More post season awards were released today. The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association posted its All State teams for 2020 and Hebron juniors Nicole Azar and Malia Fisher both earned First Team All State honors for Class 1A in north Georgia. These two were also selected to participate in the GACA North-South All Star Basketball Classic which was unfortunately cancelled due to the Coronavirus hysteria. Congratulations to both Hebron juniors for this well deserved recognition. Below is the GACA All State Team for Class 1A North Georgia.
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Class 1A North

Co-Players of the Year

AC Carter, Wesleyan
Savannah Samuel, St. Francis

First Team All State

Malia Fisher, Hebron

Kara Dunn, Mt. Paran

Jillian Hollingshead, Holy Innocents

Amirah Abdur-Rahim, St. Francis

Nadia Reese, Stratford

Mia Moore, St. Francis

Nicole Azar, Hebron

Jada Farrell, Holy Innocents

Paige Lyons, Wesleyan

Caroline Dingler, Darlington

Weronika Hipp, Eagle’s Landing Christian

Hebron juniors Malia Fisher and Nicole Azar were both named First Team All Gwinnett County as the Gwinnett Tipoff Club released its All County teams recently. The Gwinnett teams of the year were voted by all of the coaches in Gwinnett County. Azar led Gwinnett in scoring averaging 19.9 points per game and was second on Gwinnett in assists averaging 4,2, second to teammate Carly Fahey who averaged 6.7. Azar was ninth in steals averaging 3.1. Fisher was fifth in Gwinnett in scoring averaging 15.6 points per game, fifth in Gwinnett in blocks with 1.6 per game, eighth in Gwinnett in rebounds averaging 8.6 and second in steals with 3.7. Junior Ella Heard was named He>bron’s Scholar Athlete. Congratulations to Malia, Nicole and Ella. See below for the Gwinnett Tipoff Club 2020 All County Team.

Co-Players of the Year
Tate Walters, Buford
AC Carter, Wesleyan

Girls First Team

Kaleigh Addie, GAC

Nicole Azar, Hebron

Diana Collins, Brookwood

Zuriyah Davis, Lanier

Malia Fisher, Hebron

Ava Irvin, GAC

Paige Lyons, Wesleyan

Sussy Ngulefac, Parkview

Yamani Paul, Norcross

Eden Sample, Collins Hill

Lazaria Spearman, Dacula

Sacha Washington, Collins Hill

Girls Second Team

Akaya Chaney, Discovery; Kamryn Collins, Collins Hill; Christabel Ezumah, Lanier; Alexis Figures, Mill Creek; Malia Grace, Grayson; Asjah Inniss, Collins Hill; Selma Kulo, Brookwood; Nadya McCown, Archer; Cazia Nelson, Archer; Alyssa Phillip, Wesleyan; Nyla Rose-Moore, Dacula; Ashyia Willis, Buford

Hebron’s bid at an undefeated season and a state championship came to an abrupt end last night as the Lions fell to defending champion Holy Innocents 52-48 in the semifinals of the Class A state tournament at Georgia College in Milledgeville. The team had to battle more than just their opponents in a game that was marred by issues at the scorers table as well as the basics of basketball decree. Unfortunately, the vast majority of misdeeds resulted negatively for the team in white jerseys. At the outset, the inexperienced Lions were clearly overcome by the schools first appearance in the state semifinals in 15 years. The team was very tight in the early stages. Holy Innocents took a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Hebron hung tough however, having to play without Malia Fisher who was assessed two fouls despite committing only one. She was relegated to the bench most of the first half. A Jessie Parish layup brought Hebron to within two points at halftime as Holy Innocents led 27-25. Holy Innocents increased its lead to six leading 33-27 midway through the third period but the Lions again battled back. Sydney Whalen drove the lane for a layup giving Hebron its first lead of the game at 35-33 to end an 8-0 run. The Lions took a 40-39 lead into the fourth. Hebron increased its lead to 46-41 with about six minutes left in the game. But inexplicably, could never retain possession…offensive fouls, travelling, you name it… were “committed”. Holy Innocents retook the lead after continually reacquiring possession. Five missed free throws by Hebron did not help either. Still, down 49-48 with 53 seconds remaining, Nicole Azar appeared to have put Hebron up 50-49 after a nice up and under move, but alas, she was assessed a travelling call. Holy Innocents scored on the other end to put the Bears up 51-48. Down three with 7.5 seconds left, Carly Fahey appeared to tie the game with an incredible fall-away three pointer from the corner and possibly a foul for a chance at a four-point play. On cue, she was called for travelling. Holy innocents ball. Game over. It was an unfortunate outcome for a team that worked hard and played the right way the entire game and season. Fisher and Carly Heidger both fouled out as consequence of the score table book keeping issues. Holy Innocents’ 6’5 center, Jillian Hollingshead was a defensive stalwart committing only two fouls during the game. Truly a defensive master. Jessie Parish led the valiant Hebron effort with 13 points while Carly Fahey put up 10. Fisher and Azar added seven and five points apiece. Holy Innocents (26-5) advances to play St. Francis in the state championship on Wednesday. Hebron’s season ends with a record of 30-1… and all members of the team returning next season. With a fair shake, this team can definitely win it all next year

The Hebron Lady Lions advanced to the Final Four for only the second time in school history as they posted a hard fought 63-53 win over sixth ranked Greenforest in the quarterfinals of the Class A Girls Basketball State Tournament Tuesday night at Hebron. The atmosphere was electric in the packed Lions Arena and the crowd came away exhausted but excited. Hebron built a first half lead that grew to 21 points at one point but Greenforest chipped way at it late in the second quarter. Hebron led 36-18 but Greenforest closed the half on a 6-0 run to get within striking distance. The Lions led 36-24 at the half. Greenforest continued eating away at the Hebron lead. The lead shrunk to just three points before a Nicole Azar steal and layup pushed it back to five midway through the fourth quarter. Timely threes by Azar, Carly Heidger and Ella Heard helped give Hebron some breathing room. The Lions got the lead back to ten compliments of controlling the defensive glass and converting on the other end. The win eliminated a good Greenforest team from the state tournament. Greenforest presented challenges with three players over six feet including their 6’5 center. Prior to tonight’s loss, Greenforest had won 20 of their last 21 games. The Lady Eagles end their season 22-6. Hebron remains unbeaten with the win and is now 30-0 and advances to the Final Four for the first time since 2005 and only the second time in school history. Azar led the Hebron scoring effort with 20 points to go with four assists and three steals. Malia Fisher had a solid night and was the catalyst of getting Hebron the early first half double digit lead. She finished with a double double scoring 16 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. She also had three blocks. Heidger also had a double double with 16 points and 11 boards. Jessie Parish scored six points and had 10 rebounds. Sydney Whalen did a great job running the point dishing a game high seven assists. Heard finished with five points. Hebron is now 3-0 on the season and advances to the semifinals where they’ll face No. 3 ranked Holy Innocents (24-5). The game will be held at Georgia College in Milledgeville. Tipoff is 6:00 PM, Friday night.

The Gwinnett Daily Post nominated Hebron’s Malia Fisher for its Fans Choice Athlete of the Week voting for this week. She was nominated along side basketball players from Norcross, Wesleyan and Peachtree Ridge. Click below and vote!
https://www.gwinnettprepsports.com/sports/fans-choice-winter-athlete-of-the-week-candidate-profiles/article_3a1a971e-5672-11ea-8480-e323a6ff2568.html