The North Oconee boys successfully defended their state championship in the second day of competition at the GHSA basketball tournament at the Macon Coliseum.

The Creekside girls won the school’s first championship and finished the season as the state’s only unbeaten team. The Hardaway girls also won their first state title and the Butler boys won their first championship since 1966.

The tournament continues on Friday with boys and girls championships in Class A Division 2 and Class 5A.

All games can be seen live on GPB-TV or online at GPB.org or on the GPT sports app. Completed games can be watched on demand at GPB.org.

Hardaway header

Class 2A girls: Hardaway 47, Murray County 34

Rhianna Boynton scored 22 points, 13 in the first half, and 12 rebounds to help Hardaway seize the early momentum. The Golden Hawks built a 20-4 first-quarter lead and were never challenged in winning its first state championship.

Mikayla Johnson added 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Akilah Shelton added six points and 11 rebounds for Hardaway (26-6).

Murray County (30-2) was led by Bayleigh Winkler with 14 points and six rebounds and Callan Ledford with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Butler boys

Class 2A boys: Butler 57, Union County 49

Kwanane Bridges scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to pace Butler to the easy victory and secure its first state championship since 1966.  The Bulldogs (21-8) built a 22-12 first-quarter lead and was never threatened.

De’Cori Fleming added 11 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks and Marcus Scurry Jr. added nine points for the Bulldogs.

Union County (26-6) was led by Hayden Hughes with 17 points. Henry Houston added 12 points and five rebounds and Vince Marevka had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Creekside

Class 4A girls: Creekside 57, Maynard Jackson 37

C’India Dennis had 22 points, five rebounds and six assists to help Creekside (32-0) complete an undefeated season and win the school’s first state championship.

The Seminoles broke open a close game by outscoring Jackson 17-4 in the third quarter. Jacy Mitchell added 14 points and Sydnee Hunter added nine points and nine rebounds. Lia Moore led the team with 10 rebounds.

Jackson (20-8) was trying to win back-to-back championships. The Jaguars were led by Aaliyah Weaver with 20 points and seven rebounds. Cayden Cornish added nine points and five rebounds and Journey Conley scored eight.

North Oconee

Class 4A boys: North Oconee 60, Pace Academy 51

Justin Wise had 22 points and seven rebounds to help North Oconee overcome an early 10-point deficit and win its second straight state championship.

Thrasher Wilkins added 14 points and Khamari Brooks added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Titans 30-2).

Pace Academy (27-5) was led by Eric Chatfield Jr. with 10 points and Chandler Bing with 15 points and eight rebounds.

North Oconee also won the state football championship this year.