Pebblebrook High School and Wheeler High School will face off in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) 6A basketball state championship at the Macon Coliseum on March 14, following their victories in the Final Four held at Georgia State University, according to a Mar. 10 announcement.
The matchup is significant as it marks an eleven-year rematch between the two Cobb County teams, recalling their close contest in the 2015 state final. That game ended with Wheeler winning by a single point after Jaylen Brown’s last-second free throws. Pebblebrook has since made multiple trips to the finals but has yet to secure a title.
“I’m what you call a bridesmaid,” Coach George Washington of Pebblebrook said. “I’ve escorted a few teams to the championship. This will be our third trip since I’ve been here. We competed every time we went down there. I can replay each one of them in my mind.” Washington also acknowledged the significance of this year’s return: “Yeah, yeah, it’s the anniversary of that Westlake game,” he said after his team’s win over Hillgrove. “This year’s team has seen so many different kinds of basketball throughout the season… We’ve had a great run and these kids aren’t afraid of the moment. We’ll celebrate this one and then get back to work for next weekend.”
Wheeler Head Coach Larry Thompson commented on facing Pebblebrook again: “Pebblebrook versus Wheeler goes back a long way,” he said after defeating McEachern. “I haven’t faced off with Coach Washington since we changed regions… The guys are gonna be animated for sure, just like tonight.” Thompson also reflected on Cobb County’s strong showing: “There’s no question where the best basketball is being played in the state… We’ve got coaches that really care about development and building programs. And it means we’ve got kids who are sold out to getting better and playing at the highest level because they want to advance.” He praised McEachern’s performance under Coach Tre Anchrum as well.
The event highlights not only athletic achievement but also community involvement at Pebblebrook High School, which supports its athletic programs through donations according to its official website. The school serves students in Mableton and hosts performing arts presentations through its center for excellence according to its official website. Facilities include multiple gyms, with a new gymnasium added in 1997 according to its official website. Pebblebrook is part of the Cobb County School District according to its official website, with Dana Giles serving as principal according to its official website.
As both teams prepare for Saturday’s final game—the last high school basketball match of Georgia’s season—anticipation builds over whether Pebblebrook will claim its first title or if Wheeler will add an eleventh championship trophy.
