Houston times-journal. (Perry, Ga.) 1994-1999, March 11, 1998, Image 6

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Newspaper Page TextSports Eagl es break Perry’s dream team, 77-61 By CHAD LEWIS Timp-Joonm Sroxrs MACON In high school basketball, a 30-win season is even more rare than a state cham pionship. But the Pern High players and coaches would have gladly traded all 30 of their victo ries for the game held here on March 7 at the Macon Coliseum On a rainy, dreary day in Macon, the Panthers tell to Milchcll-Baker 77-61 in front of a packed arena that featured dozens of faithful Perry lans holding up masks of their popular mustachcd head coach Carl Thomas. "I wish we could have played better in the final game of the year," Thomas said after the game as reporters crowded around him on the hardwood court But this (Milchell-Bakcr> team was a clearly superior team today lor them to do what they did against a team which won 30 games ought to tell you about their capabili ties.” With 3:20 left in the opening quarter. Perry evened the score at 10 when center Dannorris Harvey, who scored a team-high 19 points on the day. scored altei pulling down an offensive rebound Bui that was the closest the Panthers would ever ionic u> the lead as Mitchell Baker went on 12-2 run took a commanding 19-point lead at the hall When forward Joins Johnson s three-point attempt from the left corner bounced oft the rim it w.o the only time the Pagles missed from beyond the white line in the first half. Milchcll-Baker hit ' three-pointers in the first two quarters. Perry, meanwhile, went 0-2 from outside the line during that same time period The Panthers came out in the second half and matched the Eagles point-for-point in the third quarter When senior point guard Reggie Clark stole the ball at halt court and passed it to an open Dontarrius Thomas. Thomas Fans offer Panthers strong support By EMILY JOHNSTONE Times-Jonsu Sior MACON They came They cheered themselves hoarse. And. even though then team did not come in first m the GHSA stale championship bas ketball game held March 7. the Perry Panther fans left full of Panther Pride "They deserved to be where they are." said Perry High School Principal Phil Smith “They have shov n a great deal of character They have represented Perry High School in a good way." The stands were full of Perry fans cheering their team, even when it became apparent they would have to settle for second place in the tournament But. that was OK there is always next year And. this year was a year tails will always remember. Some sights seen during the Here's how the finalist title was won This is the schedule the Perry Panthers followed to the state championship game during the 1997-98 sea son GAME PHS OPP RECORD @ Dublin 66 62 (1-0» Warner Robins 72 60 (2-0) Bleckley County S 3 56 (3-0) East Laurens 82 61 (4-0) @ Peach County 75 60 C 5- 01 Bank of Gray Holiday Classic GRAY Morgan County 74 60 ( 6-0) Mary Persons 72 66 (7-0) Greene-Talialerro 65 59 iB-0) Stop the Violence Invitational Milledgeville Cedar Shoals 64 51 (9-i<) Washington-Wilkcs 73 69 (10-0) Amcricus 84 64 (11-0) Dublin 76 52 (12-0) Warner Robins 67 62 1 17-0) Dodge County 8) 67 (14-0) Northisdc 73 61 (15-0) C® Bleckley County 70 49 (16-0) <& East Laurens 85 67 (17-0) <£ Americus 76 64 <lB-0) West laiurcns 67 39 1 19-0) (« Dodge County 66 69 (19 1) fi* West Laurens 69 58 (20 I) <P Northsidc 69 59 (21-1) Peach County 64 50 (22-1) GHSA Subregion 3-AA South Tournament Eastman slammed the ball with every ounce of energy he could muster as the Perry fans, eager lor some thing to cheer about, erupted But with both teams scoring 14 points in the third quarter, the Panthers were still down by the same amount as they were at the start of the half. 19 points. Junior Johnny Watkins tried to keep his team close in the second half Watkins, who scored 17 points in the game, pulled down the rebound when Eagle center (>si ai 1 larvey missed his shot and drove the length of the court before pulling up to score on a tump shot with 5:50 left in the game Watkins also scored the final points of the season for the P mthers when he drained a three pointcr from the right wing after stealing the ball from Willie Inty re In the end. the Eagles were too much on that day. scoring their first points on a breakaway slam lunk by Kcnyonna Wimberly and then final points on a breakaway lam by Keauntre Anderson \ttei tailing short of the title Min twice in recent years, Mitchell Baker finished with a 16 ! record and the champi iislup Perry, meanwhile, com piled an impressive *O-2 record w Inch nit luded an 8-1 mark in the plus Ot I s I tn proud of my guys." said Thomas Anytime you reach the final Pour, you've accomplished something you can be proud of " Perry eliminated South Eorsvth on March 5 lor the right to play in the championship game Perry held off a comeback attempt by the War Eagles to win by the score of 66-56 Despite the win. it was appeared almost as if Perry beat two totally different teams South Forsyth managed to score only 7 points during the first half after being held to a mere 2 points in the second quarter The War \L- - Tima* journal Photo by £n< ZoMom TROPHY TIME Ricardo Jackson (10) and Reggie Clark (11) hold the runner-up trophy while fans surround them at the Macon Coliseum March 7. game me luded: • Nancy Whiddon jumping up and ! 'wn cheering while taking snapshots ot the wonderful Perry cheerleaders • R< )T( Chief Johnny Barton itli his 10-gallon hat atop his head • Paul Hicks, who was proba bi- not thinking about Chamber ( oinmcrce business at the tune. • Bonnie Bozeman, who was Panthers ready for first region soccer game this week Bv CHAD LEWIS Tisiks-Jim hsai. SruKTs The Perry High soccer teams play some 15 games during the regular sea son. but there arc five which count the most those against their region oppo nents. "It's real important to win those against against teams in our region." explained girl’s head coach Sean Moisincr. "there’s no doubt about it " Just over a week alter rolling over Central Macon, both teams will play their first region opponent March 13 when they hit the road to play Page 6A Wed . March If. IWH Eagles then came out to score 49 in the second half to make the Panthers earn their victory "In 37 years of coaching. I've never been held to 2 points in a quarter before," said South Forsyth’s veteran coach Richard Porter The Panthers were able to con tain the War Eagle's leading scor er Ken Dixon to only three points in the first half, all of which came from behind the foul line But the senior forward hit four three pointers in the second half to fin ish with a team-high 22 points But even with Dixon hitting his shots. Perry proved too much for South Forsyth, w ho was elim inated with an 18-11 record Dannorris Harvey lead all scorers with 27 points Despite the loss in the champi onship game, the Panthers have the possibility of returning to the state championship game next year "We ll return tour starters next season," Thomas told reporters I feel pretty good about our chances next year " GHSA SEMIFINALS PERRY (66) Ricardo Jackson 7 Reggie Clark 6 Dontarrius Thomas 12 Donte Holmes 10 Kris Asbury 2 Dannorris Harvey 27 SOUTH FORSYTH (56) Carlos Jimenez 4 Ken Dixon 22 Derek Drew 16 Johnny Jimenez 4 Jeremiah Thompson 6 Keith Boling 2 Jonathan Chase 2 HALFTIME Perry 27 South Forsyth 7 3pomters 2 (Jackson Clark). South Forsyth 8 (C jimmez. Dixon 4, Drew 3) GHSA CHAMPIONSHIP MITCHELL. BAKER (771 - Terry West 2 Lorry Thompson V Dondnal Pmkms 8 Wilhe Mclnfrye 7 Ronald Blacksheor 19, Gabriel Lee 6, Keaunre Anderson 4 Kenyonna Wimberly 10, Oscar Harvey i 0 P ERRY (61) Ricardo Jackson 6 Reggie Clark 2 Johnny Watkins 17. Dontarrius Thomas 11, Donte Holmes 6 Dannorris Harvey 19 HALFTIME Mitchell-Baker 43 Perry 24 3-pomters Mitchell- Baker 6 (Thompson Blockshear 3 Wimberly 2) Perry 1 (Watkins) probably not thinking about Houston County Sheriff's Department business at the time • Ann Smith leading the crowd in a rousing cheer • The Perry Panther mascot 'flipping" everybody out He was the clear winner in an acrobatic contest. • City councilman Charles Lewis holding counsel with other Perry fans during halftime Bleckley County 76 50 (23-1) West Laurens 69 51 (24-1) Dodge County 77 61 (25-1) GHSA Region 3-AA Tournament Forsyth Pike County 79 66 (26-1) Dodge County 78 50 (27-1) GHSA Class AA Tournament Macon Southeast Bulloch 69 54 (28-1) Greene-Taliaferro 66 54 (29-1) South Forsyth 66 56 ( 30-1) Mitchell-Baker 61 77 (30-2) f k f ‘ W J 1 . \rtff V jKr Tim*3 journal Photo by Erie ZeUon LAYUP TIME Johnny Watkins (12) looks for two points during the state championship game. Thomas finds year one of new experiences Bv ( HAD LEWIS I l\l» '-Jot xs o Si*' IMS He had never really thought about it before After all, in 12 years ot coaching it had never happened before Perry head coav.fi Carl Thomas knew thai a high school score bviok contained enough pages for 30 games, but he apparently never envisioned playing 32 games in a season, much less winning all but two of them I had to make up something tor those last couple ol games, said Thomas with a chuckle dui mg an interview Fresh off ol a season that saw his team finish as the second-best team in the Georgia High Schv*o! Associations Class AA Thomas took a moment to reflect on the ['ast and give a glimpse at what next year might hold This is a spesial group ot kids," Thomas said ot his 1997- 9H team "They are a line group of young men who know how to work together as a learn Thomas noted his players atti lude and conduct during a recent playoff match against Greene Taliaferro In a game that saw punches and elbows lly. his Perry players retrained trom retaliating with punches and spits ol their own 'll could have gotten real uglv there in the end. he said, but for tunately.our guys kept their cool Though this was clearly his most successful season in his Id years at Perry. Thomas has been successful in the past as well In 1994 he guided a team to a 24- 3 record and the Region ' A A title before tailing in the second round of the stale tournament Just before this past season began. Thomas and his players set out to accomplish four goals and only now arc they publically revealing what those goals were Win all of their home games, beat the three other Houston County teams, win the Region 3_a.-\ championship, and advance far ther than the 1994 squad did To Thomas' pleasant surprise, his team accomplished all lour, and even went above and tacked on a few more achievements Before this year. Thomas' longest win streak was 1.3 games. He now has to admit to people that his team won 19 games in a row before. And he almost became the first coach to bring home a state basketball champi onship to Perry since Paul Thomasville The g ,rl s'.a.i playing at 5 p m while the boys begin at 6:30 p m. "I think our guys know how impor tant it is to win down in Thomasville." said boy’s head coach Rob Zell, who's team lost to Thomasville last year. It would go along way to qualifying for the state playoff s." Central came to Perry March 5 and were beaten by both Panther teams The girls won 5-3 and boys took a 4-2 victo ry Hour sophomores combined lot Perry's live points Cam Midkill scored twice while Vickie Welling. Megan Strandburg and Hcathci Sokuis scoicd Hmtm TlmesJoumal one goal each Matt Erochlich. Cory Emerson. Kevin Davis and Brandon Ptleegor took credit lor the hoy’s lour goals in their victory over the Chargers which came on a rain-soaked held The win came a week after Central and Perry tied a game We did a better job ol respecting then speed." explained Zelf "I told my guys to attack when we had the ball and shoot whenever thev had (he opportuni ty loi their speed The girls are now I 2-1 on the season while the boy > aie 4 1-1 Hartman did so <2 years ago Perry did manage to win a tournament considered by many as one ol the toughest in the st.ite. the Bank ot Gray Holiday Classic in December They also managed back to come out ol the Stop The Violence' Invitational m Milledgeville unscaved The Panthers also beat their region enemies trom Dodge County lor the first time in three ycais aiwl deleated their ancient rivals trom Peach County twice As tai as the 3<) wins. Thomas h.nl several observations His team didn't give up more than 70 points until their final game against Mnchell Baker The Panthers never did score 90 or OKI points against an opponent. They had a formula ol playing an an-tight defense and scoring |iist enough points to win and win and vv in Thomas credits that to a level ol consistency not normally seen on the high school level. I've always been impressed with how these guys ('lav together out there on the court he said. You don't sec a team like this tix> often Fortunately for Thomas, there appears to be* at least one more chance to see a team advance to the Final Four The Panthers will return their leading scorer. Dannorris Harvey, at center Johnny Watkins. Donte Holmes and Dontarrius I bonus will also be seniors next season They only lose one starter But. ot course replacing Reggie Clark at the point guard position isn t something that i' done easily We re going to have to have some people step up during the otfsea-on to see if they can handle it said Thomas "It's hard to replace a guy like Reggie In the meantime. Thomas has othei things to occupy his mind with the absence of coaching bas ketball He is currently '(Tending his coaching time as the assistant coach ol the Perry High boys soc cer team "It s cold out there " admitted Thomas but I enjoy being with my Perry High soccer heroes When asked it he thinks he thinks he'll ever have a team as gmid as this past season's, he paused lor a split second before answering with a smile and his trademark grin I hope* so." he said "l would love to have another team like this one I Chad Lewis limes Journal Sport* Proud of a great bunch of teen-agers Just av the high school bas ketball tournaments were about to begin, my editor Jj Johnson and I sat down and discussed how we planned to take on such a challenge We decided that it would be easier if one of us covered Westfield and the other cov ered Perry and that we should stick with that team for as far as they go in the playoffs Jj suggested that he cover the Hornets while I travel along with the Panthers I agreed, seeing no reason not to go along with the plan Of course. I had no idea that would keep winning, making it all the way to the stale championship game I realized that Perry finished with a 22-1 regular season record and I knew that they would go pretty tar in the play - oils However. I also reali/ed that many teams have entered the tournament season with impressive records only to be bumped out in the first round Starting out in Kastman. Perry beat up on an 0-22 Bleckley County team which could have only won the game il the Panther team bus got lost on the way to the gym After avenging their sole loss of the regular season when they beat Dodge County tor the subre gion championship, they beat the Indians again a week later m Forsy th lor the region cham pionship. ending a three-year run ot titles by Dodge County. Now I had to pack my hags for Macon as the Panthers entered The Big Show Bui even with a 27-1 record. I was a little worried about our hometown heroes when they faced the Greene-Taliaferro Tigers in the second round of the state tournament As I walked through the parking lot of the Macon Centreplex. 1 look a moment to talk to one ot the parking atlen dents The older gentlemen could tell I was with the press, and he asked who I was cover ing When I told him I was from Perry, he winked and said. "Good luck, those boys arc going to have a tough time beat them hoys trom Greene Thanks." I replied, hoping that wasn’t a had omen Of course, it wasn't The Panthers eliminated the Tigers And besides being proud of boys for not getting involved in list fights against a team that almost deserved a lick or two. I will remember that game as the only one all season that the players took time to celebrate after winning As everyone knows, they beat South Forsyth before tailing to Mitchell-Baker in the finals F.vcn though I have to be unbiased and must cover all the points (even those that go up on the wrong side of the scoreboard), that game hurt In fact, the most vivid image I have from that game was late in the fourth quarter when Donte Holmes dove for the ball at halfcourt, only to be called tor his fifth personal loul As Donte made his way to the bench, you could sec the heartbreak in his eyes as they w alert’d up Coach Carl Thomas gave him a pat on his back and as he tried to console him it was at that point one had to realize that these were merely teen agers out there on the court put under a great deal ol pressure by us fans and reporters. I've alway been impressed by how they handle such great pressure at such a tender age. the Panthers were a great example of that grace under pressure. Tv' the players and coaches of the 1997-98 Perry team. I couldn't he prouder of you all You represented your city with class and dignity and you made us all very proud of you You managed to take an entire town and unite it in spirit and excite ment You arc line group of young men with a promising future and a rich history You. my bov s. are our heroes.