Live Blogging - Wrap Up

Laney Wildcats

We are finished live blogging for the night.  Thank you for viewing.  During the next 48 hours we will be releasing game summaries and highlight videos from "Championship Weekend's" games.  And we look forward to following Aquinas, Laney, Josey, Westside, Washington County, Thomson, and Effingham County through their state tournament journeys.

live blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Westside Takes the Lead into Halftime

The Patriots have gotten 12 first half points from Frank Booker, who has switched numbers from #11 to #25 after beginning to bleed.  Doyle leads Josey with 12 points of his own.

Westside 33, Josey 31

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Laney Update: Newton's Crossover

10:02 P.M.


The Wildcats take a 50-35 lead into the 4th quarter.  Watch the video below to see Drez Newton cross the ball over from his left to his right hand and score in the paint with a soft floater.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Westside Cuts Josey's Lead

9:54 P.M.


Frank Booker and Ronald Campbell have just combined to score 6 points during a recent 9-3 run, and the Westside Patriots now trail 26-23 with 3 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Josey 26, Westside 23

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Laney Update: "Get a TO Baby"

9:41 P.M.

ESPN's Dick Vitale coined the catch phrase "Get a TO baby!" as he repeatedly screamed it to college basketball viewers after the home team made a run and forced the visitors to call timeout to regroup.

Well, Laney's Shaquille Cook has brought out the Dick Vitale in this Augusta Basketball Reporter!  Watch the video below to see Cook dunk it home for the second time in the first half.  The best part about the clip is the shot of the crowd after the dunk and the time out.  The Wildcats may be two hours away, but the Laney faithful have made the trip.  And the Wildcats are making making sure they don't regret doing so.

Laney 50, Bleckley County 35 - Beginning of 4th Quarter

live blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - First Westside-Josey Update

9:32 P.M.


In a fast paced game at Josey High School, the Eagles lead the Patriots 23-14 with 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter.  Kyle Doyle leads all scorers with 12 first quarter points, 6 in the paint and 6 from the perimeter.

The most concerning thing for Patriots fans?  Josey's hot shooting freshman guard Darius Williams has only recently entered the game... and he just hit a step back 3 pointer!

live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Aquinas Falls

9:30 P.M.


Wilkinson County has defeated Aquinas 59-57.  The next step for both teams is the state tournament.  We will be there!

live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Laney's Cook Slams it Home!

9:16 P.M.


Laney's Glenn Rodriguez just found Shaquile Cook in the post for an emphatic slam dunk during the first quarter of play in the region 3-AA championship game.  Watch the video highlight of Cook's dunk followed by a near steal by Laney guards Drez Newton and Jamie West.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Aquinas Update: Scott's 3 Cuts Lead

9:13 P.M.

Aquinas's Michael Scott just buried a 3 pointer to cut the Warrior lead to 56-55 with 36.1 seconds remaining!

live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Aquinas Update (Another 4th Quarter)

9:10 P.M.

Wilkinson County just went on a 6-2 run to take a 52-48 lead with 2:20 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Closer Look: Westside-Josey

9:10 P.M.

If you are wondering why we haven't updated the region 3-AAA championship game, it is because the game has yet to begin.  So while you wait, enjoy this close up look at Josey's intimidating front line, led by 6'6" junior Kyle Doyle, and 6'7" senior Robert Askew.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Aquinas Update (4th Quarter)

9:04 P.M.

After Wilkinson County started the second half with a 19-9 during to take a 46-40 lead, Aquinas's Ahmed Hill drained back to back three pointer, tying the game at 46 during the 4th quarter.  Wow!

Aquinas 46, Wilkinson County 46

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Laney Takes the Floor

The Wildcats Warm Up in Eastman, GA

The Laney Wildcats recently took the floor for their region championship game against the Bleckley County Royals.  The Wildcats, who have taken two straight trips to the Class AA state tournament final four during the past two seasons, went through this season's sub region schedule undefeated.  We even have a video (below) of the Wildcats taking the floor for warm ups from just over 10 minutes ago.

We will update you with the score and with details as the game gets going.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Aquinas Update (Halftime Score and Stats)

8:45 P.M.


Aquinas has taken a 31-27 lead into halftime.  6'5" shooting guard Ahmed Hill has scored 17 points.  The Warriors seem to have no answer for the big, athletic, and smoothing shooting guard.  Back court mate Michael Scott has chipped in 10 points.  Before this weekend, the Augusta Basketball Report only got one look at the Fighting Irish playing on their own home court.  Aquinas certainly didn't disappoint us on that night.  We share those highlights again here.  This video is short and sweet.  And it is one of the most viewed videos on our site!  Find out why.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Another Aquinas Update

8:20 P.M.

Things change fast at the Aquinas gym!  Ahmed Hill just rocked Aquinas's student section (which rivals Westside's as one of Augusta's loudest and most engaged) with a thunderous dunks (he tends to do that a lot!)

Hill and Michael Scott have recorded most of Aquinas's points to this point and the Fighting Irish now lead 25-21!

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Aquinas Update

8:14 P.M.

After one quarter of play, the Aquinas Fighting Irish trail the Wilkinson County Warriors 17-14.  Wilkinson County the Class A's defending state champion.

Aquinas is led by Michael Scott (#5) and Ahmed Hill (#14).  For a look at what these special players are capable of doing on the basketball court, check out the video highlights (below) of Aquinas's recent game at Westside High School.  This was one of the most entertaining games the Augusta Basketball Report has covered.  And Aquinas played Westside closer than any team has since Westside last played... Josey, tonight's opponent for the Patriots!

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live" - Video Tease

Here is a short video for the longer video we are getting ready to post about the key players in the Westside-Josey game, which starts in just over 30 minutes.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live"

We are thrilled to tell you that the worst of our technical difficulties are behind us.  And we will resume live blogging championship weekend.  The games we are covering tonight include three boys region championship games including teams from the greater Augusta, Georgia, area:

7:30 P.M. - Aquinas Fighting Irish vs Wilkinson County Warriors (Region 7-A)
This game is being played at Aquinas High School.  We plan to bring you live scoring updates as well as commentary from the game.  Additionally, we will share video footage to help viewers learn more about Aquinas's fine team, with a special emphasis on the dynamic sophomore back court duo of Michael Scott and Ahmed Hill.  Finally, within the next 48 hours, viewers will be treated to a highlight video including footage from both of the Fighting Irish's games during championship weekend.

8:30 P.M. - Westside Patriots vs Josey Eagles (Region 3-AAA)

This game is being played at Josey High School.  We plan to bring you live scoring updates as well as commentary from the game.  Additionally, we will share video footage to help viewers to learn more about the key players and match ups involved in this sub region and cross town rivalry.  Finally, within the next 48 hours, viewers will be treated to a highlight video including all four of these teams' games during championship weekend.

8:30 P.M. - Laney Wildcats vs Bleckley County Royals (Region 3-AA)

This game is being played at Dodge County High School.  We plan to bring you live scoring updates as well as commentary from the game.  Additionally, we will share video footage to help viewers to learn more about Laney's fine team.  And if all goes well, we may share slightly delayed video clips and pictures from tonight's championship game.  Finally, within the next 48 hours, viewers will be treated to a highlight video including tonight's championship game.

Josey to Face Westside in Region 3-AAA Championship Game

***While we attempt to fix our technical problems, please enjoy this brief look at tomorrow's matchup between Josey and Westside in the region 3-AAA championship game.  Notice the links to highlights of recent games involving both teams.***

It is commonly said that a good big man will beat a good small man playing basketball.  If comparing Josey's strength, its long and tall front line, featuring 6'6" Kyle Doyle and 6'7" Robert Askew, to Westside's differentiating duo, guards Frank Booker and Ronald Campbell, provided a full analysis of tomorrow's region 3-AAA championship contest, then picking the winner would be easy.

But Josey also features good guard play.  Senior Deion Craig and Freshman Darius Williams have provided solid shooting lately, and Williams in particular has electrified the Raleigh Roundtree Athletic Complex during the last week of play (see the Josey-Laney highlights and the region tournament quarterfinal highlights for proof).

And Westside's senior guard Kendall Harris is also playing well lately, making three pointers and attacking the basket.  Harris adds a third threat to the already potent Westside attack.  After watching the Patriots play lately (click here for a visual of Westside's three guard attack), we are beginning to question whether the saying referenced above about big players being preferable to small players was originated before the addition of the three point line.

***The Josey Eagles reach the championship game after defeating the Washington County Golden Hawks tonight 46-42.  And the Westside Patriots advanced by beating the Thomson Bulldogs 64-56.  Highlights of these games and others will be ready tomorrow.

The highlights of the most recent Josey-Westside game can be found here.

Live Blogging: "Championship Weekend Live"

10:42 PM "Championship Weekend Live" UPDATE:  

Westside 64, Thomson 56

Booker finishes with an unofficial 32 points, and the Westside Patriots earn a spot in the region 3-AAA championship game against sub region foe Josey.  The two teams split sub region games this season.  Click here to see highlights from the most recent contest.

We are now up to date with the final results of the four games of interest in tonight's edition of "Championship Weekend Live."  Stay tuned for video highlights from all four games.  The Josey-WACO highlights may be up tonight.  The others will be tomorrow.  And tomorrow's edition of Championship Weekend Live will include the region 3-AAA championship game (Josey-Westside), the region 7-A championship game (featuring Aquinas), and hopefully the region 2-AA championship game, depending on the outcome of the Wildcats' semifinal match up.