Presents the Georgia High School's state championship for Sport by IBEW 613 South Trust Bank, Georgia's electric membership corporations Dodge State Farm and by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Live from the Arena at Gwinnett Center, it's the 24 GHC four eight Girls Basketball Championship featuring the St Pius Golden Lions and the Columbus Blue Devils.

And good afternoon, everybody, and welcome.

I'm Jim to Knockhill Championship weekend here on Georgia Public Broadcasting for games on tap on the schedule.

It's going to be an exciting day.

Golden lions come in at 28 and three.

The Blue Devils at 25.

And for both teams looking for their first state championship, two guys call it a courtside Dave Garner and go bucks.

All right.

Thanks, Jim.

Again, here with the dean of Atlanta Sports, Bo Boy.

And Bo, thanks for being with us.

I tell you what, quite a girls action.

As Jim said, Saint Pius and Columbus, two teams that took two different routes to get here, but both with one common goal, that being a state champion.

And I think we're going to see two different styles here today.

I think you're going to see the quickness of Columbus and you're going to see the dominating power and size of Saint Pius, and it's going to be one doozy of a game.

We've got one girl who's been recruited by Geno Auriemma Auriemma at Connecticut.

That's Keisha's one year.

And then you're going to see Kelly Cain from Saint Pius, who's six four and only a freshman.

Both of these teams are young.

And speaking of Kelly Cain's six foot four freshman and I tell you what, impressive numbers right there, Bo, to say the least.

Look at that.

18 points as a freshman, ten boards and six blocks per game.

She really dominated.

It's going to be interesting to see how Columbus set defenses her.

And you think about her as an offensive player as you get a look at the starting five there, Morgan Calvert Kane, Adams and Collier back here and and Katie the two wins for Saint Bias.

And indeed they are just as strong offensively as Kane and we will see that again this afternoon.

Yeah.

Katie two inches shorter at five five and she'll run the point for C Pius.

They're going to look at Stephanie Dunn in her second season as Saint Pius head coach.

She's done an excellent job She has and look at that winning percentage and that's going to continue because she only has one senior starter.

Now, of course, the Columbus Lady Blue Devils come in here out of region two quarter and they took a little bit different route unranked most of the year.

They're looking for some respect tonight.

I think they got respect in their last game because they knocked off number one Stone Mountain and they did it in in a very handsome way.

They are a good club.

They're a very quick team.

And you're going to see a wonderful point guard in just one year who he said was recruited by Geno Auriemma.

Yeah, and Keesha, of course, an excellent player.

We're going to see a lot of great athletes on the floor here tonight.

There's one right there.

There's couture right there.

And you see she's got all the moves and averaging 17 points a game, almost six boards.

And look at the steals, almost nine steals, 8.39 steals per game.

So she's got quick hands and she's going to pressure Saint Pius, of course, the starting five for Columbus Maddox, Talley Williams Long and yeah as we mentioned right here again the five six senior and of course she will look to lead Columbus to a state championship here tonight.

But it's certainly going to be tough against Saint Pius.

And this is a great venue here, the Gwinnett Civic Center for a high school championship basketball.

You can hear the crowd in back of us.

They're getting into it.

There's Ashley Powell, the head coach at Columbus, also a great winning percentage, 846 and only a fourth year at Columbus.

Indeed a great matchup, of course, the first quarter match up here.

Of course, the girls game going at it.

And I tell you what, some great athletes out there and certainly looking forward to it.

And I think it's going to be a real good night of high school basketball here.

And we appreciate you coming on in there with us.

The quickness of Columbus versus the power and size of Saint Pius is going to be a heck of a match up.

All right.

Sounds good.

We've got another member of our broadcast team today.

It's Mr. Phil Proctor.

He's standing courtside.

What's going on, my man?

all right, Dave.

I got three words for you.

Defense, defense, defense.

I think that's exactly what we're going to see a lot of the day.

Both these teams are very aggressive.

They will hustle.

You probably see bodies flying over tables and everything else.

Now, both of these coaches are going to expect some points off those turnovers.

Columbus will have one additional challenge, and that is the presence of six foot four.

Kelly Kane and you guys talked about earlier.

It's going to be real challenging going inside.

They're going to block shots, but she's going to alter shots, but she's definitely going to make a big difference.

One other thing to keep in mind, these girls just play less than 24 hours ago.

So it'll be interesting to see how how they can get their legs, keep their legs throughout this game.

I think it'll come down to one thing.

It's a battle of the wheels.

Who wants this game the most day?

Back to you.

A very, very good point there, Phil, and I think that's going to be a key indeed with the teams playing last night, who's going to have the fresh legs down the court late in that fourth quarter?

Well, we've got a big crowd.

We've got a championship game.

Makes no difference that it was just 24 hours ago.

They'll be running on adrenaline.

I think maybe if fatigue does become a factor, it will be late in the fourth quarter.

We'll see who can execute under pressure.

Right.

We talked about both teams taking different routes in order to get here.

As you take a look, of course, at the road for Saint Pius Ridge.

One 5836 look at those scores, but 87 points against North Atlanta.

And that is pretty much been the trend that's continued for the Golden Lions all throughout the playoffs.

Of course, 6339 over Kendrick in the semifinal game here last night.

Here, of course, is the road for Columbus Derby in the first round.

Hephzibah Shaw and of course, Stone Mountain, the big overtime thriller last night, 53, 50 to Stone Mountain was number one there, 29 and coming into that game, 29 and one.

Now those are Columbus again hoping for another upset here tonight.

So you can imagine how pumped Columbus is.

They're ready to go.

They want two big upsets in a row and then they're feeling pretty good about themselves.

Watch their quickness this afternoon.

They're really going to be something, especially Keisha's one year on the point.

And of course, we talked about the crowd falling in here and they came in here quick.

I mean, 20, 30 minutes ago that weren't that many people in here.

Both Columbus has brought a lot of folks say pines, of course, right down the road as well.

They're here and we are in the house, is certainly looking forward to a good day of some high school basketball.

A lot of traffic on 85 for this afternoon.

Everyone's trying to get home.

Let's go ahead and throw it to our NPR.

ANNOUNCER David Rivera, Murray County with the starting lineups, gold and lions.

Now let's meet the starting lineup first for the St Pius Golden Lions.

At guard number three, Joy Adams.

AD forward Number four, Katie Kovacs at Guard Number five, Carey Culver at forward number 32, Whitney Morgan And at center number 52, Kelly Key, the head coach of Saint Pius is Stephanie Dunn.

I know I work.

I ad now let's meet the starters for the Columbus Lady Blue Devils at guard number 14, Latasha La at guard number 21.

Kisha Swann Yay!

AD forward number 32.

Isaiah Maddox ad forward number 41.

Khadijah Talley And at center number 44, Chastity Williams, The head coach of Columbus is Ashley Powell.

All right, tip off right around the corner again, quiet.

A girls action.

Up first, girl.

Go ahead, take a timeout and be right back with the tip off.

Safe bias, Golden lions, The Columbus Lady Blue Devils going at it.

Quality match up.

We'll be right back.

I got girl, I got they've got Turbo back with it.

Bill Proctor with us as well.

Saint Pius and Columbus getting ready to go at it as we kick off championship weekend from the arena at Gwinnett Center.

And the officials for this championship contest are Roy Lee Honeycutt, Don Zook and April Goode, both teams loaded with stars.

Here again, the Golden Lions, as we mentioned, 28 and three.

Overall.

They control the opening tip, Columbus.

They get it here at 25.

And for Columbus in the zone in the outside shot, three point shot right off the bat for 40, calling it the five a junior, averaging 13 points a game in Saint Pius.

They want off in a hurry here and Columbus is known for that quickness They got the match up quicker in that zone year with the basketball outside being guarded by Gary Karlovic the shot from outside no good there Rebound Ice Maddox kept it alive momentarily and will stay with you.

Excuse me, Dave, did you see the range and he's just one year.

wow.

Holy cow.

And see Pius opens up, man to man Lady Blue Devils inbound.

The basketball trying to get him in there.

Take it away.

Katie called the ball on the other end.

that's Troy Adams up and him with the left hand.

You can tell that they're well-coached, they've broken the ball and soon it as is up in the air.

They knew they had it for a morgan number 32 with the basketball momentarily trying to feed it inside and they're going to get Chastity Williams for the foul underneath for the Columbus fans, a lot of them sitting right behind us here, Boy, they're heckling everybody in this video.

They didn't like that at all.

Chastity Williams, a tough matchup for her at 511 against the six four Kelly Kane.

I walk by Kelly Kane on the way in.

I thought it was at the Hawks game, the first one in and out of the game.

And you've got to remember, she's just a freshman and that's the thing.

I mean, you've got a freshman leader in Kane.

She's going to be around a few years as you see her numbers.

Look at that little baby face off the back of the iron.

No good there.

Maybe some early game jitters, perhaps from the free throw line there to say keeps it alive.

The shot is up and it rattles in and out of there for Katie Karlovic, and it will stay the same time.

Well, you get a nice touch and all.

They look so far been open.

They force at one time inside to Kelly.

Here it is again shot a little short right there and take it down and going back the other way.

This one here a little scary right there and it's coming back the other way.

Tough ball.

Boy, she really can handle it, though.

Gates is one eight and see why Geno Auriemma likes her so much.

He looks like she wants to run the show and knows how.

Well, Kerry it up top over to her twin sister.

Now back three point range, pulls the trigger and hits Columbus.

May have to go, girl.

The girl because they're getting too many open shots.

Open looks against that zone eight.

Nothing beats all the lions out on a run here in the first minute and a half.

Swanny dribbles that one off the leg.

It goes out of bounds.

I just talked about her handle and she's got a beauty.

But maybe a little opening game jitters here, going lions averaging over 70 points a game this year.

That's quite an output.

And on the other end right there, Katie calls the adds another bucket.

She's got five here and caught the defender betwixt and between.

She was able killing Kane like she was going to dish it It took it right to the side of the rim.

they could get a58 guard her twin sister at five five.

So you could tell a little bit of difference between Columbus.

Meanwhile, back on the other end.

no.

Look.

Pass from Swan here.

But Williams wasn't ready for it.

You can tell this one is got the goods, though.

That was a heck of a pass.

He sees the floor.

That's a must for a point guard.

You saw Coach Ashley Powell on the bench there for the Lady Blue Devils from the corner team down there.

She's been a cheerleader this year in addition to a head coach.

Turnovers Columbus already with five here the first couple of minutes shot from outside No good pelvic ball in your own shot up and in man man what a player out there Bo.

Yeah she really has.

She's that knows how to play the game.

She's got a good stroke he takes it.

Timeout there follows a shy 32nd timeout called by Columbus and Saint Pius off to a 12 run here as you get another look at that Katie Karlovic again averaging 13 points a game and she's well on track for that She's already got over half that right now.

And Sea Pace has never really gone into Kelly Kane yet and they're not doubling her, they add.

They're playing that zone.

They got a little frenzy back on her, but that's soft as well.

546 to go opening quarter.

Let's go to Ashley now.

Of course, in her first fourth season, as we mentioned.

Well, Columbus now just has to settle down.

They've got their opening game, opening quarter jitters out of the way.

They've got to relax, spread the floor and maybe keep this one.

Take it off the dribble.

I used to Mattocks dribbling St Pius with a little bit of backward pressure here They will pressure both teams really, as Bill said in the beginning.

Defense, defense, defense.

They really win with defense, even though they've got the office members of the back.

A great screen shot, too strong off the board.

Williams keeps it alive and looks it back out, knocked away and it will stay with Columbus.

The matchup today for Swanny as we talk about for Columbus number 21 of course he is born and look what St Pius does is they put here he colavito on the other team's best player and so Kovic taking on Swanny today, that's where we find the best defender.

His sister is Terry just was rocked by a great story of Steve, of course coming off of emotional wins last night.

Tough shot, knocked away from some one back on the other end for on to momentarily and it's going to be an offensive foul it'll go the other way.

They're going to get Kyrie Cole for the charge I think Carey also took the charge at the other end.

If he can get the ball on it that time was victimized by 12 left opening quarter.

Glad you could join us right here.

GPB Championship weekend high school basketball it's honor ball back with.

Yeah Wow.

What a shot.

Wow.

This one here.

Right here.

And that's what we've been talking about.

There's a great hesitation dribble and he took it right to the rim.

The first points of the ballgame for Columbus.

Still a ten point game, though, going lions and a little push from behind right there are going to be called it looks like on a flash along that was a touch along with a push in the back Absolutely Good call by the by the referee there That was Zell key making that call off the inbound three point shot from the corner.

Short Karlovic, though, keeps it alive and can't get the shot to go.

That was Katie and Columbus with the rebound and he called.

They're very active.

Swansea is back on the other end, puts up the shot on the mark wouldn't quite go and Joy Adams working with it behind the back dribble and comes up with a jump shot She's really got everything and there's that high right there A great pass from Kovac into the big girl Kelly Game Safe has really done a great job of seeing the floor.

He's getting people open and hitting the open.

Girl full court press into Williams.

Swansea will bring it across.

Watch her play.

4 minutes left looking inside Williams Actually, that's tally with the turnaround Post it up composition That's one thing that Kelly Kane's got to learn to be a little more active on defense.

He could have helped out there and really didn't do anything and taken away good hands right there by Swansea.

Kiesha trying to dry out had it knocked away Katie Collins they the steal three on one on the other end and we'll go back to Columbus Heads up D there.

She waited too late to get too deep into the key before she decided to get a four on one.

You just move the ball early and make the defensive play a commit and then you've got an open layup.

338 first quarter, still a ten point game 14 for Swann.

Yeah.

Quickly on the other end nice pass inside up and in for Max Dwayne Hayes one of the most accomplished girls high school players I've seen in a long time tip ever back on the other end that ball's going out of bounds Pass to tall and a quick turnover right there so Caruthers after that timeout settling down a little bit, trying to work their way back into it.

There you see it right there And that time, Joy Adams bringing the ball up.

Saint Pius was victim of a run and jump and old game Smith ploy and it worked for Columbus 32nd timeout by coach Ashley Powell and the Lady Blue Devils.

If you look at some of the fans that have filed it here today, sporting the school colors, great to see a good crowd out here.

Is this Stephanie Dunn talking to her, her group, but stepping down in her second season, Coach Ashley Powell, as we mentioned in her fourth year, a lot of good talent on the floor here today, A lot of college prospects, as we mentioned, of course, one eight basically headed to Connecticut.

And of course, she's got some future stars, if you will, here, just to name a lot of juniors.

And of course, that freshman came on state finals.

Whitney Morgan is the senior, the lone season starter for Saint Byes.

She doesn't always pour in the most points, but she's their biggest defensive player.

Well, steady when they've got experience like that dame.

You just want it some experience out on the floor the ball taken away Quick move there by Kyrie Karlovic.

You got a hand on it.

Gary and Katie, boy, they are both active.

You figure they both averaged 23 points a game between the two of them.

That's a lot of output from the quarter short off the mark for Italy.

But Maddox will keep it alive and give what a pass and that ball wouldn't go in there off the bank shot and Kane brings it down on the other end.

Ford lines quickly down the floor, two on one momentarily and a travel going to be called right there Hanover.

See that's the one thing that the state PIs is not doing well in this game.

They're not passing the ball on the fast break.

Joy Adams got 20 deep once again, could not make the pass.

It was a two on one.

You make the pass early to make the defender commit and then you give it back to the open girl for the layup.

243 first quarter action here at the arena Gwinnett Center.

A little turnaround at their hits but here's a tally the 5/10 senior with a bucket if you notice that Columbus is playing now with a lot more poise.

They know where they're going, the ball, they're getting better shots back on the other end and a foul going to be called here.

That was Whitney Morgan trying to take it up.

She will go to the line.

There are going to be foul, going to be on one, two, three.

Look at that last shot.

Now they're shooting it much more confidently.

And Morgan down at the line hits on the first.

That's why you want a senior on the floor.

Exactly.

They're going to look at her numbers for points average but again, rebounds, steals.

And she has really been the senior leader in an out on the second one.

They're still loose and Swansea kept it alive along that baseline there for the Lady Blue Devils nearing the two minute mark been up and down the floor.

We barely had a chance to catch our breath here.

Maddox Tough shot would go try to follow her own shot, draws the foul dramatic say 5/10 sophomore so of course overshadows a lot of people at six foot four.

But she's also got some 510 girls out there as well playing a lot of high.

I didn't know if he called in and Katie Tolliver were on Kelly pins.

So the player substitution slot here will take a breather.

That's number 11.

Tessa Washington five four Sophomore sex into the game as you a look at Swann you take a seat Swann is just so active you have to give a blow every now and again and coach wanting to talk to her him coach Powell about what she sees and what's going to be open for her jump ball position.

Arrow will stay with Columbus in the Lady Blue Devils that big upset last night it's number one stone Mount 5352 in overtime trying to carry the momentum over into today's championship shot short from tally.

It looks like one of the golden lions banged up there.

Yeah Whitney Morgan, 32, took a shot.

They'll stop play.

She really hit the deck hard.

She went up to intercept that pass.

She came down to go chiropractic time on Monday.

Well, Saint Pius will inbound here 15 eight Going lion six one run right here.

Let's throw it down to Phil Whitney.

Go down there just a second ago.

I'll talk to Coach Dunn earlier and ask her who was the sparkplug on this team.

She said Whitney Moore.

She does that.

She does the things, the little things that they need.

She's not doesn't want to score alone, but defensively, she's always a presence.

Joy Adams with the three pointer there for Saint Pius and the Gold Line to extend that lead out there a little bit 18 eight back with ten points traveling right there just the presence of Kelly came close in the travel.

She'll do that.

I tell you what, she made me run the other way.

I think it's good for an only 14 years old.

Something a lot of pressure on the basketball double dribble right there.

Good defense pilots hash along for disrupting their Columbus picking up there now as well as their offense getting better.

So off the inbound there now, both teams will pressure on defense.

We'll finally see a lot more full court press today.

But with the tempo as fast as it's been, I don't think the team really wants to wear the other one out yet, especially coming off of a game last night.

No, I agree.

And say players getting a little bit antsy now they've got an 18 day lead, but they feel that Columbus is they also feel that they're more in the game and I think say players is pressing a little bit and picking up some cheap fouls.

One takes the seat.

Chastity Williams checking back in the lineup for Columbus the five a junior shot from outside short from Talley and back the other way Saint Pius two on one through the trailer there Whoa good hustle by Washington to knock that ball away But a whistle and a foul reportedly.

So the third fast break in a row from Saint Pius where nobody gave up the ball.

Ford lines off the and basketball story right there as you get a look.

And there's a three point shot, eight of nine as you saw, nine of ten now.

Yeah, that's a unbelievable job.

Really hitting all out, of course, on that 12 over run to start the game.

Columbus has since climbed back into it.

But now the goal line, just trying to get back into that rhythm.

They started out on, by the way, they just taken Whitney Morgan into the locker room.

Big block right there for Kelly Kane.

It's her first block of the ballgame and we might see a couple more here today averaging six per game.

She's going to get a little rest if the pace of this game matters, will check on out for Columbus as well.

But he could have a basketball taken away back on the other end all alone as Katie Tolliver lays it up.

And in nine points for Katie Tolliver here in this first quarter, they've only converted two of six fast breaks.

They've had a lot of opportunities.

Look at this girl.

Handle the ball one to watch it.

You like watching Kenny Anderson shot walk out there, whistle away from the basketball.

Looks like it's going to be offensive against Washington.

It's going to be five team fouls on Columbus and still 35 seconds left to play in this first quarter.

So both teams need to be careful.

Three team fouls on stay positive.

One so full of it to inbound it Now Columbus showing some backcourt pressure here Troy Adams with the basketball being guarded by Washington gets rid of it That's Karlovic Katie in the lane put up a top shot wouldn't go no whistle and Columbus back and running the other way 28 pulls up three point land off the back of the iron No good battles for the loose ball though get thrown shot back How about that good hustle.

That one's going to be a little bit short from Washington, but the foul is up and in the nice job there by Williams inside.

You know when you see this one game you hear it Geno Auriemma was here, recruited here.

And once it becomes the Connecticut, you say, well, she's only five six and she's slight build.

And about 5 minutes into the game you say, now I see 2310 Saint Bias over Columbus at the end of one.

We'll be right back with quarter number two from the arena at Gwinnett Center, Dave Garner.

Bobak with you as we get set for a second quarter action from the Arena Gwinnett Center, Saint Bias in Columbus, going at it for the quarter girls championship.

All right.

That's the gold line to 513 as we start the second quarter.

Get a look at coach Stephanie Dunn and say bias on the bench.

They're trying to keep the momentum going for her team.

Shot off the mark there.

Columbus going back the other way with it.

Swann fires it past his side.

How about that?

They get the shot, the passing thing, the floor.

I tell you what, if you play with Lisa Swann to you, you better be ready for the ball at any time.

That's on her, Bobak.

Phil Proctor with us as well, our man courtside today.

Glad you could join us to put it over the top two.

Kelly Kane tries to come outside with it, but Morgan, with the basketball and going to get the foul ball right there again.

MORGAN As we talk about it, eight points against Rockdale County in the quarter finals, kind of been that way all year long.

But defensively, she is the heart and soul and good to see her back on the floor.

They had taken her into the locker room so she's okay back and running the other way quickly Latosha long down the floor up and in five four guard another freshman in the lineup here tonight gets the layup quickly back on the other little reverse layup.

man.

MORGAN But Kane is there for the follow still one go jump ball call possession arrow and go back to Columbus and Morgan really wants to get into this game in a hurry quickly she's proving that she's okay That would have been a heck of a shot without a doubt.

So again Columbus trailing 2312 here, 7 minutes left in the first half, trying to cut into the gap here a little bit, maybe trying to cut that lead down to single digits.

A little turnaround baseline wouldn't quite go Joy Adams up with it pushes ahead to Morgan and Morgan will look inside there gets it inside to the big girl Kelly Kane but Kelly's got a presence in there they've getting away with not doubling over.

I think at some point you have to do it.

Look at that spin move.

Wow, He's just one year.

You know, there's not many people in the world, boy or girl, who can make that move without slowing down.

And then right back on the other end, Joy Adams counters.

And as we mentioned, they barely had time to catch our breath, but a quick time out on the floor right now, both teams up and down the floor, not a whole lot of defense really counts those last couple of series Jesus, when he drove that ball right into the heart of the defender and then a 180 quick lickety split quick right off it and never missed a beat Watch it right here.

Let you penetrate and it without losing any momentum or any speed Incredible works for Saint Pius 2714.

Here was the Golden Lions, the first trip to the semifinals last night since 1958.

And of course, the Lady Blue Devils unranked, as we mentioned, a good bit of the year.

They got some respect, though, as you mentioned, both last night beating number one Stone Mountain.

Well, that was a heck of a win for them.

And they couldn't help it celebrate and maybe stay up a little bit later and try to talk about it or even, you know, go to your rooms early and you can't fall asleep because you can't stop reliving that game.

You look at Coach Stephanie Dunn, You know, we talk about Swanny just seven points really last night.

She's actually been bothered by a sore ankle all postseason.

She certainly didn't look like at that last No, she's a tough kid and she's got great range, too.

And a jump shot is just not going to hit yet.

That's the mark of a true champ is to have your leading scorer held under ten and still be able to win a basketball again.

That says a lot about the supporting cast one year with the basketball little crossover move right there and got shot to fall.

Wow, that pie is up by 11.

And you know, this one is going to factor in this game.

Good ball movement right there, Lady Lions spread the floor.

Kyrie Karlovic with the bucket one back up the other end with the basketball there gets it back to I will no look pass that time though it didn't quite look open good defense there by Morgan who was in the way position tally number 41 also really looks smooth out here she's got an excellent jump shot excellent range and I think Columbus is going to be just going to show up prominently in the later stages of this game off the inbound up.

And there Isaiah Maddox with the bucket right there, quick bucket and traveling going to be called on Adams for the ball right back to the Lady Blue Devils and they've got to make it happen right here both times as they put the run and jump on Joy Adams.

She's turning the ball over so Columbus will inbound the basketball here, trailing 2916 534 left in the first half.

They've got to go back with you right here on these coverage off championship replay game tonight.

It puts up a tough shot right there at a face full of Kyrie Karlovic ball loose scramble on the floor, bodies flying all over the place, jump ball, the pieces one year is the fact that so much in this game so far and she knows her team relies on it so much that once in a while you are going to force a shot.

They need her to really pick up her scoring column.

It ain't going to top taken away, but tallies quarters on the line there.

Every time that Columbus doubles on the perimeter, something good happens for them.

St Pius is going to come back to the ball.

They've got to make themselves available for the past three point shot off the mark by Adams, off the inbound there.

Looks like the ball will stay down with the Golden Alliance.

Go ahead, throw it down to Phil Proctor.

What's up today?

You know, I talked to earlier about what it would be like for these girls, the fact they played last night.

Would they have their league?

Well, right now, nobody seems to be holding their waist.

Nobody seems to be breathing hard.

These girls are in great shape.

They're riding a wave of momentum.

And as you said, boy, I mean, hey, with with this kind of crowd, I mean, they're going to find that extra gear today and adrenaline.

And you bet that last shot off the back there for three point land for Saint Pius or Columbus.

my goodness.

All the way to all stars.

Make it two all star plays.

That's I mean, that's wow, This one is really something I keep talking about.

Well, I mean, this is a this is a marvel to me.

Watch.

Watch this behind the back.

no.

Look.

And that was the first time that Kelly came showed up defensively.

That was a great recovery for her.

That shot right there by Sally Wooden go.

And the follow is there.

Count it three point play up coming for Aisha maddox and the Lady Blue Devils are going to need more of that to try to climb back in here.

They're there in only nine points this right now.

And then they've gotten themselves into the game of controlling a lot of the action, this free throw their say pass out of there with it on one their momentarily Joy Adams puts up a tough shot wouldn't go the toss along on defense came with the foul it wouldn't go taken out of there by Maddox and now another jump ball called possession hero.

We'll go back to Columbus.

Both teams aren't afraid to mix it up defensively.

That's really been their creed all year long.

Got two tough teams really getting after that.

Just have you're thinking about the fast break opportunities for Saint Pius and their inability to convert them converted two of them as a Washington put the basketball over to tally for these two towns puts up a tough shot off balance too strong The follow from long go ball go out of bounds Last touch by the Lady Blue Devils.

It looks like we'll look at Whitney Morgan right there the first but Stephanie Dunn, Lady Blue Devils are tough minded, but you could see that your other teams might fold after that initial onslaught that St Pius put on them.

But they're not.

They've just just got more resolve and they've climbed back into this game 20 off the about being guarded one on one by Adams here trying to get a little pick there every time she gets the ball.

It was the end of Kodak off the dribble Dwight puts up the shot high off the glass wouldn't go ball still loose and on the floor.

And I'll tell you what that's a big girl.

We've seen bodies flying all over the place tonight.

And now that it's going to get called for the travel, Columbus wanting the jump ball call there as well.

We'll go back over to State Pass and Kelly Kane has come alive defensively and that's going to be a factor, a positive factor for Saint Pius.

He was a little bit a little bit slow, but you see her get on the floor right there.

That was great for a big girl, big man, big girl stuff.

You go down like an erector set traveling, going to be called There by Katie Kovac.

Please want to get an explanation there.

Thought she got rid of that ball.

First ball.

We'll go back over to the Lady Blue Devils here.

Nonetheless, showing my age there, I think probably not too many people are watching.

No one in the regular Hummer up there with her.

I might be a little bit younger.

You are brought up, but I still remember that three and a half minutes to go here.

The first half been back and forth here, shot from outside.

Tonya would go three point land and they're still 2920 state pass up on nine actually start the game on a 12 run Cross-court pass Morgan working that baseline lays it up to strong Kane on the foul would go and body it partially blocked inside there Blake was CNN heck of a post position in and feed the paint Fournier up looking what a pass inside wouldn't go there for Williams and Kane with the rebound Columbus has got to capitalize on those open looks looks like a little foul from behind.

They're going to be called on Fournier Yeah.

She's showing to make everything happening both ends of the floor for a team.

And you see she's greeting hard now she's got her hands on her knees and they'll probably go with just 249 remaining in the half.

She'll play that.

A couple of girls with their hands on their knees.

Now it's starting to catch up here, maybe a little bit.

Right here at the end of the half.

We're going to check out and Lauren Vido will come on in there, the six foot forward sophomore.

You're going to look at Kovac's numbers, 13 points a game, 51% from the hour, 54% from the floor.

A pretty good percentage, Not bad at all.

Hits on the first of out there to the five eight junior in double figures.

Now, Good crowd here at Gwinnett Civic Center.

What's, you know, not not too much room for error or not.

She minimizes the opportunity for error with that stroke.

That's about as pure as it gets.

Kane keeps it alive.

Optimism lays it up.

And in Kelly Kane, the freshman is coming through.

And it looks like a quick whistle there.

Yeah, it is.

Katie came from behind and made it tough for one.

Yes, they called for the foul and it looks like it's going to be 16 fouls on Saint Bias.

Say one more one and one zero.

The rest of the way in this half on the other end in a shot right there little jumper from asthmatics look at shot for 3222 still a ten point game Columbus has been able to stay within ten points but Saint Pius hasn't let up yet.

Shot D no gives off from outside.

Wouldn't quite go there Ashley Page with the basketball pulls it out of top timeouts.

Jane Fleming, 24.

He's also coming out.

Lauren Guido is number 45 also in the game thank you Go with the turnaround hit it out but Kane with the follow still a go ball loose rolling around the hair and finally a foul going to be called on Columbus it looks like and that's it for Kane at the line here You know when you're that tall, David, I'm just watching her and she really doesn't get off the floor too much.

And I imagine not too many opportunities to realize that you have to when you're that much taller than everybody else.

Playing women's basketball at six four as a freshman, she's never really been talent for rebounds, and so she reaches for them.

She's got to learn to get off her feet, but she does that.

She'll be a monster about it.

She's going to develop and their coach have done is going to work with her and get on a weight program.

That's an obvious second one.

They're bosh along with the basketball.

It's not being guarded by Morgan 135 left here.

First half.

what a pass.

Another pass inside, another block.

How do you like that?

Wow.

They shot Blue all over again, if one.

Yeah.

We're given assists for all of these passes.

She makes it they were able to convert nobody be touch in Columbus if you're open for a moment she's going to hit you Max look at inside ball knocked loose and another jump ball for possession arrow will go to say bias and that one just a behind the back pass to somebody few feet away I mean that was my goodness that was 1015 feet behind the back You see Tyler there.

These girls now are exhausted.

Talley wanted to stay on the floor and just take a snooze for a moment.

The court lined bench cheering on their teammates here.

That's Morgan Anthony with the ball nearing the one minute mark here in quarter number two.

a steal taken away by long long will pull up.

Let the rest of the teammates catch up now over this here for three off the mark and count it for Isaiah Maddox another chance for a three point play The passion long really made a smart play holding up and sometimes young players will just take it to the basket.

Polamalu really no thought about what's happening and she was able to hit this one here for that attempt just by being patient on the fast break.

If he's a tally back of the lineup for Columbus, as you can look at max numbers, points, three rebounds, and again, just a sophomore free throws, no good there, but Washington keeps it alive.

Ball knocked away.

Big defense right there by St Pius Lady Blue Devils unable to get a shot off and the ball will stay with the goal and line ball is the third time for Joy Adams on the double team to turn it over.

They got lucky there back winding down here 45 seconds now Joy Adams gets rid of it.

Morgan looking inside, try to work that baseline door close, puts up the shot anyway won't go.

Kane keeps alive and it looks like another jump ball call possession early.

This time, though, belongs to Columbus.

Well, sometimes you throw up some crazy shots knowing that big girl is going to get all the garbage in there.

Washington ahead to Swansea dribbles out.

Columbus can take their time here, try to pass it inside their heads up D though Ashley Page 15, took that one away.

That was a force.

You realize that two one game went behind her back with both hands in both directions.

She went from right to left and came back left to right.

And Woodson.

Not many guys in the world can do that.

Two really special finally inbounds in there.

Too long 20 seconds long resets the offense for Columbus possibly playing for the final shot here three point shot from outside.

It won't go for Tally Payne with another rebound.

6 seconds say fires quickly down on the other end from outside Jane Fleming in and out Ball kept alive though jump ball call and I believe after half that is going to do it for the half there.

Wow.

So 3324.

No, they are.

They're waving them back on the floor here.

They are going to shoot some free throws.

It does look like to hold everything.

I don't know if they're going to two free throws, but I think state players may get an opportunity to inbound the ball.

And, you know, I think Columbus has done exactly what they want to do and that is see it right here.

Let's see what happens.

Here's the shot.

I think that was the that was the sequence before that.

But they're going to get a chance to inbound the ball.

1.7, back on the clock.

Final shot of the quarter and it won't go out of the hand of Kelly Kane.

So 3324 and we know that for sure this time.

Safe pass, though, still with the lead off to a 12 run and they're still in control here over Columbus, let's go ahead and throw it to Phil Proctor standing by.

Okay, Coach, we talked about the defensive pressure in this game and what you might expect isn't what you expected.

Yeah, definitely.

You mean from us or from them?

From them.

From them, Yeah.

They you know, they came out, they're aggressive, they're not real big.

But I knew they would come out and be aggressive and jump up in our faces and they have, they've done that and you know, we just have to keep passing the ball around until we get it in inside our goal.

On the penetration.

Are you concerned about fatigue right now with your team?

No, not really.

We play this intensity, this level all year.

So, you know, hopefully, you know, will prevail.

Okay.

Well, good luck in the second half, Coach, they back to you.

All right.

State championship action right here.

Well, go ahead.

Take a time out.

Be right back.

Stay with us.

Here again, the Arena Gwinnett Center playing host to championship weekend state by step at the half.

Welcome back to the arena at Gwinnett Center.

There you see halftime of the girls for a championship St Pius leads.

It leads Columbus 33 to 24 on the floor right now, the Butler Bulldogs and the Raiders.

As we get ready for the Foray Boys championship to follow right here on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Hope you're enjoying the games this afternoon here on GPB.

I'm Jim Pinocchio.

Well, I tell you what, this is always an exciting time.

Championship weekend on GPB.

Hope you're enjoying all the action.

We're standing by and get ready to throw it downstairs to one of our colleagues, Phil Proctor film.

Okay, Jimmy, thanks so much.

If you noticed, I'm standing between two people.

These are principles and I'm always seem to be in the principal's office.

This is Steve Spellman, who's with Saint Pius, and this is Judy, the assistant principal at Columbus.

And Judy, where is the principal today?

Unfortunately, she's been sick all week and she was so upset that she could not attend the game.

Today.

She's at home watching it on the television so that she'll make sure that she doesn't miss any of the action.

Okay, We want to give away.

Then she's watching you right now.

All right, Let's do it.

How exciting is this been for Columbus and the city?

the whole the everyone the whole school has just been so excited that we made it to the top four and now to the top two.

The students have been so excited.

We had busses full of students that were able to come up today that we had to leave school early so that they could attend.

But all the parents have been supportive and giving permission for them to leave school early and come up and support our girls.

They worked so hard and this is just a first for us, so we're very excited.

Okay, I'll just move in to Columbus and I'm looking at your high school.

What is it about your school that will attract me to?

Well, we're a liberal arts magnet program.

We're a 100% college prep.

We have 18 AP courses where our students can receive college credit starting in the 10th grade for the courses that they take.

And if they score well on the test, they will receive college credit.

We are looking really at the whole child.

We want them to be successful when they leave our school and college and out in the in life.

We want a well-rounded student who is involved in all types of extracurricular activities, especially athletics.

We've got 12 different athletic sports for girls to participate in and eight for the guys.

We've been named one of the two high schools in the state.

That's a school of excellence.

We are one of eight schools in the state where nominated for the National Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence and our academics in other areas of our school.

And we we have eight high schools in our city with magnet programs at each school, so students from all over the city can attend.

And we do pull them from all areas of the city, all socioeconomic levels.

So we just have a wonderful mix of students that all are motivated to study and perform well, we'll do that.

I'll tell you what, I'll be down there Monday morning to sign up.

Okay?

Hey, you have a child.

All right.

We'll do that.

Thanks so much.

Now, my swing over here to Steve and Steve.

Tell me a little bit about same path.

Well, say pirates is a Catholic school.

We've been in Atlanta for 46 years.

We're very proud of our history in Atlanta in serving the Catholic population of Atlanta.

And it's a college preparatory school, thousand students nine through 12.

And we're very proud of what we're able to do for our entire student body.

As Judy said, we try to emphasize the holistic child.

We take care of our academics, our spiritual, and, of course, our physical needs.

And we're very proud of of 100% of our kids participate in some type of athlete act, extracurricular activities, and 73% participate in athletics.

So we're very proud of our kids.

So how proud of you are, this team being here today?

I mean, this would be you guys first day championship if you win it, correct?

Absolutely.

This is absolutely wonderful for our entire school.

As Judy said, it electrified the community and then it's early, especially this is our girls, our schools, established in 1958 and our boys team played for the state championship under our current athletic director, Mark Kelly.

But this is a first for the girls and so this is exciting.

Well, I'll tell you what, I wish you guys much success, and I hate to say it, but I don't want to choose sides here.

But he is in the city and I am, too.

All right.

Hey, that's okay.

Well, thanks so much to both of you guys.

Jim, back to you.

Thank you.

Phil, I tell you what, it's been an exciting weekend so far.

The championships here on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

And we have some big games that are coming up after this one.

They've got the four boys, Butler Bulldogs, They're warming up on the floor and also on the Maze Raiders.

That one's coming up next on GPB.

All right, now for the halftime highlights of this big first game, the four girls championship.

Let's go back to Dave Garner and Bobak.

All right.

Thanks, Jim.

And taking a look back at what all happened in that first half, as we mentioned, we could barely catch our breath.

So everybody was up and down the floor.

And here's basically if you take a look at it, what all happened?

Well, you see, here's one of the first breaks that pilots went out to and were able to convert the converted two fast breaks, but they had many opportunities.

They were two of seven on the fast break there they are from the perimeter and they were shooting ball well from the perimeter.

Here's that other second fast break that they were able to convert.

Now here comes Columbus back and Columbus was able to accomplish after that initial aren't slow from, say, pilots up to accomplish their goal and that was to get it to single digits.

They're only down by nine at the half and you can see they're coming on at the end of that first half.

They lead by 912 for 24 for Columbus, 12 for 22 for Saint Pius.

Both shooting a good percentage.

Free throws are almost even st Pius converting three of 504 to put Columbus 3324 again the score at the break Saint Pius off to that 12 a run to open up the ballgame and they have the lead over Columbus.

Let's go back to Phil Proctor.

Okay.

David Mulvihill Coach Paul Coach you guys are down.

What are you going to do to come back?

Just play hard basketball, go out and give everything we got.

This is the last game we can't hold now.

We got to give everything we got.

Go out there and just play our hearts out.

Well, good luck to you in the second half, Coach.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you.

Back to you, Dave.

I saw Coach Ashley Paul's number.

Let's go ahead, take a timeout and be right back with second half action from the Arena Gwinnett Center.

It's the Quarter Girls Championship.

Columbus and Saint Pius going at it Golden Lions with a 3324. big first half for Saint Petersburg Columbus right there with them, 3324 as we get set for second half action.

Dave Gardner Bobak, with you along with Phil Proctor, third quarter action again right here on GPB from the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

And what a venue this is for high school basketball.

it's absolutely wonderful.

It's a great venue for a lot of different sports.

But you're right, Dave, This is special for high school basketball that we're going into the second half.

And as we've said, these teams played just 24 hours ago.

So let's see if fatigue is a factor.

That would be one right here.

Indeed.

Natasha Long gets rid of that basketball, got in some travel and of course Swan with the basketball up top and momentarily pretty good first half there to say the least and made some nice passes to some teammates as well and created opportunities back from outside No good there from Talley but long keeps it alive with some shot it go and out of bounds.

I'm waiting for Talley to break out but she's got a great looking shot and she really can shoot from range Talley with 20 points against Schall in the quarter final so she can score for teammates one year averaging right around 22 points a game this year and headed to Connecticut.

When you talk about women's college basketball, Connecticut and Tennessee, basically, I mean that's who you talk about up and in right there good looking shot Chastity Williams with the alarm just me lost a defender you say bison was not able to help her out.

That's right there good ball movement from the golden lions shot in and out of there.

Morgan fighting for it and a whistle underneath.

As I mentioned, of course, Columbus coming off of that semifinal game last night, that overtime thriller against number one Stone Mountain with a little upset and hoping for another one here today.

Both teams looking for the first state championship.

Good looking side.

That's a great entry pass right there.

And that is a great role.

On Kelly Kane's part.

Kane with 26 points in round two against North Atlanta, 21 in the semifinals.

Well, that's never happened to Keisha's one year before.

Watch this block And, you know, just two inches off the floor and it's one year has never seen anybody that big in the Columbus area.

HOBSON You're talking about her offense and she's down there just doing everything defensively today, too.

Did you hear Coach Powell with Phil Proctor telling me now that that was coach speak right there?

I mean, can you imagine what that Columbus halftime locker room was like up and in right there for Aisha maddox?

Dozen points tonight for Maddox.

And a year later, Blue Devils cut into the gap.

Their 3528 shot one go from came back and running the other way Swanny puts it up and the foul this girl doesn't cease to amaze That was a left hand runner.

A two went to a left hand.

She's the most ambidextrous girl that I've seen, and not many guys can do this either.

I mean, she's just an amazing athlete.

Unbelievable.

She's amphibious ten points today for Swan.

Yes.

This is on that free throw that follows zone.

Scott keeps it alive and hits So now a dozen points for the five six senior.

They're in it.

It's a three point lead 3532.

Back on the other end, Joy Adams counters for the Golden Lions.

Troy Adams also with her left hand.

Great to see kids being able to use both hands.

Whatever Coach Powell said at halftime, it worked.

Yeah.

Columbus has come out on fire here and they've really closed the gap despite that last bucket from St Pius, another big block by Kelly Payne.

Forcing Brittney Morgan on the other end lays it up and a blocking foul.

I'm going to be called in the lane right there.

Well you know that takes away that good deal I was going to say it takes away the conversion but it just goes to the foul line.

But that's two of eight now.

That's two of a fast break.

They don't give up the ball early enough on the fast break and they get it back when the defender reacts.

Brittney Morgan for the five on senior at the line here and this is on the first two player substitutions Denzel Washington will come back in for Columbus along with Isaiah Maddox, 32 one.

The Morgan peeled off the scoreboard today so far, still making her presence felt, though, defensively.

Three rebounds, second one from Morgan, also off the front of the iron right here for the team, really lining it up from the free throw line here tonight.

But a bit of pressure out there.

Get the ball away, one into the hands of Talley hits.

Khadija Talley is Talley.

We're talking about her getting off and turnover at there.

Ball goes right back to the Lady Blue Devils again the double team on the sideline.

And Tobias has not been able to contend with that.

3734 one possession game, Columbus with the basketball and a chance perhaps tied up for both of them.

One steal back on the other end, though, by Joy Adams one year out of the game for Columbus Cross-court Pass.

Katie Karlovic good.

Pass Inside Up and in Fontaine.

Good look, good pass good hands.

Kelly Kane in double figures.

You're going to never look at it again.

Side back on the other end shot with off the far behind there.

Morgan On the other end one on one lays it up too strong.

Follows her own shot still go the paint is there to clean it up makes three of the pass break opportunities 4134 shot from outside three pointer wouldn't go for long and now say pass back and running the other way that's Adams knocked away good hands there by Talley Washington shot from outside three pointers there for Talley she was talking about with her stroke she really gets square to the basket and she's got a beautiful release 4137 Lady Blue Devils right back it it might have been partially tip right there back the other way.

You get another look at that.

But this shot here, well, she was way back there.

Just a perfect release foot or two behind the three point arc, showing off a little bit of range here.

Chastity Williams and a lot of now for Columbus Blunt.

We'll take a seat for Stephanie Dunn trying to calm her team down little bit here and just making a run along with it again, being guarded by Carey, calling it Williams knocked away.

Good defense there.

Whitney Morgan, Morgan getting a hand on that ball, knocking it away.

The Columbus lost for the second round of state last year.

And as I said, really with a good bit of the year round ranked state by bias, comes in at number two in the state.

They pretty much been up there all year long.

So it's kind of been a tale of two different stories and getting to the state championship, Williams put up a shot, wouldn't go ball still loose and close the gap of the river that's Katie pushing the floor, trying to feed her twin sister there.

Those later a little bit too much the better she could have been able to put that on the floor bounce pass with Indonesia to handle 342 left here and quarter number three from the arena at Gwinnett Center.

Dishonorable block with you go Proctor courtside.

I'm watching Kelly Kane now wondering how she's going to hold up defense Marvelous so far with the stamina at six four that's long with it puts up a tough little shot right there too strong brought down by Fleming same bias.

Quickly back on the other end.

Cross-court Pass sets up, as Katie calls it, in and out.

Morgan is there, though, and they're going to get long for a little push from behind her.

That was assisted assisted in with sisters by the same features it looked just like, except for that height difference, that's really about the only way you could teleport.

Carry number five is two inches shorter than Katie from outside three point shot.

Morgan No good rebound tally.

Well, just back down the floor here, under 3 minutes to go in the third 4137 Great ball game and a little drive down the lane.

There could be a tally all the way.

I'm not going to in front of her and things to judge and that ball gets away from the golden lions and will go right back to Columbus.

Here's a look at it right down the horn, a pretty well cutting through there at the open bucket.

So a 2.41 39 is that stroke again should travel Travel.

Yeah.

Gathered her feet before she had the ball as she had the ball.

Talley As I mentioned in double figures averaging over a dozen this year as a senior to Saint Pius, now trying to put a little bit more breathing room between themselves and the Lady Blue Devils type ball game right here trying to look inside And last touch by Talley.

He got a call on Kelly Kane's got to present herself a little bit.

She's got obviously the size and ability to get her spot in the post and she's really doesn't work to get her spot.

Jane Fleming, the 510 sophomore at the school book, but she's a freshman, just a little baby.

She's going to learn that.

14 years old.

Yeah.

I mean, unbelievable turnover right there.

The miscommunication there on that pass balling, trying to hook up with one saint by positive about it here 205 left third quarter one.

Yeah Still out of the game for most of this third quarter and I'm wondering what coaches Coach Powell is thinking.

Well I'm wondering if I know she's got her reasons.

Yeah, but I'm just wondering what it is and a blocking going to be called right here on Columbus.

I'm wondering if, you know, with the game being as close as it is, maybe the thinking here in the third quarter is as long as they keep it close to breaststroke in the fourth quarter and she can really come out.

She never No.

Harry Kovic, three point shot for Culver, I believe you could see Culver in the first quarter.

Then she really had a nice shot and she takes her time, also has a nice release board Lions back up same pass man to man as they have been all game 4630 93. numbers five seven to St Pius this one of six for the lady who knows clock winding down here Columbus taking their time traveling going to be called on Washington.

I was just about offense at Washington doing a nice job with this one year out of the game but here comes one in now with 119 to go in the third Washington five foot four, but not afraid to mix it up.

Both of these teams very intense defensively.

One was trailing by seven.

That would hold it down.

It was nine at the break.

But with Morgan 32 and the lineup as well, all of it kicks it to call of it from outside.

It wouldn't go ball loose and a good save there by Katie right back into Winchester here how about that And then a whistle and a foul and it's going to be underneath it looks like Columbus on number 32, perhaps right here to go.

Boy, that's a it's close.

Such a tough call.

I think he might have missed it.

Just a contact there.

Madison actually got lifted up out of the air on that one.

He came right off the ground, but pretty good shot there.

Washington's the one shaking up the tussle.

Washington, I didn't see what happened at press.

It looks like she's out of bed.

She might have gotten hitting the breadbasket.

Get low.

Some women.

Here we go right here.

Columbus off the inbound backboard.

Pressure from Saint Pius.

They back off the attack along with it gives way to stronger dishes one Fournier setting up the offense with 45 seconds left here in the third that'll turn around and hits right there No whistle cork Tolliver trying to kill that foul but Slovenia hits the jumper that is a good call knocked away stays with Saint Pius and now Joy Adams they check back in who Junior guard for the gold lions averaging over nine points a game this season so 4640 1a5 point game final 30 seconds left here said Pius could really use a hoop about this time going into the fourth shot going to be short there on the three pointer.

I don't believe anybody touched it.

I Don't know if that's what they wanted.

Both teams looking for the first state championship Saint Pius was last night making their first trip to the semifinal since the school back in 1958.

This is coming off that victory against Kendrick, 6339.

The Mark Kelly, their athletic director, had a great run.

His boys basketball coach at Saint Pius.

And I know there's been great thrill for the women if they could get the school's first state championship.

It's always a great tradition at Saint Paul.

Do they follow from Ice Maddox right there off the Miss?

And that is going to do it for quarter number three.

But it's a one possession basketball game.

Saint Pius leads it 46 to 43 over Columbus.

But this thing's going to come down to the fourth and final quarter.

We'll step aside, be right back to the arena.

Gwinnett center.

They've got her, Bobak, Phil Proctor with the final 8 minutes.

When we return, Magic Mike, I don't really want to take it out.

Fans have found it here in big numbers from Saint Pius and from Columbus in the Golden Lions with a 4643 lead over the Columbus Lady Blue Devils, but a one possession basketball game right now.

Columbus hasn't been able to to get over the hump and actually take the lead.

They've been right there with them.

But tell you what Swan you sat the third quarter good bet she's going to be fresh.

Yeah you're right they've good point and I think that the team that scores first in the fourth quarter was as leading by only three her going to set the momentum for the first quarter.

The first possession is very very important so you better button on your bonnet and have a heck of a finish bias opens up the final quarter with the basketball and again, a three point lead at Columbus.

Back with you.

Columbus in zone as they have been all game long in Saint Pius has been in a man or a rotation say girl of girl all game Well professor Terry Karlovic with the basketball gives off Katie Karlovic little jump step there Nice look a shot Arthur Tough job tough shot in traffic going baseline for a jump step right there Got it to go So 4843 lead back to five here.

It's going to be Keisha's one year game.

Going to set up her team.

big block right there by Kelly Kane on Swan yet that's never happened this one here we talked about her in the paint getting blocked never happening That definitely has never happened on the perimeter Joy Adams missing the shot there and Lady Blue Devils out of there with it from Columbus back and running Swan looking inside Good pass Tough shot up and in right there.

Wow, what a bucket.

Khadijah Talley She got off in the last quarter and she's going to be a factor along with one year down of course, with several 20 plus point games this year.

Good decent Troy Adams nice job there Morgan unable get it to go follows knocked away good defense by Talley out of the hands of prolific there the ball will remain with St Pius and you can tell the Katie Kovac really can feel look at that you see that dish from Swan here and Talley with the finish But Karlovic I should say Katie Culbert really wants to take charge here and she really feels responsible for her team in the fourth quarter.

No backcourt there looked like it might have been touched by Adams on the way back to the turnaround there and Kelly Kane is there too.

That's where she's going to be strong.

Davis is going to make herself wide and big on that left block, 5045 back to a five point lead.

Nice pass inside for ice, dramatic great dish and great catch.

Maddocks Having a big, big night Cross-court Pass Carey Karlovic kicks it back out.

Adams for three off the mark No good ball loose to chastity Williams comes out of there with it Lisa Fournier back on the other end being guarded again by Carrick all of it.

545 To go here and look at inside their player.

Cut the wrong way though I think that Joy Adams, who took that last shot for Saint Pius, has got to become a little bit subservient at this point to other players on her team with better perimeter shots.

She does not look good.

Shooting the ball played a heck of a game, but I just think at this point they have more options.

Jane, Underneath trying to follow it and the foul Kelly Kane follows her own May she gets the ball back and we're seeing it now.

She hits kind of a slow first half, but she has to really pick up the pace right here.

She's a gamer when it counts.

Obviously, her presence has been such a factor here in the second half.

But when she learns to move her feet and she they get her some agility drills and a great summer of AEW basketball, she's it's going to get better and better.

Scary to think what she's going to be like her senior year.

yeah.

And how big she may become.

Yep.

5047.

Now Saint Pius trying to win the gap.

As we mentioned, Columbus just can't can't get within a possession, just can't quite, you know, tie it up or take that lead here and a quick foul going to be called inside here on St Pius it's going to be on Morgan to that Cartesian tally.

Number 41 for Columbus has really got strength you know that she she really can make herself boys.

She's also got the great shot She's got the ability to post up up and in for blunt gossip want the five six freshman and another freshman a name for herself here tonight.

A lot of younger players in the game here tonight, not only starting but coming off the bench.

And it looks like a foul going to be called here.

She wanted a jump ball.

Yeah, very close.

Well, she got it.

Jump ball.

She got it, actually.

Right.

She wanted a jump ball and that called the foul but that was very, very close.

I think Mr. Honeycutt called that and he was sending it back of the play.

Could not see if she had ball or hand but 16 fouls on Columbus shot from outside wouldn't go.

That was Joy Adams again perimeter St Pius meanwhile with just three team fouls here But look at Joy now get down And she's like playing Duke defense right there And we've a few Cameron crazies in the house here tonight.

They just haven't let up These crowds have been great Feels like 5349, four and a half to play.

It's crunch time from the arena at Gwinnett Center.

Tough little turnaround right there.

Tally would go rebound Kane do what?

I mean about her ability to post up that turnaround able to make herself very wide and get ball present herself and then take the good shot a steal from Swanny who lays it up.

It would go to scoring being followed by Morgan and traveling going to be called though on color mix.

It will go right back Karen Coleman goal for the travel that would have been very disappointing for Columbus who have missed that opportunity and then not get the ball back.

I didn't see the travel from Thursday off the air.

She is again getting big and wide and taking up a lot of space in the post.

So these are tally inside the only two points now it's to go with this crowd is on their feet quote a girls action state championship right here GPB and it's heating up.

Katie Culver pressing the action there.

She had two options on the dish.

So here's that last shot off the inbound right here, Bo You see tally how wide she can make herself Really got great coordinate strength right Time out on the floor right here call by Columbus they want to talk things over 32nd timeout with 350 to go in the ballgame and again a one possession game Columbus actually a chance to take the lead for the first time today with a three point shot.

But right now there's still plenty time to play.

They don't necessarily need the coach, Ashley Powell, again.

And Tonya was out of that game in the last switch sequence.

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So after the timeout 5351 again St Pius up by twos is going to look at Ashley Powell head coach of the Columbus Lady Blue Devils Katie at the line here the five eight junior three one and one and hits on the front end out there that stuff is a you know 17 fouls again on Columbus and the second one is there too.

So two of two on that trip.

And you're right though there's a huge cigaret it takes care of the book and Powell to a four point lead swung it too strong off the glass they're driving down the lane knocked away and it will stay with same positive Have you noticed those 28 just turned you just change gears Yeah it's going to be wild and wooly right now but maybe that's why she sat in that third quarter a little bit.

Keep those legs fresh for a for a run here at the end That was the runner just doing double team.

Terry did a great job of getting rid of it.

That's all of it.

Joy Adams, he puts it up, wouldn't go fall loose, finally taken out of there by Maddox.

I thought that was a better option to draw.

He put it on on the floor.

Same bias, basically.

But their original starting five on the floor and a blocking foul.

I'm going to be called on the way to the hoop.

It's going to put someone at the line 3 minutes to go down by four.

So you one, you can answer what Katie calling it did on the other end just moments ago with the free throws here and she hits the first 15 points today, four rebounds again for the senior and they get 16 points apiece to Swann.

Yeah, I think 17.

Take it away right there.

That's the first mistake I've seen Katie Kovac make.

Squad here wisely.

Takes it back up.

That resets a chance for the Lady Blue Devils to tie it up right here.

Pass.

And that saves going to go way out of bounds right there trying to feed Talley inside and just got in too deep.

Well, that's the one two punch that you won and unfortunately Talley not able to hang on to the ball 30 to 40 62. game Columbus just quite unable to break that.

Some heavy pressure there midcourt take it away the toss along with it and we'll pull it back out.

They pass not able to figure out the double team that run and jump.

Just gotten so many traps on the sideline this afternoon.

They've got to that adjustment because you know, that's the way this game is going to end with Columbus putting the pressure on them.

As soon as they make that first pass and bring it across the timeline, they're going to run jump.

That means another girl running at the dribbler and double teaming it.

And you don't know what direction it's coming from.

It's sudden.

Stephanie Dunn calling a timeout for the Saint Pius phone lines again averaging over 70 points offensively on the season, only allowing right around 43.3.

And any time you have numbers like that, you're going to be successful.

It looks like Stephanie Dunn was telling the news, pointing to the sidelines.

Kelly's here's coach Ashley Powell.

You can probably tell her it's him.

Just be smart, be patient.

There's plenty of time this Columbus Day 6149 win over Shaw in the quarter finals in round three in the game against Phil Proctor.

Also with us today.

Let's throw it over to Phil.

Phil, what's going on?

I just want to talk about Dave.

The momentum shifted with the Columbus basketball team.

You could just see when they coming down.

You can look at their faces, man, they got confidence.

And that was one of the things that, you know, you would think about being playing last night, not exactly knowing how they would come out.

These girls do not seem tired.

They seem energized.

I got a feeling they're going to make a great run the last couple of minutes.

Back to you did?

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's going to come down to the final 227 here, without a doubt.

Columbus gets the basketball in there and a chance to tie this game up once again.

They've had a couple of chances to do it.

They've got to make it happen.

Happen right here.

Shot off the mark would go to Swansea.

The follow it up and in by Maddox and we're tied.

That was a huge rebound for Matic 5555 to 10 to go This game's everything.

We thought it would be a near turnover right there Ball loose turnover back on the other end that's Latasha Allen puts up the shot and a blocking foul going to be called on Karlovic again that's Katie call made by referee April good and it was an excellent call for this house is rocking right now though this is going to be for the first lead of the game for Columbus and let's see how she finds the edge under pressure and have a ready boot.

Others have their first lead of the ballgame, Bosch, along with three points today.

The Post has been active and long, but we got a little anxious on that.

We're out here.

There came up a little bit short.

All right, now here's it's up.

The saint has to make this adjustment.

Now watch out for the crowd.

Columbus has been very successful, trapping him.

So baskets the ball in.

I don't know how she missed Perry Kovac tried to make the tough pass.

Carey came to the end of the baseline unimpeded.

Nobody on her, and she decides to make tough pass.

And it worked out to their advantage.

And that's going to be five fouls on one.

Yeah, I do believe.

And that would be a big, big bill.

That would be huge.

yes.

One year with five fouls there looks like at a timeout going to be call here Columbus talking things over is you going to look at the golden lion huddle what a ballgame this has been if this is any indication of what we've got to look forward to this weekend, we're in for quite a championship weekend and our next game coming up is going.

You might as well take it, get ready, Tell me something.

Talk about Mays and Butler.

yeah.

We're talking about breaking out your camera.

A while ago, every time he swatted the ball, it's never going to be a good camera game.

That next game that we might see a few dunks, might see the house come down here tonight.

So it's one out a lineup will foul out here tonight the stop for Columbus and now the lady Blue Devils will have to rely on some other folks to go down here.

And that's why obviously one he was sitting for so long trying to protect the foul trouble.

Troy Adams at the line now she's got 14 points after hitting the first and every free for over shot from here on out big there goes to a two so Adams with the pair of free throws they're back on the other end the shot might have been partially blocked here by Kane You got a hand on it and I think to Kelly James about it her average or even better it was a six plus a game Swanigan headed to Connecticut but all she could do now is watch.

State championship is in the hands of her teammates and a turnover right there off the Invalides safe basketball seeing that one one right there get the ball to her she handles it.

She runs the offense and she's destroyed on the sideline.

Can't believe it.

The biggest game for life is not in it.

Just a minute 40 and that's time way to move the ball Good ball movement right there Troy Adams up and in see that's the first time they broke that said that sideline crowd Now a timeout going to be called by coach Ashley Powell Great timeout at Columbus they want to talk things over here 5956 now a three point lead Columbus with the basketball has to take a look back right there great dish and there's Joy Adams with the finish and Saint Pius has had their success this year when they have been able to spread the floor like that, really worked the ball around.

And also that's what they had to do.

You have to move the ball before you're able to before they're able to trap you and you have to.

And it's the responsibility of the other players on the floor to present themselves and make themselves available for the pass.

You can't do it if no one is here.

You can't throw it side by side of Atlanta, 28 and three coming in Columbus, The Lady Blue Devils out of Columbus, Georgia, 25 and four coming into this one, playing out of reach, a 2.4 say pass out of region 621 year history for Saint Pius.

And they're right now looking on the verge of their first state championship.

Any score Columbus also looking for their first title as well as Washington with the basketball for the lady Blue Devils being guarded tightly by Adams not gives it up that's going right down to 123 point shot from outside.

It wouldn't go and drop down by Sullivan Now a whistle in the back court there some pressure and call the victim the golden lions fired up right now.

Yeah.

Coach Powell just wondered what Talley was doing with that back court foul.

There's still 113 to go.

You're only down by three.

And she wants her to be the girl that carries this team down the stretch now she's the one she's the co-captain with this one yet they're going to look at the numbers 17 points and eight rebounds Big game What's the setup And smooth.

Who puts the ball in front of the basket?

Music.

There's always a male hole right in the middle of the of the foul line and you know that's dead center.

But she's putting the ball right over that nail hole.

COLEMAN It took two on that trip, 19 points for Cady Colvin What a game.

Her twin sister is averaging 23 points a game between the two of them combined.

This guy will over that today.

Can't pick up your dribble, but they're safe by us.

Hasn't let up defensively a shot from way outside a three point shot from pat digitally Wow that one was some way and that's what Coach Powell was telling her yelling at is that you've got to be the one, you've got to take the shot.

You've got to have the ball in your hands.

42 seconds left, 6159, same pass.

Going to hang on to it here.

Columbus going to be forced to foul here in a minute.

30 seconds left.

Crowd is fired up and a whistle there.

That's a great job by Kovac to hang on to that ball knowing that we're going to have to foul soon and wanting to be the line with the game on the line is basically, I guess, in that situation defensively, you try to maybe spend a little bit of time there, still got some time.

You try to force a turnover, but that doesn't happen.

Then you have to go.

You slow again, Kovic back on the line and that's really not the person.

If you're Columbus, you want on the line.

Although she missed right there, I spoke too soon for a four on the last two trips to the line missing on that one right there.

Yeah.

So it's going to stay a one possession basketball game and the final two, she changed her sequence just a little bit, as many people do down the stretch of the game.

Scott is up and hits 20 points for.

Katie Coleman, 25 seconds, left, Columbus quickly down the floor, 60 to 59 and time going to be called by the Lady Blue Devil Bench right there, trying to set that offense up 18 points, six ball.

I mean, you go for the three right here.

You try to get a quick two and, then another foul.

Well, you know, depends on what they give you.

It depends on what Saint Pines gives you.

That's a three.

Take it.

Otherwise, if they're going to give you, is it going to give you room off the dribble and take it to the rim and then you'll get your timeout and then set up your defense and, and then foul.

Hopefully you'll get a steal.

This Talley hit that big three point shot a while ago so Columbus does have some shooters on the floor.

Well maybe the best three point shooter in the game is Tyler Johnson.

You got to get the ball and shoot it.

That's what she was saying.

We've got 18 seconds left.

Little play by play there, perhaps for Coach Powell for this final 18 seconds kind of diagraming out a little bit, the St Pius crowd.

Meanwhile, they can fill that state championship, but it's not decided yet.

Both teams in both sets of fans fired up here today.

So how do they want who they want to have it?

Talley three pointer from way outside short Kelly Kane rebound gets it out of it Morgan him the basketball will draw the foul It's 9.2 seconds left on the clock and Morgan will head to the line here.

wow.

Coach Don you know this game is going back and forth.

Bo And of course, Columbus had a brief one point lead there.

But basically passes LED all day start of the game out on the 12 run.

But you got to commend Columbus on the way they have handled adversity, come back to Memphis, the way they just played their game when.

They settled down in the second quarter.

Hats off.

Also the same players for the way they came out and set the tone to that.

Columbus always had to play catch up.

And, you know, Columbus actually with two great players this one year, the best high school female point guard I have ever seen as far as skill level is concerned.

Right.

The second one is there for Morgan, one of two on that trip.

And now it's a basically a two possession game right here.

4 seconds.

Charlie throws it up too strong off, the glass can rebound.

And that is going to do it so far.

So far.

6350 And the celebration is on for the safe highest golden lions, the 2004 classic.

What is this, a state champs?

First championship for their school.

So Stephanie Dunn right in the middle of that and what a season for Saint Pius who will in the season 20 and three and again take your hats off to the Columbus Lady Blue Devils They'll finish at 25 and five and without a doubt what a run in the postseason to get to this level with just a great play game by both teams.

But we saw some great players in this game.

We saw some excellent basketball and I think that Katie Karlovic just really was the player of the game this afternoon with as good as everybody was, as good as one year is with the basketball.

Karlovic was just solid.

All right.

Phil Proctor down courtside with the winning coach coach done it emotional with congratulations.

What's it feel like?

it feels great.

I mean that was intense.

That was the kind of game you want for a championship.

We came out, our girls prevailed.

I mean, they played hard to the end for our team to come out full court pressure the way we play defense, game in and game out.

It's only fitting that we would outlast the great team today.

It's this great.

And how cool was that?

Whitney More than your senior in that with the ball making the last free throw, Whitney has come so far and for her to come down in the ice this game was incredible.

I'm so happy for her.

I mean, she carried us through the end of the season and it's very fitting for me to hear, Coach, congratulations.

Go celebrate with the team.

They back to you.

All right.

Congratulations to the St Pius Going Alliance 24th quarter girls state champs.

We'll be back with a body of boys actually coming up in a few minutes right here at the Arena Gwinnett Center.

This broadcast of the Georgia High School Association State basketball championships has been made possible in part by Ivy W local numbers, 613 South Trust Bank.

Georgia's electric membership corporations dodge State Farm and by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.