4-A Boys State Championship Finals
Mays “Raiders” vs. Tucker “Tigers”
Gwinnett Arena – Duluth, GA
The Champs Repeat!
When you talk explosive, you are talking Tuckers 6’5 junior Cameron Tatum. When you need a rebound you call on 6’7 senior Rashad Chase from Mays. The state finals game between the Tucker High “Tigers” and the Mays “Raiders” was a floor burner. Tatum and teammate Damian Duncan would come off a combine 59 points in a final four victory over Sandy Creek. Damian Duncan has one of the best basketball handles in the state and the sky is not the limit for Cameron Tatum. Deandre Bray would control the point for Mays and Rashad Chase would do what he do (“Quote” Larry Williams).
The game would get on its way with the usual, an alley-oop dunk from Tatum on a pass from Duncan. Then Larry’s boy Rashad Chase would get to work with 4 straight baskets in the paint and Deandre Bray would hit a three-pointer causing Tucker to call a timeout. After the timeout, Bray would perform an outstanding behind the back move for 2 points and Mays would take the lead in the first quarter 21-14.
In the second quarter, Rashad Chase would continue with the scoring with a drive baseline for 2 points to push the lead up by 9. Then the Tigers would come roaring back on a 9-2 run to cut the score down by 2 points 25-23 with 3:48 left in the second quarter. During the run Duncan would shot a three-pointer and Tatum would score 4 straight points. For some reason Brandon Houston didn’t care and would score 4 points. Houston would score on jumper and a drive to the basket. Chase would be the mechanic and score on 4 straight free throws. Chase would go in with a halftime high of 15 points and Mays would be up 36-27.
The first have was a game of runs. What the second half bring would be interesting.
(Simple and Plan.) Rashad Chase would come out and score 8 straight points.
End of the third quarter Mays 48 Tucker 40.
The fourth and final quarter would go like this. Cameron Tatum would score the first points off his own put back for the Tigers and another 2 points on a lay up. The Raiders Brandon Simmons would crash the boards and answer with 2 points on a jumper. Chase would do what he do and score on a lay up along with a free throw. Duncan would return to the scoreboard with 2 free throws and a three pointer. Mays would be up by 6 points with 3:41 left in the game with the score 57-51 and Coach Floyd Mack would decide to play keep away. Back-to-Back Champs. Deandre Bray says, “I got two rings and that’s all I got to say”.
Final Score: Mays 63 Tucker 56.
Scoring Recaps
Mays
Rashad Chase 27 points and Brandon Houston 11 points.
Tucker
Damian Duncan 20 points adn Cameron Tatum 15 points.