Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Basketball Classic Preview - Hebron Christian vs. Cherokee Bluff (Girls)

There is no better way to kick off the first day of action from the Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Basketball Classic on Friday at Newton High School than a matchup of state championship hopefuls as the Private classification runner-up from a season ago, Hebron Christian will face off against the Class 3A state champions Cherokee Bluff in the first game of the 'Classic'.

The Bears are coming off of the program's first-ever girls basketball state title from a year ago as they defeated Baldwin 66-58 in the Class 3A state championship. Cherokee Bluff’s run from a year ago featured plenty of excitement as guard Bristol Kersh’s last-second layup as time expired lifted the Bears over Jenkins in the semi-finals 56-55 on their journey to a state championship.

This season, the Bears are sitting at 3-0 with double-digit victories over Central Gwinnett, Lamar County and Lambert so far this season as the Bears are averaging over 62 points per game under head coach Kassie Scott.

Cherokee Bluff is led by an upperclassmen led roster as seven of the 13 players rostered are either a junior or a senior this season. Already this season, Kersh has followed up her tremendous junior season with another great start as she broke the Cherokee Bluff girls basketball single-game points record with 33-points against Lamar County.

There has been plenty of record-breaking so far this season for the Bears as senior Claire Carlson broke the school’s single-game three-point record as she made eight three-pointers in the game against Lambert this season.

On the opposing sideline, Cherokee Bluff will have to face one of the all-time greats in Georgia girls basketball history in legendary head coach Jan Azar and her Hebron Christian team make its Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Basketball Classic debut. Azar is the standard to beat in Georgia high school girls basketball as she has totaled 16 state championships and over 700 career wins.

The Golden Lions were one game short of adding her 17th a season ago before losing to Holy Innocents’ in the state championship.

This season, Hebron Chrisitan is undefeated at 5-0 with wins over Greater Atlanta Christian, Morrow, Lovett, South Forsyth and Trinity Christian. It’s closest game this season featured a 27-point victory over Greater Atlanta Christian, the Golden Lions ran away with it 62-35 with other outcomes featuring a 40-point, 31-point, 43-point and a staggering 83-point victory.

The roster still features important playmakers as they feature nine upperclassmen from a season ago.

Seniors Alanna Beckham, Kobi Barnes, Gabby Minus and Nariah Nelson are all major contributors to an experienced Golden Lions team that has seen success so far in the early season.

Azar and the Golden Lions are seeking the program's fourth state championship since 2020.

Hebron Christian against Cherokee Bluff makes for an intriguing matchup to start the event as both 20-win programs from a season ago are seeking to get back to the top or defend their crown as champions.

December 12 -- Hebron Christian vs Cherokee Bluff (Girls) - 4:30 p.m.

Hebron Christian Roster

Head Coach: Jan Azar

0, Savannah Hoagland, P, 9

1, Alyssa Craig, G, 11

2, Alexa Craig, W, 11

3, Jada Williams, P, 9

4, Alanna Beckham, G, 12

5, Kai Williams, G, 11

10, Nariah Nelson, G, 12

11, Michel Robbins, G, 11

12, Amana Friend, G, 9

15, Mia Huckaby, G, 11

21, Kobi Barnes, P, 12

23, Elle Johnson, W, 9

24, Gabby Minus, W, 12

33, Saige Walker, G, 9

44, Taryn Dixon, P, 10

Cherokee Bluff Roster

Head Coach: Kassie Scott

1, Sophia Castaneda, PG, 11

2, Embry Parker, PG, 9

3, Claire Carlson, CG, 12

4, Audrey Graham, SF, 12

5, A'Riyah Benson, SG, 11

10, Mac Warren, SG, 12

11, Emery Jones, SF, 11

12, Andi Hall, PG, 10

13, Bristol Kersh, CG, 12

22, Neena Harbuck, SG, 11

23, Lauren Benson, SF, 10

24, Ella Brooks, SG, 10

34, Halle Wilson, C, 12

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