It’s state tournament time in GHSA basketball, and that always means that there are plenty of teams from DeKalb heavily involved in all classifications. The first round was largely a huge success for DeKalb squads, with many advancing on to the Sweet 16 and bringing themselves one step closer to accomplishing their dreams of being crowned state champion in all five classifications.
The Miller Grove Wolverines will feel they are one of the teams with the best chances to take home the crown in Class 4A after a torrid finish to the season. Their convincing 54-33 win in the first round over Sprayberry did little to dispute that notion. The Wolverines’ superior size and athleticism proved too much for SHS to overcome in the comfortable victory.
Chamblee is into the second round for the first time since 2003 after a 71-65 win over Sequoyah. The game was a close one in the fourth until a quick spurt from CHS increased the lead to an insurmountable 13 points. David Mason finished with 20.
Meanwhile, Marist is out of the tournament after a tough 91-80 loss at favored Hiram. The War Eagles actually led for much of the game, taking a 57-55 lead after three. But the home team exploded out of the gates in the fourth quarter, going on a 16-3 run and forcing a long scoring drought for Marist. Kash Manzelli’s heroics almost got his team back into the game, as he hit four three-pointers in the final two minutes to try and keep his team close. He finished with 48 points in his final game at Marist.
Also out of the mix is Lakeside-DeKalb, which lost 77-72 to Hillgrove despite 24 points from Sheldon Strickland.
LADY RAIDERS RIDING HIGH …
In girls ball, Redan’s prolific run continued, advancing their record to 28-0 with a win over Camden County. Southwest DeKalb, the two-time defending champs in Class 4A, jumped all over Sequoyah behind 13 first-quarter points from Kayla Lewis in an 85-49 win. They led by as much as 30 in the second quarter. Stephenson also advanced after, unbelievably, shutting out Groves in the first quarter of play, leading 15-0 after one.
In 3A, Columbia is still the odds-on favorites after a 56-36 win over Eastside. It was not a cakewalk as the scored indicates, with the Eagles up just 40-30 after three, and 42-36 with five minutes left before a 14-0 run finished the game off. Elsewhere, a young Druid Hills team saw its season come to a close in a narrow 57-54 defeat to Franklin County.
Keep an eye on Decatur in 2A, as the Bulldogs could be a dark horse in the classification. Although they were overshadowed by Blessed Trinity and Greater Atlanta Christian in region play, Decatur still took the No. 2 seed from Region 6, and has the talent to make a deep run into the postseason.
Paideia responded from a 15-point deficit to beat Bowdon in the first round of the Class A Tournament. Keenan Palmore scored 11 points to spark a 16-2 run at the end of the third quarter, which turned a large deficit into a 39-38 lead heading into the final quarter of play. The girls also moved on with a 52-35 win over Bremen.
SPRING SPORTS START …
In baseball, Decatur is off to a strong early-season start after forcing a matchup with Cedar Grove to end after four innings due to the mercy rule. Catcher Pace Bearden hit a grand slam in the resounding win. Second baseman Darryl Pittman and third baseman Vincent Antinozzi joined in on the fun with a pair of two-run doubles.
Keep an eye on an always-strong Dunwoody team as well. The 2008 state champions face two difficult tests with Class 5A opponents this weekend. They will travel to Peachtree Ridge on Friday for a tough one, followed by Norcross at home the following afternoon.
Former Marist safety Wyatt Middleton was named captain of the football team at Navy. The former War Eagle made 68 tackles and four interceptions for the Midshipmen last season.
Bagriansky can be reached at jbagriansky@scoreatl.com.
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