JONESBORO, GA – It is amazing what happens when a game plan is implemented and executed.

Jonesboro High boys’ basketball team was simple enough. The Cardinals wanted to put pressure on the ball, get to the basket and keep Worth County off the boards. While all of the team’s agenda was met, Jonesboro did more than enough to beat 62-45 on Tuesday advancing to the Class AAAA quarterfinals.

The Cardinals will travel to play Rutland on Thursday.

“Our game plan was to press and get a lead,” Jonesboro coach Dan Maehlman said. “Then we were going to sit back in a matchup man.”

Jonesboro took the first two minutes of the second half to execute its game plan. The Cardinals (23-6) forced the Rams into three straight turnovers, which led to easy transition baskets. A lead that was single-digits ballooned to double-digits. These baskets had Jonesboro’s gym rocking.

Leading the charge during this small run was James “MJ” Walker. The freshman guard went to the basket with purpose. If he was cut off, Walker was finding cutting teammates who finished at the rim. The Rams were reeling as the Cardinals found its groove. Walker finished with a game-high 24 points. Austin Donaldson added 20 points and DeAntre Mack chipped in with 10.

Regardless of who finished with what, Jonesboro executed its plan.

“Going into the game we wanted to come out and play hard,” Walker said. “I knew we had to find my way to the rim. I give a lot of credit to my teammates for putting me in that position. They just kept feeding me the ball. We just have to stay on being consistent.”

Jonesboro had some early troubles against Worth County, who was not going to go away easy in the first half.

The Rams (22-7) was not initially bothered by the Cardinals pressure or atmosphere. Worth County went toe-to-toe for a while with Jonesboro. This South Georgia squad attacked the offensive glass in any missed opportunity. Anfrenee McLemore, Nick Burley and Brandon Miller found second chances for the Rams, who outrebounded the Cardinals 16-9. Jonesboro forced Worth County into 16 turnovers for a 35-26 halftime lead. McLemore finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks for the Rams.

“We were out to get to the basket in the first half but missed some easy ones,” Maehlman said. “MJ and Austin are hard to guard. I just told them to continue attacking.”

Jonesboro did just that and it fed off the energy in the gym.

“I was pleased with both rounds,” said Maehlman of hosting the first two rounds of the playoffs. “The atmosphere was huge. It does help to have that support.”