The first night of region tournament action for DeKalb County basketball programs included big wins for Druid Hills and Cedar Grove to clinch a berth in the state playoffs beginning next week.

The sixth seeded Druid Hills Red Devils pulled out a 45-44 victory over third seeded Salem to earn their Class 4A boys ‘state playoff berth in Coach Antoine Stroud’s first season at the helm.

Druid Hills (13-13) was hanging on up 45-42 with 12 seconds to play thanks to some late clutch free throws by Avery Covington. Salem missed a three and got a put back for two as the buzzer went off as the Red Devils held on for the win. It extends Druid Hills’ state playoff streak to four years (2017-2020) after three consecutive trips under the retired Jerome Lee.

The Red Devils own a big win over No. 1 ranked Woodward and move on to face McDonough (15-11) at 5:30 pm at McDonough on Thursday. McDonough swept a pair of close games in the regular season.

Cedar Grove (6-16) advanced by knocking out DeKalb County rival Towers (11-13) 61-58 in Region 5-3A play. The Titans rallied to close a nine-point gap on two occasions in the second half. Corey Lazenby earns a trip to the Class 3A boys’ state playoffs in his first year at the helm of the Saints’ program. It will be the Saints’ eighth consecutive trip to state (2013-2020).

Redan (11-15) and Stone Mountain (1-24) boys had their seasons come to an end in the Region 5-3A Tournament. Redan fell 62-47 to Lovett (19-6) while Stone Mountain dropped an 84-41 decision to Westminster (17-8).

The Tucker Lady Tigers (4-22) won their second consecutive game on the season with a 40-32 win over Morrow (5-21) in the girls’ play-in game of the Region 4-6A Tournament at Lovejoy on Monday. They have to take on No. 1 ranked Lovejoy (21-4) on Wednesday at 7:00 pm for a spot in the state playoffs.

The Dunwoody Wildcats (1-22) saw their season come to an end in first round boys’ play of the Region 7-6A Tournament with a 53-41 loss to North Atlanta (14-10).

DEKALB REGION TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Monday Feb. 3
Region 4-6A at Lovejoy
Girls
Tucker (4-22) 40, Morrow (5-21) 32

Region 7-6A at Chattahoochee
Boys
North Atlanta (14-10) 53, Dunwoody (1-22) 41

Region 4-4A at McDonough
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Druid Hills (13-13) 45, Salem (12-14) 44

Region 5-3A at Lovett
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Cedar Grove (6-16) 61, Towers (11-13) 58
Lovett (19-6) 62, Redan (11-15) 47
Westminster (17-8) 84, Stone Mountain (1-24) 41

DCSD REGION TOURNAMENET SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Region 7-7A at Norcross
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Lakeside (10-10) vs. Central Gwinnett (9-16), 6:00 pm
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Lakeside (9-14) vs. Central Gwinnett (6-17), 7:30 pm

Region 4-6A at Lovejoy
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Stephenson (17-8) vs. Mundy’s Mill (7-19), 4:00 pm
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
M.L. King Jr. (12-12) vs. Morrow (14-11), 5:30 pm

Region 5-5A at Arabia Mountain
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Columbia (14-10) vs. Arabia Mountain (11-13), 7:00 pm
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Miller Grove (8-13) vs. Lithonia (8-14), 5:30 pm

Region 4-4A at McDonough
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Druid Hills (13-12) vs. Eastside (14-8), 5:30 pm

Region 5-3A at Lovett
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Stone Mountain (8-14) vs. Redan (7-15), 4:30 pm
Cedar Grove (15-5) vs. Towers (5-14), 7:30 pm

Region 6-2A at Douglass
Boys
McNair (2-20) vs. Therrell (18-7), 8:30 pm