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Today’s Class AA girls’ championship game between No. 1 Buford and No. 2 Model will feature plenty of intensity — but very little animosity.
In other words, don’t be expecting any icy stares to be exchanged between the two head coaches: Model’s Sally Echols and Buford’s Gene Durden.
The two highly-successful coaches have mutual admiration for each other’s programs, and have a long-standing friendship that dates back to Echols’ middle-school days.
“Model has a wonderful team, and I can’t say anything but great things about their program,” said Durden, who coached at Dade County before coming to Buford. “And as for Sally — well, I’ve known her since she was in seventh grade and was at Andy Akins’ basketball camps.”
Durden said he is glad that the championship game will feature the top two ranked teams in the state, but said there is one downside to the pairing.
“I honestly hate that one of us has to lose this game,” he said.
The coaching ties between Model and Buford don’t stop with Durden and Echols.
Buford assistant coach Melissa Green was an assistant coach at Model on Hazel Hall’s staff before joining Durden at Buford. (Green is an Armuchee grad, and played against Echols in high school.)
Additionally, Buford assistant coach Jeff Ozment was formerly the boys’ coach at Model, and Buford’s chief videographer, Ben Carter, is a Model grad.
And, of course, the most well-known link between the two schools is Milt Travis, who now coaches the Buford boys after a long and successful stint at Model.
In other news:
CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH?
Echols said the Model players have almost “felt like celebrities” this week, especially after the vibrant send-off they received Thursday morning before departing for Macon.
Today, the Lady Devils will get another little taste of the Hollywood lifestyle when they make their television debut.
The championship game is being aired on Georgia Public Television (WGTV — channel 8 on Comcast).
Model senior Joy Hoskins said the cameras won’t be a distraction for the Lady Devils.
“No, no at all,” said Hoskins. “We’re just going to go out and try to play the same way we’ve played all season. (Being on TV) is not going to bother us or make us nervous.”
PERFECT ON TWO LEVELS
Frequent visitors to Model’s campus are undoubtedly familiar with the big, blue “M” that’s painted in the middle of the school’s basketball court.
But did you ever stop to think that maybe you were looking at it upside down? Perhaps it’s actually a big, blue “W” — which would certainly be fitting.
For indeed, there has seemingly been nothing but “Ws” this season for the girls in the Model program.
Not only has the Model varsity team compiled a 31-0 record, but the Model Middle School team completed a perfect season by going 18-0 under the direction of head coach Jody Quarrels and assistant Kayla Evans.
NO LONGER OUR CONCERN
It seems safe to say that neither Model nor Buford has shed any tears over the fact that Wesleyan isn’t involved in this year’s Class AA tourney.
Wesleyan — which is now a Class A school and will play in today’s A title game against Savannah Country Day — bounced both Buford and Model from last year’s state tournament.
Wesleyan, in fact, has knocked Buford from the state tourney in each of the past two seasons, doing so in the Elite Eight each time.
Buford did, however, gain some revenge this season by beating Wesleyan 76-57 on Jan. 31. (Buford is the only team from Georgia to beat Wesleyan this season).
Model vs. Buford
Place, Time: Macon Centreplex (Macon), 3 p.m.
Records: Model 31-0, Buford 31-1
State ranking: Buford — No. 1; Model — No. 2.
Seeds: Model is No. 1 from 7-AA; Buford is No. 1 from 6-AA
How they got here: Buford hammered No. 3-ranked Laney 68-42 in Thursday’s semifinals. … The Lady Wolves beat Rabun County, 70-38, in the Elite Eight after posting a 63-48 win over Coosa in the second round and a 77-41 win over Callaway in the opening round.
Model has posted four consecutive double-digit wins during its march to the finals. The latest was Thursday’s 63-50 victory over Henry County in the semifinals. Model beat GAC, 62-52, in the Elite Eight after opening the tournament with two consecutive 25-point wins, beating North Oconee 54-29 and Lovett 59-34.
Recent History: Model has made the state tournament for six consecutive years, but today is making its first appearance in the finals since 1997, when the Lady Devils lost to Pellham.
Buford has been eliminated in the Elite Eight in each of the past two years, falling to Wesleyan both times. The Lady Wolves were ousted in the first round in 2006 and 2005.
Scouting Report on Buford: Well, let’s see. Buford is big, fast, deep, well-coached, fundamentally sound and athletic. The team’s leading scorer is 6-1 senior forward Blanche Alverson, who has signed with Auburn and is perhaps the most dangerous outside shooter in the state. Also look out for Andraya Carter, who is drawing interest from D-I schools – and she’s a freshman! Lastly, senior forward Jocelyn Danley is vicious in the paint. Still, there’s no reason to start discounting the Model magic now. Hence …
RNT’s prediction: Model, 61-60
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