Buford Lady Wolves 2014-2015 State Championship Season Summary
How does a storied basketball program, that stumbles by the thinnest of margins playing for it’s fourth GHSA State Championship, forget what was lost?
YOU DON’T FORGET.
The 2014-15 version of the Buford Lady Wolves embraced the idea of UNFINISHED BUSINESS as fuel for their fire during individual offseason workouts. The month of June created a wave of excitement and optimism for a demanding season ahead. With season-ending injuries to three talented freshmen and early season losses to Morgan County, St. Francis, and Southeast Raleigh, this young, inexperienced team would allow the seeds of doubt and uncertainty to creep in.
The 2015 renewal of the Buford-Wesleyan girls basketball rivalry may not have had the crispness as past games in the storied series. But what this year’s contest lacked in polish, it certainly made up for in suspense. Senior North Carolina State commit Camille Anderson scored all 16 of her points in the second half, including a coast-to-coast layup with four seconds left to help Buford rally from a 16-point deficit to edge Wesleyan 54-53 in thrilling fashion, and give this team a much-needed shot of confidence.
With the consistent, elite production of Senior and NC State signee Camille Anderson, athletic prowess of Senior Corey Staples, deep, clutch shooting of Senior Katy Bisges, hard-nosed tenacity of Senior Lane Crawford, and the leadership of Senior Nyse Bruce, coupled with the rise of extremely versatile lone Junior Chandler Hall and a trio of talented Sophomores: the physical presence of Z Wright, instant energy of Marissa Bruce and point guard play of Snoodie Johnson, slowly but surely, a nucleus of production began to form.
For the second consecutive year, the Buford Lady Wolves would go undefeated in region play, winning the Region Tournament and earning home court advantage as they entered the 4A State Tournament.
Two-time defending state champion St. Pius X and their heralded Naismith National Player of the Year candidate Asia Durr, the country’s No. 1-ranked player, had eliminated Buford the previous two postseasons. These Lady Wolves were determined to not let it happen again. Buford would need every ounce of desire to fend off the Lady Lions — especially Durr, who scored all but five of her team’s field goals. In perhaps the greatest game ever played in The Wolves Den, Buford would win 59-55 to clinch a spot in the Class AAAA semifinals.
A hard fought Final Four victory against Fayette County would propel the Lady Wolves into the State Championship game for the second consecutive year, but it would also prove costly. Senior Camille Anderson would injure her knee, leaving her ability to play in the State Championship game in serious doubt.
The final stop on the road to Macon would best be described as painfully beautiful. Foul trouble. Knee trouble. Nerves. And an offensive explosion from Carrollton’s best player would paint a dire picture for the Buford faithful. But as all season proved, these Lady Wolves would simply find a way. Senior Corey Staples would hold Carrollton’s star scoreless after the first quarter. The Lady Wolves would fight and claw their way back. Sophomore point guard Snoody Johnson would make several critical plays. And like Lazarus in the Bible, Camille Anderson would rise from the dead to hit a clutch 3-point basket to spark a 7-0 run… and Buford would hold on for dear life to win 35-34 and capture the Georgia High School Association’s Class AAAA Girls State Championship.
FINISHED BUSINESS.
NC State signee and Senior Camille Anderson was named Gwinnett Daily Post Gwinnett Player of the Year. She was also named Gwinnett Tip Off Club Player of the Year, Region 8AAAA Player of the Year and Atlanta Tip Off Club First Team All Metro Team. Senior Corey Staples was named Second Team All Gwinnett County by the Gwinnett Tip Off Club and Region 8AAAA First Team All Region. Corey represented the Lady Wolves in the annual Gwinnett All Star Game and signed to play basketball for Sante Fe Community College. Senior Katy Bisges was named Region 8AAAA Second Team All Region and also represented the Kelly and Gold in the Gwinnett All Star Game. Katy will be playing basketball at the University of North Georgia. Versatile Junior Chandler Hall was named to Gwinnett County’s All Academic Team by the Gwinnett Tip Off Club as well as Honorable Mention 8AAAA All Region Team, and talented Sophomore Zikaya Z Wright was also named Honorable Mention 8AAAA All Region Team.
Named by the Gwinnett Tip Off Club as Gwinnett County’s Team of the Year, the 2014-15 Buford Lady Wolves would finish with a 30-3 final season record, 8AAAA Region Champions, undefeated in 8AAAA, with huge wins over rival Wesleyan and St. Pius X (the team that eliminated the Lady Wolves the past two years in the Elite 8 and State Championship) and #1 ranked 2015 player in the country in Asia Durr, and would win the 2015 AAAA State Championship and first state title for Buford Lady Wolves basketball since 2011… all while enduring a rash of season-ending and serious injuries.
To win a state championship, it doesn’t take an arena full of believers. IT JUST TAKES A LOCKER ROOM.
And this family of Buford Lady Wolves is overwhelmed with the reality that, forever, they will be known as STATE CHAMPIONS.
