Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Jon-Michael Nickerson, a 2003 graduate of Stanhope Elmore High School, has led the Sandy Creek Patriots boys’ basketball team to their 3rd consecutive Class 3A title. The third title was the toughest. After back to back titles, in 2023 and 2024, the Patriots lost their two leading scorers to the college ranks, including Micah Smith, who is in his freshman season at Georgia Southern.
“This was the sweetest title yet,” said Nickerson. “No disrespect to the first team, but we were massive favorites that year. This year literally no one around the state gave us a chance.”
The ending of the Class 3A state championship is one that will be remembered for a long time in Georgia high school circles. Facing a Cedar Grove team that featured a 6’10 freshman, along with a 6’7 four star forward, the Patriots had a difficult time finding an offensive rhythm. However, the defense that the program prides themselves on kept them in the game the entire night, and with 8 seconds left to play, the Patriots led by a single point, when the chess match started between the two coaches.
After Cedar Grove’s timeout, the players went to the court and Sandy Creek called a timeout. The players went back to the court and Cedar Grove called the third timeout in a short span, with both teams trying to determine what the other would do, so that they could come up with the right game plan for the championship deciding final play. The Patriots played the final 8 seconds of the game in a zone defense, something they hadn’t done the entire season. The risky strategy worked, as Cedar Grove failed to get the ball to their top player.
“We knew they were drawing up something with 8 seconds left in anticipation of our great man defense. We were undersized, couldn’t foul because they would’ve shot free throws, but we rolled with it and it worked perfect. Their best player didn’t even touch the ball and I credit my staff for the suggestion and their encouragement. After the first timeout we were still in man defense. After the second timeout we went to strictly zone. Finally on the third timeout we made it look like man initially then backed into zone. Phenomenal execution to get the final stop.”
When the shot missed the mark, the Patriot players and coaches rushed the court. “When that buzzer went off it was the most exhilarating feeling I’ve ever had in my sports career whether playing or coaching. Cedar Grove had matchup advantages all over the floor, but we just had a roster full of goons that couldn’t care less about that.”
The 2024-2025 Patriots team finished the season with a 29-3 record, the most wins in school history. Further, the Patriots set another mark that might never be matched, winning their 100th straight region game during the season. The region dominance dates back years to before the current players were even in middle school.
“They came into this program from middle school and we were already dominant so making sure they remain grateful and humble is a focus. We are a program truly built on culture, accountability, and hard work. Our 9th grade team and JV teams’ development is critical to our success. For our guys to be every team’s Super Bowl in the region, and take everyone’s Mike Tyson haymakers over and over again and come out on top with a win speaks volumes to their focus on the ultimate mission. And that is win by any means necessary.”
