Norcross “Blue Devils” vs. Wheeler “Wildcats” 

Blue Devils with the three peat

Mohammad & Lamb with clutch baskets down the stretch

Gwinnett Arena – Duluth, GA  (3/7/08)

One of the most anticipated class 5-A games of all time. In the pass 10 years, no schools have had more success as the Norcross “Blue Devils” and the Wheeler “Wildcats”. The Blue Devils will be challenging for their third consecutive state title. The Wildcats last title would come in 2005. One thing about it, one of these schools would add more hardware to their already stunning trophy case.

Neither team being really challenge in their semi finals games, made this one for the ages.

The Blue Devils wouldn’t waste anytime as Al-Farouq Aminu would get a dunk in the paint to start the game off fast 2-0. Zach Lamb and Taariq Mohammad would score lay ups to put the Blue Devils up 6-0 and coach Doug Lipscomb would call a timeout. After the timeout, Arti Stewart would score on a dunk baseline to get the Wheeler fans into the game 6-2. Denzail Jones would drain a three-pointer from the corner and Aminu would score on a monster dunk to move the score to 15-2 with 4:30 to gone in the first half. After AJ Hawkins would score in the paint on an easy lay up, coach Lipscomb would have to use another timeout in less than 1.5 minutes.  Dequan Jones would one-hand tomahawk dunk to get the Wildcats scoring started. The first period was so awesome, to a point were words can’t describe it. Like the old school DJ’s say, “The turntables might wobble but they don’t fall down.” (Norcross 17 Wheeler 11 – First period)

Jones would go off again in the second half with another dunk to swing the momentum and get the Wildcats as close as 2 points 21-19. With 1:42 left in the game, Aminu would get a block that would lead to a lay up by Mohammad. Hawkins would connect on a jumper with 1:03 left to move the score to 28-21. Phil Taylor would give the Wildcats a well needed three-pointer to close the half down by only 4 points 28-24.

The Wildcats would take their first lead of the game on a put back by Richard Howell 33-32 with 4:26 to go in third period. The Wildcats would hold the lead to go into the fourth period 38-37.

What’s going to happen in the fourth period?

The game would go down to the wire with 14.7 seconds left when Mohammad would drive the ball the length of the court to put the game up 3 points 57-54. Phil Taylor would attempt a last second three-pointer with 3.1 left on the clock. Unfortunately, it would come up short as Aminu would grab the rebound to run out the clock. The Blue Devils claim their third straight state title in a row. WOW what a game!!!!!!!!

Final Score:  Norcross 57 Wheeler 54

Scoring Recap

Norcross

Al-Farouq Aminu 15 points, Denzail Jones 13 points, AJ Hawkins 11 points and Zach Lamb 9 points

Wheeler

Arti Stewart 15 points, Richard Howell 12 points 9 rebounds and Phil Taylor 9 points.