The Perfect Season

There was a lot of pressure on the No. 2 ranked to win tonight’s game against Rome High. The game did not mean a thing as far as region titles or tournament seeding go. It did, however, mean something to about 1,000 fans that showed up early to see the game. These fans came to witness history and what a game they got to see.

With a record of 24-0 coming into the contest, a perfect regular season on the line, the No. 2 ranking, a very athletic Rome Wolves squad and the team goal of completing the perfect season, the game tonight was anything but just another game. For the first time in a while, the Chiefs came out with a fire as if their entire season came down to this one game. Sequoyah got going early with a quick 7 – 0 lead to start the game on quick three-point shot by Zack Chandler and back-to-back fast break baskets by Cullen Roberts and Sean Tate. It looked as if Sequoyah would roll, getting out to a 22-10 first quarter lead. The second quarter started with a Rome 6-0 run of their own and holding Sequoyah to just two made shots over the remainder of the period saw the halftime lead cut in half at 29-23 for Sequoyah.

The momentum stayed with Rome to start the second half and both teams traded baskets for the duration of the third quarter. The Wolves’ Taylor Shropshire hit a 25-foot shot at the buzzer to tie the game at 41 apiece going into the fourth quarter and everyone in the gym wondered if the Chiefs would fall for the first time all season. But, this is not the first time this senior lead team has been down or tied in the fourth quarter of a game this season. In fact, they have come from behind to win a game in the fourth quarter 14 times this season. Tonight would be no different. Sequoyah answered every basket with a basket of their own. With three minutes left in the game, Sequoyah went to the 3-2 zone and defensive play of Chiefs and the wing span of Brandon Alexander at the top of the zone made the passing to the interior much more difficult on Rome, forcing some bad shots and key turnovers with the game on the line. As would be the signature for Sequoyah all year, the opponent would crumble under the intense defensive pressure and the Chiefs would knock down the free throws when it counted, outscoring Rome 18-13 in the fourth quarter and completed the season sweep with a final score of 59-54.

Finally, the Chiefs completed one of the biggest goals a team could have – defeat every opponent on the schedule. Now, there are just two goals left to accomplish, - a region championship and then a state title. Don’t tell them they cannot pull it off. They have been told that 25 times this season and 25 straight times, they pulled it off.

The win marks the first time a Sequoyah team in any sport has completed an undefeated regular season. Sean Tate also set a school record tonight for the most points scored in a season, breaking the record held by Sequoyah great, Adam Benton.

The Chiefs were led in scoring by Sean Tate with 23 points. Cullen Roberts had nine points, six boards, three steals and three assists. Senior Ben Rogers added nine points and five rebounds while Brandon Alexander chipped in with four points, six rebounds and six steals. The teams most improved player, Senior Zack Chandler continued to provide big play after big play with four points, five rebounds and five huge assists. Solomon Ajose rounded out the scoring with eight points. Sequoyah will enjoy a first round bye in the region tournament. They will see their first action at on Wednesday against the winner of Saturday’s game between John’s Creek and Lambert. The game time is set for 8:30pm.