India Terrell going in for a layup during the regular season. Terrell and her Columbia Lady Eagle teammates host a second round Class 5A girls’ game against Cass on Wednesday at 5:30 pm. (Photo by Mark Brock)
DeKalb high school basketball has eight teams in the Sweet 16 of the GHSA State Playoffs and six of them will be hosting games this week as they continue their marches to Macon.
Four of the teams hosting play on Wednesday and the Columbia Lady Eagles (21-7) lead off the night with a 5:30 tipoff time against Cass (22-7) I the Class 5A girls’ playoffs. Columbia advanced with a 53-38 win over Loganville last Thursday. Cass moved into the second round by knocking off No. 1 seed Riverwood 63-57.
In other girls’ Class 5A action, the No. 5 Southwest DeKalb Lady Panthers (22-6) host Rome (19-10) at 6:00 pm and Arabia Mountain (20-5) travels to No. 2 ranked Villa Rica (28-0) at 6:00 pm.
Southwest DeKalb won the program’s 950th victory (950-441) with a 56-31 win over Cedar Shoals at home last week. Rome comes into the second round following an 82-68 win over Maynard Jackson.
Arabia Mountain advanced with a 47-39 road win over Clarke Central last Saturday. Villa Rica won 63-40 over Lithia Springs to move into the second round.
The No. 5 ranked Stephenson Lady Jaguars (18-11) go on the road for the second week in a row in the Class 6A girls’ playoffs with a trip to Bainbridge to take on the No. 6 ranked Glynn Academy Terrors (25-4) in a battle of Top 10 teams at 6:00 pm. Stephenson won its opening round game on the road 48-37 over Northside-Warner Robins. Glynn was a 61-22 winner over Evans.
Two DeKalb boys’ teams are hosting on Wednesday night in their attempt to move into the Elite 8.
The No. 5 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (19-7) continue the Class 3A state playoffs by hosting Calhoun (16-10) at 6:00 pm. The Saints moved into the Sweet 16 with a 67-56 win over Monroe Area. Calhoun won 76-60 over East Hall to move in to the second round.
Southwest DeKalb, ranked No. 3 in the Class 5A boys’ poll, are set to host Carrollton (18-10) at 7:30 pm as part of a doubleheader with the Lady Panthers. The Panthers rolled into the second with a 65-30 win over Clarke Central last week. Carrollton won its opening round game at Banneker 65-61.
Lithonia’s Bryson Rockcliffe (10) makes a layup during the Region 5-5A boys’ tournament. Rockcliffe helps lead his Bulldog teammates into a second round clash with Rome on Thursday at 6:00 pm. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Two ranked DeKalb boys’ teams host Thursday games led by the Class 5A No. 8 Lithonia Bulldogs (19-9) hosting Rome (17-12) at 6:00 pm. Lithonia won its 679th game (679-473) in program history in its opening round 61-46 win over Loganville last week. Rome upset No. 1 seed Riverwood 60-55 in overtime to reach the second round.
Another DeKalb home game has the Class 6A No. 5 ranked Tucker Tigers (25-4) tipping off their Sweet 16 matchup at 6:30 pm against Evans (24-4). Tucker eased into the second round 65-49 at home against Valdosta. Evans had a relatively easy path into the second winning 72-61 at home over Glynn Academy.
DCSD SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEUDLE
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Class 5A Boys
Carrollton (18-10) vs. SW DeKalb (22-6), 7:30 pm
Class 3A Boys
Calhoun (16-10) at Cedar Grove (19-7), 6:00 pm
Class 6A Girls
Stephenson (18-11) at Glynn Academy (25-4), 6:00 pm
Class 5A Girls
Cass (22-7) at Columbia (21-7), 5:30 pm
Rome (19-10) at SW DeKalb (22-6), 6:00 pm
Arabia Mountain (20-5) at Villa Rica (28-0), 6:00 pm
Thursday, Feb. 21
Class 6A Boys
Evans (24-4) at Tucker (25-4), 6:30 pm
Class 5A Boys
Rome (17-12) at Lithonia (19-9), 6:00 pm