Photo Credit: Adam Coleman (@herdtwilight)
DECATUR, GA- It was a third time around for the sacred “Fish Bowl” rivalry as the Marist War Eagles took on the St. Pius Golden Lions in the GHSA 4A Region 5 semifinals in a game that was tightly contested for the first 16 or so minutes.
The Golden Lions got out to a fast start going on a 9-2 run early in the first quarter that was led by senior Forward/Center and Jamaican National Team member D’Marley Elliot who finished with 13 points and brought a bunch of passion and energy throughout the entire game. Elliot wasn’t alone in his efforts as Pius saw quality play from fellow seniors Westin Keppen (12 points), Thomas “Ant” Rogers who showcased his underrated athletic ability getting 3 blocks on the night and is someone who Elliot calls a “real important player” and four star Clemson University commit Harris Reynolds who was the real star of the game going for a team high 20 points and making a huge impact on both sides of the ball coming away with some key steals and emphatic blocks in the second half as they would come away with a 67-51 victory. Head coach Will Cloyd, who now has this team at an impressive 27-0 record on the year credits the teams ability to embrace the grind and being “coachable” to the success that they have achieved this year.
For Elliot and the rest of the Golden Lions squad, he believes that the key to them getting a victory against Tucker in Thursday’s title game is to “stay together, stay levelheaded” and to “keep the intensity”.
Despite the end result for the War Eagles, they had a few bright spots in their efforts, one being sophomore guard Bobby Harpring, who made some very tough shots and was a huge catalyst for Marist as they kept the game close until about midway through the fourth quarter. He had a team high 15 points all while dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered on the first play of the game.
As St.Pius looks to continue this impressive season, they face a hungry and borderline desperate Tucker team who is looking to add yet another trophy to the already illustrious and impressive case that is their head coach James Hartry who is set on retiring at the conclusion of the season.
Marist (18-9) will take on Southwest Dekalb who the tigers beat 52-44 in a game that was just as intense as this one.
