The Pinecrest Academy boys basketball team has made it to the Georgia Independent School Association Class AA State Final Four. With a 69-41 win over Memorial Day School, Savannah, and a 64-61 overtime victory against Piedmont Academy, Monticello, the Paladins were able to advance.

In the Feb. 22 game against Memorial Day, Pinecrest junior guard and captain Mike Metz led the team with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.

As they faced Piedmont Feb. 24, Pinecrest was down 54-49 with two minutes to play in regulation. Head Coach Andres Montana went to a half-court trapping defense that resulted in a dunk off a steal by Metz. He also hit two game-tying free throws with 20 seconds left to play. With tough defense they were able to force the game into overtime. Pinecrest made some clutch free throws during overtime to seal the victory. Brian Guhde, another junior guard and captain, made the game-winning free throws with 50 seconds left in overtime.

Pinecrest will take on Atlanta archrival Holy Spirit Preparatory in the state semifinals at 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 2, on the Georgia College and State University campus, Milledgeville. Pinecrest won both regular season meetings by a two-point margin. In their Jan. 5 game Pinecrest won 53-51 on a shot by Metz with 3.4 seconds remaining in the game. When the teams met again Jan. 30 Pinecrest won 52-50.