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The Butler boys basketball team is one win away from winning back-to-back GHSA 2A State Championships. Standing in their way is a tough Morgan County squad that has championship history and are looking to get back on track for their first state title since 2019. The showdown between Bulldogs (both teams are nicknamed the Bulldogs) will take place on Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
Butler (25-4) has cruised throughout the regular and postseasons to this point. The Bulldogs' last loss was on Dec. 13 against a North Augusta team that went on to win a state championship over in South Carolina. Since then, they’ve won 20 games in a row, with the majority of them being blowouts.
Despite their success, head coach Chaz Clark and his staff act like they haven’t won anything. Their practices and film studies are both intense and intentional. Even when they are up 40 points, Clark will call a timeout to run plays and talk things over if it isn’t going exactly how it should. That level of discipline from up top trickles down to the last spot on the bench for Butler, and that’s exactly why he thinks they have a shot to win the title.
“[We need] to rebound at an elite level,” Clark said. “When we protect our defensive backboard, we’re really good. That allows us to get out in transition, get some easy buckets on the offensive end, execute offense and our sets. More importantly on the offensive end, don’t let the ball stick. One of my assistant coaches says all the time ‘let the ball choose whose might it is.’”
“And lastly,” Clark continued, “sit down in a stance, talk, communicate, and play defense at an elite level. We do those three things, we’re gonna bring home the state title for the second year.”
Embodying all three of those things is senior Kwamane Bridges. The guard leads the team in scoring with 20 points a night and is arguably the Bulldogs' best perimeter defender. He can also finish well in transition, and his sneaky bounce might catch his opposition off guard when he’s up in the air meeting them at the rim. His performance will be critical to Butler’s championship hopes.
The last time Morgan County (25-6) made it to the championship game was in 2019 when they won it all against Hart County. Since then, the Bulldogs had been enduring a multi-year rebuild. The year after their title they won only two games. Morgan County didn’t have a winning season until last year when they lost in the second round. But this season, the stars have finally aligned, and they are ready to capitalize on their latest title round appearance.
Morgan County’s current win streak is 18 games. The last time they lost was on Dec. 29 against Lee-Scott Academy from Auburn, Alabama. The Bulldogs' dominance in point differential also was similar to their championship opponents, consistently winning by double figures.
Two players to keep an eye on for Morgan County are seniors Zeki Locus and Kobi Jefferies. Locus won Player of the Year in Region 2-AA and averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, and six assists a night. Meanwhile Jefferies, the 6’6 forward, put up a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double to go along with two steals and a block a night.
Both squads have dynamic playmakers and lockdown defenders at their disposals. This game will surely come down to who can execute best under duress, finding a way to will their squads to a win. The game will take place at the Macon Coliseum in Macon, Ga. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Butler boys basketball looks for back to back GHSA 2A state title
Continue reading...
Here’s what you need to know:
Butler’s plan to go back-to-back
Butler (25-4) has cruised throughout the regular and postseasons to this point. The Bulldogs' last loss was on Dec. 13 against a North Augusta team that went on to win a state championship over in South Carolina. Since then, they’ve won 20 games in a row, with the majority of them being blowouts.
Despite their success, head coach Chaz Clark and his staff act like they haven’t won anything. Their practices and film studies are both intense and intentional. Even when they are up 40 points, Clark will call a timeout to run plays and talk things over if it isn’t going exactly how it should. That level of discipline from up top trickles down to the last spot on the bench for Butler, and that’s exactly why he thinks they have a shot to win the title.
“[We need] to rebound at an elite level,” Clark said. “When we protect our defensive backboard, we’re really good. That allows us to get out in transition, get some easy buckets on the offensive end, execute offense and our sets. More importantly on the offensive end, don’t let the ball stick. One of my assistant coaches says all the time ‘let the ball choose whose might it is.’”
“And lastly,” Clark continued, “sit down in a stance, talk, communicate, and play defense at an elite level. We do those three things, we’re gonna bring home the state title for the second year.”
Embodying all three of those things is senior Kwamane Bridges. The guard leads the team in scoring with 20 points a night and is arguably the Bulldogs' best perimeter defender. He can also finish well in transition, and his sneaky bounce might catch his opposition off guard when he’s up in the air meeting them at the rim. His performance will be critical to Butler’s championship hopes.
Morgan County is looking to return back to prominence
The last time Morgan County (25-6) made it to the championship game was in 2019 when they won it all against Hart County. Since then, the Bulldogs had been enduring a multi-year rebuild. The year after their title they won only two games. Morgan County didn’t have a winning season until last year when they lost in the second round. But this season, the stars have finally aligned, and they are ready to capitalize on their latest title round appearance.
Morgan County’s current win streak is 18 games. The last time they lost was on Dec. 29 against Lee-Scott Academy from Auburn, Alabama. The Bulldogs' dominance in point differential also was similar to their championship opponents, consistently winning by double figures.
Two players to keep an eye on for Morgan County are seniors Zeki Locus and Kobi Jefferies. Locus won Player of the Year in Region 2-AA and averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, and six assists a night. Meanwhile Jefferies, the 6’6 forward, put up a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double to go along with two steals and a block a night.
Both squads have dynamic playmakers and lockdown defenders at their disposals. This game will surely come down to who can execute best under duress, finding a way to will their squads to a win. The game will take place at the Macon Coliseum in Macon, Ga. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Butler boys basketball looks for back to back GHSA 2A state title
Continue reading...
