HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: BOYS: CENTENNIAL 56, CHATTAHOOCHEE 47: Knights turn on the speed
Cougars can’t keep up in OT
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA)
February 18, 2007
Edition: Main; The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionSports
MICHAEL ALPERT
;
Staff
Section: Sports
Page: D17
Record Number: 71042573
After his team upset No. 5 Wheeler in Friday’s semifinals, Chattahoochee coach Duke Mullis wondered whether it could knock off No. 7 Centennial in Saturday’s Region 6-AAAAA tournament final at Alpharetta.
The Cougars (21-7) gave the Knights (24-4) a run but couldn’t stop Centennial from winning its 17th consecutive game, 56-47 in overtime.
“Our biggest challenge was coming out strong emotionally after being so emotionally spent the night before,” Mullis said, referring to the 57-56 semifinal victory against the Wildcats. “We played with a lot of emotion. That part I was happy with.”
The victory was Centennial’s third this season over Chattahoochee and advanced the Knights to the first round of state against South Forsyth, the No. 4 qualifier from Region 7-AAAAA. Chattahoochee will face North Gwinnett, Region 7-AAAAA’s No. 3 qualifier.
Centennial coach Allen Whitehart said the key to outscoring Chattahoochee 11-2 in overtime was speed. He substituted the faster Channing Carter for Leonard Carr down the stretch for greater athleticism.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo Brown scored six of his team-high 14 points in overtime, while the Knights held Chattahoochee’s Ole Miss signee Trevor Gaskins to two of his 16.
Chattahoochee’s Clint Boling led all scorers with 17 but was scoreless in overtime.
“Speed kills in any sport you play,” Whitehart said. “In the end, they couldn’t contend with the speed we put on the court.”
Chattahoochee had thrived on defense in the tournament but was stymied by Centennial’s. Not only were the Cougars forced to call their first timeout just 29 seconds into the game, but they fell behind 7-0 and didn’t get on the board until Boling scored down low halfway through the first quarter.