Augusta, GA

Westside boys, Josey girls holding the torch for Augusta basketball

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

Westside boys, Josey girls holding the torch for Augusta basketball

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The GHSA Basketball State Championships are this week, and two teams from Augusta are making the trip to Macon.

The Westside Boys and the Josey Girls have a proud history of success, and they’re both looking to bring home new hardware.

The idea of a three-peat is seldom seen or even talked about in sports, because finding a way to win three consecutive championships is beyond difficult to do.

The Westside Patriots are heading back to the state title game or the third year in a row, with an opportunity to pull off a three-peat.

The Patriots realize doing the unthinkable could be great for Westside, but even more important for the City of Augusta.

Head Coach Jerry Hunter said, “At the beginning of the season, I told the guys, I would rather fail trying to do something impossible, than be successful at doing nothing, so let’s get to work. They bought into the understanding. It seemed a little unattainable at first, but then it started getting closer and closer, and they started to understand that we have a chance to do something real special here, not only for Westside but for the City of Augusta.”

Senior Guard Xavier Goss added, “Being on this stage the past few years, I’d say it’s an advantage, because you know the type of atmosphere you’re going into, the type of referees you’re going to deal with, you’ve got to adjust to the court and all of that. So, that atmosphere the past few years has definitely helped this year because I feel more comfortable.”

The Class 2A Boys State Championship game between Westside and Toombs County is set for Thursday at 3 p.m. inside the Macon Coliseum.

The Josey Lady Eagles’ second-half surge in the state semifinals against Central Macon on Saturday helped them punch their ticket to state for the second time in the last four years.

The Lady Eagles 28-3 overall record does not tell the full story of this year’s team, because of the growth the underclassmen showed throughout the season, especially during their road playoff games.

This Josey team is playing with an edge. The Lady Eagles are battle-tested, and now they have an opportunity to fly to the mountaintop once again.

Head Coach Nichelle Chapman said, “You have to take the time to get to know your kids, get to know your athletes, and get to know yourself, because there are going to be challenging times where we’re going to have to grow as coaches and as adults as well. So, it’s been a process, and not all of it has been good, but it’s been a journey well worth taking.”

Sophomore Guard Kerri Fluellen added, “I feel like we do play our best when we have that emotion because it hypes not just that person up, but it hypes the team up. We’re going to go for each other, so when that person is happy, we’re all happy.”

The Class 2A Girls State Championship game between Josey and Mount Paran Christian will also be on Thursday in Macon, at 1 p.m.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.

From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.

Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

Published

17 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.

Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

Source link