” The road to the state championship runs through Dekalb County ” , proclaimed Dekalb Athletics Coordinator Dr. Phil McCrary. The occasion was Dekalb Basketball Media Day and McCrary knows what he ‘s talking about as he coached the Columbia Boys to 5 state championships over a period of 7 years.
Each year it seems that there are a number of both boys and girls teams that contend for championships in several classifications. The Miller Grove Boys have made it a habit , recording their 6th straight state championship in 2014.
Head Coach Sharman White and the Wolverines hosted Dekalb Media day and had these thoughts on what the beginning of a new season meant to him. ” I like the thought of a blank canvas that is yet to be illustrated with the colors of a journey towards a common goal “.
Dekalb County was home for 3 girls champions last season. The Redan girls claimed their second state title, while the Tucker girls claimed their first state crown. 2014 brought a 5th state championship for the St. Pius girls, who return the state’s top player in guard Asia Durr. St. Pius Girls Coach Kyle Snipes loves this time of year. ” The excitement of seeing if the student-athletes are willing to be the best they can be individually to help the team be the best it can be collectively”.
Dekalb is also the home of a pair of holiday tournaments this year. The Dekalb School District Holiday Tournament will be played at Arabia Mountain High School December 20-23.After Christmas the Chick-Fil-A Invitational at Tucker High School will run from December 26-30.
Let the games begin !! Southwest Dekalb Girls Coach Kathy Walton has led the Panthers to 4 state titles and sees the start of a new season this way. ” At the start of the season I like preparing young people to strive for their dreams. At the beginning of the season anything is possible”.