When the Cherokee Bluff girls take on Baldwin for the Class 3A state title at the Macon Centreplex on Wednesday, there will be more than just a contrast in on-court styles. There will also be a contrast in attitudes.
Baldwin is the reigning Class 4A state champion. The Lady Braves were the 4A state runners-up in 2023 and advanced to the 4A semifinals in 2022. They are expected to be here. And they expect to win.
For the Lady Bears, this will be their first trip to the Centreplex and a shot at a state title. Until this season, they had never won a single playoff game. It took a miraculous play at the buzzer by Bristol Kersh in the semifinals against Jenkins to shoot them into the finals.
"Underdog" may not do it true justice.
However, Bluff coach Kassie Scott and the rest of the Lady Bears are wearing that underdog status like a badge of honor.
“I don’t know how many people thought we would be where we are right now, but the one message I've been telling the girls repeatedly is there's no pressure on us, you know?” Scott said on Tuesday as they prepared for the biggest game in program history.
“(Baldwin) has a state title to defend. By the eye test, they're the bigger team. They have the experience. But they also have a lot more pressure on them than we do. We just got to show up and be ready to play and execute our game plan. And at the end of it all, have fun.”
How much fun they have may depend on how well they can contain the bruising inside game of the Lady Braves (25-6). Seniors Kassidy Neal (6-foot-1, W/F, 16.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.2 spg) and Janaye Walker (6-2, C/F, 15.8 ppg, 14.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.3 spg, 2.4 bpg) and sophomore Suri Clark (6-1, C/F, 10.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg) offer a matchup nightmare few teams have been able to handle all season. Baldwin is 20-1 against Class 3A teams this season.
Scott said they hope to use the Lady Braves’ biggest asset against them. The Lady Bears (24-8) feature a quick, guard-oriented attack on both ends of the floor, utilizing a 1-2-2 three-quarters court press that has been beyond effective in the playoffs.
Against Jenkins, they forced two dozen turnovers, including a huge one that allowed them to rally from five points down in the final 30 seconds.
“I'm not changing my press. That's what we're known for. We're going to do things the same,” Scott said. “There are some things that (Baldwin) lacks that we have. What we're going to do is force them to shoot from the outside.”
If Baldwin has a weakness, that’s it. They are just 80-for-332 (24%) from 3-point range while shooting nearly 50% from 2-point range for the season.
Meanwhile, Bluff will counter with a speedy group, led by junior Claire Carlson (18.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.1 deflections, 3.3 spg, 1.1 bpg) and sophomore Kersh (14.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg, 4.3 Defl, 4.2 spg). But the key may be the production of rest of the front-line players of senior Brooklyn Phillips (6.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.6 spg), junior Halle Wilson (6.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg), junior Audrey Graham (5.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 spg), and sophomore Emery Jones (4.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg).
“We have to keep them from getting the ball inside, and we have to keep them off the boards to really have a chance,” Scott said. "Players will play, and your star players have to play well. But all of our girls understand their roles, and everyone is playing at a high level and doing what they do to help us win.
"Brooklyn has been amazing taking on the other team's best player on defense, and Halle has really stepped up her game inside. Audrey, Emery, and everyone else have all contributed in every game. We will need all of them to do what their roles are."
Look for the Lady Bears to shoot early and often to force Neal, Walker, and Clark to defend away from the basket, which would also open up the rebounding lanes. They also will push the ball as often as possible in an effort to wear them down by the fourth quarter.
After such an emotional win in the semifinals (56-55 on Kersh’s running floater at the buzzer) the mood around the Cherokee Bluff campus has been a festive one. Scott said they have been using that energy to help them make history one more time, even if it may be ahead of any perceived program schedules.
“The excitement around campus has had a positive impact on our end. Our girls have been very excited,” she said. “The girls have a lot to be proud of, being the final two in the state to play for something huge like this. And the community support has been amazing all season.
“Did we see ourselves getting (to the title game) this fast [in their seventh season]? I'm going to be honest: probably not. But now that we're here, you know, we’re soaking in the moment.”
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/3/1288931/state-final-lady-bears-look-to-continue-historic-run