Though his Savannah High basketball team jumped out to a substantial early lead over visiting Chapel Hill on Wednesday night, coach Tim Jordan wasn’t satisfied with his squad’s intensity level.
But with his team up by 28 points with six minutes left, Jordan couldn’t help but crack a smile when Jason Lawton and Jamal Norman sprinted from midcourt to the baseline before laying out on the hardwood going after a loose ball.
The memorable effort was one of the last of the night for the Blue Jacket starters as Jordan was able to get his reserves some playing time in a 69-36 rout of Chapel Hill.
The Blue Jackets (25-3) will host Dodge County in the second round of the GHSA Class AAA state playoffs at 6 p.m. Saturday.
“Coach is always telling us when the ball is on the ground to hustle and get after it,” said Norman, who scored 14 points. “We even warm up for the game like that — getting down on the ground.”
Norman came out hot, scoring seven of the Blue Jackets’ first eight points as Savannah put the game away early with a 16-2 opening run.
“In a game like that, when we have a big lead, I just want to get the ball to my teammates,” Norman said. “We want to get everyone into the playoff spirit and get contributions so we can prepare for the next big game.”
Sophomore shooting guard Jermaine Williams was on the mark from beyond the arc — draining three 3-pointers among his game-high 17 points.
“I know I have to start shooting better now that it’s playoff time,” Williams said. “Everyone has to elevate their game because we want to make it back to the championship game.”
Chris Cokley scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half and had an impressive blocked shot. Jason Lawton continued his hot shooting — scoring all nine of his points on 3-pointers. Tyreese Rivers played well off the bench — contributing eight points.
The Blue Jackets have a good-looking draw as Savannah will host Dodge County in a Sweet 16 matchup Saturday. A win there would lead to another home game in the Elite Eight.
The GHSA changed the AAA brackets this week. The GHSA originally listed the Final Four being held at Savannah State University, but those games will be played at Armstrong Atlantic State on March 2.
Jordan was satisfied with the win, but thought his team could have been more focused.
“I thought we kind of sleep-walked through the first half even though we had a big lead,” Jordan said. “We need to raise our level of play and be consistent with every opponent at this time of year. It wasn’t a championship effort tonight, but the important thing is we won and get to play again.”
CHAPEL HILL (36)
Hayes 6, Jarmarious Turner 12, Borner 4, Johnstone 4, Gooden 8, Gil 2.
SAVANNAH HIGH (69)
Chris Cokley 12, Jermaine Williams 17, Spivey 2, Lawton 9, Jamal Norman 14, Culver 2, Young 2, Rivers 8, Brown 1, Mitchell 2.
Halftime—SHS 34-16. Record—SHS 25-3.