Commerce, Rabun Co set for Region 8 rematch

Commerce, Rabun Co set for Region 8 rematch

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

Tiger, GA — A winter snowstorm paralyzed Northeast Georgia a few weeks ago, which was the only thing keeping two of Class A Division I’s heavyweights on the sideline preparing for something else entirely — a showdown that could shape the Region 8 title race.

Weather permitting, Commerce will make the trip through the cold to Rabun County tonight for a 7:30 p.m. tip in a rematch that has been circled on both calendars since early January.

From the season’s opening practices, both programs believed they had the pieces to sit atop the region standings. Nearly two months later, that vision has come into sharp focus.

Commerce (20-4, 10-1) enters alone in first place and riding a six-game winning streak, sparked in part by a 65-56 home win over Rabun County in the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 3. Rabun County (21-2, 9-1) hasn’t forgotten — and hasn’t slowed down — winning four straight since that night with its only other loss coming against unbeaten Class 5A power Gainesville.

So something has to give Tuesday: Commerce’s grip on first place, or Rabun County’s push for revenge.

Commerce’s Formula: Defend, Then Deliver

Tigers head coach Sherrard Brantley set the tone months ago with a simple measuring stick.

“If we can hold teams to a certain number every night, we will be fine,” he said before the season. “We will get a bunch of wins.”

That blueprint has held steady. Commerce is averaging 68 points per game while limiting opponents to just 55.7, turning defense into fast-break chances and balanced scoring.

A veteran-heavy lineup led by seven juniors has powered that consistency.

• Essien Lockleer sets the tone defensively with 3.1 steals per contest while pouring in 15.6 points a night.
• Maki Mitchell runs the show, leading the team with 15.3 points and 5.4 assists per game.
• Bryson Parks, a physical sophomore presence, adds 11 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and gives the Tigers a third reliable scoring option.

In the first matchup with Rabun, Lockleer scored a team-high 20 points while Parks added 19 — production Commerce will need again in what figures to be a more hostile environment.

Rabun County Heating Up

If Commerce has been steady, Rabun County has been explosive.

The Wildcats are averaging 70.6 points per game and allowing just 53, a margin that reflects the defensive growth head coach David Adcock emphasized from day one.

“This is a group of kids who truly love to be in the gym,” Adcock said earlier this season. “The main thing with us is to get better defensively.”

They’ve done that — while also lighting up the scoreboard.

• Hayes Free, a senior, leads the charge with 18.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
• Trace Adcock has delivered one of the state’s most impressive freshman campaigns, averaging 16.3 points.
• Huey Blalock does a little of everything, posting a rare scoring–assists double-double at 18.3 points and 10 assists per game.

Rabun County may not overwhelm teams with size, but its pace, shooting, and relentless rebounding-by-committee have turned that potential weakness into a nightly battle.

Adcock said back in October he knew how success would ultimately be measured.

“When we win a region title,” he said.

More Than Just a Game

Tuesday night offers more than bragging rights. A Rabun County win tightens the region race and avenges its only Class A Division I loss. A Commerce victory strengthens the Tigers’ hold on first place and completes a season sweep of their closest challenger.

All that’s left is to see if the storm clouds clear long enough to let them decide it on the court.