2009 GHSA Class 3A Finals
South Atlanta “Hornets” vs. Westover “Patriots”
Hornets sting the Patriots
"Favor goes out with a state ring"
Macon Coliseum – Macon, GA
Macon, GA – The last time head coach Michael Reddick and the South Atlanta “Hornets” visited the state final four in 2003 they came up short against the Griffin “Bears”. The Hornets arsenal in 2003 featured Georgia Mr. Basketball Vincent Banks. This year’s arsenal features the player of the year and Mr. Georgia Basketball in Derrick Favors. Will the results be the same or would the Westover Patriots claim the school 7th state title? Westover brings in outstanding senior shooting guard Dontreal Hicks and senior Greg Green. The Patriots on the other would have to deal with the outside shooting of the Hornets (Auburn Signee) Andre Malone. The stage was set as we look to see if South Atlanta could bring home it’s first state title?
The first period would start off fast and the Hornets Favors would not disappoint with a monster one hand slam to put his team up 13-2 with 3:30 left in the first period. Westover head coach Dallas Smith would call a time out to try to settle the troops. The Patriots would get on the scoring track, as Greg Green would score 5 points to lead them in the first period. The crowd would come alive a Favors threw down his second dunk of the game and Rodrick Pitts would drain his second three-pointer to end the period with the Hornets up 23-13.
In the second period coach Michael Reddick would take Favors out as the Hornets were up 32-18 with 4:24 left before the half. The Hornets would continue to light it up as super sophomore Nickalus Jacobs would get a lay up to quiet the few Westover fans that were cheering. With Favors out of the game, the Patriots would go on a 10-2 run catapulted by 2 quick lay up by #24. Favors would re-enter the game and get a lay up to close the first half to put the Hornets up 38-27.
At the half: Derrick Favors 15 points 6 rebounds & 3 blocks (South Atlanta)
Dontreal Hicks 10 points (Westover)
Entering the fourth period the Hornets would be up 14 points 56-42, the Patriots made a valiant effort but Favors would show no mercy as he dunked on Rashard Green for his 28th point of the game. Malone would follow Favors dunk with a floater in the lane to increase the deficit to 19 points 61-42 and Smith would have to burn a timeout with 6:59 left in the game. After the time out, Nickalus Jacobs would convert two free throws and Favors would slam another home to move the score to 65-45. At the end of the day, the Hornets were too much as they would easily go on to claim their first state title.
The Final Score
South Atlanta 81 – Westover 62
Scoring Recap:
South Atlanta: Derrick Favors scored a team high 38 points 20 rebounds 4 blocks and Nick Watkins 16 points.
Westover : Terrance Noel 16 points and Greg Green 14 points.
