Calhoun takes tops in Region 6-AAA, fourth title win in row

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RINGGOLD — Calhoun has been on a mission all season to prove that they are the cream of the crop in Region 6-AAA, and they made their final, definitive statement on Saturday night.

The Jackets methodically built a lead and never let up to defeat Coahulla Creek 82-64 in the Region 6-AAA Tournament championship game to clinch their fourth straight region crown and continue their undefeated season.

Calhoun (25-0) now moves into the Class AAA State Tournament as a No. 1 seed and a true contender for a spot in Macon. They will open play in the first round at home on Wednesday, facing West Hall.

Calhoun coach Vince Layson said continuing the streak of region titles is certainly special, but his team now has to shift the focus to their next goal… winning a state title.

“Winning four in a row is special,” said Layson. “These seniors are the group I started with four years ago when they were freshmen, and they’ve put Calhoun basketball back on the map. They keep building the tradition, and now, a region title is not just a want, it’s an expectation.

“We’ve got 50 percent of our goals checked off now, but our next one is a state title. We’ve got a long way to go to get there. Everything we’ve accomplished up to this point is behind us. We’ve got to go out and play for our life now that we’re going into the state tournament.”

On Saturday night the Jackets built their lead to a substantial point in the second quarter after leading 18-14 following the first. They outscored Coahulla Creek (21-6) 25-12 in the second to head into the locker room with a 43-26 advantage.

In the third, Calhoun continued to control the game as the Colts never got within 15 points. The closest the game got after that was 11 at 62-51 early in the fourth, but the Jackets immediately responded with an 8-0 run to push the lead back to 19.

Layson said his team has shown resilience all year in games as the opposing team tried to make a charge, and that was no different on Saturday against a Coahulla Creek team that had given Calhoun their toughest two tests during the regular season. The Jackets won in come-from-behind fashion at Coahulla Creek on Jan. 2 and then had to battle for an overtime win against the Colts on Feb. 2 at home.

“Our guys don’t really dwell on much,” said Layson. “When other teams make a run, they don’t let it affect thim. They have the next-play mentality, and by doing that, good things usually happen.

“The guys had a chip on their shoulder following the overtime game a couple weeks ago. We tweaked a few things defensively to try to take away some of the things they do well, but mostly our guys are just competitors no matter what it is. Whether it’s basketball, football or playing ping-pong, they come out and compete and do everything they can to win. What more can you ask for as a coach.”

Kaelan Riley and Malik Lawrence each had 19 points to lead the Jackets. Jireh Wilson added 18, 14 coming in the first half, and Chapin Rierson scored 13.

Wilson, who along with Riley started on all four region title teams, said getting another region crown is incredible.

“This is special,” said Wilson. “To start four years ago with Coach Layson and go on this journey has been really fun. We’ve still got work to do though. If we play up to our potential, I think we can win it all. We still have to come in and grind and work hard. If we do that, we can be an even more special team.”

The Colts had four players in double figures as well led by Alex Fisher with 18 points. JR Laird scored 15, including hitting four 3-pointers. Caleb Lewis added 14, and Tyler Phillips had 11. Coahulla Creek will host Banks County in the first round of the state tournament on Wednesday.

As far as the Jackets, Layson said the table is set, his team just needs to continue working toward their goal.

“We’ve set ourselves up by being the No. 1 seed,” said Layson. “We’ll get the No. 4 in the first round, and we have the opportunity for home court for the first two rounds.

“They’ve accomplished all those things we wanted to. Now, we’ve got to keep doing what we need to do to be successful.” ix for the Lady Tigers, who will host East Hall on Tuesday in the first round of the state tournament.

Caudell said her team is ready to go into state tournament and hopefully build on what they did at region.

“We should be going into State with a lot of confidence,” said Caudell. “We’ve got to come in prepared and ready to do what we need to do against Banks County. It’s nice to be the No. 1 seed and be at home, but we’ve learned before that No. 4 seeds are not easy teams to beat.”

“I think we’re ready,” added Cheeks. “We’re happy to be going in as a No. 1 seed and ready for the challenge ahead of us.”