View the photo album
Alexander boys basketball coach Jason Slate knew this year's team was special coming into the 
season. But even special teams have to execute, and, as Slate said a few months ago, "you've got to have a little bit of luck as well."
Slate's Cougars did all of the above, wrapping up a historic season with an 81-67 victory over Woodward Academy last Friday at the Macon Coliseum to claim their second state championship in four years.
"The feeling didn't change," he said. "It was really good then, and it's really good right now."
Alexander won its last 25 straight games and finished with 30 wins, a program record. The Cougars also finished ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAA by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and MaxPreps.
The Cougars trailed by seven at halftime. The game was tied at 58 early in the fourth quarter when Alexander got a 3-pointer from Cam Jackson and a couple of free throws and a 3-pointer from Charleston-Southern signee Marquise Leslie. Woodward answered, but the Cougars responded with a 9-0 run that put the game away. Christian Moore's slam dunk with 1:05 left added the exclamation point.
"We've been saying it all year — four quarters," Slate said. "Third and fourth quarter, we're going to get you, and the guys were able to do that again today."
Senior guard Gregory "Pops" Dunson led Alexander with 25 points and six assists. Jayden Crawford, a Georgia Southern signee, finished with 18 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Moore added 15 points, Leslie finished with seven, Ethan Miller tacked on five, Donovan Martin and Torian Greene added four apiece and Jackson had three.
Dunson finishes his high school career as Alexander's all-time scoring leader with 1,542 career points and the school's all-time assists leader with 478. He was also named the game's Most Valuable Player and to the Georgia Public Broadcasting All-Finals Basketball Team.
Dunson was a freshman on the 2023 state championship team and said seeing how the seniors on that team led helped him as the leader on this year's squad.
"It's been a long season, and I'm glad we ended it right," he said.
The school has planned a State Championship Pep Rally on April 3. A separate ring ceremony will be held as soon as the new hardware arrives.
"As a principal, I couldn't be more proud of what this championship represents," AHS Principal Lora McAdams said. "Winning the state title for the second time is a testament not only to the talent and determination of our players and coaches, but to the heart of our entire school community. These young men have shown what discipline, teamwork and belief can accomplish. To all of Cougar Country, it is more than a trophy. It's a symbol of the pride, resilience and excellence that define our school."
