Calhoun County boys basketball team earns trip to state finals

SAVANNAH — Quenten Taylor dribbled as fast as he could around three defenders near midcourt. When it looked as if the senior guard was out of control, he penetrated as far as he could, then dished to an open Jerrek Solite underneath the basket.

Like he did so many times, Taylor fed the ball inside to Solite, who finished with 27 points.

While its fans celebrated the 87-67 victory over Treutlen in the Class A public school state semifinals at Armstrong State University on Saturday, there was no celebration from the players.

They still have one more game to play. Then with a victory, they’ll celebrate. And they’ll throw down a wild party.

“We’ve been here before,” Taylor said of last-season’s heart-breaking loss to Wilkinson County at nearby Savannah State in last year’s semifinals.

“We didn’t want to lose this time.”

And Taylor made sure of it. He finished with 21 points, but he bailed the Cougars’ out of a stiff defense Treutlen threw at them. He made tough passes and he helped set up other baskets that his teammates converted with ease.

About the only thing the Herald Super 6er needed was a cape and he could have played the role of Superman.

“He’s definitely been a special player for us,” Calhoun boys coach Marcus Shaw said. “That kid loves the game.”

Calhoun County will meet the winner of Saturday night’s late game between Hancock Central and Greenville in the Class A public school state championship game Thursday at 4:45 p.m. at the Macon Coliseum.

The final score looked like an easy victory. However, it was far from it.

The Vikings trimmed a 15-point first-half deficit to six with 3:15 left in the third quarter but couldn’t get any closer.

Treutlen was within striking distance until Calhoun County’s defense held them without a basket during a two-minute span midway through the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the Cougars went on a 10-0 run to extend their lead, then DaJohn Williams provided the knockout punch when Taylor created a steal, then dished to Williams who banged a shot off the glass and drew a foul. His 3-point play at the 2:31 mark made it 77-62 and the Calhoun fans began to celebrate prematurely.

“A state title is the goal,” Shaw said. “We’ve got six seniors and they know that this is their last go-around. This is their last chance. They’ve been a focused group all year.”

Taylor helped the Cougars build leads as high as 10 early in the first quarter. Even though Treutlen pulled itself back into the game, they never led after Calhoun built a 14-4 advantage at the 4:01 mark of the first quarter.

They way Calhoun shot free throws in the second half, Taylor said the team needed to just play defense.

“We just had to pick up the defense,” he said. “And that’s what we did.”

Williams finished with 15 points, while Sherrod Williams added 14.