Southwest Patriots Eye State Title in Historic Championship Run

The Southwest Patriots will play in the GHSA A Division One State Championship on Saturday

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Southwest Patriots are on the verge of making history. With a 27-2 record and ranked 32nd in the state according to MaxPreps, the Patriots have stormed into the GHSA Class A Division I state championship game, marking the program’s deepest playoff run in 36 years.

Southwest enters Saturday’s title matchup riding a 13-game winning streak, including a dramatic three point triple-overtime victory over Dublin in the Region 2-A D-I Championship. The team’s success is no surprise to the players, who have believed in their potential from the start.

“It’s exciting, but we always thought we were gonna be here,” Patriots Junior guard Chase Dupree said. “If we weren’t here this time, we would’ve been highly disappointed. So it kind of feels regular.”

That confidence stems from the work put in after last season’s Elite Eight loss at home. Dupree and Senior Guard Brandon Ashley credit the team’s off-season dedication, driven by head coach Monquencio Hardnett, as a key factor in their breakthrough.

“The loss we had at the crib last year, we didn’t want to feel that again. We knew we wanted to make it past the Elite Eight,” said Ashley.

“After the loss, the next day, we got in the gym. Every day after that, 1,000 shots a day. We came together more as a family, and it’s made us better this year.”

The chemistry of the Patriots is evident. Led by the back court trio of Dupree, Ashley, and Junior Guard C.J. Howard, along with front court standouts Rinaldo Calloway and Montese Green, the team has forged a brotherhood both on and off the court.

Now, as they prepare for the biggest game of their careers, Coach Hardnett is focused on helping his players embrace the moment while understanding its significance.

“If they get this job done on Saturday, they’ll be on this wall 40, 50 years from now,” Hardnett said. “Not everyone can say they won a state championship. I try to help them live in the moment and understand the history of Southwest basketball—not to chase it, but to add their names to it.”

That history includes the 1989 state championship team, a squad that featured none other than Southwest Athletic Director Joe Dupree, Chase’s father. As someone who has been in this position before, the elder Dupree has offered his son valuable advice.

“I always tell him to seize the moment. His preparation has been key. Enjoy it, but don’t get caught up in it, because the job isn’t finished,” Joe Dupree said.

Despite the father-son connection, Chase isn’t shy about reminding his dad who the better player is now.

“I played him a couple years ago and skunked him. He hasn’t played me since,” Chase joked.

His father laughed off the comment but expressed pride in his son’s accomplishments.

“He’s a lot better basketball player than I was, a lot better athlete too,” Joe Dupree said. “I don’t play him anymore—I’m too old. I just enjoy watching him play because he plays the game the right way. He’s a great teammate and an even better kid. I’m super proud of him.”

With their region championship and Final Four win behind them, the Patriots are locked in on Saturday’s title game against B.E.S.T. Academy at the Macon Coliseum.

“This week, we’ve been dedicated to staying focused. It’s just another game for us,” Brandon Ashley said. “We’re going to do what we’ve been doing all season—stay confident and trust each other.”

Coach Hardnett echoed that sentiment, urging his players to embrace the moment and trust their preparation.

“You’re built for it. You’ve worked for it. Every obstacle that we had this year, you’ve tackled that. You’ve achieved it” Coach Hardnett said. “This is the ultimate goal that we set at the beginning of every year. Now we’re here. You just can’t forget to play the game. Just go out and do what you’ve been taught to do, play hard and everything will be fine.”

If the Patriots win?

“Crazy enough, I made a bet with them that they can shave my head if we cut down the nets,” Hardnett said. “So you may see a different version of me after Saturday.”

Tip-off for the GHSA Class A Division-I State Championship is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Macon Coliseum. Southwest is chasing its seventh state title in program history.