of those in the second half. Armani Moore scored 24 points to lead Swainsboro but the Tigers were unable to slow down the Spartans in order to capture the victory.
Buford and GAC are both from region 6AA. GAC has won both previous meetings between the two schools this season.
In class 5A, Milton High School continued its romp to back to back state championships and perhaps the distinction of the best Georgia High School team ever. Milton dispatched Tift County rather easily scoring a 75-53 victory at Gwinnett Arena. Jordan Loyd scored 27 points while Shaquille Johnson added 21 points off the bench. Tift County was as close as 17-14 at the end of the first quarter before Milton clamped down and only allowed Tift one field goal in the second quarter taking a 43-22 lead into halftime.
Milton's opponent in the 5A State Championship Game will be Norcross who defeated Valdosta by a score of 70-61 also at Gwinnett Arena. Chris Bolden led Norcross with 26 points. Bolden is a junior guard who has given a verbal commitment to the University of Miami. Norcross didn't go without a fight in large part due to the University of Georgia's highly rated tight end recruit Jay Rome. Rome scored a game high 33 points and had his high school coach Jesse McMillan raving about him after the game.
‘’He’s one of the top five post players in the state, and not a lot of people know him except for football.’’ “He’s a rare big with size and ability. Mark Fox should take a look at him.’’
Milton will be the heavy favorite when the two teams meet Friday in Gwinnett if for no other reason than star power. The Eagles start three Major Division I signees in Shannon Scott (Ohio State), Dai-Jon Parker (Vanderbilt), and Julian Royal (Georgia Tech). That doesn't even mention Jordan Loyd who will attend Furman next season or Shaquille Johnson, a junior who has committed to Auburn.
Milton and Norcross are expected to tip off tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth. The game can be watched on TV on Georgia Public Television.
Georgia schedule:
SEMIFINALS
Wednesday
Class A (Macon)
Wilkinson County 66, Greenville 48
Terrell County 66, Whitfield Academy 63
Class AAAA (Duluth)
Miller Grove 65, Jonesboro 52
Rockdale County 66, Fayette County 64
Thursday
Class AA (Macon)
5:30 p.m. - Buford 63, Laney 59
8:30 p.m. - Greater Atlanta Christian 71, Swainsboro 58
Class AAAAA (Duluth)
5:30 p.m. - Norcross 70, Valdosta 61
8:30 p.m. - Milton 75, Tift County 53
Friday
Class AAA (Macon)
5:30 p.m. - Columbia vs. Eagle's Landing
8:30 p.m. - Franklin County vs. Butler
FINALS
Friday
4:45 p.m. - Miller Grove Vs. Rockdale County
8:30 p.m. - Milton Vs. Norcross
Saturday
12:45 p.m. - Wilkinson County Vs. Terrell County
4:45 p.m. - Buford Vs. Greater Atlanta Christian
8:45 p.m. - Class AAA