Photo Credit: @shotsbyskyla
Macon, Georgia – The GHSA Class 2A State Championship delivered one of the most entertaining games of the entire championship week, as Morgan County edged Butler in a dramatic 53-52 overtime victory. The game was filled with big shots, clutch moments, and relentless defense from both teams, making it a fitting finale for two squads that battled until the very last second.
One noticeable theme throughout the championship games was the way the contests were officiated. The referees allowed the players to play, avoiding touchy foul calls and letting the physical nature of the game unfold naturally. That style of officiating fit perfectly with the intensity both Morgan County and Butler brought to the floor.
The defensive effort from both teams was evident early. Every possession was contested, and easy baskets were hard to come by. At halftime, Butler held a slim 23-20 lead, powered by a strong first half from Kwamane Bridges, who led all scorers with 13 points heading into the break.
The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the second half. Late in the fourth quarter, Morgan County finally grabbed its first lead of the game when Zeki Locus came up with a steal and finished on the other end to give his team a 39-38 advantage with 3:48 remaining. Butler responded quickly as Bridges knocked down a clutch three-pointer to put Butler back on top, 41-39.
With the clock winding down in regulation, Butler looked poised to take control. With 1:26 left, De’Cori Fleming converted a crucial basket and the foul to give Butler a 44–42 lead. But Morgan County refused to fold. With their season hanging in the balance, Jacoby Simmons delivered in the biggest moment, knocking down a huge shot to tie the game at 44 and force overtime.
In the extra period, the intensity reached another level. Morgan County’s Zeki Locus made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Late in overtime, he came up with a huge basket to give Morgan County a 51-49 advantage, while continuing to anchor the defense.
With just six seconds remaining and Morgan County clinging to a 53-52 lead, Butler had one final opportunity. Fleming got a clean layup at the basket for the potential game-winner, but the shot rolled off the rim as time expired, allowing Morgan County to escape with the state championship victory.
Kwamane Bridges led all scorers with 22 points for Butler, putting together an outstanding performance in the loss. For Morgan County, Zeki Locus was named MVP after finishing with 20 points and 13 rebounds while making several key plays late in the game.
After the game, Morgan County guard Jacoby Simmons was asked what was going through his mind during the tense final moments. “My coach always tells us to have a next-man mentality and fight through the wave,” Simmons said. That mentality proved to be the difference, as Morgan County weathered every push from Butler and ultimately celebrated a hard-fought 2A state championship victory.
