GCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Recap

In the night cap of the GCAA Men’s Semi-Finals, the top-seeded and #6 nationally ranked East Georgia State Bobcats hosted, and bested, regional rival Middle Ga. State College, 71 to 55. From the opening possession of the game, the Bobcats set the tone of the game: toughness. East Georgia held the Warriors of MGSC without a point for the first five minutes of the game, jumping ahead 7 to 0. The lead would extend to 13 to 2 before Middle would hit the first of six 3pt. field goals in the first half to cut into East Georgia’s lead, and eventually going ahead. But, the Bobcats would fall back on what has been there for them all season, high-octane pressure defense. Neil Bailey’s squad would regain the lead before the halftime buzzer and wouldn’t look back.

On a night when league Player of the Year and nationally recognized sharp shooter, Jordan Johnson, couldn’t find the touch from the outside arc, PG Tre’ Hagood led the Bobcats with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 7 steals, which has become expected from the nation’s Junior College leader in pockets picked and league Defensive Player of the Year. Hagood would continually push the ball up the court and drive hard to the basket against the Warriors to help stretch the Bobcat lead to double digits for most of the 2nd half. Not to say Johnson didn’t find other ways to help his teammates in going 5 for 12 from the field, for 13 points. And, in the paint all-league selection DJ Felder totaled 11 points and 9 rebounds, all the while doing a solid job of guarding well respected Middle Georgia post Shane Heyward to 3 of 10 shooting from the field.

Also contributing in the win, the 29th on the season for Bobcats, were solid performances from high energy forwards Jon Blair, Brian Pearson and Jalen Watson, combining for 20 points and 14 rebounds all together. All three have supplied much needed strength and effort near the basket on both ends of the floor throughout the season.

The Bobcats will face the #14 nationally ranked Golden Eagles of Chattahoochee Tech tomorrow for a guaranteed trip to the nationally Division 1 Junior College tournament in Hutchinson, KS. The Golden Eagles represent the only blemish on the East Georgia conference record, a loss at Chatt Tech over a month ago. Tip-off for the championship game will be at 7:30pm in Swainsboro at East Georgia State College Gymnasium.

Chattahoochee Tech beats South Georgia Tech

Chattahoochee Tech, the GCAA Tournament's #2 seed, capped off a victory over South Georgia Tech College by a score of 83-63.

What was a close game at one point, being tied at 49-49 in the second half, ended up being a bit of a blowout as the Golden Eagles were able to pull away thanks to great shooting and intensity on the defensive side.

The game really turned in a big way in the favor of the Golden Eagles about three minutes into the second half as Jay Ellis blocked the shot of B.J. Davis hard off the glass. It got the Golden eagles fired up and really started their run that helped them pull away.

Stedmon Lemon was the leading scorers for the Warriors in their loss going for 16 points with three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Anthony Ethridge was right behind him with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks.

Devarick Houston led the way offensively for the Golden Eagles, scoring 24 points with six rebounds, two assists, and two seals. Malcolm Riley went for 20 points with nine rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal. Ellis had 10 points, two rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block. Sean Tate went for 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

With their victory the Golden Eagles play tournament host and top seed, East Georgia State College.