Five Takeaways: No. 1 Grayson vs. No. 5 Norcross

<p>In a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 matchup in which Norcross handled Grayson 68-53, the No. 1 ranked Rams (29-1) entered Wednesday night’s star-studded showdown focused and with some revenge on their mind. No. 5 Norcross (26-4) came into the game with another re-tooled, re-loaded roster anchored by a 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-10 frontcourt but guard play wins in the state playoffs. The Rams trailed 10-6 after the first quarter before blitzing the Blue Devils and sending a statement to not only the state but the nation, clobbering Norcross 65-27 to advance to their third Final Four in four years.</p> <h4><strong>A Game of Runs</strong></h4> <p>In a low scoring first quarter, Norcross had a 10-6 advantage, getting turnovers and scoring on a handful of run out and secondary break opportunities. The Blue Devils’ length took some getting used to but Grayson eased in by the second quarter. The Rams ripped off a 17-0 run to take a 23-12 lead and would never look back. After forcing the issue a little in the first quarter with 6-foot-10 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jt-thor/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jt-thor/">JT Thor</a></a> guarding him, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-murphy/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-murphy/">Caleb Murphy</a></a> started getting to the basket, scoring eight of his game-high 20 points in the second quarter. Grayson’s knockout blow came in the third quarter as they landed another 17-2 run to take a 42-20 lead heading into the fourth.</p> <h4><strong>Three Please</strong></h4> <p>Grayson drilled eight threes as <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deivon-smith/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deivon-smith/">Deivon Smith</a></a> sliced up Norcross and delivered pinpoint passes to open shooters. He finished with 4 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/toneari-lane/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/toneari-lane/">Toneari Lane</a></a> hit three threes en route to 17 points while super-sub Quinones Corpman nailed four and finished with 14 points. Corpman changed the momentum of the game when he entered in the second quarter. He scored five quick points and ignited the Rams’ 17-0 run, spacing the floor.</p> <h4><strong>Toughness Wins</strong></h4> <p>Last year, Norcross out-toughed the Rams on the glass. This year, while still having the size advantage, Grayson made a concerted effort to gang rebound and fight for every carom. The Rams bullied around Norcross, outrebounding them 39-21. Norcross’ frontcourt of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quincy-ademokoya/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quincy-ademokoya/">Quincy Ademokoya</a></a> (4), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jt-thor/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jt-thor/">JT Thor</a></a> (5) and <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Joshua Taylor</strong></span> (2) struggled against Grayson’s relentless defense, combing for only 11 points. As a team, the Blue Devils mustered just 13 second half points.</p> <h4><strong>Glue Guys</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-smith-2/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-smith-2/">Josh Smith</a></a> set the tone early for Grayson, hustling in the first quarter and keeping the Rams in it after a sluggish start. He finished with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taje-kelly/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taje-kelly/">Taje Kelly</a></a> came off the bench to provide some rugged play inside while <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaden-mcarthur/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaden-mcarthur/">Kaden McArthur</a></a> gave the Rams a shot in the arm in the first quarter with a tough layup inside when Grayson was in need of offense.</p> <h4><strong>Changing of the Guard</strong></h4> <p>Norcross had been the big brother, the class of Gwinnett County, for years. The team that Grayson and so many others have been aiming to catch as far as consistency goes. After relenting the mantle of best team in the county to Meadowcreek the past two years, now Grayson has made a statement and gotten over the hump by beating the team that had ended their season twice over the past four years. It’s Grayson’s turn to win a ring. The pressure is on them, but they seem razor focused. After losing 84-80 in overtime to Newton on December 10, the Rams woke up. They turned the corner when they demolished McEachern 83-57 on December 14 and now have a rematch with the Indians in the Final Four. Since that win, the Rams have only played three games within 7 points over a 19-game stretch when prior to that win, Grayson saw five out of 10 games decided by 7 points or less. </p>