It's the fourth state championship since 2020 under head coach Larry Thompson for Wheeler. The first three were led by Utah Jazz rookie
Isaiah Collier.
Wheeler led by as many as 14 in the first half before seeing its lead evaporate in the third quarter. By the time the fourth quarter began, Newton had grabbed a 46-44 lead.
With Wheeler leading 49-48 with 3:40 left in the game, four-star junior
Colben Landrew took over. The 6-foot-6 small forward hit two shots and two free throws as the Wildcats extended their lead to 55-52. Then four-star sophomore point guard
Kevin Savage scored a bucket on a driving layup to give Wheeler a 57-52 lead with 1:03 to play.
Kevin Savage scored 19 points as No. 9 Wheeler defeated Newton 61-56 on Saturday in the Georgia Class AAAAAA championship. (FILE PHOTO: Hassan Niblet II)
But Newton wasn’t done. Senior
Zach Harden, a three-star football player headed to Minnesota, drilled his third 3-pointer of the night to cut the lead to 57-55 with 50 seconds left. Newton got a stop and made a free throw to cut the lead to 57-56.
Newton missed the second free throw and Landrew pulled down the board. He was fouled immediately and hit both free throws as Wheeler led 59-56 with 17 seconds left.
Harden had a good look at the tie but missed and a jump ball was called on the rebound. Newton retained possession and had another good look as a
Jordan Green 3-point attempt narrowly missed. Wheeler came up with the ball and Landrew made both free throws as the Wildcats got the 61-56 victory. Harden finished with 26 points for Newton while Green poured in 16.
Landrew had 10 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 19 points while Savage also had 19 for Wheeler.
