AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It was a party on Lumpkin Road Tuesday afternoon—the Butler boys’ basketball team are state champs for the first time in almost 60 years.
The Bulldogs have found much success on the court in recent years, but the one thing they’ve been hungry for is a state championship.
Now, head coach Chaz Clark and the team are celebrating their first state crown since 1966.
“Since it happened a few days ago, I’ve just been thinking about a young kid raised in Augusta, Georgia, from Windsor Spring Road Elementary, middle school, then to Butler High School. I just hope that all this celebration is a testament and evidence to our community, and what we can accomplish together,” said Clark.
For Clark, it’s the culmination of a long journey.
In 2011, during his senior year at Butler, the Bulldogs reached what would be the first of three state championship appearances over the next14 years.
That year, they fell to the Columbia Eagles, 56-37.
“Obviously it was heartbreaking, but the last thing I felt after all the heartbreak was what we can accomplish,” Clark said.
He was also on the sidelines 3 years ago as assistant coach when the Bulldogs fell in the title game to crosstown rival Westside.
Clark then got promoted to head coach in the 2023-24 season, where a stellar first year came to an end in the semifinals against Toombs County.
Adversity continued for the Bulldogs this year after losing 2 of their first three region games in Region 4-AA, sitting 7-8 through their first 15 games.
But the team bounced back winning 13 straight games, leading up to a 57-49 win over Union County to bring the title back to Augusta.
Clark credits his players for continuing to trust the process.
“All year long, these young men behind me didn’t flinch—-even at times when their coaches flinched,” said Clark. “All kudos to them man, and they also understood the importance of being something bigger than yourself. If all those young men behind me don’t buy into their role, and buy into something bigger than themselves and a bigger cause, we don’t get there.”
Marcus Scurry Jr. is one of Clark’s four outstanding seniors he’s been coaching since his days on JV.
“He’s an excellent role model, he does everything right. He pushes us to all types of limits like crazy. I love him,” said Scurry Jr.
The head coach says while it’s a major accomplishment, the future for his players goes beyond basketball.
“We’re going to celebrate these guys. But it won’t be the best thing they accomplish in their life. I just hope they take this journey as evidence of what they can accomplish if they’re willing to put the work in,” said Clark.
Chaz Clark is also now the first former player and assistant coach at Butler to lead his alma mater to a state title.
With only 4 seniors on this year’s team, the Bulldogs are set to have several returners for the 2026 season.
Coach Clark says his team is already setting their sights on defending their long-awaited title.
