6A Final Four Game 1: Lanier vs South Cobb Takeaways
After stemming a Lanier rally in the 3rd quarter and subsequently taking a 45-30 lead into the 4th, South Cobb seemed in control of their semifinal Friday night in Buford. But the Longhorns had other ideas, rattling off 21 points…
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Continue ReadingAfter stemming a Lanier rally in the 3rd quarter and subsequently taking a 45-30 lead into the 4th, South Cobb seemed in control of their semifinal Friday night in Buford.
But the Longhorns had other ideas, rattling off 21 points in the final stanza to actually go up 51-49 with 5 seconds left. Scrambling for a last shot, the Eagles’ Zocko Littleton had his corner 3 deflected into the hands of Robert Dix, who nudged it up and in from 5 feet away to send the game into overtime.
The OT belonged to Lanier however, as without floor general Travis Burrus and interior strongman Emon Washington (both of whom fouled out), the Longhorns were able to finish off the amazing comeback, control the ball and won it from the free throw stripe 63-57.
A Trifecta of takeaways from game 1:
South Cobb is a terrific team
Robert DixDespite the result, as I said earlier this season, South Cobb is unquestionably one of the state’s best teams and had a tremendously impressive season winning 28 of 31 games. Their team defensive performance for 3 quarters would have been labeled legendary had they been able to finish things off. They bottled up the Lanier scorers and made life miserable for anyone who handled the rock nearly the entire night. Washington has been the horse most of the season for the Eagles, and he had another good game getting 12 points and 8 rebounds. But like the rest of his mates, things got a little nervy in the 4th against tremendous pressure defense from Lanier and no one could buy a bucket. What we did get Friday though was a closer look at the continued bright future for South Cobb, as the 6-5 Dix showed his impressive worth getting 17 points and carrying the water most of the night when the Eagles needed it. He’s got range from as far out as the arc, but likes it more inside 15 feet, where he has a smooth stroke and plenty of lift. He, together with shooting guard fellow sophomore Littleton comprise an exciting scoring duo to move forward with, and the Eagles will get back Burrus at the point as well as wings junior Da’Quan Riggins (15 points in a strong all-aroppiund game) and sophomore Jameel Rideout.
In Sion They Trust
Sion James (1)Such a physical specimen, it’s a wonder anyone can stop the Mack Truck that is Sion James on the basketball court. But that’s what South Cobb was able to do for 3 quarters, closing off gaps and frustrating the Tulane-bound guard, limiting him to 10 relatively benign points. But while he only added one FG in the final quarter (a huge putback of his own miss), it was his decision to take over the ball, and thus the game, that proved the difference for his club. Getting downhill to the basket and forcing players to step in front at their own risk, he finally found space off the dribble and ended up hitting 7 of 8 from the stripe in the last quarter. With help from two critical 3-balls from terrific junior shooting guard Andrew McConnell (18 points, four 3’s) and senior forward Ryan Johnson, they completed that great comeback, and were only thwarted from winning it in regulation by Dix’s good fortune and athletic putback at the buzzer. James added 10 boards on the night, most of those coming in the latter third of action when it was clear he was asserting his will.
Can the “Truck” get a jump start?
Lanier certainly is not without talent surrounding James, as both McConnell, a deadeye long-range shooter with swagger and an excellent handle, and the 6-6 Johnson can get it done for coach Branden Mayweather. But those three accounted for all but 11 of the team’s points, and against Chattahoochee in the finals, a virtual mirror image of themselves, they’ll need more from the supporting cast if they want to take home a title. A key wild card is the play of junior guard Iajah Phillips, an amazingly gifted athlete and lockdown defender with high-rising ability, who had a solid 10 points on the night but may be called upon to do more if Hooch decides to simply lock out James and McConnell.