Pebblebrook-Wheeler Matchup Preview and History
Atlanta, Georgia – Well well well, is it that time of year already? The time of year where two of the best basketball programs, in not just Georgia but Cobb County, meet? The answer is yes. Wheeler High School and…
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Continue ReadingAtlanta, Georgia – Well well well, is it that time of year already? The time of year where two of the best basketball programs, in not just Georgia but Cobb County, meet? The answer is yes. Wheeler High School and Pebblebrook High School meet for the first time this season in their region 2 class 7A matchup. These two programs have met a few times since 2014 and all their matchups have been exciting since then. Let us take a walk down memory lane for a second.
In 2014, the Wheeler Wildcast and Pebblebrook Falcons met in Georgia’s class 6A final four game at Georgia Tech University. Yes, back then there was no class 7A in the state of Georgia, the highest classification was 6A. The Wildcats back then were led by famous HC Doug Lipscomb and players Avery Patterson, Elijah Staley, and a junior forward by the name of Jaylen Brown, the #3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. For Pebblebrook, the Falcons were led by Ty Hudson, Trhae Mitchell, Kevin Murph, and big man Derek Ogbeide. Wheeler ended up victorious over Pebblebrook at a score of 67-52 and head to the state championship game where they eventually lost to Tift County.
In 2015 the two schools met once again for the second straight season only this time was different. Both Pebblebrook and Wheeler advanced to the Georgia class 6A state championship game in Macon, Georgia. Pebblebrook came off their final four win defeating Shiloh High School at Georgia Tech while Wheeler defeated Tucker High School in the same day and location. The Falcons were led by once again by their four top guys who were then seniors, Hudson, Murph, Mitchell, and Ogbeide, but added another important piece to their squad in junior point guard Jared Harper. Wheeler, that season, were once again led by forward Jaylen Brown, who was now in his senior season. Their matchup in the state championship game is certainly one to remember here in the state of Georgia.
Jared Harper was fouled in the fourth quarter with about 7 seconds remaining with the score tied 57-57. Harper goes 1-2 at the free throw line and Wheeler calls a timeout with about 4.5 seconds remaining. Star Jaylen Brown gets the ball and began driving to the basket and collides with Derek Ogbeide of Pebblebrook and a controversial foul was called. The Pebblebrook fans and players were in shock and Jaylen Brown ices the game by making both free throws to give the Wildcats a 59-58 victory over Pebblebrook in the state championship game.
After a heartbreaking way to end the 2015 season, Coach Washington and his Pebblebrook squad actually made it back to the state championship game and Georgia’s class 7A was born. The two programs did not meet one another that season at all. Pebblebrook made their run to the state championship again that year in Georgia’s new 7A class and were led by then senior Jared Harper and junior Collin Sexton, who just transferred in from Hillgrove High School in Marietta, Georgia. Unfortunately, the Falcons failed to capture a state title after losing to crosstown rival Westlake High School in overtime and a team that beat them four straight times in that same season.
The next season, 2016-2017, the two programs met once again but this time there was more than one meeting. Both Wheeler and Pebblebrook were put in the same region that year, region 2 class 7A, alongside Westlake High School and others. Region 2, to this day, is still considered one of the toughest regions in the state and nation. Pebblebrook was led by emerged star Colin Sexton, who had one of the best overall and individual breakout summers on the Nike EYBL circuit and with the U17 USA National Team where he received MVP coming off the bench. The Falcons also received three key transfers in Drue Drinnon, Elias Harden, and big man Jared Jones.
As for Wheeler, the Wildcats and HC Doug Lipscomb was in his last season with the program that year and they received key transfers as well. Jordan Tucker, Jordan Usher, Brandon Younger, Isaac Martin, Austin Johnson, and EJ Montgomery were all new to the Wheeler Wildcat program coming into the season and were noted as a “super team”. The Wildcats were still led by guard Darius Perry that year and who was the only player left from their championship team back in 2015.
The two programs first meeting drew a sold out crowd and while Pebblebrook was considered the home team, the game had to be played at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta, Georgia. The game was sold out and every seat in the building was filled. Pebblebrook’s Collin Sexton bought so much excitement in his game that everywhere and every game Pebblebrook played there was expected to be a packed house. Every media outlet, spectator, and fan wanted to see powerhouse Wheeler go at it with a Collin Sexton led Pebblebrook squad. Pebblebrook ended up winning their first meeting since the 2015 state championship game at a score of 80-77.
ESPN’s Geico High School Showcase decided to televise the second matchup between Wheeler and Pebblebrook at Wheeler High School. It was not as hyped as the first meeting due to Collin Sexton, who got injured in Pebblebrook’s previous game, was out. The matchup still drew a very packed house since the game was being televised on national TV. With Sexton out you probably think Wheeler took home this win, but that certainly was not the case. Pebblebrook had the lead for most of the game and actually at one point had a big lead over Wheeler in the second half, but Wheeler had other plans and momentum swung quickly. Senior guard Darius Perry led a huge comeback for Wheeler and took a one point lead with just about 40 seconds remaining in the game. Darius was then fouled but only was able to knock down 1 out of 2 free throws. Coach Washington calls a timeout and with about 22 seconds left on the clock. No Collin Sexton, no problem for Pebblebrook as Drue Drinnon was able to knock down the game winning three point shot give Pebblebrook the win 76-75. Just a week later these two schools met once again in the second round of the region tournament at Wheeler High School and the Falcons won another close battle with a 60-59 score to advance to the region 2 class 7A title game and where they eventually defeated Westlake High School for the crown.
In the 2017-2018 season you would have thought the hype between these two programs would have lost it’s touch due to the departure of Collin Sexton and other players from both squads, but that was not the case here. Before the season began there was a buzz that Pebblebrook will not be good as past years. The Falcons actually finished last season with an overall 26-3 record and while on one of the nations top winning steaks winning 24 straight games. With Sexton, Drinnon, and Harden all gone, the Falcons were led by seniors Grant Howard, Dwight Murray, Mervin James, and Josh Graham. This Pebblebrook squad was one of the best shooting teams that you would have ever witnessed, literally. For Wheeler, Head Coach Doug Lipscomb was no longer in charge of the basketball program so new HC Larry Thompson, who won back-to-back state titles previously with Greenforest Christian, was in his first year with the Wheeler program. With their departures of Tucker, Usher, and Perry, star center EJ Montgomery was the leader and focus of the squad.
Wheeler and Pebblebrook’s first meeting last season was played at Wheeler High School and another close game it was. The Falcons ended up winning the matchup 71-68. The second meeting was once again played in the Cobb Civic Center and with Pebblebrook being the home team. Wheeler lost that game as well at a score of 75-64. The third time these two programs met was in their region title game and was once again hosted at Wheeler High School. Wheeler should have an advantage with the region tournament being played on their home floor you may ask. The advantage was certainly in Wheeler’s favor but that never stopped Pebblebrook and especially not in last year’s region championship game. It was a back and forth affair throughout the game and just with a few ticks left on the clock, Pebblebrook’s Grant Howard throws up a floater right at the buzzer to give Pebblebrook the 61-60 victory. It was a surprising lost to the Wheeler fans and players and everyone in the gym was shocked.
After going through the past matchups since 2014, let us now take a look at what to expect in this season’s matchups. Both Wheeler and Pebblebrook are currently ranked in the top ten in the state of Georgia. Wheeler (14-4) will travel to Pebblebrook (12-5) tonight for their first region matchup and first meeting since last year’s region championship game. Wheeler has played one of the toughest schedules in the state of Georgia and so has Pebblebrook. Both squads should be ready for this one as both have been battle tested up to this point. Pebblebrook has been led by senior guards Jalen Harper and Devin Gordon. Although this is a very young Pebblebrook program this year, Coach Washington and his staff still know how to get things done and do not duck any competition. Wheeler has been led by their senior backcourt of Denver signee Jaire Eastmond and Cal signee Charles Smith IV. The Wildcats have already beaten or played some of Georgia’s best programs and will be looking to get their first win over Pebblebrook since 2015.