ATLANTA, GA -- For a quarter, Lamar County was the tone-setter. The Middle Georgia team came to Buckhead with purpose and opened the second round Class AA playoff game with high-energy, good athleticism and had a usually unflappable Pace Academy up on the ropes.

The home team put the game in the rearview mirror the final three quarters in convincing fashion, winning 82-51 and advanced in the AA state playoff bracket.

Here are Justin Young's three things he learned on Saturday:

1. There isn't a better big man in Georgia high school hoops than that of Wendell Carter. The class of 2017 big man wasn't even at his very best in the win over Lamar County either. That's not a knock. It just wasn't. That's the way it goes. That said, his effort was still quite impressive though, scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He also blocked eight shots. Carter is as good of a rebounder I've covered in the state of Georgia. Ever. It is a shame we won't see him match-up with a guy like Pebblebrook's Derek Ogbeide in high school.

2. It will be interesting to see if any schools just into the mix for Elijah Holifield. The 6-foot-3 senior scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The senior played well in the victory. He's one of the better available seniors left in Georgia. He, of course, has the grades at a prestigious school like Pace. Holifield is a nice sleeper late in the game.

3. Kudos to Pace's student section. They rolled deep. They were spirited. They were in sync with the action. The entire Pace Academy home court experience was terrific on Saturday afternoon. Gaining home court advantage is one of, if not the most, important things about region tournaments and winning out for the No. 1 seed.