Liberty County High School scored their first state title in the new school’s history Thursday night upsetting Jonesboro High 58-52 for the class AAAA trophy.
The championship game was held at the Macon Centreplex, where a slew of Liberty County High School fans wore black T-shirts in support of their home-town team.
Just down the road at Mercer University First Presbyterian Christian Academy beat Windsor Academy 78-65 in the Georgia Independent School Association Class AA semi-final game.
Liberty vs. Jonesboro
The pace was fast and furious and the point spread narrow, as the Cardinals kept pace with the Panthers. A mere four points is what separated the Liberty boys from the two-time defending champions at the end of the first and second quarters. That four point advantage was enough for the Panthers to build on as they controlled the ball and the clock to claim the title.
The Cardinals covered Panther guard Davion Mitchell as was expected, but they failed to realize the talent of the Liberty squad extends beyond one player. Richard LeCounte played aggressive and tipped back a couple of trey shots to pull the team ahead. Sophomore Will Richardson looked composed as he nailed every free throw, controlled the ball and also nailed a three-pointer, much to the Cardinals’ dismay and surprise.
Panther coach Julian Stokes maintained the team’s composure on the bench and on the floor up until that final second when the buzzer sounded and the players rushed to the center of the court to celebrate their accomplishment.
The Liberty boys finished the season 28-1 overall, 10-0 in Region 3-AAAA and the 2016 Class AAAA State Champions.
The Courier will post an update as more stats and information becomes available.
FPCA vs. Windsor Academy
First Presbyterian Christian Academy beat Windsor Academy 78-65 in the Georgia Independent School Association Class AA semi-final game.
It appeared the FPCA boys were going to coast to victory in the semi-final draw but Windsor Academy had other plans in store.
FPCA had a 36-20 lead at the half but were outscored 32-16 in the third quarter which ended tied 52-52. Highlander coach Shane Smith made a few adjustments and the Highlander boys buckled down and focused.
FPCA’s George Mitchell scored a game-high 35 points, Khalyn Weekley had 13 and Isaiah Scott chipped in 13 for the double digit scorers.
The Highlander boys will look to take their fourth state title but they have to get past Furtah Preparatory Academy, from Acworth, to earn the title.
FPCA’s championship game is Saturday at 3:40 p.m. at Mercer University in Macon.
The Courier will post an update as more stats and information becomes available.