Buford vs. Greenville
”Patriots” fend off  “Wolves”

Watson out-duels AAU teammate to lead Greenville to the finals

Macon Centreplex – Macon, GA

6-5 junior Lashun Watson stepped up bigtime scoring a game high 23 points for Greenville.

The Buford basketball team had a chance to do what the football team has done several times over the last few years win a state championship but first they have to get by the “Patriots” and their smooth 6-5 all-state performer junior Lashun Watson, who will be matched up against his AAU Atlanta Celtics teammate from Buford 6-3 senior Andre Morgan.

The “Wolves” got off to a good start getting three-pointers from Michael Tucker and all-state quarterback 6-6 junior Justin Roper to take a 7-6 lead. Greenville got a lay-up from Martellis Rosser with 2:14 left in the quarter to tie the game at 9-9. Andre Morgan’s lay-up put Buford back on top but a short jumper at the end of the quarter by Greenville’s Jarvis Ogletree tied the game at 13-13.

Justin Roper (an All-State QB) and Andre Morgan (All-State basketball) led the Buford combining for 30 points.

The teams continued to trade baskets and the lead as the 2nd quarter got underway. Greenville went on a 5-0 run getting a tip-in from Bernard Malone and a lay-up from Alex Wade to take a 19-15 lead. The “Patriots” made it 22-17 on a three-pointer by Lashun Watson.

With 3:12 left in the half the “Wolves” began to howl back behind their 6-3 all-star Andre Morgan who scored 6 quick points that included a three-pointer to pull Buford even at 26-26. With time running down Burford took a 28-26 lead on a sweet reverse lay-up by sharp-shooter Michael Tucker. Greenville stormed right back, as 6-7 Jamal Patmon who play big inside stepped outside and showed off his shooting touch draining a three-pointer, Watson then made a nice move to the hole to score to give the “Patriots” a 31-30 halftime lead.

Michael Tucker has a real sweet jump shot and he put it on display once again at the start of the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 33-33. As I mentioned earlier Waston and Morgan were AAU teammates and each stepped up for their respective teams as the two dueled one another. Watson hit two jumpers to give Greenville a 43-37 lead.

Grennville's 6-7 junior Jamal Patmon had a big game, here he throws one down to the delight of his teammate.

Roper who appears to me to be more at ease on the basketball court verses the football field (even though he was an all-state quarterback) continued his impressive showing with a high flying follow-up and a short jumper to pulled Buford to with in 4 points 45-41 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

A jumper by Ogletree put Greenville up 51-45 early in the final quarter but once again Buford fought back getting back-to-back three-pointers from Tucker to tie the game with 5:39 to play. A big tip-in by Patmon and a steal and dunk by Watson opened up a 59-53 Greenville lead with 1:40 to play. A few moments later Rosser who played great repeated the same feat to make the score 61-53.

Morgan drilled a big three-pointer to pull Burford to within 5 at 61-56. Missed opportunities really hurt Buford during the waning moments of the game. A nice pass from Rosser to Patmon opened up a 63-58 lead with :47 seconds to play. A breakaway dunk by Watson sealed a hard fought 67-60 win sending the “Patriots” to the Class AA Championship game against East Hall.

Buford sharp shooter Michael Tucker shows his form on this long ranger jumper.

Scoring Recap

Greenville
Lashun Watson scored a game high 23 points to lead the “Patriots. Martellis Rosser finished 15. Jamal Patmon added 11 and Jarvis Ogletree chipped in with 8 points.

Buford
Andrea Morgan led three “Wolves” in double-figures with 16 points. Justin Roper added 14 and Michael Tucker finished with 12. Terrance Birdette chipped in with 7 points.