COVINGTON, Ga. – For the primary time since 2023, the Eastside Eagles are Candy Sixteen sure.
On Wednesday, the Eagles knocked off the visiting Warner Robins Demons within the first spherical of the 4A state playoffs in a 58-40 end result. The win comes after two consecutive first-round exits, together with a stunner in opposition to Union Grove in 2025.
This marks the simply the second time that the Eagles have superior to the Candy Sixteen within the Dorrian Randolph period.
“That crew proper there may be the most effective crew I’ve ever had,” Randolph stated whereas pointing to the 2022-23 Candy Sixteen banner. “So these guys stated originally they wish to be higher than that crew. And I instructed them, ‘Nicely you’ve received to get to the Candy Sixteen first,’ they usually’ve performed it. So it feels good.
“It’s good to have groups that wanna be higher than the groups you’ve had as a result of that breeds competitors all the best way round.”
Wednesday’s efficiency was led by senior Josiah Johnson, who tallied 14 factors. Johnson, who’s the longest-tenured veteran on the crew, believed there was no manner the Eagles have been dropping this sport.
“I’ve been right here since I used to be a sophomore and I received first rounded yearly,” Johnson stated. “I couldn’t exit my senior yr, not with this group. We received essentially the most proficient group, for my part… It’s superb, like that is the most effective factor on the planet.”
The Demons struck first by means of a three-pointer from Prince Ragin. However like many groups this yr, they couldn’t work out tips on how to cease Christian Gatewood.
The 6-foot-6 ahead did what he does greatest by punishing the paint and scoring over a number of Warner Robins defenders. Gatewood’s 9 factors led the Eagles to a 20-9 lead on the finish of the primary quarter.
Warner Robins fared a lot better offensively within the second quarter, together with a 6-0 run to start out the body.
As Gatewood started to chill off, the Eagles guards took over. Johnson added eight factors to stored the lead within the Eagles’ favor with a 32-22 rating at halftime.
Johnson, Iverson Freeman, Roman Sullivan and Jevon Sullivan received their very own buckets to go for an 8-0 run to start the third quarter.
A small Warner Robins run stored issues manageable, however the Eagles did sufficient to keep up a 15-point lead because the fourth quarter started.
The second half noticed plenty of spotlight reel performs akin to an alley-oop from Freeman to Gatewood and a LeBron James-esque block by Roman Sullivan. Outdoors of that, the Eagles struggled offensively within the late going.
There have been no discipline objectives by both crew within the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter, and the Eagles would solely end with eight factors scored in that body. However the Demons couldn’t capitalize off of Eastside’s offensive miscues, permitting the Eagles to coast to an 18-point victory.
Whereas the win is a giant milestone for Eastside, the highway doesn’t cease right here. The Eagles will journey to Tempo Academy (21-7) in Atlanta on Saturday. The Knights haven’t misplaced a sport since Dec. 30, 2025 and are on a roll after defeating the Dalton Catamounts of their first spherical matchup.
Randolph says that with a purpose to get the win, the proper Eastside crew must be current.
“Which Eastside is gonna present up?” Randolph requested. “Eastside was adequate to get previous the primary spherical, however eight factors in 1 / 4 will not be gonna get it performed… We’re undoubtedly gonna need to play higher in opposition to a Tempo Academy who has a number of double-digit scorers.
“…Now it’s time to concentrate on Tempo trigger we’ve completed the primary spherical.”
