By Alicia Couch Payne
Buford’s boys and girls basketball teams beat their opponents on Tuesday night to advance to the Final Four in the GHSA AAAAA State Championship Playoffs. Going into the Final Four, the girls are ranked 8th overall in the state and number 1 in Class AAAAA with an overall record of 27-2. The boys are ranked 5th overall in the state and number 1 in Class AAAAA with an overall record of 27-2.
The Lady Wolves took on Veterans on Tuesday night at the Buford Arena in a relatively close game. Buford had trouble finding their stride but ultimately beat Veterans 59-44. The Lady Wolves were expected to have no issues in beating Veterans but multiple missed scoring attempts almost cost the girls the game. Buford only hit 20 out of 70 shots which is only 28.5 percent.
Tate Walters was the clear cut leader for Buford in this game scoring 26 points. She also had nine steals, six rebounds, and four assists. Sophomore Sara Viti helped stop a Veterans scoring run and was a key component to this win. She contributed with 11 points and two steals. Another underclassman, freshman Tatum Ozment also stopped Veterans in their tracks. Ozment added 10 points and had four rebounds.
Head Coach Gene Durden will look to his girls to regroup and will no doubt have his girls back playing to their abilities in Saturday’s Final Four game in Columbus, Ga against Southwest Dekalb.
Buford’s boys basketball team had no trouble on Tuesday night sealing their Final Four appearance with a convincing win over Dutchtown. They beat Dutchtown 69-35. The Wolves were brutal on defense only allowing Dutchtown to score two points in the second quarter. The second quarter is also when Buford’s offense found it’s stride.
Senior Donell Nixon led the Wolves with 18 points and had several impressive 3-pointers. Eric Coleman was next contributing 16 points. Marcus Watson scored 11 points and Bobby Miller added eight points.
The Wolves will take on Southwest Dekalb on Saturday, March 2nd in Columbus, Ga in the GHSA State AAAAA Final Four game.
