Lots of people fear hornets. They often attack in overwhelming swarms and some have stings that register amongst the most venomous of any insect. But maybe the most devastating example of the species is the South Atlanta variety, which over the weekend pummeled the Woodland Wolfpack and the Spalding Jaguars en route to clinching the 2008-09 Region 4-AAA championship.
The field of competition was simply overmatched, making the games seem more like a formality than really necessary in crowning this year’s champion. In the semifinal round, South Atlanta beat Woodland 77-27 and then made quick work of Spalding to the tune of 104-45 in the finals.
South Atlanta put on an exhibition of good defense and offense. Showing both teams an array of different looks on defense, the Hornets were able to force multiple turnovers and score easy buckets in transition.
It would be too simple to attribute all of South Atlanta’s success to the ultra-talented Georgia Tech commit Derrick Favors. What the causal fan might not know is that South Atlanta is an all-around outstanding basketball team from the coaching staff through Favors’ on-court supporting cast, most notably the starting guard tandem of Nicholas Watson and Auburn commit Andre Malone. When asked about his team’s ability to dominate its opponents and essentially control games from start to finish, head coach, Michael Reddick stated, “We prepare hard in practice, so come game time each player knows what is expected of him and what they are supposed to do on the floor.”
Of the South Atlanta guards, Malone and Watson both have excellent range from outside and can punish teams which focus too much attention toward Favors on defense. Against Woodland, Malone had 15 points. For an encore, he tallied 22 points against Spalding, converting 4-of-7 from the 3-point line (including one attempt shot from half court that rimmed out to end the half).
In addition to their shooting ability, both guards show excellent quickness and strength. They caused havoc for other guards simply trying to advance the ball up court. When they do create turnovers, it is fun to watch them in transition creating easy buckets, especially the 6-foot-5 Malone.
Despite lop-sided victories, Reddick could not be accused of running up the score due to overuse of Derrick Favors. Favors saw action for about two and a half quarters in both games.
Still, he mustered 24 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, and three steals against the Wolfpack and followed Friday night’s performance with 31 points (13-of-18 from the floor), 15 rebounds, and two blocks against Spalding.
Though his numbers speak for themselves, it was how he achieved his marks that left half the people in attendance on their feet cheering and the other half smiling in awe and disbelief.
His most notable play came in the second quarter of the Spalding game. After missing a free throw, he secured the long rebound, flipped the ball to a teammate under the goal who tossed up a perfect alley hoop back to him after he cut straight through the lane. Elevating high above the rim, Favors finished the play with a jaw-dropping two-handed dunk.
High school hoops fans will remember South Atlanta’s disappointing losses in the region tourney and first round of the playoffs last year. But given the added experience of Favors and the offseason addition of Malone, it seems that it will take a phenomenal effort to keep South Atlanta from a state title in 2009.
Gupta can be reached at rgupta@scoreatl.com.
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