Southwest High School - Spirit Yearbook (Macon, GA)

Page 29 text:

KNEELING: Maurice Williams, Ruben Brown, Bernard Sharpe, Eric Jackson, Derrick Sallette, Sam Wiggins. STANDING: Coach Barden, Coach Hudson, Tony Hall, Thomas Lowder, AUbry.Boyd, Earl Wise, Steve Grayer, Eric Manuel, Carlos Hopkins, Donald Hollis, Greg Jones, Coach Richardson VA Boys Basketball — 25

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The State ls Ours! The 1984-85 season opener was a prophecy of things to come. The Pat's, lead by Steve Grayer’s 32 points and Earl Wise’s 31 points, came home with a 92-81 victory over Washington High of Atlanta. The season continued with one victory after another. During the Christmas holidays, Southwest journeyed to the “‘Basketball Capital’ of the U.S., Lexington, Kentucky, to participate in the Hillsboro Classic. Steve Grayer and Eric Manuel with 16 and 15 points respectively led the Patriots to a 58-35 victory over Takes Creek Commodores which extended the Southwest record to 11-0. With the arrival of tournament time, Southwest was ranked Number One in the region. In the semi-final game, Southwest faced the slow down tactics of Richmond Academy. At halftime the Pats lead 20-14, but came back strong in the second half, with Eric Manuel scoring 15 points, to lead Southwest to a 63-32 victory. The final game of the Region Tournament was a rematch with Warner Robins, the team that gave Southwest their second loss of the season. The Demons led 30-19 at the half and extended their lead to 13 points in the third quarter. Southwest made a strong charge in the fourth quarter and tied the game up at 58-58 at the end of regulation time. With 46 seconds left in overtime, the score tied at 60, Tony Hall sank a jump shot that gave the Pats the win- ning basket. Southwest had avenged an earlier loss and now advanced to the State Tournament with this 64-60 win. Southwest knocked off one oppo- nent after another to reach the finals of the State Tournament. Their final roadblock to the title was LaGrange. The Pats executed all phases of the game with perfection and emerged with a 66-50 victory and brought home the State AAAA Championship Title. TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: Steve Grayer concen- trates on this important foul shot. Varsity Team. BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: Overtime anxiety is expressed on the face of Coach Richardson. Tony Hall goes inside for two points. Earl Wise shows form which dominated center court. 24 — VA Boys Basketball

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Lady Pats Bring Home City Title Despite their youth and inex- perience, the Lady Patriots recorded a 14-7 season by playing with intense enthusiasm, determination, and a keen desire to win. Coach Albert Sharpe had a young team comprised mainly of Sophomores and Juniors. He and Coach Goolsby worked hard with the team and developed in them a sense of pride coupled with a determination to better themselves with each game. This determination to win was ex- hibited during the regular season by twice defeating cross-town rival Nor- theast, which enabled Southwest to capture the coveted City Champion- ship. In the Sub-Region Tournament the team’s inexperience in tournament play was a contributing factor in our loss to Northeast, which eventually won the State AAAA Title. The Lady Patriots’ leading scorer, Angela Hill, will be returning next year along with center Kim Bentley, who led the team in rebounding. Wanda Burns and Kim Wright, two returning guards, are a deadly duo with their combination of speed and shooting ability. Coach Sharpe is extremely op- timistic about the future of the Lady Patriots and feels that the experience of a once inexperienced team will prove to be the contributing factor that will bring about a successful 1986 season. TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: Surrounded by Northeast defenders, Angela Hill fires off a jumpshot. Karen Thomas drives in for a lay up. Wanda Burns releases a shot from the field. MIDDLE: Kim Wright takes the ball down the court. BOT- TOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: Varsity Team — First Row: Lisa Freeman, Wanda Burns, Stacey Nolton, Kim Wright, Tara Bryant. Second Row: Coach Carey, Coach Goolsby, Angela Hill, Debra Collins, Kim Bentley, Karen Thomas, Cheryl Woolfolk, Kim Passmore, Coach Sharpe. Lady Pats celebrate after upsetting high ranking Northeast. Coach Carey and Coach Goolsby il- lustrate some tactical advice during a timeout. 26 — VA Girls Basketball