MOUNT AIRY, Ga. — To say that the Habersham Central boys basketball team has never been here before is quite the understatement.
In the program’s long history, which was created in 1970 when South Habersham and North Habersham were merged, the Raiders had never won a playoff game. In fact, since 1970, they had made just two playoff appearances in 33 seasons before a current run of three straight postseasons.
However, coming into the 2024-25 campaign, the program still had zero playoff wins. However, the signs that things were about to change became evident when they captured their first-ever region title (Region 8-5A) two weeks ago.
But third-year coach Tommy Yancey says you can’t tell that the newfound success and attention has changed his group much..
“They have done a really good job in keeping the main thing the main thing,” he said on Monday as they prepared to play host to perennial playoff power Tri-Cities on Wednesday. Tip-off in Mount Airy in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs is st for 7 p.m.
The Raiders (27-3) routed Northside-Warner Robins 66-43 in the opening round and then took out another perennial playoff program in Brunswick, 72-60, both at home. They are a perfect 16-0 at home on the season. So far, little has been able to phase the Raiders.
But Tri-Cities (23-6) is on a different level. The Bulldogs have advanced to the quarterfinals or better 8 of the last 9 years, including capturing the 2019 Class 6A state title and the 2022 Class 5A state title. They finished as 5A state runners-up in 2021 and made the Elite 8 last year in Class 5A with a young and rebuilt squad.
The current Bulldogs come in having won 10 of their last 12, with their only two losses coming to No. 1-ranked Woodward Academy in Region 4-5A.
Sophomore 4-star Tre Keith (offers from UGA, UCF) leads four Bulldogs in double-figure scoring at 17.3 points/game. Senior Sean Vandorn averages 17.0 ppg, while 6-foot-8 junior Jalan Wingfield (16.2 ppg) holds offers from 13 Power 4 schools, including Georgia, Alabama, Georgia Tech, and Auburn. Senior Carby Martin is scoring 10.5 ppg on the season.
Yancey said they will be the biggest challenge of the season to this point.
“They are really good with some highly ranked players. They have size, speed and skill,” he said. “Tri-Cities wants to be able to get out in transition. We will have to defend and rebound at a very high level (on Wednesday).”
Habersham Central can counter with a solid five and a balanced inside-out offense. Senior guards Enzo Combs (20.1 ppg, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 51 3-pointers) and Jalen Davis (8.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 34 3s) give them plenty of outside threats.
Senior center JoJo McCurry (15.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.2 apg) and junior forwards Jake Mihalik (9.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 blocks, 34 3s) and Jude Wilbanks (8.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg) offer matchup problems for most defenses.
Yancey is hoping their balance and depth can be a factor.
“Our depth has been a key for us this year with six different players having led us in scoring,” Yancey said. “A lack of selfishness and a high level of discipline to execute have been staples of the program, and these guys have shown what those things can do for a team.”
Every game the Raiders play from this point forward is a journey into the unknown. Yancey has appreciated their approach and hopes it’s enough to help keep their Cinderella story going.
“The team has done a real good job of staying humble and staying hungry,” he said. “They enjoy the hype that comes with it but have really done a good job of taking it day by day, game by game."
(See below for the entire schedule of Wednesday's 3rd round games:)
GHSA BOYS BASKETBALL 3rd ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
CLASS 5A
Tri-Cities (R4, S2) at Habersham Central (R8, S1), 7 p.m.
CLASS 3A (PSR RANKINGS)
Jefferson (S15) at Monroe-Albany (S7), 6 p.m.
CLASS 2A (PSR RANKINGS)
KIPP (S19) at Union County (S6), 6 p.m.
