AAAA State Playoffs

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As the field just eliminated four elite teams from the boys side as well as the girls side, the teams remaining still stand because of outstanding players. In the case of Miller Grove, 6’2 junior Mfon Udofia hoisted the Wolverines onto his back as he tossed in 25 points and helped his squad advance past Lithia Springs and into the final four. Meanwhile it wasn’t Fayette County junior Noel Johnson, but rather senior Cuincy Carruthers that helped the Tigers reach the school’s first semi-finals appearance. As for the other side of the bracket, high school basketball fans will get to see No. 1 Westlake and Raymond Willis take on No. 2 Columbia and its star, Travis Leslie. Columbia advanced to the Gwinnett Arena by pressuring Wake Forest-bound Tony Woods and Rome into a 69-51 defeat. Westlake is counting its blessings as surviving a wild one point quarterfinal victory over Riverdale. Gideon Gamble will be the key for Westlake in the final four as most of the opposition’s attention will be focused on the future Boomer Sooner Willis.

As for the ladies, youth was served as Fayette County secured its first final four appearance with a win over Tai Brown and Northside Warner Robins. Sophomore Anma Onyeuku scored 14 in the victory and junior Tessa Holt did a little bit of everything with six points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. They will face junior Courtney Freeman and Madison County at Gwinnett Arena as the Red Raiders knocked off Mays in the quarterfinals. Sade Means and Mays fell behind and could not combat the impressive performance by Dan Lampe’s squad. The other game in the Ladies bracket will pit No. 1 Southwest DeKalb, still seeking its first state title, against No. 3 Westlake. Westlake was impressive in blowing out Baldwin 66-40 in the quarterfinals, but the Lady Panthers of SW DeKalb are very imposing, as they sport two regular twenty points scorers. Charenee Stephens notched 21 points and 15 rebounds in the 74-63 win over Clarke Central, and Kayla Lewis added 20.

Final Four Previews

Boys

Fayette County v Miller Grove
The Fayette County Tigers, having never won a state playoff game prior to this season have RUN all the way to the State Final Four. Coach Andre Flynn’s team normally puts 70 points on the scoreboard and is led by flashy 6’7 junior Noel Johnson and 5’11 senior Brandon Boykin. Miller Grove, meanwhile is led by Mfon Udofia, who has simply been a beast in the scorebooks. In the quarters, the 6’2 junior scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Coach Sharmon White will also use quick 6’6 center Obataiye Edwards down low to clean up the boards.

Westlake v Columbia
Some are calling this game the de facto championship as it pits No. 1 Westlake vs. No. 2 Columbia. Columbia entered the tournament as a three seed following an early regional tourney loss, but Travis Leslie and the rest of the Eagles seniors refused to let the team fail to reach the final four. Leslie had 23 against Peeblebrook and the team shut down Tony Woods and Rome in the quarterfinals. In Westlake though, a two headed monster will attack all night. Oklahoma-bound Raymond Willis has been tearing up defenses all year and Gideon Gamble will make you pay if you leave him open.


Girls
Fayette County v Madison County
The Lady Tigers made it two for two in reaching the state semis along with the boys team, but they won’t be sitting in the shadow. Sophomore Anma Onyeuku has led the team thus far and did again in the quarters with 14 points. Junior Tessa Holt can do a little bit of everything. On the other side, Dan Lampe Red Raiders rely on junior center/forward Courtney Freeman to lead the team. Freeman helped the Red Raiders score a bit of an upset as they shut down Mays 67-57 in the quarters and advance into the final four.

Southwest DeKalb v Westlake
Coach Kathy Richey-Walton’s SW DeKalb team has never won a state title, but the Panthers could change that this season. Future South Carolina Gamecock Charenee Stehpens has been unstoppable thus far and Kayla Lewis is more than pitching in during this run. Both scored twenty in the quarters. The Panthers entered the tournament as the No. 1 team. Meanwhile, Westlake is led by junior Tamika Willis and sophomore Dalia Robinson, who both play beyond their years. Willis has averaged 20 points per game so far this tournament. Westlake, No. 3 entering the tournament, blew out Baldwin 66-40 to reach the semi-finals.