Ider, Plainview, Geraldine Teams Advance to Finals
By Cinthia Rico JACKSONVILLE – DeKalb County teams were well represented at the 2024 AHSAA Northeast Regional Basketball Tournament at Jacksonville State University last week.
Representing the girls in Class 2A, the Ider Lady Hornets, in Class 3A, the Sylvania Lady Rams, and the Plainview Lady Bears.
Representing the boys in Class 3A, the Plainview Bears, and the Geraldine Bulldogs.
Ider 62, Sand Rock 51
On Friday, Feb. 16, Ider defeated Sand Rock 62-51 in the Class 2A semifinal matchup.
Aubree Chapman led the Hornets with a second-half 19-point burst, while Kennzie Smith scored 18 points in the opening period.
Addisyn Heard and Makinley Traylor each added 8 points; Paisley Chapman had 4, Julie Mavity recorded 3, and Cambree Chapman chipped in 2 for Ider.
The Hornets got off to an explosive start and built a 19-9 first-period lead. While its defense fought to contain Sand Rock in the second, the Ider offense put up 11 more points for a 30-25 halftime advantage.
Ider gained steam in the second half, scoring 21 points more and holding Sand Rock to just 12 in the process, winning 62-51.
Feeling proud of their win, head coach Jamie Pruett praised the girls for their performance as the Lady Hornets look to secure a spot in the Final Four.
With the victory, the Lady Hornets moved on to the Class 2A final on Wednesday, February 21, where they will take on a familiar rival, Pisgah.
Susan Moore 85, Sylvania 38
On Saturday, Feb. 17, Sylvania fell to Susan Moore 85-38 in the Class 3A semifinal game one matchup.
Taylor Martin paced the Rams with a team-high 10 points, Molly Weaver added 9, Meredith Jackson tallied 7, Jaidyn Ashley posted 4, and Alli Murdock, Natalie Atchley, Aubrey Morgan, and Stormie Little each chipped in 2 for Sylvania.
Hanging tight in the opening period, Sylvania posted 16 points to kick off the game. Despite falling behind in the second, the Lady Rams continued to battle the next three frames, closing out their season with a 12-22 record.
Plainview 64, Susan Moore 29
Also on Saturday, the Plainview boys overpowered Susan Moore 64-29 in the Class 3A semifinal game one matchup.
Landon White led the Bears with a game-high 13 points, Ty Griggs and Cy Traylor each added 9 points, Eli Sampson contributed 7, Owen Wilborn and Grant Nickelson each tallied 6, and Try Rutledge had 5, while Sawyer Wilborn, Owen Hope, Jay Williams, and Austin Anderson each netted 2, and Tristan Thurmond chipped in one for Plainview.
Following a steady launch, the Bears built on their 13-6 lead, adding 13 additional points in the second. “In the beginning of the third quarter, we discussed in the locker room, and in those first few minutes of the quarter, we had to come out and set a tone,” said head coach Cale Black.
“I thought the guys did really well, he added. “I credit these guys for coming out and answering the call at halftime.”
Leading 26-19 at the break, Plainview’s offensive pressure picked up in the second half as the Bears added 38 more points while its defense limited Susan Moore to just 10 points en route to a 64-29 final.
With the win, the Bears advance to face a familiar rival, Geraldine, on Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Class 3A boys final. The matchup marks the sixth meeting between the two.
Of playing against Geraldine, coach Black said the players look forward to any challenge.
“We’ve won three, they’ve won two; it’s been some good battles,” he added. “I think the facility here will love to see it. It will be packed out and have a great atmosphere.”
Plainview 72, Piedmont 24
The Lady Bears on Saturday powered past Piedmont 72-24 in the Class 3A semifinal game two matchups. Sawyer Kate Hulgan led Plainview with a game-high 20 points; Kami Sanders added 14; Lauren Jimmerson had 12; and Gracie Rowell finished with 10.
Miley Dukes netted nine points, Ali Price had four, and Zanna Ferfusan chipped in three for the Bears win. Head Coach Luke Griggs said they have a great group of girls who have put in the time and worked hard.
“We are so proud of them,” he added. We have five seniors who are really locked in—they know this is their last go around.
We are all in this year, and we are super excited to be here.”
The Lady Bears got off to a tremendous start, building a staggering 42-5 opening-period cushion. Piedmont was limited to 10 points in the first half by Plainview, who led by 42 points at the half.
In addition to scoring 20 more points in the second half, Griggs took the opportunity to clear the bench en route to a 72–24 triumph.
With the victory, the Lady Bears progressed to the Class 3A Girls championship on Thursday, February 22, where they will play Susan Moore.
Of their upcoming rematch against Susan Moore, Griggs said, “Our girls have been working towards this all year — we are ready for the challenge.”
Geraldine 71, Piedmont 50
The Geraldine Bulldogs rolled past Piedmont with a strong 71-50 victory in Saturday’s Class 3A semifinal final matchup of the evening.
Connor Johnson and Lucas Bryant co-led the Geraldines offensive pressure, recording a game-high 21 points apiece. Redick Smith added 15, Jaxon Colvin finished with 12, and Carlos Mann chipped in two for the Bulldogs.
Despite a slow start, Geraldine gained steam in the second period, narrowing the gap to 23-21 at halftime.
“I was really pleased with the way we played the second half and the effort we put into it,” said head coach Jeremy Smith. “We pumped up defensive intensity—we really tried to attack the rim.”
The Bulldogs hit the court with determination in the second half, posting a staggering 34 points in the third, while limiting Piedmont to 16.
Geraldines’ defense put in some work in the fourth to contain Piedmont, while its offense worked to further their advantage en route to a 71-51 victory.
Of their upcoming matchup with Plainview, Smith said, “We really know each other’s stuff—this time of the year, it really comes down to the Jimmys and the Joes—we are going to see what we can do.”
Editor’s Note: The Class 2A and 3A Finals were not completed before press time; look for coverage in an upcoming edition of Mountain Valley News.
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