Morrow, GA (December 28, 2019) — The final matchup of the 2019 South Atlanta Invitational was star studded. The reigning state champions, Therrell High School (Atlanta, GA) took on a very good and highly recruited Sandy Creek High School (Tyrone , GA) squad.
The first quarter was exhilarating as the reigning state champions known for their hardcore defense battled against a team of highly recruited athletes. TherrelL managed to stay in the game although Sandy Creek was aggressive out the gate. After the first eight minute of competition, Sandy Creek trailed Therrell 17-16. However, a second quarter performance from senior Daryl Rice and junior Jabari Smith skyrocketed Sandy Creek to a ten-point lead at the half. Rice and Smith combined for 15 points in the second quarter allowing Sandy Creek to outscore Therrell 19 to 8 before the end of the first half.
After the first quarter, Therrell just could not hold Sandy Creek down long enough to regain a lead. In a game of runs, Sandy Creek was successful maintaining their runs and staying poised. Sandy Creek played their best basketball in the third quarter scoring 25 points, but Therrell was not going out without a fight and managed to put 14 points on the board. However, the momentum was in the favor of Sandy Creek, and Therrell could not find an answer to the offense of Sandy Creek.
Sandy Creek began to let up in the fourth quarter after gaining a ten plus point lead, and a very good Therrell team quickly tried to capitalize on their lackadaisical performance. However, Rice, Smith and junior DeShon Proctor proved to be too much for the Therrell defense to derail.
In the end, Sandy Creek maintain the momentum and kept energy to keep defensive hound of Therrell at bay. Sandy Creek went on to win the game by 22 points, 84-62. Sandy Creek had three players to combine for 46 of the team’s 84 points.
Game Statistics:
- DeShon Proctor led scoring efforts for Sandy Creek with 22 points.
- Therrell had four plays in double figures: Roman Son (10), Rasaan Frederick (11), Robbie Armbraster (16), and Cameron Fortson (16).
- Sandy Creek controlled the clock leading the Therrell the final three quarters.
Coach’s Comments: Jon-Michael Nickerson (Sandy Creek High School, Tyrone, GA)
On tonight’s performance……
“Halfway through the first quarter, I thought we did a good job of sticking to the game plan and the scouting report. I thought they were very tenant to the details. I didn’t like how lose we got late in the fourth quarter. I thought they cashed it in too early [by] playing reckless and wild. I’d like to see a little more maturity. If you want to win a state championship, you have to be a little more mature in the fourth quarter especially when you’re up late… all it takes is a few turnovers to let them back in the game and it’s a game again.”
On the performance of Smith, Rice and Proctor……
“Jabari Smith got in early foul trouble and I thought he did a great job of managing those fouls and not getting in even more foul trouble. We didn’t have to sub him anymore… we played him with two fouls in the first half, he did a great job of being active, playing apart of the offensive rhythm we already had instead of trying to come in and force shots.
Daryl Rice, he’s a great point. He was going up against another great point guard and great leader. I think he showed why he should be a next level player also with his passing, toughness, and shot making ability.
DeShon Proctor, that is literally — probably one of my top three favorite players I’ve ever coached in my nine year career just because he doesn’t need the ball to be extremely effective. You see, he’s always in open areas, he likes to play without the ball, he’s a great finisher, and he’s strong. You got to love guys like that.”
