Fifteen of the 16 top seeded teams moved into the quarterfinals of the DeKalb County Middle School Championships including defending champions Salem (girls) and Cedar Grove (boys) with wins on Wednesday night.

The Salem Lady Lions (14-0) moved a step closer to defending their title by defeating Stone Mountain (3-11) 58-3 to earn a spot in Saturday’s quarterfinal round. The Salem duo of Mya Perry (23 points) and Shanya Heath (21) again led the way in the win. Salem also upped its consecutive win streak to 21 games with the victory. Salem plays host to Bethune on Saturday at 12:30 pm.

GIRLS RECAPS
Chapel Hill 60, Lithonia 9
The Region 1 champions Chapel Hill Lady Panthers moved into the quarterfinals as three players scored in double figures in a 60-9 win over the Lithonia Lady Bulldogs (4-10). Sanai Bryant led the way with 17 points (4 steals, 3 assists) followed by Janise McCoy with 16 points (8 assists, 4 steals) and McKenzie Copeland adding 15 points (5 assists, 3 steals). Avantey Gilreath contributed 8 points along with 11 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Chapel Hill hosts Redan at 12:30 pm on Saturday.

Champion 49, Freedom 10
The 2022 runners-up Champion Lady Chargers (12-2) entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed out of Region 2 and rolled to a 49-10 win over the Freedom Lady Rams (6-8). Essence Grier was the high point player with 18 points and Charmaine Owens added 15 points. Also contributing to the win were Sanaa Stanton (6 points, 5 rebounds) and Lailah Cox (4 points, 6 rebounds). Freedom was led by Destiny Swint with 4 points and 2 steals). Champion hosts Druid Hills at 12:30 pm on Saturday.

Stephenson 46, Peachtree 10
Region 1 runners-up Stephenson Lady Jaguars (13-1) picked up their 13th win of the season 46-10 over the Peachtree Lady Patriots (5-9). The trio of Loriel Murray (16 points), Cyncere Sims-Turner (12 points) and Jayla Walton (10 points) were the catalysts in the victory. Stephenson hosts Beacon Hill at 12:30 pm on Saturday in a single game at Stephenson.

Redan 30, Cedar Grove 24
The Region 1 No. 5 seed Redan Lady Raiders (8-6) were the only non-fourth seed or higher to win as they knocked out Region 2 No. 4 seed Cedar Grove Lady Saints (10-4) 30-24 to advance into the quarterfinals. Koryonia Magee hit 12 points and Malia Mix added 9 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for Redan. Redan travels to Chapel Hill on Saturday at 12:30 pm

Druid Hills 44, Henderson 10
Region 1 No. 3 seeded Druid Hills Lady Dragons advanced into the quarterfinals via a 44-10 win over the Henderson Lady Cougars (4-10). Azelia Shell had the top performance for Druid Hills in the win. Druid Hills travels to Champion for a 12:30 pm tip on Saturday.

Beacon Hill 41, Columbia 9
The Region 2 No. 3 seed Beacon Hill Bulldogs (9-5) punched a ticket to the quarterfinals with a 41-9 win over the Columbia Lady Eagles (6-8). Nadiya Mohamed hit for a game-high 15 points and Ryan Elmahdi added 11. Kendale Lanier contributed 8 points for Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill travels to Stephenson for a 12:30 pm tip on Saturday.

Bethune 45, Chamblee 25
The Bethune Lady Lions (9-5) picked up a 45-25 first-round win over the Chamblee Lady Bulldogs (8-6) to advance. Bethune goes on the road to Salem for a 12:30 pm tip-off on Saturday.

BOYS’ RECAPS
All eight top seeds advanced to the boys’ quarterfinals including defending champion Cedar Grove as second round action takes place on Saturday.

The No. 4 seeded Saints (9-5) moved into the quarterfinals by knocking off the Miller Grove Wolverines (4-9) 48-24 in the opening round. Kaeden Drake and Chace Boyce were big in a great team effort both scoring and assisting to drive the Saints. Josiah Street was big on the boards with 12 rebounds. Cedar Grove goes on the road on Saturday with a 12:30 pm date against Region 1 No. 1 seed Redan.

Champion 66, Stone Mountain 29
The Region 2 champions Champion Chargers (14-0) remained undefeated with a 66-29 win over the Stone Mountain Pirates (3-11) to advance to the quarterfinals. Jackson Ushery was the top gun with 23 points for Champion. Champion plays host to Bethune at 1:45 pm on Saturday.

Bethune 43, Chamblee 38
The No. 4 seeded Bethune Lions (12-2) survived a tough battle with the Chamblee Bulldogs (8-6) to win 43-38 to move into the quarterfinals. Mekyrius Miller hit for a game high 15 points for Bethune and was joined in double figures by Rashaad Silver with 12 points and 10 rebounds. L’Markus Scott contributed 7 points for Bethune. Chamblee was led by the tandem of Eston McDow and Ellison Eily with 10 points each and Bryan Swanson added 7. Bethune moves on to a road test at undefeated Champion at 1:45 pm on Saturday.

Druid Hills 35, Beacon Hill 29
The Druid Hills Dragons (10-4) pulled away from a one-point third-quarter lead to win a tight 35-29 contest against the Beacon Hill Bulldogs (5-9). Stone Richards hit for 15 points to lead the Dragons. Druid Hills goes on the road to Salem at 1:45 pm on Saturday.

Chapel Hill 53, Peachtree 39
A pair of Panthers hit in double figures to lead Chapel Hill (13-1) to a 53-39 win over the Peachtree Patriots (5-9) on Wednesday. Nazir Mergan hit for 14 points and Just Taylor added 11 for the Panthers. Chapel Hill hosts Lithonia at 1:45 pm on Saturday.

Lithonia 35, Stephenson 32
The Lithonia Bulldogs (10-4) got some payback for a final regular season loss to the Stephenson Jaguars (7-7) by taking a 35-32 thriller in the opening round of the tournament on Wednesday. Jashun Smith came up big for Lithonia making free throws down the stretch to finish with 9 points to go with 9 from Caleb Cooper and 8 by Anthony Flournoy. Lithonia has a 1:45 pm tip at Chapel Hill on Saturday.

Redan 65, Tucker 29
The Region 1 champions Redan Raiders (13-1) advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating the Tucker Tigers (3-11) 65-29 in the opening round. Tristan Mitchell stroked the nets for 36 points to top the scoring for both teams and Redan teammate Amare Medhin added 15 points (7 steals, 5 assists, 5 rebounds). DeErick Cole contributed 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots for Redan. The Raiders host Cedar Grove in a single game at 12:30 pm on Saturday.

Salem 50, Freedom 36
The Salem Lions improved to 12-2 on the season with a 50-36 first-round victory over the Freedom Rams (4-10). Mojwok Ajobong wrapped a great season for Freedom finishing with 20 points, including five three-pointers. Salem hosts Druid Hills on Saturday at 1:45 pm following the girls’ game.

See links below for current standings and updated playoff brackets:

DCSD MS BASKETBALL STANDINGS/RECORDS

DCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS BRACKET

DCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS BRACKET

DCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIOSHIPS
FIRST ROUND
Wed., 2/1/23
GIRLS GAMES
Chapel Hill (12-2) 60, Lithonia (4-10) 9
Redan (8-6) 30, Cedar Grove (10-4) 24
Druid Hills (11-3) 44, Henderson (4-10) 10
Champion (12-2) 49, Freedom (6-8) 10
Salem (14-0) 58, Stone Mountain (3-11) 3
Bethune (8-5) 45, Chamblee (8-6) 25
Beacon Hill (9-5) 41, Columbia (6-8) 9
Stephenson (13-1) 46, Peachtree (5-9) 10

BOYS GAMES
Redan (13-1) 65, Tucker (3-11) 29
Cedar Grove (9-5) 48, Miller Grove (4-9) 24
Druid Hills (10-4) 35, Beacon Hill (5-9) 29
Salem (12-2) 50, Freedom (4-10) 36
Champion (14-0) 66, Stone Mountain (3-11) 29
Bethune (12-2) 43, Chamblee (8-6) 38
Lithonia (10-4) 35, Stephenson (7-7) 32
Chapel Hill (13-1) 53, Peachtree (5-9) 39

DCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIOSHIPS
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Sat., 2/4/23
GIRLS
Redan (8-6) at Chapel Hill (12-2), 12:30 pm
Druid Hills (11-3) at Champion (12-2), 12:30 pm
Bethune (9-5) at Salem (14-0), 12:30 pm
Beacon Hill (9-5) at Stephenson (13-1), 12:30 pm (Single game)

BOYS
Cedar Grove (9-5) at Redan (13-1), 12:30 pm (single game)
Druid Hills (10-4) at Salem (12-2), 1:45 pm
Bethune (12-2) at Champion (14-0), 1:45 pm
Lithonia (10-4) at Chapel Hill (13-1), 1:45 pm