DeKalb County is sending 17 teams into the state playoffs next after six more clubs won on Wednesday to claim bids including the Stephenson and Tucker boys’ teams in Region 4-6A at Lovejoy.

Stephenson (16-9) rolled past Mundy’s Mill 76-57 behind the play of Edwin Walker who scored 31 points to lead the way for the Jaguars in the playoff bid winning game.

Walker hit for nine of his 15 first half points in the second quarter including a layup on an assist from Justin Harris (15 points) to extend the lead to 18 (28-10) with 5:38 to play in the first half. A three-pointer by Derrick Taylor sent the Jaguars into the half up 42-24 on the Tigers (16-10),

Stephenson kind of cruised through the third quarter holding a 53-36 heading into the fourth quarter where Walker took over again. Walker 8-8 from the free-throw line and scored 14 points in the final period as the Jaguars continued to pull away to the win.

Jaylen Peterson joined Walker and Harris in double figures with 10 points and 10 rebounds and Jordan Ushery added 9 points and 13 rebounds for the Jaguars.

Stephenson moves into the semifinals on Friday at 8:30 against No. 1 ranked Tucker (22-3) which dispatched Drew 66-42 in the nightcap at Lovejoy.

Jermontae Hill put together a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the way for the Tigers. Hill got out to a hot start with 14 points in the first quarter including a steal and dunk with 11 seconds remaining to follow a three-pointer just 12 seconds earlier.

Raylon Barrion’s drive to the basket with three seconds left in the third quarter gave Tucker a 49-35 advantage after watching a 35-19 lead dwindle to just eight (41-33) with 4:08 left in the period.

Hill got his second dunk of the night to open the fourth quarter and added the final basket of the night for the final of 66-42.

DeKalb did not fair as well in girls’ play at Lovejoy as both Martin Luther King Jr. and Tucker had their seasons end. King fell 42-31 to Mt. Zion due to an almost five-minute scoreless streak in the fourth quarter. Tucker played within 8-7 in the first quarter, but No. 1 Lovejoy outscored the Lady Tigers (4-23) 21-3 in the second period on the way to a 66-22 win.

Region 5-5A
Four DeKalb teams punched state playoff tickets in Region 5-5A action at Arabia Mountain on Wednesday while also eliminating four other DeKalb clubs.

The Arabia Mountain Lady Rams (21-4) rolled into a state playoff berth and the tournament semifinals with a 59-11 win over Clarkston (2-24). They take on Columbia (14-8), a 54-22 winner over Chamblee (1-22), on Friday at 4:00 pm.

Southwest DeKalb (14-12) and Miller Grove (18-9) meet for third time this season having split their two earlier meetings at 5:30 pm on Friday following wins on Wednesday. Southwest DeKalb had a low-scoring, 40-26, defensive battle with Chamblee (6-17) to earn their state tournament bids. Miller Grove rolled past Clarkston (2-24) 71-49.

Region 7-7A
The Lakeside Lady Vikings (11-11) suffered their third loss of the season to No. 1 seed Brookwood to fall into the Region 7-7A girls’ consolation game to battle Parkview for the No. 3 seed. They play Friday at Norcross with tip set for 3:00 pm.

Region 5-3A
The Cedar Grove Lady Saints (17-5) advanced to the Region 5-3A championship game with a 56-33 win over Pace Academy (12-14). Cedar Grove will play Westminster (20-6) who defeated Stone Mountain (9-15) 66-54 to advance.

Westminster and Cedar Grove split their two meetings in the regular season and meet with the title on the line on Friday at 7:00 pm.

Stone Mountain takes on Pace at 4:00 pm on Friday in a battle for the No. 3 seed.

In boys’ play at Lovett, No. 1 ranked Pace (21-5) defeated Cedar Grove (6-17) 69-46 to drop Cedar Grove into the consolation game to meet Lovett (19-7) which lost to Westminster earlier in the evening.

Region 7-6A
The Dunwoody Lady Wildcats (10-11) season came to an end in the Region 7-6A Tournament with a 65-49 loss to Johns Creek on Wednesday at Chattahoochee.

Region 6-2A
Hapeville knocked the McNair Lady Mustangs out of state playoff contention on Wednesday night with a 47-32 win at Douglass. McNair finishes the season at 3-19.

DCSD REGION BASKETBALL RESULTS
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Region 7-7A at Norcross
Girls
Brookwood (15-11) 49, Lakeside (11-11) 27

Region 4-6A at Lovejoy
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Mt. Zion (17-8) 44, M.L. King Jr. (13-12) 31
Lovejoy (22-4) 66, Tucker (4-23) 22
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Stephenson (16-9) 76, Mundy’s Mill (16-10) 57
Tucker (22-3) 66, Drew (1-24) 42

Region 7-6A at Chattahoochee
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Johns Creek (15-11) 65, Dunwoody (10-11) 49

Region 5-5A at Arabia Mountain
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
SW DeKalb (14-12) 40, Chamblee (6-17) 26
Miller Grove (18-9) 71, Clarkston (2-24) 49
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Arabia Mountain (21-4) 59, Clarkston (3-22) 11
Columbia (14-8) 54, Chamblee (1-22) 22

Region 5-3A at Lovett
Boys
Pace (22-4) 69, Cedar Grove (6-17) 46
Girls
Cedar Grove (17-5) 56, Pace (12-14) 33
Westminster (20-6) 66, Stone Mountain (9-15) 54

Region 6-2A at Douglass
Girls
Hapeville (19-7) 47, McNair (3-19) 32

DCSD BASKETBALL REGION SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb 6
Region 4-4A at McDonough
Boys
Druid Hills (13-13) vs. McDonough (15-11), 5:30 pm
Girls
Druid Hills (14-12) vs. Luella (19-5), 4:00 pm