Wilcox County Lady Patriots emerge victorious in first GHSA State Championship
Wilcox County Lady Patriots won the GHSA Class A Division-II State Championship with a win over Washington-Wilkes
MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – On Friday afternoon at the Macon Coliseum, the 28-1 Wilcox County Lady Patriots defeated the 14-8 Washington-Wilkes Lady Tigers 72-48 to win their very first GHSA State Championship in program history.
After being defeated in the Elite Eight for the last three seasons, the Lady Patriots finally accomplished their goal of winning the Class A Division-Two Title; all while on a 27-game winning streak, and with just one senior on the team.
That lone Lady Patriots Senior is Carly Miller. According to Wilcox County Head Coach Santita Coon, Miller has been a driving force on and off the hardwood when it comes to leadership on the team. After the game, Miller spoke to 41NBC’s Justin Dierkes about the emotions she was feeling, and what kind of leadership she showed in the state title game.
“I really don’t think it’s still hit. Yeah, I was imagining I’d be balling and crying, but just knowing this is my last game, that I could go out with a bang as a champion, and do it with my family, it’s an amazing feeling” Miller said.
“It means the world that they could show up, show out as Patriot Nation, I couldn’t have done it without their support, and knowing they have our backs throughout the game. When speaking about her teammates during mid-game, Miller had this to say. “If I ever noticed they got down a little bit, I would say, ‘hey, trust this process. We want it more. Let’s ‘D’ them up. Be a dog. Do it for me. Let’s go be a champion. I couldn’t be more blessed and thankful to be a part of this Patriot Nation and be blessed to be a Lady Patriot.”
GHSA Player of the Game Shamauri Martin also spoke on the emotions happening in the moment. “It was great, honestly, nerve wracking, because I’ve never been here before, but it was really good for me. At the end of the game, all of us are trying not to cry, but at the end of the day, it’s a great accomplishment for all of us” said Martin. “I believe that we could have made it here. I just, I was just shocked, because I never believed that I would be here. I feel like we can make it for the next two years to come or more.”
Coach Coon was jumping for joy after the game. She could not be more proud of these young ladies and Patriot Nation. “All for the city of Rochelle, it means everything to us. We we work year after year after year to get to this point, and the door was shut in our face several times in the Elite Eight. This win for us tonight and for Wilcox County. It means everything to them, and they are a part of this accomplishment because of all of their support. Hey, there’s some talent in Wilcox County. It warms my heart to see these young girls continuing to work every summer, even during the season, how they develop themselves as players.”
When speaking about the team’s greatness, Coach Coon said she can’t take all of the responsibility. “Jenny Clatt, we played for, and she, she constantly worked, and she’s been a great mentor. So I owe this to all of those that came before me, and her passing that torch on to me to finish the job. It makes me nervous to even think about it, to be this young and to set goals and for them to achieve those goals. but hey, it’s some good teams out there, so we still have work to do to stay at the top for next season.”
Congratulation Wilcox County Lady Patriots on the very first state championship in program history and a great 2024-25 season!
