Tucker’s Joshua Parker (24) defends against Wheeler’s Makhai Eastmond. (photo by Mark Brock)

Wheeler used a 14-0 third quarter run to take control against Tucker on the way to a 74-64 victory in the Class 5A boys’ semifinals at Georgia Tech.

Tucker up 30-28 at halftime jumped out to a 35-30 lead on a three by Bryce Brown and a basket in front by Courtland Rogers early in the third quarter.

Wheeler answered by reeling off 14 consecutive points to go up 44-35 as Shembari Phillips three hit the net with 4:35 to play in the period. Jaylen Brown had seven points in the run for Wheeler.

A three by Ayinde Russell and a basket before the buzzer by Brown helped Tucker pull within 52-46 at the end of the third quarter.

Wheeler’s Cameron Jordan hit a pair of free throws with 4:17 to play to put his team up 63-50 before the Tigers began to rally. A three and three free throws by Russell pulled Tucker back within 64-56 with 2:40 to play as the Wheeler bench picked up a technical.

Brown when then go on a six point streak of his own as the third and fourth Tiger fouled out of the game in the final 2:15. Brown hit four consecutive free throws and had a big dunk as the lead ballooned back out to 70-56.

The Tigers could not recover all the way just pulling within the final of 74-64 on a three and a three-pointer play by Brown at the end.

Tucker led by Ayinde Russell with 10 points and Bryce Brown with 9 rallied from an early 9-2 deficit to take a 30-28 halftime lead.

Tucker led by as much as seven points in the second quarter as Brown hit a three and then a pair of free throws for a 26-19 advantage.

Darius Perry’s reverse layup tied the game at 28-28, but Russell hit a pair of free throws to put the Tigers up 30-28 as Wheeler was called for goal tending at the buzzer as a long shot appeared to be going in the basket.

Tucker finished 28-3 on the season with a Region 2-6A title and its first final four trip since 2008.

Class 6A Boys at Georgia Tech
Wheeler (29-2) 74, Tucker (28-3)64