2008-09 GHSA State Championships
1A Finals - Savannah Ctry Day vs. Wesleyan (G)
By Larry "L.A." Williams
Mar 14, 2009, 02:23 EST

2009 GHSA Class 1A Championship Game

Savannah Country Day ”Lady Hornets” vs. Wesleyan “Lady Wolves”

Wesleyan Head Coach Jan Azar sends off her two seniors, Anne Marie Armstrong and Chantel Kennedy with state champions.

Lady Wolves Dynasty continues
The Macon Centreplex – Macon, GA

Wesleyan's Anne Marie Armstrong is fouled as she goes up for two.

Macon, GA –Wesleyan is on the verge of becoming a dynasty in Class 1A basketball, I know that’s a strong statement but the numbers don’t lie as Coach Jan Azar and her Lady Wolves just captured their 2nd straight state chamionship and their 5th in seven years.  

Wesleyan’s Erin Hall and Grace Leah Baughn didn’t waste any time picking up where they left off in their semifinals game victory over Randolph-Clay, each knocked down a three-pointer as the Lady Wolves jumped out to quick 7-2 lead.

Anne Marie Armstrong and Chantel Kennedy, seniors playing in their last game for Wesleyan didn’t wait to get in on the action as both stepped it up early and often as the Lady Wolves lead grew to 13-3.

Usually it takes the second quarter or so before the reserves start making an impact but that was not the case for Wesleyan. Coach Azar inserted reserves Holli Wilkins, Kennington Groff, Jordan Frazier and Aysia McKenzie without any hesitation early and often and they all delivered.

Katherine Dotson blcoks a shot by Wesleyan's Aysia McKenzie.

The Lady Hornets must have felt like they were in a beehive they way the Wesleyan defenders were swarming around them with their full-court press. Head Coach Dale Parker tried to make some adjustments but it was obvious that they were in a little above their heads dealing with the two-time defending champions.

So stifling was Wesleyan’s defensive pressure that they held Savannah Country Day to just five first quarter points. The score at the end of the first quarter was 26-5.

Things didn’t get any better for Savannah Country Day in the second quarter as the fell further and further behind. It also wasn’t one of Wesleyan’s better quarters either but they did enough to increase their lead. Armstrong added three more baskets as the Lady Wolves took a 40-8 lead into the half.

For In all intensive purposes the game was over at the half. To the Lady Hornets credit they came out and played their best quarter of the game; seniors Katherine Dotson and Melissa Burkhamer playing in their last game for Savannah Country Day did a nice job of keeping their teammates playing competitively despite the score.

Chantel Kennedy drives past a Savannah defender.

I need to mention Wesleyan’s Chantel Kennedy; she doesn’t get as much recognition as Armstrong and Hall who have earned every bit of it, but I’m sure if you ask Coach Azar she will tell you that her contribution as the point guard has played a big roll in the teams success over the last few seasons.

As the time clicked off the clock Coach Azar pulled her two seniors Armstrong and Kennedy who received a standing ovation along with hugs and tears from their teammates. When the clock struck zero the Lady Wolves gathered at center-court to celebrate their second straight GHSA State Championship.

Wesleyan, see you next year, same time, same place.

The Final Score:

Wesleyan 71 – Savannah Country Day 31

Scoring Recap

Wesleyan: Anne Marie Armstrong scored a game high 16 points, Grace Leah Baughn added 12, Aysia McKenzie 10, Chantel Kennedy 9, Erin Hall 8 and Holli Wilkins chipped in with 7

Savannah Country Day: Katherine Dotson and Melissa Burkhamer both scored 12 to pace the Lady Hornets.

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