Macon Basketball

I saw a very interesting basketball game Friday night and it proved once again that the basketball in this town is very good.
But what is the message when over 500 people were turned away at the gate because the gym was already filled to capacity.
I knew that I would need to get to the Westside-Central game very early for several reasons. Sure this is a huge rivalry, maybe the best high school rivalry in the city. But add to the fact that a Central player left for Westside this year just added to the entire night.
So, I arrived at Westside at 6:00 pm and had to park in front of the school because the place was already packed.
As I got near the main gate, I saw probably 500 folks in line waiting to get in and none of them were happy. I don't really know what the slowness was caused by, but I am thinking it was because every one of the people had to buy a ticket, wait in line, and then go through the metal detector.
Thankfully I was able to get in with my press pass.
During the girls game their was some sort of altercation going on at the front entrance and I later learned that the fans had pushed a door off the hinges and fans were flying through the opening. That lasted for a few minutes before security and coaches were able to put a stop to it. Pepper spray seems to stop most things.
The game itself lived up to most of the hype. Khavon Moore led his team early and Westside jumped out to an early lead, and Central transfer Kentrevious Jones dominated the entire night. But Central, with no one on the court taller than maybe 6'3 just battled and battled all night and came out with the win.
Antarius McCoy has been a mainstay for the Central basketball team since the 9th grade, but he has never really got the credit he deserves. He is a prolific three shooter, but Friday night he showed so much more on the basketball court. He went inside to score, and showed the ability to get to the free throw line the entire night. But the leadership he showed during Westsides runs were what I noticed. His face never changed one time and he was a true leader on the court.
If I had to take one coach in Macon to win a game it would be Central coach Andre Taylor. That's not to say that Macon is not loaded with excellent basketball coaches, but it is quite obvious that Coach Taylor is a special man. Those kids gave him everything they had.
I know it is before Christmas and basketball games at this time of year don't really show what kind of teams everyone has, but I feel like it is a safe bet that Westside and Central will have great years, and Khavon and Big K will not be challenged as being the best two players in Macon.
One thing is for sure, no matter what it costs, the next time these two teams play needs to be at a larger venue. I think you would have about 6,000 folks coming to watch these two teams.
I have not seen anyone else play this year , but it looks like Northeast is somewhat better than they were last year, while Tattnall upset ELCA Friday night. Watch out for Jimmy Marshall, who is finally fully recovered from an ACL a few years ago.
That's if for today. More to come on high school basketball