Royals to Play for AA State Title | HS Sports

Bleckley County High School didn't exist when the Royals last played for a state basketball title.  Cochran High School was the last team to make it that far in 1965.  BCHS would make the title game if they could get past the Jordan Red Jackets.

Mario Beck had 11 first quarter points as the Royals rallied from an early seven-point deficit.  Five of Rydealous Taylor's eight second quarter points came in the final minute to make it 31-25 BC at halftime.  Taylor and Beck combined for 14 points in the third as the lead grew to ten.

Up 13 in the fourth after Savon Walters' second three of the game, the offense went cold.  The Jackets would chip away at the lead, tying the score at 54 with 1:27 left.  Both missed chances to win in the final 20 seconds, so the game headed to overtime.

Beck's eighth point of OT, a lob dunk, put BCHS up seven.  Jordan hit a three with 30 seconds left then got within two after a missed one if one.  Following the fourth foul shot miss in overtime, the Jackets had one last chance. 

Their three as time expired fell short as Bleckley hung on 64-62.  Beck scored 33.  Taylor had 16.  Friday's game marked the third time in the playofffs the Royals had let a lead slip away.  Head coach Cliff Kerbo said it was normal for them.

"We did our same M. O. (modus operandi.)  We started turning the ball over, taking ill-advised shots, and they got back in it," Kerbo said.  He said he could complain, but didn't see a point to it.

"So far (our) M. O. has gotten us to the championship game.  There's no need to complain as long as your winning, just try to improve on that fact and go to work on it."

BCHS will try for a state title versus Greater Atlanta Christian March 8.  Tip time is 4:45 p.m. at the Macon Centreplex.