Druid Hills, Lithonia and Tucker boys all picked up first round state playoff victories to advance to this weekend’s Sweet 16 round.

The No. 8 ranked Druid Hills Red Devils (24-4) took a 6-4 lead on a Keshawn Evans layup with 2:52 left in the first quarter and the Chestatee War Eagles (10-18) would not get closer than four points the rest of the way in the 60-43 win by Druid Hills.

It had been 9 years since Druid Hills won a state playoff game, a win over Douglas County in 2013. Evans and Harry Gewirtz made sure the drought would come to an end.

Evans had seven rebounds and scored six points in the first quarter, including a tip-in at the buzzer for a 12-4 lead heading into the second period of play.

Gewirtz opened the second quarter converting a four-point play when he was fouled on a made three-pointer. He followed up with a steal and basket and drover for another that extended the lead to 20-10 with 4:02 left in the half.

A drive for a layup for Cade Williams pulled Chestatee as close as they would be the rest of the way at 20-16. Evans answered with a three-point play on a basket underneath and then added two more free throws as the clock ticked down towards one minute to play in the opening half.

David Sledge had his shot partially blocked as the time was down to four second, but he rebounded the ball and put it back up and in before the buzzer for a 27-18 Druid Hills lead at the break.

Evans made his presence felt early in the second half with a put-back dunk over the Chestatee defense that got the crowd going. After he made it 31-20 with 6:08 left on the third period clock Gewirtz converted a three-point point.

Gewirtz followed up with two more three-pointers as the lead was stretched to 40-22 with 3:32 to play in the third.

Josiah Williams entered the game due to foul trouble on the Red Devils and would score 11 points, 9 in the fourth quarter. He hit a three-pointer and Gewirtz followed with his fourth trey of the night to make it 59-31.

The two teams began clearing the bench and two threes by Chestatee’s Peyton Phillips made the game closer than it appeared.

Gewirtz finished the night with 20 points, including the four from downtown, and Evans collected 17 along with 14 rebounds. Williams finished with 11 points.

Austin Bater hit for 17 points and pulled down 6 rebounds for the War Eagles.

Druid Hills moves on to host Perry (15-11), a 74-61 winner over Hardaway, on Saturday at 6:30 pm.

CLASS 5A
Lithonia (21-8) was the only Class 5A squad to pick up a win on Wednesday with a 67-61 home victory over the Cartersville Hurricanes (12-13) to advance to the Sweet 16.

The junior duo of Caleb Taylor and Josh Daniels were the catalysts for the Bulldogs in the win. Taylor hit for a game-high 26 and Daniels was close behind with 24 on the night.

The No. 6 ranked Bulldogs move into the Sweet 16 with a trip to No. 3 ranked Tri-Cities (19-5) on Friday night at 7:30 pm.

The Southwest DeKalb Panthers’ (20-9) season came to an end with a 57-39 loss at Hiram (17-9) on Wednesday. Hiram’s girls also ended the Stone Mountain Lady Pirates (13-14) season 74-48.

CLASS 6A
The No. 4 ranked Tucker Tigers (22-4) extended their season with a 78-55 blowout of Bradwell Institute (15-13) at home on Wednesday.

Tucker had three players in double figures led by Raylan Barrion with 17, Josiah Lawson 16 and Chris Whitmore 15. No. 6 ranked Kell (19-10) invades the Tiger Den on Saturday at 6:00 pm for a Top 10 battle in the Class 6A Sweet 16.

CLASS 3A
The Redan Lady Raiders (17-11) wrapped up their season with a first round playoff loss to Lumpkin County (26-1) by a score of 84-51,

The three boys’ winners join four other DeKalb squads in the Sweet 16 with two girls’ teams set to play on Friday. Stephenson (17-10) travels to Baldwin (24-2) in Class 4A girls’ play and Southwest DeKalb (20-9) hosts Forest Park (19-6) at 6:30 pm.

In Class 2A boys’ action, the No. 2 ranked Columbia Eagles (25-4) must travel east to Augusta to take on No. 4 ranked Westside (24-3) set for a 4:00 pm start on Saturday.

Redan (13-12), an upset winner over North Hall on Tuesday, heads to Savannah to take on No. 10 ranked Johnson (16-10, a 51-34 winner over Tattnall County on Wednesday. The second round game is set for 7:30 pm at Johnson on Saturday.

Check GoFan.ca for your Sweet 16 tickets.

DCSD BASKETBALL FIRST ROUND RESULTS
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23
CLASS 3A
GIRLS
Lumpkin County (26-1) 84, Redan (17-11) 51

CLASS 4A
BOYS
Druid Hills (24-4) 60, Chestatee (10-18) 43

CLASS 5A
BOYS
Hiram (17-9) 57, SW DeKalb (20-9) 39
Lithonia (21-8) 67, Cartersville (12-13) 61
GIRLS
Hiram (17-9) 74, Stone Mountain (13-14) 48

CLASS 6A
BOYS
Tucker (22-4) 78, Bradwell Institute (15-13) 55

DCSD BASKETBALL SWEET 16 PLAYOFFS
FRIDAY, FEB. 25
CLASS 4A GIRLS
Stephenson (17-10) at Baldwin (24-2), 7:00 pm

CLASS 5A
GIRLS
Forest Park ((19-6) at SW DeKalb (20-9), 6:30 pm
BOYS
Lithonia (21-8) at Tri-Cities (19-5), 7:30 pm

SATURDAY, FEB. 26
CLASS 2A
BOYS
Columbia (25-4) at Westside-Augusta (24-3), 4:00 pm

CLASS 3A
BOYS
Redan (13-12) at Johnson-Savannah (16-10), 7:30 pm

CLASS 4A
BOYS
Perry (15-11) at Druid Hills (24-4), 6:30 pm

CLASS 6A
BOYS
Kell (19-10) at Tucker (22-4), 6:00 pm