The two teams that met in the 2022 DeKalb County Middle School Girls’ Basketball Tournament championship game appear to be on a collision course for their January 14 meeting at Champion as both are undefeated heading into the holiday break.

Salem knocked off Champion in that title game to claim the championship. Both teams rolled to wins over Region 2 foes last Saturday to keep their perfect marks intact.

Salem (6-0, 5-0) defeated Peachtree (2-6, 2-5) 56-8 behind the tandem of Shanya Heath and Mya Perry that combined for 55 points. Heath finished with a game high 25 points and 10 assists while Perry added 20 points and 11 steals.

Champion (7-0, 6-0) has played one more game up to this point in the season and eased to a 69-4 victory over Sequoyah (0-7, 0-6) to stay atop the Region 2 standings. Essence Grier stroked the nets for 23 points to lead the way. Charmaine Owens added 12 points and 5 assists while Sanaa Stanton and Kamaya Rivers-Childs each chipped in 6 points.

GIRLS RECAPS
Cedar Grove 28, Chamblee 27
A strong fourth quarter defense forcing turnovers and a game winning three-pointer propelled the Cedar Grove Lady Saints (5-3, 4-3) to a thrilling 28-27 Region 2 win over the Chamblee Lady Bulldogs (5-3, 4-3). Ziryah Bell hit the game winner while contributing 6 steals and 3 rebounds. Imani Coleman hit for 10 points along with 4 rebounds and 3 steals to lead Cedar Grove and Faith Andrews added 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Baylei Hinds-Perry was credited with some key steals in the big fourth quarter.

Druid Hills 38, Columbia 22
The Druid Hills Lady Dragons (5-2, 4-2) picked up a key victory in Region 1 action in a 38-22 win over the Columbia Eagles (4-3, 2-3) to take sole possession of third. Kennedi Johnson had 10 points to lead the Eagles.

Beacon Hill 36, Tucker 11
Beacon Hill (5-1, 5-0) moved into third place in the Region 2 standings via a 36-11 win over the Tucker Lady Tigers (1-5, 1-4). Nadiya Mohamed hit for a game-high 15 points for Beacon Hill with Kendale Lanier adding 8 points and Ryan Elmahdi 7.

Stephenson 55, Miller Grove
The Stephenson Lady Jaguars (7-0, 6-0) kept their unblemished record on the season with a 55-4 win over the Miller Grove Lady Wolverines (1-6, 1-5) in Region 1 action. Loriel Murray led three players in double figures for Stephenson with 16 points followed by Cyncere Sims-Turner with 12 and Jayla Walton with 11.

Redan 33, Stone Mountain 13
The Redan Lady Raiders (4-4, 4-3) evened their record at .500 with a 33-13 Region 1 win over the Stone Mountain Lady Pirates (2-5, 1-5). Aubri Brooks led the way for Redan with a game-high 14 points.

Freedom 32, McNair 9
The Freedom Lady Rams (2-5, 2-3) picked up their second victor of the season with a 32-9 decision over the McNair Lady Mustangs (0-6, 0-5). Grace Kasongo hit for a game-high 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Rams. Destiny Swint added 11 points and 2 steals.

Chapel Hill 29, Bethune 23
Chapel Hill (6-1, 6-0) stayed in second place in Region 1 with a 29-23 thriller against Bethune (3-2, 2-2). Mauri Barnes led he way with 11 points (3 steals) and Janise McCoy chipped in 9 points and 6 steals.

In other girls’ results and Henderson (3-5, 2-5) moved up with a 20-16 win over Lithonia (2-6, 2-5).

BOYS RECAPS
The Region 2 boys’ race is similar to the girls as Champion and Salem are both undefeated with Lithonia just one game back as the teams head into the break.

Champion (7-0, 6-0) matched its girls’ mark with a 51-10 win over Sequoyah (0-7, 0-6) to keep its edge against Salem (6-0, 5-0). Dakota Freeman hit for 12 points and Asa Manais added 7 for Champion in the win.

Salem 42, Peachtree 36
A big performance by Jace Smith pushed Salem (6-0, 5-0) past Peachtree (2-6, 2-5) 42-36 to remain undefeated. Smith finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds for Salem.

Lithonia 44, Henderson 37
The Lithonia Bulldogs (7-1, 6-1) extended their win streak to six with a 44-37 come-back win over the Henderson Cougars (2-6, 1-6). Henderson led in the fourth quarter before Lithonia rallied for the win. Henderson was led by Joshua Mosley with 11 points and Rolan Potts 10.

Beacon Hill 53, Tucker 45
Beacon Hill (3-3, 3-2) evened its record at .500 behind a 53-45 victory over the Tucker Tigers (1-5, 1-4). Michael Pope led a trio of players in double figures with 14 points and was joined by Mathew Norman (12) and Isaiah Wright (10). Tucker also had three players in double figures led by a game-high of 16 points for Vance Wilder followed by Nehemiah Johnson with 13 and Jajuan Graham with 12.

Freedom 49, McNair 38
Mojwok Ajobong scored a game-high 20 points to lead Freedom (3-4, 3-3) to a 49-38 win over McNair (1-5, 1-4). Ajobong was aided by Cornelius Jackson with 8 points and Elijah Swint with 7.

Redan 73, Stone Mountain 33
Amara Medhin and Tristan Mitchell combined for 54 of Redan’s 73 points to lead the Raiders (7-1, 6-1) to a 73-33 win over Stone Mountain (2-5, 1-5). Medhin hit for 30 points (6 steals, 5 assists) and Mitchell connected for 24 points (7 steals, 6 assists, 7 rebounds).

Cedar Grove 51, Chamblee 43
Cedar Grove (5-3, 4-3) solidified a fourth-place spot in Region 2 heading into the break with a 51-43 win over Chamblee (3-5, 3-4). Tayson Blunt (13 points) and Chace Boyce (12 points) were the offensive leaders and King Parrom (6 points, 11 rebounds) and Isaiah Cosby (9 points, 9 rebounds) cleaned up the glass.

Chapel Hill 36, Bethune 33
Chapel Hill (5-2, 5-1) moved up the Region 1 standings with a 36-33 win over Bethune (4-1, 3-1) giving the Lions their first loss of the season. Braylon Carter hit for 12 points and Keshawn George connected for 10. Nazir Mergan contributed a solid performance with 7 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Mekyrius Miller had 14 for Bethune to lead all scorers and teammate Rashaad Silver added 8 points.

Druid Hills 47, Columbia 36
Druid Hills (6-1, 5-1) kept its spot near the top of the Region 1 standings with a 47-36 defeat of Columbia (0-7, 0-6). Nolan Donahue had 15 points and Phamethius Mosley added 9 points for Columbia.

In other results Miller Grove (3-4, 3-3) won 44-37 over Stephenson (3-4, 2-4).

See link below for complete standings:

DCSD MS BASKETBALL STANDINGS

DCSD MS BASKETBALL RESULTS
BOYS
Sat., 12/17/22
Beacon Hill* 53, Tucker 45
Cedar Grove* 51, Chamblee 43
Champion* 51, Sequoyah 10
Chapel Hill * 36, Bethune 33
Druid Hills 47, Columbia 36
Freedom* 49, McNair 38
Lithonia 44, Henderson* 37
Miller Grove 44, Stephenson* 37
Redan* 73, Stone Mountain 33
Salem 42, Peachtree* 36

GIRLS
Sat., 12/17/22
Beacon Hill* 36, Tucker 11
Cedar Grove* 28, Chamblee 27
Champion* 69, Sequoyah 4
Chapel Hill * 29, Bethune 23
Druid Hills 38, Columbia 22
Freedom* 32, McNair 9
Henderson* 20, Lithonia 16
Redan* 33, Stone Mountain 14
Salem 56, Peachtree* 8
Stephenson* 55, Miller Grove 4

DCSD MS BASKETBALL SCHEUDLE
Sat., 1/7/23
Bethune at Stone Mountain*
Cedar Grove at Henderson*
Chamblee at Sequoyah*
Champion at Beacon Hill*
Columbia at Stephenson*
Freedom at Redan*
Lithonia at Salem*
McNair at Druid Hills*
Peachtree at Tucker*
Open: Chapel Hill, Miller Grove