Boys playoffs: Dragons headed to first Final Four since '83

DALTON - For the first time since 1983 the Jefferson boys basketball team will be making the Final Four trek to Macon.

The current Dragons used a huge fourth quarter to rally past Callaway for a 65-58 win in the quarterfinals of the Class AA state playoffs Friday night at the NW Trade Center.

Jefferson coach Bolling DuBose, now in his 34th season as coach Dragons, was just in his seventh season at the helm of the Dragons back in 1983 and said it has been a long time coming.

"We've had some great teams over the years but would run into teams with guys on them like Dwight Howard and (Javaris) Crittendon so this is really special for us right now," DuBose said. "This particular group has just gotten better and better as the year has gone on and found different ways to win games. They are a fun group to watch."

After trailing the entire first half, Jefferson (25-6) relied on its defense to get back in the game in the second half. Callaway, behind multi-sport stars Quantavius Leslie and Quan Bray, led 37-31 at halftime. The two had combined for 25 points in the first half.

But the Dragons, behind Darius Minor, put the clamps on the duo in the second half cutting the lead to 45-42 heading into the fourth quarter. They would outscore the Cavaliers 23-13 in the final eight minutes, including hitting 10-of-14 free throws in the final 90 seconds to secure the win.

They held Leslie and Bray to just two points combined after halftime.

"We've struggled at times at the foul line but tonight the guys did a tremendous job," DuBose said. "I thought Darius played perhaps the best game of his life and we needed everything he gave us. Our defense in the second half was outstanding. That was the difference in the game."

Minor finished with 26 points, but more importantly just two turnovers against a very aggressive Callaway (20-8) defense. J.J. Damons had been held to just four points through the first three quarters but poured in nine big points down the stretch, including 5-of-6 free throws, to finish with 13 for Jefferson.

"I thought they played with great poise tonight against probably the best team we've seen all year," DuBose said.

Jefferson will take on the Thomasville-Henry County winner next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the semifinals in Macon.