The second day of the GHSA basketball state championships at the Centreplex in Macon will see the ending of the seasons for Classes 2A and 4A. This file will be updated throughout the day after each game goes final.
Class 4A Boys – North Oconee 60, Pace Academy 51
North Oconee’s path to its 60-51 victory against Pace Academy in the Class 4A championship game began, well, last season. The Titans upended Holy Innocents’ 65-60 to win the program’s first-ever state championship last year and 30 victories later, whispers of a North Oconee dynasty have turned into a roar.
“It’s been a long season,” said Titans head coach Rick Rasmussen. “We are super proud of our guys. This would not be possible without the great character of guys. A lot of guys who just trust the process and have great character.”
The Titans weathered a 16-9 deficit after the first quarter and took a 27-23 lead at the half after an 18-7 effort in the second quarter. The Titans expanded the lead on an 18-12 run in the third quarter to lead 45-35 entering the fourth quarter.
“Our team is a family and our family is strong,” Rasmussen said. “The heart of our kids showed through tonight. I thought we did a great job winning the loose ball battle and just being tough and making good decisions.”
Sophomore guard Justin Wise led North Oconee with 27 points and seven rebounds while senior guard Tyler Wilkins added 14 points and three assists and junior shooting forward Khamari Brooks tallied 10 points with nine rebounds.
“It feels great because I know coach Ras believes in us a lot,” Wise said. “And a lot of guys hated on us the whole year but, I mean, we did it right now. So, they can’t say anything else.”
Junior forward Banks Pourchier scored nine points with 11 rebounds for the Titans.
Pace Academy, which was trying for a program-sixth championship, previously won titles in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2023. Senior point guard Eric Chatfield Jr led the Knights with 20 points while senior shooting forward Chandler Bing scored 15 points with eight rebounds.
“Our coaching staff is incredible and I am just super proud of our guys,” Rasmussen said.
Class 4A Girls – Creekside 57, Jackson-Atlanta 37
Creekside entered the 4A championship game having not lost a single game all season and trying for a program-first title with the defending champions standing in their way.
And after ending the first quarter tied 9-9, Creekside relied on a 15-10 run in the second quarter and a 17-4 effort in the third quarter to enjoy a waltz through the fourth quarter to secure the championship.
“Its unexplainable,” said Creekside head coach Akenna Ellis, through tears while holding up the championship trophy.
Creekside guard C’India Dennis led the Seminoles with 22 points, five rebounds and six assists while sophomore guard Jacy Mitchell added 14 points. Senior shooting forward Lia Moore tallied five points with 10 rebounds for the Seminoles.
Senior guard Aaliyah Weaver led Jackson with 20 points, seven rebounds and an assist while junior guard Cayden Cornish scored nine points with five rebounds and two assists.
Before this season, Creekside had only advanced to the playoffs five times since 1990 and a semifinals exit in 2001 was the program’s best finish.
Class 2A Boys – Butler 57, Union County 49
Butler won its lone state championship in 1966 and has always been a perennially playoff power. But with a slew of playoff victories came alongside some heartbreaking defeats.
The team, so to speak, has had their chances at a second title. There was the runner-up finish in 2004 and another runner-up effort in 2011. Three seasons ago, Butler lost out again in the championship game and last year’s semifinals exit stung.
But after outlasting Union County 57-49 in the second game of the day at the Centreplex in Macon, the Bulldogs can take home their second-ever championship trophy.
“South Augusta is a community that is counted out a lot,” said Butler head coach Chaz Clark with tears in his eyes. “These 13 young men just showed this example to not count these men from South Augusta out, man. Don’t count them out.”
Junior guard Kwamane Bridges scored 22 points with 12 rebounds to pace the Bulldogs. Sophomore guard De’Cori Fleming scored 11 points with 14 rebounds, senior guard Marcus Scurry Jr added nine points and senior guard Zyion Smith scored seven points.
Butler led 22-12 after the first quarter and 33-24 at the half before weathering a 14-12 Union County run through the third quarter before hanging on through a fourth-quarter charge to secure the victory.
Senior guard Hayden Hughes scored 17 points to lead Union County in scoring while senior guard Houston Henry added 12 points and junior forward Vince Marevka added 10 points. Union County was trying for its first state title in its second attempt after losing in the 1971 championship game.
Class 2A Girls – Hardaway 47, Murray County 34
Hardaway led 20-7 after the first quarter and 28-11 at the half on the way to the program’s first-ever state championship in the opening game of the second day at the GHSA state basketball championships at the Centreplex in Macon.
“This feels amazing,” said Hardaway head coach Kelly Ellison, who lost to Baldwin in the Class 4A championship game last season.
And the Hawks needed scoring from just four key players in the victory.
Sophomore guard Rhianna Boynton led the Hawks with 22 points and 12 rebounds while senior shooting guard Mikayla Johnson added 13 points with eight rebounds. Senior power forward Akilah Shelton had six points with 11 rebounds and senior point guard Adazha Burrell scored six points with eight rebounds.
Senior center Bayleigh Winkler scored 14 points with six rebounds while junior shooting forward Callan Ledford added 10 points with eight rebounds to lead the Indians. Murray County was trying for the team’s second state title and first since 1965.
“Thank you to the girls, who have been working hard,” Ellison said. “They deserve it.”
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