Berkmar is back in the state championship game after knocking out No. 1 Pebblebrook

By David Friedlander | Photo by Jamie Spaar

BUFORD, Ga. — When Berkmar's boys basketball team lost by five to Milton in the Class 7A state championship game almost a year ago to the day, the returning players were determined to complete some unfinished business in 2021-22.

The Patriots are one stage away from finishing its business after Friday night's Class 7A state semifinal win over No. 1 state-ranked and No. 21 nationally ranked Pebblebrook.

Paced by seniors Jameel Rideout and Malique Ewin, the third-ranked Patriots (25-5) earned their way back into the state championship game with a 72-58 victory over the Falcons at Buford City Arena.

But the whole team, from head coach Greg Phillips on down, prefers to define the mission as a whole and not in stages.

Though he was prepared for a good dousing of water from his players when he entered the locker room following the win, he emerged dry.

“There is no first part,” Phillips said. “There is one mission, and we still have one more game for that.”

That said, Berkmar's latest step toward that goal was a message of calmness and focus, largely led by Rideout, who finished with a game-high 24 points, and Ewin, who was dominant in the low post with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.

After spotting Pebblebrook (28-3) an early 3-0 lead, Rideout quickly put the Patriots in front with a 3-pointer from the left wing and a conventional three-point play with a layup and free throw in a 33-second span.

“I definitely think everybody understood what their assignment was and what we wanted to do and accomplish (Friday) night,” the 6-foot-2 senior point guard said. “I think we just kind of played and waited for that moment. We've worked all year. We've all been working and spending a lot of time and energy to each other and to the team. And when (opponents) slip up, you've got to make them pay for it.”

The only problem was, Pebblebrook wasn't slipping up much through most of the first three quarters.

Behind seniors Andre Young (team-high 14 points) and Jordan Brown (11 points) and a spirited effort off the bench from junior Craig Adams (12 points, team-best 11 rebounds), the Falcons stayed close, trailing 16-15 after one quarter and 26-22 by halftime.

And after Adams swept up a loose ball for a layup with 1:21 left in the third quarter, the Berkmar lead was 39-37.

That's when the Patriots, and Rideout and Ewin in particular, regained control.

Rideout connected on a pull-up jumper with 55 seconds left, and reserve Justin Mitchell tapped in an offensive rebound to beat the buzzer and send Berkmar into the fourth quarter with more of a cushion at 43-37.

Ewin then connected on a jump hook to the left of the lane and Rideout answered Jaiun Simon's layup with a stickback to ignite a 14-7 run. 

The Patriots went up by double digits for the first time on the night at 57-44 following Jermahri Hill's stickback with 3:27 remaining.

Pebblebrook tried to battle back behind a 3-pointer and three free throws from Kami Young, pulling as close as 59-52 with 1:51 left.

But the Patriots made sure they would get no closer as four players hit a combined eight straight free throws in the final 1:40, and Rideout added the exclamation point with a pair of runout breakaway dunks in the final minute.

That laves Berkmar — which got 13 points and six rebounds from Hill, seven points, nine rebounds and four assists from Brycen Blaine and seven points and five boards from Ahmed Soumahoro — with one last task in front of it.

Standing in the way will be the winner of Saturday's other semifinal between Newton, a team the Patriots have not yet seen this season, and Norcross, a team the Patriots have beaten three times this season, but all of them were close.

“The job's still not done,” Rideout said. “I know there's a lot of pain still left from last year not finishing the job. So I think everybody's locked in, and we know what to do.

“I know definitely we've got to be locked in on our side. … They're both great teams, and it should be a great game. The best team will win.”