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#MarchToMacon: What we learned from the AAAAA championship

Alterique Gilbert
8, Mar 2014

#MarchToMacon: What we learned from the AAAAA championship

MACON, GA – The sea of purple that washed over the Macon Centerplex for the Class AAAAA state championship were looking to witness history Friday night. After a strong third quarter Miller Grove was on its way to a six consecutive state championship as it beat Warner Robins 70-43.  Our Hoopseen.com staff breaks down the things they learned from the championship game.

A monster third quarter won the game for Miller Grove. Head coach Sharman White went to the locker room at halftime with some serious motivation on his mind for his team. The Wolverines weren't playing the way they are capable of. Up 27-22 against Warner Robins, Miller Grove went on a major run in the third quarter. The Wolverines outscored the Demons 26-7 in the third and never looked back. It was a flurry on both sides of the court that would have put any team on the ropes. Miller Grove would not be denied. That was a championship quarter. – JY

In order to make a run like that on a stage like they did, Miller Grove had to be battle-tested. You often hear "well, Miller Grove has it easy in AAAAA" amongst the Georgia basketball community. Laughable, right? The Wolverines played an aggressive in-state schedule this year. Buford, Wheeler (loss), St. Francis, Columbia (loss), Norcross (loss), Tucker, Stephenson, Jenkins and Warner Robins were all on the docket. Think that aggressive run helped build some mental toughness? You better believe it. Warner Robins came into Friday night's championship game with just two losses on the season. - JY

Leadership begins at the top. Coach Sharman White came into Miller Grove and helped build this program from the bottom up. However, this may be the best job he’s done since his Carver days. Think about what this team has done. The Wolverines dealt with the death of a brother, friend, classmate and teammate. This alone could have hurt a program but White brought them together. Since 2004, White’s Wolverines’ program is averaging 28 wins a year.  has built a Wolverines program and dynasty in DeKalb County that will be hard to duplicate for a long time. – RA

Remembering TC 24. Since about the sixth grade everyone talked about Terrell Coleman being the next rising prospect in Georgia. Everyone was excited about this young man’s future. The only time he wore a Wolverines uniform on the varsity level was during the summer of 2013. White knew Coleman was talented and would be special with time. Unfortunately that time was cut short as Coleman passed away. His death became part of the teams mission and it unity the Purple Nation even closer. Miller Grove was on a mission to win one for Terrell Coleman. Mission Accomplished. – RA

Can the Wolverines get a seventh title next year?Sure, the minute the third quarter was over and everyone was pretty much handing the Wolverines the title, one had to thing how long can this dynasty last? Miller Grove is not going to duck any opponent, hence the schedule it has played over the years. But as the new GHSA 2014-2016 Region Alignments were set the Wolverines will stay in Region 6, which is adding Banneker, Carver, Creekside, Mays and Tri-Cities. Tucker, one of the Wolverines biggest rivals, is not in the region. So, this run could go on for another two years as the record books could be paint in Miller Grove purple. - RA

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