It’s the only road trip everybody can agree on.
For most northeast Georgia area teams, the actual road to Macon isn’t so difficult to travel – I-985 to I-85 or GA 400 to I-85 or I-85/75, fight a bit of traffic through Atlanta until I-85 suddenly turns into I-75. Of course, you’ll find some construction along the way to Macon that’ll slow the trip just a smidge.
But, all-in-all, if you’re on a team bus headed to the Macon Centreplex next week, no one cares about the traffic, the construction or the more than two hours it might take to arrive. Why? Because that road trip ends in the Georgia High School Association’s state title games.
(Scroll down to see the full schedule of this week's quarterfinal games)
(Click here to read about the Lakeview girls matchup with Wesleyan)
Before the state title dream becomes a reality, six area girls teams and four boys teams must finish the job this week to book the bus ride to Macon.
The Rabun County Lady Wildcats (28-1) have been on the proverbial cakewalk through the Class 2A state playoffs, beating their opponents by an average of 41 points per game. Tuesday night, they’ll host Region 1 No. 2 seed Early County. Early also has been smacking around their opponents by an average margin of 30 ppg.
Rabun coach DeeDee Dillard’s approach all season has been focused on effort and energy in practice. She also says the team’s defensive play has been a big key in the playoffs.
“I think overall we feel good about where we are and how we are playing, but we also understand that success is earned through the effort and energy we bring to each practice and game,” she said. “Our defensive tenacity has proven to be the difference in the last few games, yet we know that our biggest test is in front of us and so we must begin the game with focused on executing both offensively and defensively.”
And the numbers back up Dillard’s assessment. The Lady Wildcats held their opponents to an average of 43 ppg this season while scoring an average of 69 ppg. In the playoffs, the offense has averaged 82.5 ppg. Mainly behind the play of Brooke Henricks, who did not play last week, and Georgia Stockton. They’ll also rely on the inside play from Destiny Deetz, who pulled down 17 rebounds in the win over Chattooga in the second round.
But, Early County poses the biggest threat to the Lady Wildcats’ long-term goals – mainly because of Makayla Timpson. The sophomore averages 19.3 ppg and 10.1 rpg.
“Early County has several young ladies who can make big plays on both ends of the floor,” Dillard said. “I expect them to come out with a lot of confidence as they just had a convincing win, on the road, in the second round over a very good Woodville-Tompkins team.”
In Class 3A, both Dawson County and Jefferson girls are hoping to advance and if they do, they’ll have to go through the Region 3 No. 1 and No. 2 seeds.
For Jefferson, they’ll face defending Class 3A champion, Johnson-Savannah. The good thing for the Lady Dragons, the game is in Jefferson.
“They are extremely athletic and return a lot of experience from a state championship team,” Jefferson coach Greg Brown said. “We are going to have to do a great job of taking care of the basketball and rebounding. We are excited about the opportunity to play at home in front of our fans and I know our kids are excited about the opportunity we have in this game.”
Dawson County will have the second-longest road trip of the night. The Lady Tigers left on Monday to travel to Beach High School in Savannah, the Region 3 No. 1 seed.
The Lady Tigers began the season as the Region 7-3A favorite, with Clemson-commit Kaylee Sticker as their go-to player. However, after a disappointing region tournament, the Lady Tigers have found a spark knocking off No. 2 seed Coahuila Creek and No. 1 seed Lovett both on the road.
Sticker has averaged close to 30 ppg since the start of the playoffs and forward Marley Townley has played big inside. They’ll also look for help from Maddie Anglin and expect junior guard Sophia D’Oliverira to pace the floor.
“It is a long way but it is great to still be playing,” Dawson coach Steve Sweat said. “At this time of the year, everybody is good. The one who plays the best on game night usually wins. We are going to do what has got us this far and hope and pray it works again. Right now the team mindset is really good."
In Class 4A, the Flowery Branch Lady Falcons will face their toughest opponent since losing to Buford in the Class 5A state game last season when No. 2-ranked Henry County rolls into the Branch on Tuesday.
“I feel like it’s a great matchup between two great teams and we will have to leave it all on the court,” Branch coach Courtney Newton-Gonzalez said. “We are happy to be playing at home one last time in front of our great fans. There will be a lot of seniors on the court tomorrow for both teams so we know we have to bring our best and stay focused the whole 32 minutes”
All season Caroline Wysocki and Ashley Woodroffe have kept the team focused on both ends of the floor, but, perhaps, the key on Tuesday will be the play of sophomore post Ashley Locke.
Locke will be tabbed to enforce the paint against the attack of Henry’s Briana Juniel, who averages 18 ppg and 7 rpg and inside play of Paris Mullins.
“Locke will have a great matchup with their big,” Newton-Gonzalez said. “Henry is very athletic. They have a good post and some skilled guards. They like to play fast and have a lot of speed on the court.”
GHSA THIRD ROUND PLAYOFFS
(Area teams in bold)
TUESDAY'S SCHEDULE
Class 5A
Veterans girls at Buford, 6 p.m.
Dutchtown boys at Buford, 7:30 p.m.
Class 4A
Henry County girls at Flowery Branch, 6 p.m. (RADIO: FM 102.9 & AM 550 WDUN)
Class 3A
Dawson County girls at Beach, 6 p.m.
Johnson-Savannah girls at Jefferson, 6 p.m.
Class 2A
Early County girls at Rabun County, 6 p.m.
Class A Private
Wesleyan girls at Lakeview Academy, 6 p.m.
Riverside Military Academy boys at Eagles Landing Christian, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE
Class 6A
Gainesville boys at Tucker, 6:30 p.m. (RADIO: FM 94.5 & AM 1240 THE LAKE)
Class 3A
Franklin County boys at Dawson County, 7 p.m.
