HAMPTON — The Clayton Eagles wheelchair basketball team is going to the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs/Georgia High School Association state championship game.
The Eagles earned a trip to state title game by beating the West Georgia Wolverines 26-21 Saturday at home.
“It means everything,” head coach Sebastian Tillan said. “We’re been struggling for a very long time compared to the other teams because we were just raw talent and they’ve been playing since second grade. Most of them are already in wheelchairs every day or either using wheelchairs more often than our kids. Our kids, they use their legs all the time so for them to come out here we’ve always been a little behind in speed and strength in the chair and to finally work on those skills and to catch up and to actually beat the teams that have been killing us for so long, honestly it means the world especially because we’re going to be going against Houston (County Sharks) who’s blown us out every single game and every single sport so it’s amazing. I’m extremely proud of them.”
Leading the Clayton Eagles in scoring were Andrew Dotson with 12 points with Edward Rhone scoring 9 and Jaedin Lowe 5.
Other team members include Kila-Ray Brown (who was named to the All-Tournament Team), Erika Ramotar, Brandon Ellis, Laniya Jones, Gary Woodruff and Abriya Ellison.
“It’s going to be a first-time experience — especially with basketball,” Rhone said of the Eagles advancing to the state finals. “I can’t wait. Whoever we go against — good luck to them.”
The game was tied at 4-all in the first period of the first half when Rhone scored a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“Honestly, I’ve been practicing on 3-pointers so I felt it, felt good with the shot — that’s why I just took it and made it in,” Rhone said. “So I’m kind of glad about…
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