The Final Four
Class AAAAA - Norcross vs. Stephenson
By Rod "Kut" Freeman
Mar 3, 2005, 08:30 EST

5-A (Boys) Final Four

Norcross “Blue Devils” vs. Stephenson “Jaguars”

Gwinnett Arena – Duluth, GA

Undefeated For A Reason

The Stephenson “Jaguars” would feature 6’9 Senior Alade Aminu (GA Tech signee) and shooting forward DeAndre Coleman in the game versus the undefeated Norcross “Blue Devils”. The Blue Devils would hold judgement on everything in the paint behind “The Lumber Jack” Daniel Emerson. Shooting guards Jodie Meeks, Bryan Bostic would handle the shooting and Brenton Butler would control the point. Would Stephenson pull the upset or would they fall victims to the undisputed Blue Devils? Hold tight for the verdict.

The game would be close in the first quarter. Stephenson would jump out front with a 2 pointer off the tip to Alade Aminu. Fred Christopher would score the next 2 points and the Jaguars came ready to play. Then came Jodie Meeks who would score on a lay up and Brenton Butler would shot a three-pointer to put Norcross into gear. Both teams would play solid defense and the first quarter would end close with Stephenson up one point 13-12.

In the second quarter, DeAndre Coleman would be a factor for Stephenson. Coleman would score his first 2 points of the game on a lay up and crash the boards for four rebounds. Emerson would counter in rebounds, but Norcross would play from behind most of the quarter. Meeks would cut the lead to 2 points with 2 free throws with 43 seconds left in the half. Meeks would get the rebound on a miss shot from the Jaguars and drive the ball the length of the court dishing it off to Emerson who would tie the game before the half at 23 all.

After the half time talk with Coach Eddie Martin, Norcross would come out smoking. Meeks would score the first points on a jumper and Emerson would follow with a post move to put the Devils up by 4 points leading to a Jaguars timeout. After the timeout, Norcross would go on another 4-0 run by Bryan Bostic and Emerson; Stephenson would have to call another timeout (33-25). Meeks would close the third quarter out with a three-pointer and the Blue Devils would extend the lead to 8 points (37-29).

Emerson would roll the lead to 13 points with 3 straight free throws to start the fourth. With 5:21 in the left in the fourth quarter, Meeks would toss an alley-oop pass to Bostic and the crowd would go wild. Coleman would score 2 points on a put back for Stephenson but that wouldn’t be enough. The Blue Devils would close out the game with a victory to move on to play Wheeler High in the state 5A finals.

Final Score: Nocross 63 Stephenson 47

Scoring Recap

Norcross

Jodie Meeks 22 points and  Daniel Emerson 21 points 14 rebounds 

Stephenson

DeAndre Coleman 15 points and Scott Bynum 14 points.

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