CALHOUN, Ga. – This was one time familiarity with an opponent was a detriment.
Calhoun coach Jerry Pruett’s team knew what to expect in Greater Atlanta Christian – a relentless, talented, deep basketball team that is an annual state-title contender. Unfortunately for the Lady Yellow Jackets, a blowout playoff loss last season was still on their minds Tuesday night when GAC visited them for a second-round Class AA game.
Calhoun trailed by just seven at the half, but the Lady Spartans played a flawless third period and pulled away for a 56-35 win. The Lady Jackets, the Region 7-AA champions, ended their season at 26-4.
“We weren’t ready to play in the second half,” Pruett said. “We had a played a pretty solid defensive game in the first half, but their first two possessions of the second half they get a layup, then we telegraph a pass and they get another layup. From that point we just seemed to self-destruct and we never recovered.
“A big part of it was, I think, that we played them last year and a similar thing happened. We played with them for a while and all of a sudden the bottom fell out. I think the kids felt the same way tonight.”