Moral victory no good for Eagles

Morehouse College – Atlanta, GA

The match up between the South Cobb Eagles and the Wheeler Wildcats has heavy implications in two respects.  First and foremost, the winner moves on to the Final Four and continues on their quest for a state championship.  Secondly, the winner has county bragging rights.  Words have been exchanged, but there’s only one way to settle this one.  You already know. 

From the tip, the court was full of intensity.  Both teams were determined to make an early statement and set their own pace.  The first period was mainly a feeling out period.  Neither team imposed their will on the other but neither team backed down. 

The Eagles of South Cobb were in no way intimidated by nationally ranked Wildcats.  Seniors Garrison Johnson, Kenny Russell, and Wesley Matthews took it right at the Wildcat big man, J.J. Hickson.  After a one-handed dunk down the middle of the lane by Johnson, the Eagle confidence soared.  Johnson then put the Eagles up by three to end first period action with a big three from the corner, in front of the Wildcat bench.  With the Eagles up 17-14, things were just getting started.

The second period continued with good, intense ball play by both teams.  Every shot was contested.  Every make was answered.  Russell and Johnson continued to be the motor behind the Eagle engine. 

Then with 3:51 remaining in the half, the sleeping giant woke up.  Hickson came flying down the lane, picked the ball out of the air after a miss, and threw it down with the authority.  Needless to say, the rest of the team woke up as well.  The follow up dunk would take the Wildcats on a 7-0 run and cause the Eagles to take a timeout with Wheeler up by six, 29-23.   

The Eagles would come out of the timeout with a couple of big threes by Johnson and senior Terrence Campbell, but the champs would answer.  Wildcat senior guard, James Florence used his quickness to hit the lane and either hit an open teammate or take it straight to the basket.  He showed an equally quick release from outside. 

But the giant was the difference.  The balls that came into the lane with so much ease in the first period, were politely being escorted to the backcourt by the likes of Mr. Hickson.  Wheeler was then able to hold on to a three point lead going into the half, 34-31.

The second half started the same way the first one ended.  Wheeler extended its lead only to see it go away after consecutive three’s by Adam Callaway and Wesley Matthews, with Matthews’ giving South Cobb a one point lead with 3:53 left in the third.  Senior J.T. Tiller would bring the Wildcats back, showing his explosiveness in taking the ball straight to the hoop.  Yes, Kut, the boy can play. 

After Tiller put the Wildcats back on top, South Cobb would turn it on once again.  Matthews and Russell would then step up and rally the Eagles, but Wheeler was able to fight of the Eagle rally to head into the fourth period with a 50-47 lead.

As the fourth period got underway, the defending state champs turned it up a couple of notches.  After Russell opened up the period with a 15-footer, the Wildcats went on a 14-4 run to extend their lead to 11 points.  Wheeler never looked back.  The Eagles would make things interesting by cutting the Wildcat lead to as little as seven but the Wildcats would hold on to move past a feisty South Cobb team, 77-66.

Final Score: Wheeler 77 – South Cobb 66

Scoring Recap

Wheeler:

J.T. Tiller and James Florence led the Wildcats with 18 points a piece.  J.J. Hickson finished with 16 points, 5 boards, and 5 blocks.

South Cobb:

Wesley Matthews had a team high 18 points.  Kenny Russell followed up with 15 points while Garrision Johnson finished with 9 points.