Photo Credit: @aiden.media1
Jonesboro, Georgia – After a mid-season shakeup that could have derailed many programs, Jonesboro High School has surged back into the spotlight. Head coach Coach Maehlman has the Cardinals back in the Final Four after a commanding 61–32 victory over Ware County in the GHSA Quarterfinals.
Jonesboro’s young stars took center stage in the dominant performance. Sophomores Calvin Goss and Jadarius Slayton led the way, scoring 14 and 13 points respectively while helping set the tone on both ends of the floor. Their energy helped the Cardinals control the game from the opening tip, overwhelming Ware County with defense and efficient offense.
The victory is especially impressive considering the adversity Jonesboro faced earlier this season. Shortly after the Christmas break, Coach Maehlman was forced to essentially rework his entire lineup. Four-year starter Cortez Redding and Jontavius Wynam left school early to enroll at the University of Miami, where they will play football this fall. The sudden departures left a significant void in the Cardinals’ roster and leadership. In an emotional interview following the quarterfinal victory, Coach Maehlman admitted the situation was something he had never dealt with before.
“It’s something I’ve never had to deal with before,” Maehlman said. “It wasn’t cool.”
Despite the unexpected challenge, Jonesboro’s younger players embraced the opportunity. Goss and Slayton, both sophomores, have stepped into larger roles and helped keep the Cardinals championship hopes alive. Their growth throughout the second half of the season has been a major reason why Jonesboro now finds itself just one win away from the state championship game.
Coach Maehlman is no stranger to success in the GHSA state playoffs. He previously led the Cardinals to back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015, and this year’s squad appears to be another talented group capable of making a deep run. With a roster filled with rising talent and confidence growing at the right time, Jonesboro is once again among Georgia’s elite.
The Cardinals will face St. Pius this Saturday in Athens with a trip to the GHSA State Championship on the line. If their young stars continue to shine the way they did against Ware County, Jonesboro may be one step closer to bringing another title back home.
