Seminole County boys outlast Crawford County to win Class AA state title

MACON — The horde of cameras and reporters huddled around Seminole County High School basketball standout Jordan Harris. They asked the questions and much like he did on the court, Harris delivered emphatically.

He emphasized that Friday’s victory over Crawford County wasn’t just about him.

However, Harris did his part.

And some.

A wave of green and white supporters cheered wildly as Seminole County outlasted Crawford County 76-71 Friday afternoon at the Macon Coliseum to claim the Georgia High School Association Class AA state title.

Jordan, the junior who has verbally committed to Georgia, put on a show in front of a statewide audience, erupting for 41 points to help the Indians capture their first boys basketball title since winning the Class A title in 1998.

But more importantly than his final scoring output, his free-throw shooting in the final moments helped cut down a potent Crawford County squad. The junior finished 7 of 9 from the free throw line.

“I knew they were going in,” Harris said. “I’ve been in clutch situations like this. I’ve just got confidence when I get to the line that they are going in.”

Seminole County (28-3) had confidence that their stout lineup was good enough to overcome a hot-shooting Crawford squad too. Twice in the second half, the Eagles surged from nine-point deficits to pull themselves back into the game.

But a strong defensive stand by the Indians in the closing moments helped seal the victory and ignited a wild celebration on the court.

Seminole coach Kevin Godwin had to wipe the sweat — mostly from stress — from his brows while receiving the state championship trophy from GHSA Executive Director Gary Phillips.

“I have a headache right now,” Godwin said after the game. “But I feel great.”

Godwin said he never felt like the lead was safe.

“Absolutely not, not until the horn went off,” Godwin said. “I knew they had great weapons. I knew they were going to battle us to the end. We just had to take care of the ball there in the end, but we made some defensive stands and that kind of gave us a little spark.”

Anfernee King, part of Seminole’s three-headed scoring machine along with Harris and Jahmyka Pearson, finished with 17 points, nine coming in the first half. Alex Fudge finished with seven points.

The Indians may have captured the title, but Crawford County earned Seminole’s respect.

“They fought to the end,” Harris said. “Crawford County is a great team. I respect everybody on that team, down to the managers. They’re a great team.”

Seminole County’s only three losses this season came against Class AAAA Bainbridge. Harris said those three losses helped the Indians develop and mature.

After the game, King held the state championship trophy as television cameras captured every move.

He said it’s a feeling he couldn’t describe.

“Even though they kept coming back, we didn’t lose our focus,” King said. “We just settled down and played our game.

“It’s a feeling I’ve never had before. It’s wild, but we did it.”