GHS Private Championship: Darlington vs Holy Innocents

The Darlington Tigers captured their first-ever state championship with a hard-fought 53–50 victory over Holy Innocents in Macon. In a tightly contested game that came down to the final moments, Darlington made the key plays necessary to secure the win. Here is a look at some of the standout performances from the championship matchup.    Hall delivered a breakout performance in the championship, erupting for 30 points to lead Darlington to victory. The junior was outstanding operating out of high ball screens, consistently creating offense and scoring at all three levels. He knocked down five shots from beyond the arc and controlled the game at the offensive end with his poise and decision-making. With his combination of strength, skill, and high basketball IQ, Hall is a prospect whose stock should continue to rise this offseason.     The unsigned senior is a skilled stretch forward who scored 9 points on Wednesday afternoon. Selig has the ability to step out and knock down shots from beyond the arc while also being capable of scoring in the paint. With his good size and versatile offensive skill set, he presents matchup challenges in the frontcourt. Selig projects as a small-college prospect who has the tools to make an impact at the next level.     The freshman plays with impressive strength and toughness, especially for his age. He has a strong frame and shows good footwork in the paint, allowing him to be effective around the basket. Ogunyemi competes well physically and shows the tools to develop into a reliable frontcourt presence. With his early physicality and developing skill set, he projects as one of the state's top frontcourt prospects in the 2029 class.     One of the state's top guards in the 2028 class, McCullough finished with 12 points in defeat while continuing to show why he is such a highly regarded prospect. The sophomore is a confident offensive player who can create his own shot off the dribble and put pressure on defenses with the ball in his hands. He is a scoring threat at all three levels, capable of knocking down perimeter shots, pulling up in the midrange, or attacking the rim. With his skill set, poise, and scoring instincts, McCullough remains a guard with significant upside as he continues to develop.     The Belmont commit did everything he could to will Holy Innocents to victory down the stretch but ultimately came up just short. He led the team with 13 points and consistently put pressure on the defense with his ability to get downhill off the dribble. He was particularly effective attacking the paint and drawing contact, earning multiple trips to the free throw line. His toughness, aggressiveness, and ability to create offense were key factors in keeping Holy Innocents competitive throughout the game.     An unsigned senior with the opportunity to play either college basketball or college football, Worthy once again made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. The senior uses his length and athleticism effectively to score around the rim and has developed a consistent midrange jumper. Defensively, he provides versatility with the ability to guard multiple positions, rebound his area, and protect the rim. With his physical tools and two-sport athletic profile, Worthy is a prospect who can bring toughness, energy, and defensive impact to the next level.

The Darlington Tigers captured their first-ever state championship with a hard-fought 53–50 victory over Holy Innocents in Macon. In a tightly contested game that came down to the final moments, Darlington made the key plays necessary to secure the win. Here is a look at some of the standout performances from the championship matchup.