2017 AREA 5-5A TEAM DUALS CHAMPIONS — SW DEKALB PANTHERS —

DeKalb County will be represented well at the GHSA Team Duals State Tournament in Macon this weekend as McNair, Southwest DeKalb and Arabia Mountain earned their way through their respective Area Duals to qualify for state.

Southwest DeKalb captured the Area 5-5A title by defeating Arabia Mountain in the championship round. Cross Keys finished third and Chamblee fourth.

The Panthers (13-3) take on Clarke Central on Thursday at 12:30 pm at the Macon Centreplex to open their Class 5A state tournament run.

Avery Brown, 17-1 at 113, Coby Ficklin, 14-2 at 120, Rodre Fears, 15-2 at 126 and heavyweight Eris Walker (15-1) leads the Panthers into the state competition. Alfonzo Farley, 13-3 at 132), EricQ Hall, 10-5 at 138 and Jamal Gibbs, 11-4 at 152, will also play big roles at state.

Arabia Mountain (9-14) faces off with Buford in a 3:00 pm match at the Centreplex. Some of the top performers heading into the Area Duals included Kyree Alexander (9-0, 138), Joshua Logan (11-4, 195/220) and Maxwell Blackman (8-4, 138/145/152).

McNair captured the Area 4-3A championship to advance to the Class 3A Team Duals in Macon. The Mustangs take on Sonoraville on Saturday (Jan. 14) at 5:30.