New School, Same State Title For Flo40 Guard John Petty
Mar 4, 2017
John Petty spent the final seconds of Saturday’s state title game sitting on the bench, all smiles yet calm. He had been there plenty before, even if this brand new program hadn’t, but it still felt just as good.
The Flo40 guard scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to earn Most Valuable Player honors and help Mae Jemison (AL) take home the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A crown. It was the third in his illustrious prep career.
#Alabama signee John Petty scored 22 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, 3 assists in Jemison's 58-52 Class 5A state championship win. #alpreps pic.twitter.com/AVpV5f50qB
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) March 4, 2017
This wasn’t about politics or social issues. A first-year public high school, Mae Jemison was created to meet the requirements of a federal consent order to desegregate Huntsville City Schools. This was about basketball and basketball only.
After winning consecutive state titles at Huntsville J.O. Johnson, Petty, his teammates, and head coach Jack Doss are back on top with a 58-52 win over Faith Academy. Even if it was in new uniforms, and at a new school, it had the familiar look of old times.
(Highlights courtesy of Krossover)