The No. 4 state-ranked Griffin Christian Crusaders basketball team made it to the GISA Class AA state semifinals — scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today at Hawkins Arena on the campus of Mercer University in Macon — where it will play the No. 3 state-ranked First Presbyterian Christian Academy Highlanders. The winner of this games plays in the GISA Class AA state finals against the Gatewood School/Memorial Day winner Saturday at 5 p.m. in the same gym.

To look at this game, it seems to be all good for the Highlanders of FPCA — they are long and athletic, they have the experience of making it to the Class AA championship game last season (where they fell to the Frederica Academy Knights) and they won both of their playoff games this year by 31 and 11 points. Meanwhile, GC (25-7) played two tight playoff games (a 62-57 double overtime win over The Brentwood School and a 44-43 victory over Monsignor Donovan) and just lost its leading scorer Wil Savage to a broken wrist against Monsignor Donovan. Wil will be out for six weeks.

Despite those setbacks, Crusaders head basketball coach Mic Savage just told his team during practice this week that it’s time for them to play their game and let the chips fall where they may.

“On paper, this is a good game for FPCA. The Highlanders are ranked higher than us and everyone is picking them to beat us,” Savage said. “I told the guys that if people believe we’re going down, we might as well swing for the fences. I’m also hoping that many GC fans will come to our game wearing red and cheering us on.”

Savage said because they’ve played two tight and tense playoff games, playing a great team like FPCA is just what the doctor ordered. The Crusaders have nothing to lose so they might as well play loose and have some fun.

“We’re not going to do anything different. We’re going to play our game, which is a fast-break, up-tempo style coupled with strong defense,” said Savage. “If we play like I know we can play, we have a really good chance to beat them. No matter what happens, we’re going to go down swinging.”

Expect another tough game for the Crusaders. Savage said FPCA has a 6-foot-6 post player who’s athletic and the Highlanders also have a 6-4 wing player who slashes to the basket. And they have a smaller point guard who’s a very capable 3-point shooter and can also drive to the hole at any time.

“They’re really loaded, but I believe if we shoot at least 45 percent or better from the field, then we will win,” Savage said. “If we are shooting well, that means we are getting transition baskets. And if we get transition baskets all game long, we’re hard to beat.”

Savage said he was proud of the way his guys stepped up after his son Wil’s injury, especially since Wil is a big part of the team’s game plans. But coach Savage said now GC can focus on playing as a team and not necessarily worrying about getting the ball to Wil, who was being targeted by other teams this postseason.

“I told the guys that if they play with heart and passion and they love the game, the game of basketball will love them back,” coach Savage said. “The guys are loose and I feel they are ready to roll.”

“FPCA is athletic and fast and has some tall players, but all we need to do is play our fast-paced game and we’ll be alright,” said Crusaders senior post player David Thomas. “The guys have to step up without Wil.”

“We just have to do whatever it takes to win and I’m ready,” said senior post player Hunter Ott.

GRIFFIN CHRISTIAN BOYS

Date |Opponent |Time/Score

11/13 |WEBER |W 57-43

11/26 |Grace |L 96-76

11/29 |Weber |L 52-35

11/30 |TRINITY |W 78-54

12/3 |Solid Rock |W 61-43

12/4 |Westfield |W 62-49

12/7 |Mount de Sales |L 53-52 2OT

12/8 |DOMINION |L 66-55

12/11 |FURTAH* |W 77-75 OT

12/13 |GRACE |W 65-61

12/14 |DAWSON ST |W 71-46

12/18 |Arlington* |L 83-70

12/28 |vs. Heritage |L 92-86

12/29 |vs. Trinity |W 90-65

1/4 |LaGrange* |W 69-57

1/8 |WESTFIELD |W 70-57

1/11 |FLINT RIVER* |W 82-49

1/12 |MOUNT de SALES |W 65-44

1/14 |PIEDMONT* |W 65-26

1/18 |Harvester* |W 59-21

1/22 |Furtah* |W 82-64

1/25 |ARLINGTON* |W 76-71

1/28 |SOLID ROCK |W 84-35

1/29 |Dominion |L 63-42

1/31 |LaGRANGE* |W 65-54

2/1 |Flint River* |W 57-36

2/5 |Piedmont* |W 65-40

2/8 |HARVESTER* |W 67-28

****REGION TOURNAMENT****

2/14 |vs. F. River |W 53-28

2/15 |vs. Furtah |W 78-71

****STATE TOURNAMENT****

2/21 |vs. Brentwood |W 62-57 2OT

2/23 |vs. M. Donovan |W 44-43

3/1 |vs. FPCA |5:30

3/2 |vs. tba (if win 3/1) |5:00