The old adage of how difficult it is to beat the same team three times in a season hasn’t met the First Preparatory Christian Academy Highlanders.

The Highlanders not only beat the same team for the fourth time in the season in the semifinals, they beat another team for the third time this year to complete their back-to-back state championships – and they did it with back-to-back rides across the state.

“It was amazing,” said Highlanders coach Shane Smith. “It was a wonderful, wonderful feeling. Back-to-back is tough. Winning one is hard – back-toback is tough. I was extremely happy for the kids because they worked hard all season long to get there. It’s hard to get back and defend the state championship. There’s a lot of things involved in getting there and finishing it.”

The Highlanders capped their GIAA Class A state boys basketball championship defense with a convincing 76-49 win Friday over Citizens Christian Academy, the third win in three tries over the Patriots for FPCA this season, at Columbus State University’s Lumpkin Center.

“We play in the toughest region in the state,” Smith said. “It prepares you for the playoffs. We basically played a region tournament twice in two weeks.

“I’m super proud of them. I can’t say enough about the way they played.”

The Highlanders trailed the Patriots by two at halftime, and Smith chided his team that they hadn’t played their game yet. Smith had eased off the pressure to save their legs, giving the turnaround time and the long drives across the state.

“At halftime, the conversations in the locker room were extremely positive,” he said.

By the end of the third quarter, FPCA held a seven- point lead and CCA’s threat was over.

“That’s the thing about this team – they never panic,” Smith said.

Robert McCloud topped the Highlanders in scoring in the state title game. De’vion Clark had 18 points, and Brandon Betton added 14 points and 10 assists. Malachi Furlow scored 12 points.

FPCA beat Robert Toombs Christian Academy 58-52 in the semifinals at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, their fourth win in four clashes with the Crusaders. They drove back to Hinesville, getting home around 2 a.m., and were back on the road for a nearly five-hour trip to Columbus.

“We took the hard road,” Smith joked.

The drive to Columbus for a state title game was in jeopardy early on against RTCA. The Crusaders held a 20-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

“I told the kids, ‘you’ve dug a deep hole. It’s now or never,’” Smith said of his talk to his team between periods. “The kids told me they were about to go on a 20-0 run.”

It turned out to be a 24-3 run.

“That let me know these kids are capable of anything,” Smith said. “I thought our kids really dug deep.”

While facing frequent foes RTCA and CCA in the last two state playoff games means not having to a do a lot of scouting, it also means, those teams are familiar with what Smith and the Highlanders like to do.

“I like to sneak in two or three things they aren’t looking for,” he said of his plan.

Even with the rugged region schedule, Smith fortifies the schedule before GIAA Region 6A games commence. The Highlanders faced South Effingham and Beaufort (S.C.) on their schedule and had a preseason scrimmage with Bradwell Institute.

“I try to put together a tough pre-region schedule,” Smith said, “so we’re not overconfident and we’re playing at our ability. And it’s helped. As long as we play to our ability, we shouldn’t have any problems.”

With the bulk of this year’s roster expected to return for 2026-27, Smith is eyeing a three-peat performance.

“They understand the standard,” he said. “I like our chances. It’s early but I like our chances.”