2022 GHSA Playoff Trips – Final Four Pt 2

CARROLLTON, GA – Turned the buggy westward on Saturday for a trip to UWG, for the 6A semifinal doubleheader there.

By: Keith Agran

6A Semifinal #1

BUFORD 73, SEQUOYAH 72

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Malachi Brown (20 pts)

WOLVES NOTES: Brown’s incredible block with his team up 1 inside 20 seconds was the saving play of the game, and he followed that with 2 crucial FT’s that sealed the one-point win. It was another unsung performance for the 2023 point guard, who as a massively important part of this Wolves unit, often goes overlooked behind senior stars Jaylon Taylor and Alahn Sumler. Both of those two were superb as well as each team went up as many as 9 during the contest and both stormed back, with Buford doing just enough to send home the Chiefs in a terrific game where it was a shame someone has to lose.

CHIEFS NOTES: What a season and career for seniors Dylan Wolle, Kyle Keener and Fisher Mitchell (47 combined points in their final game), as the trio came within a whisker of heading to Macon. Wolle had a monster playoff run for the Chiefs, and added 25 more on this day as he scrapped and fought and left it all out there as he always does. Keener was one of the true warriors of the entire season at the guard spot, and wherever he lands at the next level will make a career out of hitting big shots and playing solid basketball. Preston Parker is the bedrock on which they will build for next year, and the junior sniper has all the makings of a star-turn this summer and into next fall.

NEXT FOR BUFORD: Grovetown down in Macon for the 6A title Friday.

6A Semifinal #2

GROVETOWN 68, LANGSTON HUGHES 63

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Frankquon Sherman (23 pts)

WARRIORS NOTES: Up as many as 16 late into the 2nd half, the Warriors appeared to tighten a bit, and Hughes’ patented pressure defense and resolve got the game incredibly down to within a point, before GT went to the line and hit 9 of 10 in the late moments to seal it. The 2nd half tactic of going inside to Sherman early and often after a first-half where guards Malik Ferguson (15 pts) and Markel Freeman controlled the action was working well before Hughes had no choice but to frantically turn up the heat. Still, this was my pick to win it early in the season, and here they are. The work by Coach Darren Douglas and this program deserve a massive amount of kudos.

PANTHERS NOTES: Such a treat to watch a Rory Welsh-coached team, as Hughes may have struggled offensively in spurts in this one, but their incredibly well-drilled defense and heart is always lurking to be unleashed, and that comes from what Welsh has built there. They lose some key pieces, but I love the foundation they have coming back in guards Randy Latham (17 pts), John McQueen and Kabrim Roberts and rising 2023 big man Jelani Thurman.

NEXT FOR GROVETOWN: Buford down in Macon for the 6A title Friday.

Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019 and has both a championship-coaching background on the HS-level and daily newspaper writing experience, both from New Jersey. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.