Thursday March 28th, 2024 9:11AM

(VIDEO) Playoff basketball: Buford sweeps past Kell, Cass to advance in AAAAA

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

BUFORD — The Buford boys saved perhaps their most compete game of the season for when it mattered most Friday night at The Buford Arena.

The Wolves jumped on Cass right from the opening tip, never trailing, and using a 31-8 first quarter explosion en route to an 82-49 thumping of the Colonels in the first round of the Class AAAAA playoffs.

For Buford coach Eddie Martin, it was a welcome sight after watching his team escape both Flowery Branch and Clarke Central last week in the Region 8-AAAA Tournament.

“I think just getting to play someone we haven’t played three times already was a part of it,” Martin said. “The guys were focused right from the start. This time of the season you have to be ready. You can’t take anyone for granted.”

Cass (17-12) was hot coming into the playoffs having won four straight, including knocking off Carrollton in the 7-AAAAA quarterfinals, before losses in the semifinals and finals of the Region 7-AAAAA Tournament.

And Buford (25-3) led just 4-3 after the Colonels’ Mark Chester drained a long 3-pointer in the first two minutes. It was all Buford after that.

Marcus Watson and David Viti combined for 15 points on a series of dunks and 3-pointers to spark a 27-5 run over the final 6:02 of the first quarter for a 31-8 advantage. The Wolves forced six Cass turnovers in the run and also dished out six assists on nine field goals.

“Offensively, that’s probably the best we’ve moved the ball all season,” Martin said. “We did a great job in the first quarter. Defensively we shut them down in the first half and they are a pretty good offensive team. Very pleased overall.”

The 23-point margin was the closest Cass would get the rest of the game. Buford extended the lead to 50-21 by halftime and took a 74-43 lead into the fourth quarter.

Watson had 20 of his game-high 28 points in the first half to pace Buford. Viti finished with 18 points and Alex Jones and Donell Nixon chipped in 12 points each for the Wolves, who also drained 13 3-pointers on the night.

Chester, a senior, finished with 16 points and fellow senior Ashton Burley added 12 points for the Colonels in their final high school games.

Buford will take on the Miller Grove-Riverwood winner in the second round next week.


BUFORD GIRLS 75,
KELL 24

The Lady Wolves (25-3) used their patented defensive press to perfection in the early going, forcing seven Kell turnovers on the Lady Longhorns’ first seven possessions while building a 15-0 lead and then cruising to the first round win.

Buford owned a 15-0 lead before Kell (12-17) even attempted its first shot of the game nearly four minutes into the contest. The Lady Wolves led 34-4 after the first quarter.

“This time of year you want to start fast and get in a rhythm, and I thought we did a great job of that to start the game,” Buford girls coach Gene Durden said.

Senior Tory Ozment poured in all of her game-high 20 points in the first half and dished out six assists to boot. Buford extended its lead to 53-7 by halftime on the strength of forcing 21 Kell turnovers and turning those into 31 points.

Buford out-rebounded the Lady Longhorns 10-3 in the first half with 7 coming on the offensive end.

Durden said Ozment and the other eight seniors set the tone as they got the defense of their 2017 Class AAAAA state title under way.

“The seniors know this is their last go-around,” Durden said. “The played with a sense of urgency, which you also need this time of year. I was very pleased overall with our effort.”

Tate Walters added 9 points on three 3-pointers for Buford as 13 different players eventually scored.

Ashley Sparrow led Kell with 9 points.

It was the 10th straight win for Buford, which will take on the Miller Grove-Jackson (Atlanta) winner in the second round at The Buford Arena.

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