Ben Smith was big at the point with 31 points.

Macon Centreplex - Macon Centreplex

If a shootout is what you want, then the state class 2-A championship game between the Dublin Fighting Irish versus the Thomasville Bulldogs is a sure thing. The Irish would enter the finals off a win over Buford and the Bulldogs off a victory over defending champs East Hall. If a shootout is what you want, then the state class 2-A championship game between the Dublin Fighting Irish versus the Thomasville Bulldogs is a sure thing. The Irish would enter the finals off a win over Buford and the Bulldogs off a victory over defending champs East Hall.

The Irish would feature 4SHOT Sports 2005 third team player Chris Wright, who is deadly from anywhere on the floor. The Bulldogs on the other hand would bring future second all state second team player in Ladarius Hall. Enough about the key players, lets get this thing started.  

The first period would start with a basket by Mike Reddick for the Bulldogs and the finals for class 2-A would be on its way. Ladarius Hall would drain 2 early three-pointers for the Bulldogs and Chris Wright would answer from downtown Macon to put Dublin up 2 points 20-18 with 2:03 to go in the first period. Ben Smith would connect for 3 points from Dublin and Jamar Moore would nail a three-pointer for the Bulldogs, to create a old fashion shoot out at the ok centreplex. (End of the first period Dublin 30 Thomasville 23)

Hall would open up the second period with a three-pointer and the guns were still smoking. After that basket, Dublin would go on a 10-3 run to push the score to double digits 38-28 with 3:47 left in the half. Thomasville would not back down and after 2 straight points by sophomore Dunnell Webb, coach Clint Thomas would have to call a timeout for the Fighting Irish with 2:17 to in the second period. After the timeout, Ladarius would knock down a three pointer and things would be close going into half with Dublin up 44-39.

 After halftime, the Bulldogs would come on a 7-0 run and take the lead. Hall would start it with a three pointer like he did earlier in the season on Early County. Mike Reddick would score 2 points in the paint and Moore would get a put back to put the Bulldogs in the lead 46-44. After the timeout, Dublin would make the adjustment and go on a 7-0 run of their own, led by Chris Wright. After the smoke cleared in the third period Dublin would maintain the lead into the final period 69-60.

When the fourth period kicked off the crowd was crunk and so were the players. Wright would opening it up on a mid-range jumper and Hall would take his turn with a three-pointer. After Halls three pointer, the Bulldogs would go on a 8-2 run to get the game down to 3 points 71-68 with 5:50 to go in the game. Point guard Ben Smith was no joke, with 2:53 left in the game and Dublin up he slowed it down. Thomas Barnes would get it done in the paint and on the boards. The Bulldogs made a last minute surge on a three pointer from Hall but it was too late, as Dublin go on to win it’s first class 2-A state Title.

Congratulations on a job well done by both teams!

Final Score: Dublin 96 Thomasville 84

Scoring Recap

Dublin

Ben Smith 31 points, Chris Wright 26 points, Jaroy Stuckey 16 points,  Thomas Barnes 9 points 7 rebounds and Britt Johnson 7 points.

Thomasville

Ladarius Hall 31 points, Jamar Moore 25 points, Dunnell Webb 16 points and Mike Reddick 11 points