1986 George Walton
From 8-7-14
The 1986 GWA basketball season began with high expectations (& a lot of confidence) as the Bulldogs were returning all their starters from the '85 Championship team! (They also had gained much experience when they lost in the State Finals in '84.). GWA's only loss, going into the state tournament, was to an out-of-state team in the finals of the Savannah Christmas Classic.
GWA swept through the region tournament for their 2nd Region Championship in 3 years! The Bulldog team (& fans) were shocked, when they were upset in a 4-pt. loss to Thomas Jefferson in the 1st round of the State Tournament! GWA finished the season with a 27-2 record (& 73 wins & 7 losses in 3 years). All 5 starters averaged in double figures with 2-time All-stater, Roy Roberts, leading the way with an 18 pt. average. Other starters' averages were Jeff Capes (14 ppg), 2-time All-Region Ken Harrison (11 ppg), Clay Dally (11 pts & 12.5 reb. pg), & Ed Healy, 10 ppg. (as he earned All-region status 4 straight years). This was a special group of athletes, which will always be remembered! The 1987 team was another strong team which had an 18-4 record & won their 3rd Region Championship in 4 years! They were paced by Karl Olsen's 21.5 ppg., & the strong rebounding of Clay Dally's 15.4 rpg. & 19 ppg., (which led to both players being named both All-region & All-state). After sweeping through the region tournament, the Bulldogs lost in the 1st round of the State Tournament. Their 91-11 4-yr. record was the best in the previous 12 years! The boys' 12-year overall basketball record was 243 wins & 61 defeats, while winning 14 various championships, including 5 Region titles, 2 State Championships, & 1 State Runner-up. This year ended my GWA coaching career at 12 years, as we had an opportunity to travel (while Bill was with American Airlines), and needed to take full advantage, while the opportunity to travel was there! I knew I was leaving an enjoyable situation (& a 30-year coaching career), & might not ever coach again--but I realized that It would be necessary, one day, to earn a living, again! We were at peace with our decision, and we were ready for whatever God had in his plans for us!
