Rabbits take on Trojans in semis

ATHENS, Texas — Atlanta rides a 15-game win streak into tonight’s Region II-3A semifinal game against Dallas Madison.

The Rabbits (19-4) and Trojans (215) will tip off, tentatively, at 8 p.m. as the second semifinal at Athens High School gymnasium. Tatum (22-3) and Paris Chisum (20-8) play at 6 p.m. in the other semifinal, and the winners meet at 6 p.m. Saturday for the Region II-3A championship.

“We’ve been saying throughout the playoffs, we just need to be active at both ends of the court and throw the first punch,” Rabbit head coach Jarrod Boston said. “Madison is a typical Dallas-area team; they are long, lean and athletic. They’re going to pressure you, play physical and see what they can get away with.

“We have to be ready to defend the in the lane and get out on their shooters on the perimeter.”

Atlanta defeated Mineola, 71-62, in the regional quarterfinals last Saturday for its third playoff win in five days. Madison has won 17 straight, including an 87-47 thrashing of Callisburg in the regional quarters.

Against Mineola, Daimion Collins had 31 points, and Alex Boston contributed 13.

“We’re really playing well as a team,” Boston said. “During the regular season, you get into games where you rely on one guy or another, but since the playoffs it’s really been a total team effort. Our point guard, Caleb Hamilton, has done a great job of not turning the ball over.

“Kam Dickerson (the team’s No. 2 guard) has helped get us going early. Those two up top in our zone do a great job and have been the catalysts on defense.”

Completing the Atlanta roster are Keyshawn Easter, Stacy Darty, Ken Washington, Caleb King, La’Randion Dowden, Andrew Boston and Dim Limbrick.

The Region II champions face the Region I winner in the state semifinals next week, and the 3A state finals will be held in San Antonio, Texas, at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 12 at the Alamodome.