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Patriots play for a title shot

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

If you have ever been an athlete or have watched a movie dealing with sports, you have heard the phrase, “this is what you play for.” For the Sandy Creek Patriots varsity boys basketball team (26-4), that phrase rings especially true today. At 5:30 p.m., they will take on the Tucker Tigers in the AAAA semi-finals at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. A win puts them in the state finals on Friday and adds another chapter to what is already one of the greatest seasons for a boys basketbal team in school history.

The road to the final four started with a road win against Statesboro and also included two big wins in Columbus last week against Bainbridge (64-47) and Baldwin (68-48). The Bainbridge game was won with good team defense, according to coach Darrell Evans, who also cited good play from Marcus Erves, who had 18 points, and Charles Belton. Aaron Carruthers led the Patriots in scoring in the Baldwin game with 24 points, while Daniel Hendricks and Michael Gates both had an outstanding game on defense. Sandy Creek was able to control the tempo and handle a team that was bigger and more athletic. That will be just as important this afternoon as Tucker has two major scoring threats.

Tucker is 26-3 this season and the bulk of the scoring comes from Damian Duncan and Cameron Tatum. The Tigers have not lost a game in 2005 and they have only been held below 50 points once this year. Tucker has numerous other players that have contributed to their success this season including Brandon Dixon, Greg Boatwright and Mike McGee.

Coach Evans credited excellent team play and team unity in helping the Patriots reach the final four. He also cited excellent play over the weekend from Charles Belton and Kevin Lott.

“Our bench has also been doing a great job,” said Evans. “They have been scoring points and doing the right things.”

This is the furthest that a Sandy Creek boys basketball team has ever gone. Two Sandy Creek teams have made the Elite Eight before, once in 2001-2002 and once in 1997. Evans feels that the team is playing really well together and that has made the difference this season.

“There’s great team unity,” said Evans. “We play together as a team and no individual needs to standout. That is what got us over the hump.”

Tickets for the game are $7. To get to Arena at Gwinnett Center, Take I-85 to the Highway 120 Exit West. Turn right on Satellite Boulevard and the center will be on your left. You can also take the Sugarloaf Parkway exit, turn right off the exit, go back under the interstate and cross over Satellite Boulevard. The center will be on your left.