Most Interesting GHSA Final Four Games
Photo credit: Greg Spell (@g_roxphoto) Some storylines are just a little bit juicier than others. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting Final Four matchups across the GHSA. R7 #1 No. 1 Westlake (28-2) vs. R4 #1 No.…
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Continue ReadingPhoto credit: Greg Spell (@g_roxphoto)
Some storylines are just a little bit juicier than others. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting Final Four matchups across the GHSA.
R7 #1 No. 1 Westlake (28-2) vs. R4 #1 No. 3 Cherokee (28-2)
Will anybody from Georgia ever beat Westlake again? The backcourt duo of Raven Johnson (15.8 ppg) and Ta’Niya Latson (15.9 ppg) is immensely talented. The Lions have size in 6-foot-5 Georgia Southern-signee Lydia Freeman (9.1 ppg) and athleticism in 6-foot-2 Brianna Turnage (8.1 ppg). Don’t forget about Carlyse Hooks (9.3 ppg) and Olympia Chaney (4.7 ppg). The Lions are a complete team and have thoroughly dominated the state. While Westlake rightfully grabs all the headlines, Cherokee is the little engine that could. The predominately homegrown group has been knocking on the door of becoming a true state title contender but has always placed right behind Westlake and Collins Hill. If the Warriors were ever to shock the nation, it would be now. Cherokee has steady guard play in Ashlyn Andrus (Limestone) and aggressive competitor Chatham Brown (Shorter). The Warriors are one of the few teams that can nearly match Westlake’s size in the paint behind 6-foot Navy-signee Sydne Watts and 6-foot-3 bulldozing junior Kate Johnson (Furman). Cherokee will have to limit turnovers and keep Westlake in the half court if their upset bid comes to fruition. The Warriors didn’t have the best performance in the Final 4 last year, but still pushed Collins Hill to the brink before falling short 58-48.
R1 #1 No. 1 Carver-Columbus (25-4) vs. R5 #2 No. 7 Troup County (27-1)
All-American Louisville-signee 6-foot-3 Olivia Cochran is suspended after getting ejected in the Elite Eight. Can Carver-Columbus survive the devastating loss? The transfer market landed the Tigers 6-foot-3 Enyshuan Jones in the offseason, giving Coach Anson Hundley a capable space eater inside but she is nowhere near the well-rounded offensive threat that Cochran is. Kionna Gaines should shoulder a bulk of the offensive burden but Troup County has some size and athleticism of their own that could make things interesting. 6-foot sophomore Aniya Palmer is a dynamic player that makes the Tigers go. She averages 11.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.8 blocks. She joins 5-foot-9 inside-out threat Amber Gilbert (14.8 ppg 8.8 rpg) and 5-foot-8 freshman Alexcia Murphy (9.8 ppg 8.6 rpg) as tough-nosed forwards. Troup has played what has turned out to be a very strong schedule. Guard play and timely outside shooting will determine whether Troup moves on.
R6 #1 No. 1 Douglass (24-5) vs. R1 #1 No. 3 Early County (26-4)
The defending state champs Douglass have taken “Survive & Advance” to the extreme this postseason. Taking hands down the most grueling playoff road, the Astros rallied from down 15 to knock off No. 10 Rabun County 44-42, defeated No. 4 Josey 53-43 and most recently outlasted No. 7 Washington County 56-53 in overtime. Things don’t get easier as they now have a state championship rematch with Early County. The Bobcats won a back and forth game at No. 8 Union County 60-58 to set up the grudge match. Early County returns 6-foot-3 junior Makayla Timpson, who posted 20 points, 14 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 blocks before fouling out in last year’s 57-51 title loss. Douglass’ top two standouts from last year’s title game have graduated, losing a combined 35 points from Nekiyah Thompson and Kayla Pruitt. The big three of Ashuntee Weems, Kayla Sesberry and 6-foot-3 Ikenya King will have to find it in themselves to propel the Astros back to Macon. Keep an eye on Early County sophomore Jordan Eafford. She had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists against Union County and is averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.8 steals. She posted 10 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block last year in the championship game.
R3 #1 No. 1 Johnson-Savannah (25-1) vs. R7 #2 No. 4 GAC (18-12)
Johnson-Savannah is a heavy, heavy favorite to three-peat this year. They smashed Region 7 teams Lumpkin County (66-38) and Fannin County (92-45) before eliminating Sonoraville 58-49. They will try to extinguish the third Region 7 team this postseason when they battle a talented GAC team led by super sophomore Kaleigh Addie (21 ppg). While the rosters have completely changed, the Atomsmashers started their title run by beating GAC in the championship game two years ago. Tampa-signee Jaida Burgess paces the Atomsmasher backcourt at 14 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 4.9 steals per game. Sophomores Amani Hamilton and K’lya Hankerson both stand 6-foot-1 with diverse skillsets while Antalazia Baker is another athletic 5-foot-9 guard. Sophomore Jaci Bolden (11.9) and senior Ava Irvin (9.6) are GAC’s second and third scoring options. The Spartans have played the toughest schedule in the state by a mile so they shouldn’t be phased. They upset Jefferson 54-51 on the road and enter with momentum. One bad sign however is that GAC was swept by Lumpkin County 51-38 and 67-35 in the regular season, a mutual team that Johnson blew out.
#2 No. 3 Holy Innocents’ (24-5) vs. #3 No. 2 Hebron Christian (30-0)
In order for Holy Innocents’ to repeat, they will have to beat a familiar face on the sidelines in legendary Head Coach Jan Azar. The last time Holy Innocents’ or an Azar-coached team didn’t win a state title it was 2014 and before that, 2007. 6-foot-4 junior Jillian Hollingshead is a blue-chip player for the Golden Bears but Hebron Christian has size of their own in 6-foot-2 Region 8 Player of the Year Malia Fisher, 6-foot-2 Jessie Parish and 6-foot-3 Carly Heidger. Rachel Suttle and Jada Farrell have big game experience while sophomore Naja Reeves and long-armed freshman Olivia Hutcherson have played key roles for Holy Innocents’. Guard play could be the deciding factor. The Lions share the ball well behind Carly Fahey, Ella Heard and Sydney Whalen. 5-foot-11 junior Nicole Azar is an elite three-point shooter with over 100 made threes on the season.