GHSA State Championship Preview: 1A

Kyle Sandy March 4, 2020 @ 09:00 AM

<pre><em>Photo Courtesy of Hoop-Nation</em></pre> <h2><strong>Class A-Private</strong></h2> <h4><strong>No. 1 St. Francis (27-3) vs. No. 3 Holy Innocents’ (25-5)</strong></h4> Powerhouses collide after St. Francis wiped out Wesleyan 75-61 and Holy Innocents’ won a controversial game with Hebron Christian, 52-48. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mia-moore/">Mia Moore</a> exploded for 30 points while Oregon State-signee <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/savannah-samuel/">Savannah Samuel</a> had 22 points and 11 rebounds for St. Francis. Notre Dame-signee <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/amirah-abdur-rahim/">Amirah Abdur-Rahim</a> had 14 points. Holy Innocents’ received 20 points from <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jillian-hollingshead/">Jillian Hollingshead</a> 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. <h2><strong>Class A-Public</strong></h2> <h4><strong>No. 1 Central-Talbotton (27-1) vs. No. 2 Wheeler County (30-1)</strong></h4> 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.