WGHS Boys and Girls Basketball Gain Wins in Region Tournament, Headed to State

On Tuesday and Saturday, the Varsity basketball teams advanced to the Region 4a playoffs. The boys played at Cedar Shoals, and the girls at home game against North Hall. Now the teams are headed to the State Tournament.
by Arynn Clayton and Jayden Barwick

(photo courtesy of @walnutgrovestool Instagram)

Saturday, the boys team cruised past Cedar Shoals to advance to the region playoffs. This team had previously lost to Cedar Shoals three months ago. This win now marks the team record at 23-24. 

Coach Witherspoon felt that rebounding was the underlying factor that helped win them the game. He said, “We limited the amount of rebounding in the second half. They scored 46 in the first half and only 12 in the second half. And the other team was way bigger than us, and they were killing us in the first half, but we did a good job of limiting them to one shot in the second.”

This game was relatively close going into the 3rd quarter. Jonathan Isaac commented on the change of mentality going into the 3rd quarter. “I would say our energy picked up in the second half, and we started playing defense more.” This was key for the team to run away with the game.  Jonathan Isaac also said he contributed to the team by, “being the energy on the team, like helping our bench stay active and chanting for defense, and cheering for our starters”

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(photo courtesy of WGHS Twitter)

Guard Tyler Jewell played exceptional defense throughout the game. He feels that the team playing more together, and communicating well led to their success. He also talked about how far this team can go, stating, “I think we'll go pretty far, as far as state, if we keep doing what we’re doing.” 

The boys team also achieved a win over Cherokee Bluff on 2/13 by a score of 58-56. They will play for the 1st or 2nd seed on Thursday 2/15 vs. Seckinger. On the bright side, they have clinched the state playoffs as at least a 3 or 4 seed.

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(photo courtesy of @walnutgrovestool Instagram)

The Walnut Grove High School Lady Warriors played a great game Monday night earning them a spot in state. Previously, the girls win loss record was 15-7, but this win only brings it up to a 16-7. The warriors continue to climb up in their Georgia rankings also, as it has now increased to 120. 

Shooting guard, Nakiya Davis, says she feels that she contributed to her team by being the main hype man of it all. “I feel like I'm always very positive and persuasive. I’m always hyping up my teammate.” Nakiya also expresses her hopes for the future of her team in regionals and state. “I feel like we can go very far... and possibly go to state if we continue on this road.”

Senior, and starting point guard, Cameria Reed feels as if her team's win was a result of better teamwork skills. “Our defense, I feel like we did better at communicating and talking on defense. My teammates kept me in the game and focused.” Being one of the many seniors on the team, Cameria says that she feels her team should go pretty far into state and regionals.

With these wins under both teams' belts, and a new world heading into regionals and state, it can be shown that the WGHS Warriors can continue to grow and thrive as they move on. 

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(photo courtesy of Hudl.com)