GHSA State Championship Preview: Class 5A-4A

<h2><strong>Class 5A</strong></h2> <h4><strong>No. 2 Dutchtown (27-4) vs. No. 8 Cedar Shoals (28-3)</strong></h4> <p>It took overtime for both to reach this point and now both programs are in position to capture their first title. Under first-year Head Coach Jordan Griffin, Dutchtown rallied to take down Kell 62-56 in overtime getting 16 points and 11 rebounds from Gardner-Webb-signee <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jamaine-mann/">Jamaine Mann</a> and 15 points from <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cam-bryant/">Cam Bryant</a>. Cedar Shoals trailed by as many as 11 before giving fans one of the greatest games in GHSA postseason history, outlasting Southwest DeKalb in four overtimes 73-72 as USC-Aiken-commit Tyler Johnson drilled a deep three at the buzzer to send the crowd spilling onto the court. Fellow future Pacer <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quincy-canty/">Quincy Canty</a> dumped in 27 points while Jerdavian Colbert’s hot play continued with 12 points. The battle of Mann and Canty inside will be fun to watch. Dutchtown will need to account for Cedar Shoals’ quick little guards and of course the heart-and-soul of the team, Johnson. The production of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kameron-hobbs/">Kameron Hobbs</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-placide/">Isaiah Placide</a> will be paramount to Dutchtown’s success.</p> <h2><strong>Class 4A</strong></h2> <h4><strong>No. 1 Woodward Academy (29-2) vs. No. 6 Cross Creek (25-6)</strong></h4> <p>Cross Creek’s historic season has propelled them to the title game but now they face their biggest test yet, both literally and figuratively. The bigger Razorbacks shut down St. Pius 51-36 and saw 6-foot-6 Presbyterian-signee <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-stewart/">Kobe Stewart</a> go for 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. 6-foot-6 post <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/corey-trotter/">Corey Trotter</a> added 11 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks. The luxury of being bigger and more athletic than their opponent over the past three rounds goes out the window as now Cross Creek will have to contend with 7-foot All-American and UNC-signee <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/walker-kessler/">Walker Kessler</a>. Kessler had a flat-out bad game against Denmark but still posted 21 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks – a scary proposition and a testament to just how good and how difficult he is to keep away from the rim. Woodward Academy trailed Denmark 25-23 at the half but busted it open for a 64-43 decision. Davidson-signee <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/emory-lanier/">Emory Lanier</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/will-richard/">Will Richard</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-whitmore/">Michael Whitmore</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jacorrei-turner/">Jacorrei Turner</a> took turns hurting the Danes. For Cross Creek to have any hope at beating Woodward Academy, it all starts with keeping Kessler as far away from the hoop as possible. He fell in love with his jumper early on against Denmark and went 0-6 from downtown which kept Denmark in the game until he wore on them on the offensive glass. It will have to be a team effort with Markell Ware, Stewart and Trotter to try to block out Kessler. Cross Creek has some size and quickness at guard, but they will be tested by the overall skill of Lanier and company. The Razorbacks strayed away from firing away threes against a smaller St. Pius team, but against Woodward Academy, Cross Creek will have to take and make three-pointers while being careful not to shoot themselves out of the game.</p>