C.A. Johnson boys fall to aggressive Calhoun County at Upper State
GREENVILLE Calhoun County used a familiar formula to reach to its first state title game in eight years.
The Saints used their harassing defense and forced 38 turnovers in defeating C.A. Johnson 68-60 on Saturday in the Class A Upper State championship at Bon Secours Wellness Center.
Calhoun County will play Hemingway next Saturday at 12:30 p.m., for the state title game at Colonial Life Arena. It’s the Saints’ first title appearance since 2008.
"Our objective going into the game is to force you into Plan B. We try to take you our of Plan A and put us into some good situations for ourselves in between," said Calhoun County coach Zam Fredrick, who will look to break John Smith’s record of state titles if he wins his ninth next week.
C.A. Johnson never could find a Plan B despite getting it close on a few occasions in the second half. The Green Hornets came unraveled at times and were hit with six technical fouls, including one to coach Daryl Jarvis in the second half and had one player ejected.
Jarvis said his team tried to stay in the game mentally but said the inconsistency of the officials made it hard at times.
"Their defense didn’t do anything with us. But when you don’t get calls, they are grabbing you, pushing you to the floor, that has a tendency to play on you mentally," Jarvis said. "It wasn’t their defense, it was the lack of officiating and managing that game on both sides of the ball. You can be terrible but be terrible and on both ends of the court. This game is already a hard game. You can’t let a guy push on one end and call tick tick on other end and expect my guys to be quiet.
"I can take getting beat every day of the week. I can’t take officiating not be managed like it is. And people use and abuse us and this crap happens."
C.A. Johnson all-state center Tajh Green sat for most of the half in foul trouble and then fouled out in the third after being called for a charge and then a double technical with a Calhoun County player. Green finished with six points.
Johnathan Smith and Anthony Browne each had 14 points to lead four Calhoun County players in double figures.
The Saints led 40-36 midway through the third quarter before going on 9-2 run, capped off by Browne’s two free throws to make it 49-38 with 1:48 left in the third.
The Golden Hornets got as close as six points in the fourth by Calhoun answered with a layup and forced a turnover to go back up 57-47 with 4:10 left.
Willie Butler scored 22 points Weston McKenny had 15 for the Golden Hornets, who started the year 1-7 before getting going and advancing to the upper state final.
"I am going to remember how hard our kids fought and how slow we started. Nobody gave us a shot to be here," Jarvis said.
CAJ: Willie Butler 22, Kelley 3, Green 6, Weston McKenny 15, Randolph 4, Martin 8, Rivers. CC: Emmitt Holston 10, Greene 9, Goodwine 4, Johnathan Smith 14, Jones 1, Malik Johnson 12, Anthony Browne 14, Williams 4.
This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 5:28 PM.