If the best team in the state of Georgia is “supposed” to look like something, it’s what the Johnson Atom Smashers looked like on Tuesday night at Savannah Country Day School. Ranked No. 1 in Class 3A (Kyle Sandy Poll), SCJ crushed Country Day, 82-47, and the ‘smshers’ biggest star electrified the big Johnson crowd inside of Demere Gymnasium.
Antonio Baker, the aforementioned star, logged a triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead an ultra-efficient, unselfish Johnson offense in the region 3-3A road win.
Johnson (5-1, 1-0 region 3-3A) made 29 shots (21 twos & 8 threes) on 26 assists and led 24-10 after one quarter and early on in the second stanza, SCJ pulled away to take a 34-13 with 5:08 to play before halftime. Baker scored his team’s first 13 points, individually outscoring the Hornets, 13-10, in the first quarter. Through six games, he’s averaging 22.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Savannah Country Day (1-3, 1-1) was unable to match the shot-making ability of Chuck Campbell’s Atom Smashers. The Hornets managed just two made 3’s in the game. Johnson, meanwhile, poured in eight from behind the arc.
Malachi Robinson had his best game of the season, hitting three 3’s en route to a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. The lights-out backcourt trio of Joshua Quarterman, Favian Kirkwood and Cormari Jones added to the onslaught. Quarterman scored 18 points with six boards and six steals while Kirkwood hit a pair of 3’s to finish with eight points and five rebounds.
Jones did a little bit of everything at point guard. He had five points (averaging 6.2 on the season), 10 assists (3.1), eight steals (3.0) and three rebounds (2.7). Jahdon Polite added three points on 3-of-4 shooting in the free-throw department.
Standout SCD junior swing man Rob Spaulding totaled 20 points, but 16 of those came after halftime when the game was all but decided. Michael Grandy scored seven for head coach Mac Tamminen’s club. Sophomore big-man Andrew Nicholson chipped in six points, all in the second quarter, and Dallas Hunter scored five.
The game was played without the use of a 35-second shot clock because of malfunctions to the clock above each backboard. Because of that, SCD was assessed a technical at the start of every quarter, giving Johnson two free-throws and possession each time. Baker was the elected free-throw shooter for Campbell. He took full advantage, finishing 8-of-9 from the charity stripe.
SCJ was 16-20 (80%) from the line and the Hornets 9-15 (60%). The Atom Smashers were a perfect 11-11 in the first half.
Leading 74-34 after three quarters and with a shortened game clock for the fourth (6 minutes), Campbell elected to leave his starters in the game until 1:57 remained, when all five were substituted out.
SCJ – 24 - 23 - 27 - 08 – 82
SCD – 10 - 11 - 13 - 13 – 47
HALF: SCJ, 47-21.
RECORDS: SCJ 5-1, 1-0 region 3-3A; SCD 1-3, 1-1 region 3-3A.
NEXT: SCJ vs. SCPS (12/9); SCD at Groves (12/9).
EFFINGHAM COUNTY 87, BLUFFTON (SC) 25
SPRINGFIELD – Paco Lee scored 15 of his 20 points in the third quarter and 14 players scored for Effingham in the non-region rout of Bluffton. Jordan Goldwire scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half and Ashley Thompson had nine of his 11 points before the break. Rashad Scott hit three 3-pointers and tallied 11 points.
Bluffton (1-3) made just three shots in the first half and went into the locker rooms trailing 47-12. The Rebels (4-1) have won three straight under first-year head coach Travis Priddy. They are 3-0 at home with a Friday road game at SE Bulloch up next.
ECO – 24 - 23 - 27 - 10 – 84
BHS – 06 - 06 - 06 - 07 – 25
SAVANNAH HIGH 57, SCREVEN COUNTY 40
The Bluejackets (4-2, 2-0 region 3-A DI) won their third straight game led by sophomore Maki Joyner’s 16 points and Jermaine Edwards’ 11. Jermaine Brown scored nine for Tim Jordan’s team. Nine SHS players scored and seven of them got on the board in the first eight minutes of play.
Both Savannah High losses this season came by a single point (Class 3A No. 3 Beach, 58-57; HVJ 53-52).
Jordan’s team faces a tough test in region play Friday night at home against No. 7 Woodville-Tompkins (6-2, 2-0). Tip-time is set for 8:30 p.m. at The High.
SHS – 21 - 09 - 10 - 17 – 57
SCO – 04 - 09 - 14 - 13 – 40
WOODVILLE-TOMPKINS 66, BRYAN COUNTY 51
PEMBROKE – Alfonso Ross exploded for 36 points and Joey Bell scored 15 to lead the No. 7 Wolverines in their region 3-1A DI opener. It was the third straight win for Lenny Williams’ team, which is tied atop the region standings with Savannah High, who hosts Woodville Friday night.
ST. ANDREW’S 66, JENKINS 48
The Lions continued their winning ways against GHSA competition as the reigning GIAA state champs are now 6-0 to start the season. Over the last two years, SAS is 12-1 against GHSA teams. Jenkins (3-2) hosts Statesboro on Saturday at 4:30 in its region 1-5A opener.
SAS – 14 - 18 - 21 - 13 – 66
HVJ – 06 - 14 - 13 - 15 – 48
GROVES 48, LIBERTY COUNTY 35
Phillip Bing scored 14 points and dished out four assists as Groves (3-3, 2-0 region 3-3A) won its third straight. Ja’Quawn Singleton had eight points, six rebounds and three steals and Jazuari Scott added eight points, four boards and four steals.
HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 66, SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN 52
HILTON HEAD, SC – Savannah Christian led 23-22 at halftime of the non-region road game. The Raiders trailed 41-39 heading to the fourth, but a 25-13 outburst from HHCA in the final stanza lifted the hosts to the win.
Jamari McIvory led SCPS (1-2) with 21 points and Colby Schneider (14) was the only other Raider in double-figures. Four HHCA players finished in double-figures, led by 17 from Isaiah Anderson and 15 from Qayden Turner.
SCPS opens region 3-3A play Friday night on the road at No. 1 Johnson.
SCPS – 11 - 12 - 16 - 13 – 52
HHCA – 14 - 08 - 19 - 25 – 66
FINAL SCORES
Boys Basketball
Effingham County 84, Bluffton 25
Islands 73, The Habersham School 63
Hilton Head Christian 66, Savannah Christian 52
Johnson 82, Savannah Country Day 47
Brunswick 58, Richmond Hill 41
Saint Andrew 66, Jenkins 48
Savannah High 57, Screven County 40
Woodville Tompkins 66, Bryan County 51
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
Photo Credit –
Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game
