It may be a couple of non-region games, but there is plenty of hype and storylines as the Statesboro Blue Devils get set for a Saturday night showdown against the Johnson Atomsmashers.
On the ladies side of things the Blue Devils are currently ranked No. 7 in the state in Class AAAAA. The Atomsmashers are the defending Class AAA state champions and come in ranked No. 2 in the state this season.
“This will be a lot like playing Brunswick, except their players are even more skilled,” said Statesboro coach Jeff Seir. “Two of their players all pre-season all-state, but in my opinion they have three players that should be all state. They are guard heavy and very quick.”
The Atomsmashers also have a familiar name on their bench as former Blue Devil standout Sierra Kirkland is an assistant coach at Johnson.
“It’s a weird situation coaching against a former player,” Seir said. “You are so fond of that person, and you want them to be successful, but you don’t want them to do well against you.”
The Blue Devils are currently 8-0 on the season, and have only really been tested once this year, in a three-point win over Swainsboro. Coach Seir is aware that Saturday’s game with Johnson will be a great chance to see the strengths and weaknesses of his team.
“They drive to the basket well, and defend well,” Seir said. “We will definitely need to be secure with the ball, and anything we are weak in will show up Saturday night for sure.”
On the boys side of things it’s a similar situation. The Blue Devils will be going up against a team currently ranked No. 3 in the state in Class AAA and will be facing another Statesboro alum as Rico Campbell is currently the Atomsmashers head coach.
“I’ve played former players and assistants before,” said Statesboro coach Lee Hill. “You never want that young guy to come in and be able to say they beat you. It happened a few years ago with Ron Christian, and he had his guys so fired up to play us.”
“The big problem playing these former players and coaches is it means so much to them,” Hill said. “They want to show you what they’ve learned, or want to make an impression, so they have their team so fired up. I know Rico has watched two or three of my games, and he wants it bad. I just don’t know if I can get my kids fired up, as much he will have his kids fired up.”
As for Campbell, he is definitely looking forward to the game.
“It is going to be a great experience,” Campbell said. “I never thought I would have the opportunity to coach against him. He’s been my coach and my coaching mentor my whole career.”
As for the team the Blue Devils will be facing, the Atomsmashers have multiple Division-I prospects ,most notably 6’9’’ senior center Lamont Sams, and 6’7’’ swingman Brandon Harris.
“Johnson has a team that can definitely win the state,” Hill said. “He has size, he has really quick athletic guards, and any time you have Division 1 players you can have a shot at the state championship, and he has three of them.”
The Blue Devils and Atomsmashers are scheduled for a 6:30 start in the girls game, with the boys game starting immediately afterwards.
