GHSA State Championship Preview: 1A
Photo Courtesy of Hoop-Nation Class A-Private No. 1 St. Francis (27-3) vs. No. 3 Holy Innocents’ (25-5) Powerhouses collide after St. Francis wiped out Wesleyan 75-61 and Holy Innocents’ won a controversial game with Hebron Christian, 52-48. Mia Moore exploded…
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Class A-Private
No. 1 St. Francis (27-3) vs. No. 3 Holy Innocents’ (25-5)
Powerhouses collide after St. Francis wiped out Wesleyan 75-61 and Holy Innocents’ won a controversial game with Hebron Christian, 52-48. Mia Moore exploded for 30 points while Oregon State-signee Savannah Samuel had 22 points and 11 rebounds for St. Francis. Notre Dame-signee Amirah Abdur-Rahim had 14 points. Holy Innocents’ received 20 points from Jillian Hollingshead against Hebron Christian, who had a late game-tying three pointer waved off after a disputed travel call. Hollingshead has anchored the defending state champion Golden Bears all season long but the Knights have major length to try and slow her down. Samuel’s inside-out scoring versatility will be on full display but Holy Innocents’ has physical defenders in Rachel Suttle and Jada Farrell who could stymy St. Francis’ high-power offense. Coaching will be crucial.
Class A-Public
No. 1 Central-Talbotton (27-1) vs. No. 2 Wheeler County (30-1)
How can Wheeler County slow down Bernyla Sparks? That is the entire game. Can someone finally stop the double-double machine? Central-Talbotton trailed 18-9 after the first quarter but stepped on the accelerator in the second half and closed out the game with a 27-9 fourth quarter to capture a 63-44 win. Sparks went for 28 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Shakemia Marshall had 4 points, 20 rebounds and 8 assists while Renijua Johnson (14) and Ty’Shemia Bunkley (12) lifted the offense. Wheeler County put away Turner County 81-66 behind their trademark balanced scoring. Keyona Mincey had 21 points and 8 assists. Sameria Bryant tallied 17 points, 8 rebounds, 12 assists, 3 steals and 1 block while Lela Wright contributed 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Keleiyah Harris pitched in 16 points and 8 rebounds. The guard play of Mincey and Bryant will need to shine through for the Bulldogs to beat the Hawks.