March 17, 2026 — For the eleventh time in school history, the Wheeler Wildcat Boys Basketball team brought home the state championship trophy to Marietta. The 27-6 team won their final game of the season on the hardwood at the Macon Coliseum over the Pebblebrook Falcons, 62-52. The Wildcats closed their 2025-26 season with their fifth GHSA title in seven years and ranked No. 11 in the nation.
Although the Wildcats were ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the season, getting to Macon was no simple task. After breezing their way through the first three rounds and outscoring their opponents 258-151, Wheeler entered an all-Cobb Final Four with a matchup against McEachern. A hard-fought 48 minutes on the court at GSU, where both teams gave stellar performances, ended with a four-point advantage in favor of the Wildcats, 56-52.
Likewise, Pebblebrook. As the No. 3 seed in a very tough region that produced three of the Final Four teams, the Falcons had to work their magic to make it through to Macon with games played on the road. Despite the grueling travel schedule, the Pebblebrook fans turned up at every game to support their BrookBois.
"This playoff run, our community drove to Cherokee, to Lambert, to Meadowcreek, to Georgia State, and they drove to Macon," said Falcon Head Coach George Washington. "We are so thankful for their unwavering support and love."
That support helped Pebblebrook outscore their opponents, 210-176, to reserve their spot at the GSU Final Four against a familiar region foe, Hillgrove. The teams had met three times already this season, with the Hawks winning all three. Coach Washington had his team prepared, though, and the Final Four belonged to the Falcons, 68-57. The win set up a Wheeler/Pebblebrook rematch for the GHSA 6A state championship in Macon on March 14.
"Pebblebrook versus Wheeler goes back a long way," Wheeler Head Coach Larry Thompson said after his team's Final Four win. "I haven't faced off with Coach Washington since we changed regions. This will be the first time in probably four, maybe five years."
In fact, it's been more than five years since these elite programs met on the court. They last played on December 19, 2020, in a showcase at Pace Academy. Wheeler claimed that victory, 63-45, and went on to win the 6A state title over Kell a few months later. It was Coach Thompson's second championship with Wheeler and first back-to-back title. It was poetic that his opportunity for a second back-to-back championship would also go through a Cobb opponent.
"Coach Thompson and I haven't tangled in a few years," Coach Washington said. "I knew we had to do things differently because his staff prepares like no other. So, we had a few wrinkles, and he definitely had a few. They are the most respected basketball program in Georgia and nationally recognized, so when you have the opportunity to compete against them, you relish it."
Both teams threw new looks throughout Saturday's title matchup, but it ultimately came down to consistency. Despite a slow start that found them behind by nine in the first quarter and eight at halftime, the Falcons never gave up. Coach Washington and his staff came out in the third quarter with one of their "wrinkles," and depleted Wheeler's lead to 2 points, but couldn't grab the lead. Wheeler closed the third up 7, and extended that lead to 10 by the final buzzer, 62-52.
Wheeler's five-star senior, Colben Landrew, had the kind of performance you would expect, with a double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds. Pebblebrook's high-scorer, Alexander Jones, dropped 18 points. The difference in the game was second-chance opportunities; the Wildcats won the boards at 31 rebounds to the Falcons' 22.
"Pebblebrook played well today; they were a strong opponent," said Coach Thompson after securing his fifth title with Wheeler and second back-to-back. "This group has been resilient and tough all season, and this game was a testament to who they are. They are competitors."
Coach Thompson also explained how his practice routine contributed to the impressive win.
"We split the team up, and we don't play starters versus second team; we just split it up. These guys play a state championship game in practice every single day, because they're so competitive. And that's why they are who they are; they give it up for themselves. They work hard every single day. They show up on time and stay late. This group is special, and I'm so proud of them!" he said to cheers from the Wheeler faithful.
Colben Landrew was rightly awarded the game's MVP, and he agreed with his Coach's assessment of his teammates.
"Coming out here, playing with my brothers, we were mentally ready to go," he said. "Every day at practice, we go really hard, so during the game, it's kind of mentally easy for us. We have trust in Coach, and we know we're gonna be all right."
Despite a heartbreaking loss, Coach Washington was able to see all the positives of the season.
"It's always an honor and privilege to play for a state championship," he said after accepting the runner-up trophy. "This team started the season with many challenges and obstacles, but had the stamina and courage to keep pressing on. This team is the definition of Pebblebrook High School. I am grateful and thankful for all the tears because they made us appreciate the laughs. This team is one for the record books and one for my heart. We won in life!"
Wheeler Athletic Director Barry Bowdre described what 11 overall state titles mean for Wheeler.
"The level of consistency required to play at a high level is really just our standard," he said. "Our players continue to exceed the standard year after year to the point where our championships are now a result of that. Coach Thompson has done a phenomenal job at setting and keeping that standard."
AD Bowdre also revealed that what is learned on the practice court is much more than basketball fundamentals.
"We don't ever have any discipline issues with students. More importantly, the teachers actually give glowing reviews of our athletes, especially on our basketball team. They say how respectful they are, and everything that they do in the classroom with regard to grades. This is a testament to Coach Thompson's development of character in his players as young men," AD Bowdre concluded.
Congratulations to Wheeler and Pebblebrook for an exciting close to the 2025-26 basketball season! Well done, Wildcats!
