St. Francis won the Class A Private state championship with a masterful close out in the fourth quarter against Whitefield Academy 65-60 on Saturday afternoon in Macon. What did our team of Justin Young and Robert Alfonso, Jr. learn from the game? They unload their notes from the championship.

The St. Francis defense in the fourth quarter was the defense where championships are earned. Whitefield could not find the bottom of the net, going a cold 0 for 8 from the floor in the final three minutes of the game. The Knights contested every shot, pass and rebound. The intensity that was displayed all game was channeled into defensive production. - Justin Young

It is a shame Eric Lockett was not healthy. The 6-foot-6 senior is one of the best players in the Peach State and he's the heart and soul of the Whitefield Academy team. We saw him help lead Aim High to a championship in July at the Best of the South. He has championship qualities. He played on one leg in this game and fouled out with just three points. In a five-point game, you better believe a healthy Lockett would have been a difference maker. Nonetheless, St. Francis took advantage and won the battle down low. - JY

We could see this game again in 2015. Both teams return a lot. St. Francis graduates just two players and bring back nearly all of the scoring from this year's state championship team. Whitefield loses some key pieces but the development of Courtney Alexander II, Brendan Myles and Norman Harris was impressive to watch in the playoffs. Tyrone Johnson will have his team ready for another challenging year. St. Francis could be in the conversation for one of the best teams in the Southeast next high school season. It isn't crazy to throw that out there. - JY

Poise can catch up a team at the most critical moment. All season St. Francis has looked to deal with it at various times throughout the year. Well, the lessons learned by the Knights kept their heads together when it needed to the most. After it looked like it was about to fold early in the third quarter, St. Francis rallied together and kept its head and slowly chipped away at the lead. Eventually, free throws and key possessions propelled the Knights to victory. - Robert Alfonso, Jr.

The growth of Josh Coleman is outstanding. Several years ago, as a never used player on Milton High’s bench, his family made a decision to enroll him at St. Francis. The decision has paid off for Coleman and the Knights. He has developed into a college prospect who pushes himself harder than any other person can. Coleman anchored the middle for St. Francis all season where he controlled the boards. His growth will be one everyone looking for an interior presence may want to monitor. -RA