Ryze Recap - State Title Games- 3/13/26

Game 1:

Rabun County - 52

Southwest-MAcon - 43

Rabun County senior guard and Naval Academy commit, Huey Blalock, saved his best for last as he scored 29 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out five assists and led the Wildcats basketball program to its first-ever GHSA State Championship. Southwest-Macon had a big crowd, due to the location of the event, but Rabun County came out strong and wouldn't be intimidated. After a first quarter that saw Rabun County lead by as many as 12 points, Southwest began to settle into the game midway through the second quarter. Chase Dupree began to impose his will which helped tie the game at 19 but a late 6-0 to end the half gave the Wildcats a 25-19 lead. Rabun County controlled the majority of the third quarter but a late rally from the Patriots trimmed a seven-point deficit to two points going into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair until Huey Blalock took over. His scoring and playmaking pushed the Wildcats lead to eight points and from there they would control the game, en route to the championship. Rabun County forward Hayes Free chipped in 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Chase Dupree led Southwest with 20 points, he also grabbed four rebounds.

Game 2:

ALexander - 81

Woodward Academy - 67

Alexander vs Woodward gave the evening viewers a fun game to watch as both programs displayed some high-level basketball. From the start, Georgia Southern signee Jayden Crawford caught fire, hitting his first three three-point attempts to give the Cougars an early 9-5 lead. Not to be out done, brothers Jarvis (7 points) and Myles (6 points) Hayes answered with scoring of their own to give Woodward a 21-15 lead going in the second quarter. In the second quarter, Alexander found themselves down by as many as 10 points before Colorado State signee, Gregory Dunson, scored five quick points to inject some life into the Cougars. Just before the half Woodward went on a 10-4 run spearheaded by Myles Hayes and Bentley Lusakueno to give the Eagles a 39-32 lead. An Alexander 7-0 run tied the game at 39 early into the third quarter and from there both teams traded blows. The backcourt of Jayden Crawford and Greg Dunson combined for 10 points amidst a 12-4 run to give Alexander a 44-43 lead. Woodward wing Myles Hayes continued to put his imprint on the game, but the Cougars won the quarter 24-16, capped by a halfcourt, three-point make Dunson at the buzzer. Midway through the fourth quarter Alexander began to slowly pull away. Alexander forward Christian Moore came up big on the offensive glass and provided a few big-time dunks that took energy from the Eagles. Alexander would go on to secure their second GHSA State Championship in four years. Greg Dunson finished with 25 points and six assists, Jayden Crawford scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and forward Christian Moore chipped in 15 points and five rebounds for Alexander. Woodward was led by Myles Hayes who scored 17 points, Jarvis Hayes, Jr. with 14 points, and both Bentley Lusakueno and Bradyn Elder chipped in 13 points.