Tucker guard Jakobe Williams scored five points in the final 8.6 seconds in the second round Class 4A boys’ state tournament game against the East Forsyth Broncos to rally the Tigers to a 62-59 win at Tucker on Saturday afternoon.

Tyler Lesch hit one of two free throws with 17 seconds to play to put the Broncos (18-12) up 59-57 and Tucker took the ball up the court quickly.

Williams got into the lane, hit a layup, and drew the foul tying the game at 59 with 8.6 seconds remaining on the clock. He took a deep breath and stepped to the line to sink the free throw to make it 60-59 in favor of the Tigers.

East Forsyth got the ball up to mid court and got a timeout just before a potential traveling call that would have turned the ball over. Following the timeout, the Broncos inbounds pass with off a Bronco’s hands and knee and out of bounds with seven seconds to play.

Tucker inbounded the ball to Williams who dribbled to the far corner but not before getting fouled with 2.2 seconds on the clock. Williams knocked down both free throws to make it 62-59 but East Forsyth had enough time inbound the ball up the court for an opportunity for a three to tie the game.

The inbounds pass could not be controlled and again went out of bounds as time ran off the clock to send the Tigers (24-6) into the quarterfinals.

Tucker took the lead at 5-3 on a Williams three-pointer with 6:06 to play in the first quarter and despite three-pointers by the Broncos the Tigers would hold a 26-20 at the half. Leading by just one late in the second quarter when Azion Spencer hit a layup and Braedyn Gillespie hit a three-pointer to send the Tigers to the halftime advantage.

Lesch hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer to end the third quarter and pulled the Broncos within 44-42 heading into the fourth quarter.

Hunter Holbrook hit a three-pointer with 6:06 to play to give East Forsyth its first lead since the first quarter 3-2 advantage. He would add another three just over a minute later to extend the lead to 52-48.

A drive by Williams and two free throws by Austin Walker tied the game. The Broncos answered after Walker hit two more free throws to tie the game again on a basket by Lesch. Britain West hit a layup to make it 58-55 with 33 seconds to play.

Williams hit two free throws with 22 seconds to play to close the gap to 58-57 before Lesch hit his free throw for the 59-57 lead before the thrilling finish by the Tigers.

Williams finished the game with a game-high 25 points and was joined in double figures by teammates Austin Walker with 14 points and Braedyn Gillespie with 12 points.

Hunter Holbrook hit for 14 points and teammates Louie Koulouvoris and Tyler Lesch both hit for 12 points.

Tucker moves on to play host to the Jonesboro Cardinals (22-8), 85-69 winners over Cambridge, at 6:00 pm on Wednesday (Feb. 26).

In other Class 4A boys’ action, the Southwest DeKalb Panthers’ season ended with a 78-70 road loss to the McDonough War Hawks. Jackson Ushery led the Panthers (26-4) with 24 points and Thomas Glanton joined him in double figures with 17 points.

CLASS 3A
The Cedar Grove Saints advanced to the third round of the Class 3A boys’ state playoffs by defeating fellow Region 5-3A foe Luella for the third time this season in a 68-60 win at Cedar Grove on Saturday.

Manny Green led the way for the Saints with 23 points (7 rebounds) as his squad led 22-12 at the half. Javonte Floyd joined him in double figures with a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double. Yusef Bowyer had 10 assists while scoring eight points and Dontavious Stringfield grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Saints (26-3) earned a host role for Wednesday and play hosts to the Baldwin Braves (23-7), 60-57 winners over Upson Lee, with a tip time set for 6:00 pm.

CLASS 2A
The Columbia Eagles (24-5) had their season end with a 64-51 loss on the road at Butler on Saturday afternoon.

Butler jumped out to a 34-17 halftime lead on the way to the win.

DCSD STATE BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS RESULTS
Saturday, Feb. 22
BOYS
CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL
McDonough (24-5) 78, SW DeKalb (26-4) 70
Tucker (24-6) 62, East Forsyth (18-12) 59

CLASS 3A QUARTERFINAL
Cedar Grove (26-3) 68, Luella (18-10) 60

CLASS 2A QUARTERFINAL
Butler (18-8) 64, Columbia (24-5) 51

DCSD STATE BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Feb. 25
GIRLS
CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS
Columbia (23-5) at Hardaway (23-6), 5:00 pm

Wednesday, Feb. 26
BOYS
CLASS 3A
Baldwin (23-7) at Cedar Grove (26-3), 6:00 pm

CLASS 4A
Jonesboro(22-8) at Tucker (24-6), 6:00 pm