MACON --- Laney hoisted shots two steps beyond the 3-point line. Greater Atlanta Christian navigated inside for dunks and layups.
It was clear which team got off to the better start in this Georgia High School Association Class AA semifinal on Thursday night. Laney never recovered after Greater Atlanta Christian tripled its first-quarter output.
Laney's best season since 1982 thudded to its conclusion at the Macon Centreplex with an 81-56 defeat. Greater Atlanta Christian, which never trailed and led by at least 16 points during the second half, will meet Thomasville for the championship on Saturday. Laney was after the school's first GHSA basketball title.
Laney, one of the highest- scoring teams in the state, scored 83 and 106 points in two of its playoff wins. It had only 26 points midway through the third quarter.
"I guess it falls like that sometimes," said Laney coach Justin Durham. "It's sad to see it go this way. ... They've worked hard and done everything we've asked them to do. For them to not win, it hurts me because I know they're hurt."
Laney (29-3) consistently misfired on 3-point attempts and struggled to find scorers not named Rod Hall. Jamie West's circus shot in the lane with five minutes left in the second quarter marked the first time someone other than Hall made a field goal. Hall finished with 22 points, 12 in the first half.
The Spartans (31-1) hounded Hall with multiple defenders. By the third quarter, sweat was bleeding through his jersey and undershirt.
"We wanted to keep him from getting to the rim, if at all possible," said Greater Atlanta Christian coach Eddie Martin. "He's a very unselfish player ... and we just wanted to make him work."
With its outside shots not falling, Laney struggled to score when its pressure didn't produce turnovers, primarily because of the ball-handling of Greater Atlanta Christian point guard Paul Dawson.
The Spartans were never rattled. College of Charleston recruit Trent Wiedeman, who is a sturdy 6-foot-7, scored 17 of his 23 points in the first half. Swingman Malcolm Brogdon had a game-best 24 points. The 25-point margin of victory was actually the Spartans' closest game of the playoffs.
By the time its outside shooting warmed up -- Laney hit 3s on consecutive possessions in the third quarter -- it was too late. Laney trailed by 19 at the time. Greater Atlanta Christian's quick start was the difference, Martin said.
"We set the tempo for the rest of the ball game," said Martin, whose team lost in the semifinals here a year ago. "It was critical to get off to a good start. You want to deflate people a little bit, if you can."
Matt - maybe an article about the subject everyone ignores - private schools that can recruit competing against public schools that, in theory, must use only students in their "zone". Or why a public school such as Miller Grove has (I believe) six players over 6' 5". Doesn't that seem a little strange for a student body of only 700-800 males?
I agree with you ARC fan its like playing professional atheletes. Coaches you are the voices please take a stand to stop depriving our kids the opportunity a chance for a state title. Wildcats you are the greatest in my book.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
Back 
