SACA 64 vs. Bremen 54
The “Lady Warriors” from SACA have had an up and down season and now they have a chance to write everything a young team does wrong in the regular season and judging by the 1^st round playoff win over the “Lady Blue Devils” from Breman High School it looks like they have learned their lessons well. Freshman Mariah Chandler (Welcome to the 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification Freshman Team MC) scored a game high 22 points and Briana Brown (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification All-Freshman Team member last season) who just missed a triple-double (8 pts, 7 assists and 10 boards) led SACA. The “Lady Warriors” advance to the 2^nd round and another shot at Hebron Christian, who knocked them out of the playoffs last season.

W.D. Mohammed 69 vs. Gordon Lee 60
The “Lady Caliphs” haven’t faired to well the last couple of weeks loosing a couple of games after being ranked No. 1 in Class 1A for the majority of the season. They have a chance to regroup and make a run towards the school 1^st state championship and in their 1^st round game they overcame a 32-point performance by Gordon Lee sophomore Kori Penland (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification All-Freshman selection last year) to come away with a tough win. Aamira Terry (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification Honorable Mention last season) came up big with a team high 25 points. Shukriyyah Rashaud added 23 points. W.D. Mohammad moves on to the 2^nd round against a tough Hancock Central team.

Southwest Bracket

Jefferson 55 vs. Aquinas 35
The “Lady Dragons” from Jefferson High School were breathing fire as they dismantled the “Lady Fighting Irish” from Aquinas. Jefferson All-Star Shalita Brooks recorded a “Duce” scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Teammate Mimi DuBose also had a big game scoring 16 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Jefferson now moves on to Round 2 to face Landmark Christian.

Southwest Bracket

Greater Atlanta Christian 75 vs. Oglethorpe County 41
D’Nay Daniels and Julio Stephens combined for 33 points to lead the “Lady Spartans” from GAC to a easy win over the “Lady Patriots” from Oglethorpe County. Nikeitta Chappell led Oglethorpe County with a game high 19 points. GAC moves on to Round 2 and a date with PACE Academy and Univ. of South Carolina signee Lauren Falohun.

East Hall 41 vs. Putnam County 36

East Hall had to make a late rally in the 4^th quarter to avoid being knocked out in the 1^st Round of the state playoffs. Using every one of Lisa Coleman’s 12 points the “Lady Vikings” rallied for the win. Tierra Washington also contributed 10 points to the win. Eat Hall travels Mt. Zion H.S. to face the “Lady Blue Devils” in their 2^nd Round game.

Pace Academy 41 vs. Coosa 36
4SHOT Hoops All-Classification performer and Univ. of South Carolina signee Lauren Falohun directed the team and scored a game high 19 points to lead the “Lady Knights” to a hard fought win over a game bunch of “Lady Eagles” from Coosa High School. Pace will meet GAC in round 2 action.

Southeast Bracket

Laney 61 vs. Buford 43
The “Lady Wildcats” from Laney H.S. in Augusta, GA were jacking up 3-pointers from all over the place in their 1^st round playoff game against Buford. They all didn’t fall but enough of them did to help propel the “Lady Wildcats” into the 2^nd round of the state playoffs. Jont Moss, who led Laney with 15 points took 14 three’s in the game and only hit 3 but when the missed Jasmine McKinney and Sharthonda Clifford were there to clean up, as each finished with 14 rebounds. Eboni Fields also played well for Laney scoring 14 points. Laney will face Ashley Houts (a UGA signee) and Dade County in Round 2.

Wesleyan 84 vs. Westside-Augusta 37
The “Lady Wolves” from Wesleyan are the odds on favorite to win their 2^nd consecutive Class 2A Championship and they did nothing to dispel that in the 1^st round thrashing of Westside-Augusta. 6-1 junior Sarah Delk (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification selectee) is bright star that is getting brighter and her 21 points 16 rebound performance shows she deserving of all of the post season honors that are going to come her way. Univ. of Bucknell signee LeLe LeSeur also came up big posting a “Duce” 16pts and 12 rebounds. Wesleyan moves on to take on Holy Innocents’ and their super freshman Alexis Rogers.

Dade County 56 vs. Paideia 39

UGA signee Ashley Houts (4SHOT Hoops All-Classification 1^st Team) a Dade County All-American ran the break and scored 26 points as the “Lady Wolverines” start their march back towards the Class AA state finals where they lost to Wesleyan. Paula Seville scored 17 points to pace Paideia. Dade County will meet Laney in Round 2.

Northeast Bracket

Hephzibah 64 vs. Peach County 41

The “Lady Rebels” are no strangers to the state playoffs and their experience showed at they rolled to a convincing win over Peach County. Shanice Wright led Hephzibah with 12 points, Porsha White and Kami Phillips each finished with 9 points as Head Coach Wendall Loffton was able to rest his starters most of the 2^nd half. Hephzibah will face LaGrange in Round 2 action.

Columbus 46 vs. Westover 38
I was impressed with Columbus and their defensive intensity when I saw them during the W.H. SHAW Christmas Tournament and I see that they have continued to improve on that as they forced a solid Westover team into some untimely turnovers to come away with a tough 1^st round victory. Aisha Maddox provided the offensive spark for the “Lady Blue Devils” scoring 13 points. Columbus advances to take on Southwest Macon.


Northwest Bracket

Kendrick 83 vs. Dougherty 16
The “Lady Cherokees” from Kendrick High School have but it out there, anyone in the way to the Class 3A Championship…move out the way!, hear that Avondale. Kendrick didn’t break a sweat in the 1^st round demolition of Dougherty High School. At the half Coach Sterling Hicks team led 54-14 and just walked home to an easy win. Kendrick’s All-4SHOT Hoops performer Rosetta Hollis scored 18 points and Leschelle Matthews and Ashlee Barley added 13 points each. Kendrick rolls into Albany next to face Northeast Macon. 

Worth County 57 vs. Shaw 45
Logan Youngblood scored a game high 18 points and teammate Tia Lewis added another 17 points as the “Lady Rams” from Worth County High School knocked off Shaw. Kanisha Oxford and Taneshia Mcfadden led the “Lady Raiders” with 14 and 13 points. Worth County will play Richmond Academy in their 2^nd round game in Albany, Ga.

Southwest Bracket

Gainesville 58 vs. Elbert County 48
Kita Waller (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification selectee) is not Tasha Humphrey but she put the “Lady Red Elephants” on her back much the way the current UGA All-American use to do when she was at Gainesville, scoring a game high 26 points to lead Gainesville to a tough win over Elbert County. Gainesville will meet Carrollton in Round 2.

Monroe Area 69 vs. West Hall 55
The “Lady Hurricane’s” from Monroe Area had 3 players in double figures and they stormed the “Lady Spartans” from West Hall. Brittany Kirkland led the way with a game high 19 points, teammates Christan Kelly and Dee Willingham finished with 14 and 13 points respectively. West Hall All-Star Paige Hanson did a nice job leading her team with 17 points. Lacey Bartlett also played well finishing with 14 points.

Avondale 51 vs. Cass 33
Could this be the year that the “Lady Blue Devils” from Avondale reach the expectations projected for them when they (juniors Angelica Mealing, Shady Woolcock, Nicole Stroud and Jasmine Hall) entered Avondale as highly touted freshmen. 6-2 Nicole Stroud, who scored over 20 points in Avondale’s region championship win last week hit the 20 point mark again with 21 as the “Lady Blue Devils” took care of Cass. Jasmine Hall chipped in with 11 points. Airel Anderson a good-looking senior ends her career at Cass with a 10-point performance. Avondale will take on Monroe Area in the 2^nd round.

  

Southeast Bracket

North Hall 72 vs. Franklin County 63
The “Lady Trojans” from North Hall High School have an up and coming star in sophomore Leteicia Davenport and she showed why with a very impressive 28-point, 10 rebound performance that help North Hall upset highly ranked Franklin County. Davenport will have to duplicate that performance next week in their Sweet 16 – 2^nd Round match-up against Towers and All-State performer Quanneisha Perry (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification selectee).

 Johnson-Gainesville 65 vs. Hart County 43
4SHOT Hoops All-Classification performer Whitney Randolph scored 18 points and sisters Krystyn (15pts) and Kaylyn Young (10pts) combined for 25 points as the “Lady Knights” pulled away to a convincing win over a game Hart County team who was led by Tikeyah Rucker, who scored 16 points. J-G meets Cartersville in Round 2.

Towers 38 vs. Banneker 31
The “Lady Titans” from Towers High School rebounded well from last weeks lack-luster regional championship game lost to Avondale by holding off a late charge from the “Lady Trojans” of Banneker in front of the home folks. 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification performer Quanneisha Perry once again led a balanced Towers attack with 11 points. Unsung hero Gaybreil Garrett did a great job on the boards and added 10 points. Down the stretch guard Alikki Thomas did a nice job of controlling the ball. A. Stephenson led all scorers with 13 points for Banneker. Towers will take on North Hall in the 2^nd round.

Cartersville 76 vs. Westlake 59
Darnisha Moore (4SHOT Hoops All-Classification 3rd Team last season as a sophomore) Cartersville outstanding junior hit 14 of 18 free-throws on her way to a game high 37 points, leading the “Lady Canes” past Westlake. Moore also hauled down 17 rebounds. Tammy Lanier finished with 17 points to lead Westlake. Cartersville will meet Johnson-Gainesville in the next round and a match-up between Moore and Whitney Randolph.

Class AAAA

Northeast Bracket

Greenbrier 69 vs. Bainbridge 54

Greenbrier is looking to complete some unfinished business this season in the state playoffs after advancing to the Elite 8 last season where they lost to Westside-Macon, but they almost got ahead of themselves and had to play extra hard in the 4^th quarter to hold off Bainbridge and Kia Dawson, who finished with 22 points. Michelle Swiec hit the 4SHOT Hoops Radar last season as a sophomore and she hasn’t skipped a beat, she stepped up bigtime when they needed her hitting some big three-pointers on her way to a game high 25 points. The “Lady Wolfpack” advance into Round 2 to take on the Hardaway out of Columbus, GA.

Hardaway 63 vs. Woodward Academy 57
Almost every top team in the state tournament fears coming out and playing a sub-par game because they know that the underdogs have nothing to loose and will be bringing it. Well Woodward academy an 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification performer Brittany Lindsey found that out first hand as the “Lady Hawks” from Hardaway H.S. in Columbus shocked the “Lady War Eagles” to advance into the 2^nd round of the state playoffs. Lindsey scored a game high 20 points but it was enough. Four players scored in double figures for Hardaway, Kelly Ellison led the way with 18pts, Jessica Edwards had 14pts, Roshonda Billins and Jameisha Todd each chipped in with 13pts. Hardaway will stay in Columbus to face Greenbrier in the 2^nd round.

Southeast Bracket

Clark Central 66 vs. East Paulding 39
The “Lady Gladiators” from Clarke Central H.S. raced out to a 39-20 halftime lead over the East Paulding “Lady Raiders” and sailed home to a convincing 66-39 win. Janice Curtis, Cherelle Pullen and Veronica Bolds each scored in double-figures with 15, 11 and 10 points respectively. Briana McFarland (15pts) and Alayshia Jarrell (14pts). Clarke Central moves on to the 2^nd round to face the defending Class 4A Champs from Etowah High School.

Northwest Whitfield 66 vs. Madison County 52
The “Lady Bruins” from Northwest Whitfield overcame an outstanding 32-point performance from Madison County freshman Courtney Freeman (Welcome to the 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification Freshman Team CF) to come away with a tough 1^st round win. Brinkley Knowles and Larken Logan combined for 32 points to lead Northwest Whitfield. Logan also added 11 rebound. Vanessa Jackson also had a big game for the “Lady Bruins” scoring 9 points while pulling down a game high 15 rebound. Northwest Whitfield will meet highly ranked Marist in Round 2.

Southwest Bracket

Dalton 68 vs. Rockdale 55
The “Lady Catamounts” got 18 points from Stephanie Susen and some big words from junior Jerrica Johnson about Rockdale’s All-star Angelique Burtts (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification selectee)..”She wasn’t as good as I thought she would be,” said the cat-quick Johnson of Burtts. “Their No. 3 (Kiara Holloway) was much better. We pressured No. 23 and she kind of gave up, but No. 3 stepped up.” Burtts a Tennessee State signee finished with a lack luster 14 points. Whitney Mayo (a 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification selectee) and Lacie Coquerille each added 16 points for Dalton. We’ll see if Johnson has any quotes for North Carolina State signee Nikitta Gartrell (4SHOT Hoops All-Classification - 1^st Team) after their 2^nd round game against the “Lady Raiders” from Mays.

St. Pius X 69 vs. Stone Mountain 45
The “Lady Lions” from St. Pius X wasted little time in letting Stone Mountain know that there was not going to be a repeat of last years upset pulled off by the “Lady Pirates” as jumped out to a quick 10-1 lead. Stone Mountain had no answer for 6-5 junior All-American Kelley Cain (a 1^st Team 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification selectee the last 2 years) who dropped 26 points. Freshman PG-Morgan Toles (Welcome to the 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification Freshman Team MT) continues to play like a seasoned veteran as she directed the team and scored 10 points. Leslie Phillips and Univ. of Indiana signee Angel Gray led the “Lady Pirates” with 16 and 14 points respectively. St. Pius X makes it’s way back up to the NW Ga. Trade Center and a 2^nd round match-up against Salem High School.

Mays 76 vs. Tucker 64
4SHOT Hoops All-Classification performers Nikkita Gartrell (NC State signee) and Nikita Thomas (Univ. of Richmond signee) are veterans when it comes to the state playoffs, having won a state championship as freshmen. Both are now seniors and ready for one last run. Against a Tucker team that is going to make a serious run next season both stepped up their games, especially Gartrell who torched the “Lady Tigers” for a game high 39 points and a trip to the Sweet 16 against Dalton. Thomas finished with 17 points. Tucker got 20 points from sophomore Nina Jackson.

 Class AAAAA

Northeast Bracket

Redan 62 vs. Lowndes 27
The “Lady Raiders” appear to be getting healthy (not just physically but mentally also) just at the right time as they try to complete some unfinished business in the Class 5A State Championships. Last season Redan lost to Collins Hill state finals and with basically with the same team they are looking forward to meeting them again. Lead by three 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification performers junior Amelia Murray and seniors Porsha Phillips and Univ. of Kentucky signee Amani Franklin. Redan quickly disposed of the “Lady Vikings” from Lowndes. Murray and Murray each scored 16 points and Phillips added 14 more. Redan heads back to Macon and another 2^nd round match-up with Beach and another 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification performer and UGA signee Christy Marshall.

Colquitt County 59 vs. Morrow 50
If there are a group of kids I feel bad for it is the remaining players left on the Morrow High School team. After working so hard the entire season, things just fell apart the last 2 weeks; due to injuries and the suspension (I don’t know the details) to 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification pre-season No. 4 ranked player Jordan Greenleaf (a Auburn signee). But hey, it is what it is and you play with the players that want to play. Unfortunately for the once No. 2 ranked Class 5A “Lady Mustangs” what was left wasn’t enough to avoid being upset by the “Lady Packers” from Colquitt County. Sophomore Toquella Coats scored a game high 19 points and freshman Nicole Thomas added 10 points in the upset victory. Morrow got 15 points from Shaquana Bleach and 12 from Jasmine Parker. Colquitt County advances to the Sweet 16 next week against Lovejoy.

Beach 66 vs. Star’s Mill 39
The “Lady Panthers” from Starr’s Mill had no answer for Beach All-American and UGA signee Christy Marshall (4SHOT Hoops pre-season No. 1 ranked senior), who scored 24 points. Freshman Monique Wills (Welcome to the 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification Freshman Team MW) is the next great player at the Savannah school, she scored 13 points in the win. Beach will face Redan in Macon for their 2^nd round game.

Northwest Bracket

Stephenson 52 vs. Tift County 42
Like their cross-town rivals from Redan, the Stephenson “Lady Jaguars” appear to be mentally ready to take their place back among the real challengers for the Class 5A Championship which they won in 2004. Univ. of Louisville signee Jasmine Smith (4SHOT Hoops All-Classification 3^rd team last season) stepped up her game scoring 13 points, 9 in the 4^th quarter as Stephenson held off a lat charge by Tift County. Lindsay Welker scored a game 18 points to lead the “Lady Blue Devils”. Stephenson heads to Macon for a 2^nd round match-up against Newnan high School.


Southeast Bracket

Collins Hill 73 vs. Grayson 20
I know this could be a little premature but let’s just pencil in the defending Class 5A Champions, Collins Hill for the Final Four at the Gwinnett Civic Center; because looking at their side of the bracket and at what they did to Grayson High School they look like the surest bet to be there for sure. 4SHOT Hoops All-Classification 2005 “Player of the Year”, All-American junior Maya Moore scored 19 points, 17 in the 1^st half before taking a well deserved 2^nd half rest to lead the “Lady Eagles” to the easy win. PG-Shantel Black (4SHOT Hoops All-Classification 3^rd team last season) did her thing directing the attack and scoring 10 points. Collins Hill faces Marietta in the 2^nd round.

Southwest Bracket