Knockdown Class AA battle: Pace boys beat Holy Innocents’ 68-66

Photo by Craig Sager II

The Class AA third-ranked Holy Innocents’ boys had top-ranked Pace Academy on the ropes Tuesday night with a 47-34 lead entering in the closing minute of the third quarter. But the Knights rallied to tie it at 66 and with 2.7 seconds left senior Elijah Holifield drilled a game-winning pull-up jumper to give Pace Academy a thrilling 68-66 road victory in a packed gym at Holy Innocents’.
“Elijah is the best closer we’ve got in the state of Georgia right now,” said Pace Academy head coach Demetrius Smith moments after the game, his team now 19-2 and 11-0 in Region 6.

Holifield took over down the stretch, netting 14 of his game-high 29 points in the final quarter including huge three-pointers that cut the deficit to 61-56 and later 65-61. After Holifield cut the lead to 65-61, teammate Zack Kaminsky connected on a three-pointer with 59.9 seconds left to make it a one-point game. Holy Innocents’ (18-4, 8-3) drew a foul and Sam Asbury made one of two free-throws to extend the lead to two but 6-foot-10 Pace Academy sophomore Wendell Carter Jr. hit a lay-up to tie it. Holy Innocents’ got the ball back and drew another foul but Cole Smith could not dial up from the foul line and with the score still tied, gave Holifield and the Knights a chance to close the game and complete a 32-19 scoring advantage in the quarter.
Carter Jr. scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter while shooting a perfect six for six from the foul line. Holy Innocents’ was led by Asbury’s team-high 17 points and Smith’s 15 points.

Allatoona 54, Hiram 42: In Region 5-AAAAA, No. 6 Allatoona (20-2, 15-0) defeated host Hiram (9-13, 7-8) behind Kevin Perry’s 17 points off the bench. Bradley Brevet scored 11 while Rodney Brown and Trey Doomes both pitched in nine points. The Hornets were led by Demiere Brown’s 21 points—16 of which came in the second half.

Tucker 79, Lakeside 49: Class AAAAAA’s No. 6 Tucker Tigers (22-2, 8-0) rolled at home in Region 2 action behind a trio of players with 16 points. Bryce Brown, Jon Stephens, and Ayinde Russell all led the Tigers in scoring. Lakeside (5-13, 3-6) received 23 points from Najee Kemp to lead all scorers.

Cherokee 48, Milton 44: The Warriors (14-8, 8-5) scored a big Region 5-AAAAAA win at home behind Jovan Morris’ 18 points and Willie McClure who scored 11. Harvard-commit Chris Lewis led Milton (12-9, 9-4) with 18 points.

Duluth 77, Mill Creek 73: Duluth (16-6, 7-4) picked up a big Region 7-AAAAAA win on the road which now pulls them into a tie with Collins Hill for second place. Kahir Jeffries led all scorers with 18 points nailing four 3-pointers. Anthony Showell added 16 points while Joseph Gordon chipped in 12 and Obinna Ofodile scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Mill Creek (14-8, 6-5) received 13 points from Scotty Chadwick and 11 apiece from Charles Botchway and Sha Powell.

Johns Creek 85, West Forsyth 61: Johns Creek (12-10, 10-5) banged home nine threes in the second half to cruise on the road against West Forsyth (10-11, 6-9) in Region 6-AAAAAA. Mark Lancaster connected on four 3-pointers en route to 20 points to lead Johns Creek. The Wolverines were led by Jimmy Staiti, who finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.

Miller Grove 71, Southwest DeKalb 49: No. 1 ranked Miller Grove (20-3, 12-0 in Region 6-AAAAA) blew past No. 7 Southwest DeKalb behind Alterique Gilbert’s 22 points, seven assists and nine steals. Lamont West posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Keith Gilmore scored 23 points to lead the visiting Panthers (17-7, 8-5).

St. Francis 110, Pinecrest Academy 59: St. Francis, Class A’s No. 1 team, overwhelmed the visiting Paladins. All five starters scored double digits for the Knights (18-3, 8-0) as Malik Beasley had 22 points. Pinecrest Academy (8-13, 3-6) received 18 points from Ryan McCarthy and 12 from Nick Palmer.

Johnson-Gainesville 81, North Hall 53: Ty Cockfield and Rod English led the way again for the undefeated No. 2 Knights (21-0, 5-0). Cockfield poured in 30 while English added 26 points. Visiting North Hall had two players in double figures with Carson Heinen scoring 24 and Evan Easton chipping in 10. The Trojans (11-12) are now 2-4 in Region 8-AAAA.

Hillgrove 60, Kennesaw Mountain 54: No. 10 Hillgrove was able to hold on at home against a tough Mustang team in Region 4-AAAAAA action. Collin Sexton scored a game-high 23 points to help lift the Hawks (17-4, 9-2) to victory. Antonio Wade contributed 19 points, 11 in the first quarter to get Hillgrove going. Nigel Hayes led the Mustangs (16-6, 7-4) with 19 points.

South Paulding 77, Lithia Springs 52: Joe Williams scored 20 points and Anthony Brown posted a 10 point, 11 rebound double-double as the Spartans advanced to 17-5 overall and 11-4 in Region 5-AAAAA. Kinsey Burgess also chipped in 10 points for South Paulding. The visiting Lions (12-9, 7-8) were led by Daqaun Huff’s 20 points.

Girls

Hillgrove 50, Kennesaw Mountain 19: Hillgrove (12-9, 5-6 in Region 4-AAAAAA) held visiting Kennesaw Mountain to six points in the first half and was led by Tene Thompson’s 11 points and 13 rebounds. The Mustangs (10-12, 2-9) got seven points from Anna Stewart.

McEachern 80, North Cobb 51: Seventh-ranked McEachern (16-4, 9-2 in Region 4-AAAAAA) had four players in double figures led by Tea Cooper (Tennessee commit) with 20 points, 11 assists, and six steals while Chanel Wilson had 18 points, Jada Lewis scored 16 points and Lyndsey Whilby finished with 14. North Cobb (16-6, 6-5) was paced by Kyrie Chandler’s 18 points.

Holy Innocents’ 78, Pace Academy 33: Erika Cassell scored 12 of her game-high 19 points before the half as Class AA No. 1 Holy Innocents’ (22-0, 10-0 in Region 6) exploded for 48 points and cruised past visiting Pace Academy (5-14, 0-8).

Norcross 61, Peachtree Ridge 27: Eight-ranked Norcross (19-3, 10-1 in Region 8-AAAAAA) held visiting Peachtree Ridge to two points in the first half. Bash Perry led the way with 18 points and Ty Gillespie added 13. Peachtree Ridge (4-17, 3-9) got 13 points from Melissa Bowman.

Parkview 64, Grayson 40: Third-ranked Parkview had three players in double figures at home against Grayson. Raven Johnson went for 13 points, Makenna Pouengue scored 11 points and Vickie Harris added 10. Parkview (16-3, 12-0 in region 8-AAAAAA) opened the game on a 22-6 scoring run. Grayson (14-7, 7-6) was led by Shakara Burton who scored 18 points.

Douglas County 48, Langston Hughes 45: Visiting Douglas County outscored Langston Hughes 25-17 in the second half. Douglas County (15-6, 9-1 in region 3-AAAAAA) was led by Arsula Clark, who scored 12 points. Tay Faust scored 11 and Amira Atwater, who scored eight. Langston Hughes (15-3, 8-2) was paced by Kendricka Glover and Anesha Smith, both with 17.

St. Francis 80, Pinecrest Academy 53: Top-ranked St. Francis (16-2, 8-0 in Region 6-A) opened with a 23-9 run in the first quarter and led at half 43-26. Kasiyahna Kushkituah led the way with 22 points and 12 rebounds. She was helped by Abby Grant with 14 points and Jala Jordan with 12.

Southwest DeKalb 49, Miller Grove 40: Ninth-ranked Southwest DeKalb (18-6, 12-1 in Region 5-AAAAA) put the game away on a late run as Daisa Alexander had 14 points and Chantz Cherry and Michaela Bennefield each had 12. Miller Grove (11-8, 8-4) was led by Imani Richardson’s14 points and Chrystal Ezechukwu added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

High School Basketball Scores
Boys

Albany 56, Dougherty 45

Alexander 62, New Manchester 54

Allatoona 54, Hiram 42

Americus-Sumter 50, Monroe 46

Athens Christian 91, George Walton Academy 35

Calhoun 76, Adairsville 42

Carrollton 65, Whitewater 42

Cartersville 71, Gilmer 55

Carver-Columbus 62, LaGrange 59

Central-Carroll 56, Callaway 43

Creekview 55, Cass 44

Dacula 62, Central Gwinnett 60

Dodge County 67, Pierce County 35

Duluth 77, Mill Creek 73

Excel Christian 51, Trion 39

First Presbyterian 58, Mt. de Sales 50

Gainesville 78, Flowery Branch 55

Greater Atlanta Christian 70, Wesleyan 68 (OT)

Harlem 88, Dublin 61

Harris County 51, Hardaway 44

Hillgrove 60, Kennesaw Mountain 54

Houston County 59, Bleckley County 51

Jenkins 79, Southeast Bulloch 59

Johnson-Gainesville 81, North Hall 53

Lithonia 53, Grady 43

Manchester 100, Bowdon 91

Marietta 56, Harrison 55

McIntosh 83, Stockbridge 78

Mt. Zion-Carroll 78, Mt. Paran Christian 70

North Clayton 73, McNair 28

North Forsyth 59, Habersham Central 57

North Gwinnett 56, Collins Hill 55 (OT)

Oglethorpe County 61, Washington-Wilkes 45

Pace Academy 68, Holy Innocents’ 66

Pebblebrook 77, Newnan 34

Pope 54, Etowah 47

Rockdale County 81, Alcovy 50

Rutland 97, Jordan 74

Savannah 57, Islands 43

Southwest 57, Spencer 40

Southwest Atlanta Christian 88, Landmark Christian 84

St. Francis 110, Pinecrest Academy 59

St. Pius 50, Stone Mountain 45 (OT)

Starr’s Mill 53, Dutchtown 41

Taylor County 46, Dooly County 44

Treutlen 78, Claxton 68

Union County 60, Riverside Military 58

Vidalia 54, Jeff Davis 42

Walton 57, Lassiter 63

Washington County 58, Josey 56

Wheeler 67, Roswell 48

Woodward Academy 57, Troup 54

Girls

Alexander 37, New Manchester 34

Archer 64, South Gwinnett 43

Bainbridge 57, Westover 51

Beach 48, Johnson-Savannah 43

Buford 68, Monroe Area 24

Calhoun 60, Adairsville 36

Cambridge 51, North Atlanta 30

Central-Carroll 56, Callaway 43

Cherokee 38, Milton 28

Creekview 45, Cass 23

Dacula 54, Central Gwinnett 49

Dodge County 65, Pierce County 60 (OT)

Eagle’s Landing 49, Eastside 40

Effingham County 58, Richmond Hill 19

Elbert County 44, Jackson County 34

Etowah 57, Pope 51

First Presbyterian 51, Mt. de Sales 26

Flowery Branch 59, Gainesville 36

Gordon Lee 66, Chattooga 51

Harrison 45, Marietta 34

Hillgrove 50, Kennesaw Mountain 19

Holy Innocents’ 78, Pace Academy 33

Houston County 51, Bleckley County 34

Lambert 48, Centennial 45

Marist 42, Chamblee 25

McIntosh 51, Stockbridge 20

Northeast-Macon 43, Macon County 42

Northgate 52, Ola 42

Our Lady of Mercy 44, Strong Rock Christian 34

Pebblebrook 35, Newnan 28

River Ridge 49, Dalton 44

Savannah 52, Islands 24

Sequoyah 54, Woodland-Cartersville 22

South Forsyth 69, Northview 30

South Effingham 54, Bradwell Institute 35

Southwest 68, Spencer 55

St. Francis 80, Pinecrest Academy 53

St. Pius 51, Stone Mountain 42

Tattnall Square 45, Stratford Academy 38

Tucker 70, Lakeside-DeKalb 43

Valdosta 61, Colquitt County 58

Vidalia 50, Jeff Davis 32

Wesleyan 84, Greater Atlanta Christian 33

West Hall 56, Fannin County 50

Wheeler 41, Roswell 33

Whitewater 43, Carrollton 40

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