Knights fall to Elbert County

JONESBORO - The Johnson boys basketball team will have to wait another year to make history.

The Knights lost to Elbert County 63-56 Friday night in the second round of the Class AAA state tournament at Mt. Zion High School.

The Blue Devils advance to play No. 3 Banneker Monday night for a shot at the Final Four. Banneker is the only Class AAA team to beat No. 1 East Hall this year.

Johnson was looking for its first-ever win in the second round. The Knights got their first state tournament win last week since 1978 beating LaGrange.

The Knights' Sam Greavu gave them their first lead since the first quarter at 45-44 after two free throws.

Tyler Sanders had gotten Johnson within one just moments before with a long 3-pointer.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Elbert's Chris Owns drained a 3-pointer, his only points of the game, to give the Blue Devils back the lead. They would never trail again.

The two teams went back-and-forth in the first quarter with Johnson taking a 14-12 lead.

Elbert took control after that opening the second quarter with a 10-0 run and a taking a 22-14 lead. The Blue Devils led 26-21 at halftime and 42-38 after the third quarter.

Greavu's two free throws giving the Knights their last lead capped a 7-0 run.

Marqise Wright led Johnson off the bench with 21 points, 9 in the first quarter. Senior Greavu finished with 10 in his final game at johnson. Tarik Smith finished his career with 9 points and Tyler Sanders had 8.

Elbert was led by Lajarvis Goss with 19. Shane Jackson had 15 points off the bench and Tori McClendon added 10 for the Blue Devils.