The 2023-24 Basketball season has officially come to a close. The Warriors managed a resounding rebound to improve from their previous season’s struggles. After finishing winless in the region in 2022-23, this year’s playoff success signals a return to form after a rough patch for the program. This was a season full of emotional highs and heartbreaking lows. The Warriors experienced the tragic passing of Head Coach Kerry Sarden mid-season. Despite this immense loss, the Warriors managed to rally and fight their way all the way through the region playoffs and into state playoffs showing a true determination and commitment to the Warrior spirit.
The Warriors started off hot in non-region play, jumping out to a 4-2 record. This hot start included a dominating 92-27 win over Carver high school and two very impressive wins over Arabia Mountain and Riverdale. However, once region play began, the season quickly turned sour for the Dubs, losing five of their next seven games. North Atlanta’s region four of the 6A classification is one of, if not the most difficult regions in Georgia high school basketball. The Dubs competed against the state champion Riverwood Raiders, with multiple division one prospects, as well as perennial powerhouses St. Pius and Marist. These big three were then rounded out with strong South Cobb and Dunwoody teams. Despite this difficult draw, the squad refused to give in and continued to get results when it counted the most. After finishing 12-16 overall and 3-9 in the best region in 6A, including tough wins over South Cobb and Dunwoody, the Warriors finished the regular season as the fifth seed with a chance to make it to the playoffs through the region tournament. Without a single easy game on the region tournament slate, the road to playoffs was no doubt a bumpy one. After taking down Dunwoody in round one, the Dubs traveled to St. Pius where they were defeated. This loss left them to face eventual state champion Riverwood. However, against all odds the Dubs prevailed 57-52 to advance to the state playoffs as the three seed in the region. Then, in the round of 32 they were matched up with Houston County. There, the Dubs went into the den and came out with a 58-44 victory. Unfortunately, the magical run would end there after a 36-59 defeat at the hands of Grovetown high school. “We made it farther than anybody thought we could,” said junior forward Brooks Allen, “now all we can do is keep building and prove the doubters wrong again next year.”
This turnaround campaign was led by stars all over the court. In the back court senior guards Josh Griffith, Nico Michael, and Harrison Balch were the engines of the offense as well as key spark plugs on the defensive end. The front court was held down by senior forward Tyler Thompson with key contributions from junior forward Brooks Allen. These two provided an intimidating post presence and crashed the glass all season. “Everyone on the team played their part and each person contributed just as much as the next,” said junior guard Will Overby.
The 2023-24 season saw the program exceed all expectations and the Dubs showed true class throughout every trial and tribulation. Now, the Warriors look on towards 2024-25 with a new era in tow, and they hope to use this inspiring run as a steppingstone to return to the highs once seen with previous Dub squads.
