Class AAAA blog: Henry County, Woodward Academy prepare for their compelling rematch

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Upson-Lee had its 75-game winning streak snapped by Class AAAAAAA’s Discovery in December, and the Knights needed overtime to hold off Class AAAAA’s Jones County68-65 this Saturday. The two-time defending state champions host 10-7 West Laurens tonight. Elsewhere in the classification, Sandy Creek is being led magnificently by 6-foot-8 TJ Bickerstaff. In the Patriots’ 84-47 win over LaGrange this Saturday, Bickerstaff needed just 21 minutes to post 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Henry County hosts Woodward Academy tonight in one of the week’s premiere matchups. In their last meeting on Dec. 4, Woodward Academy trailed 20-14 after the opening quarter, but grabbed a 29-28 halftime lead and went on to serve the Warhawks a 68-58 defeat. It was Henry County’s first—and only—loss of the year, and the Warhawks have stacked up 13-straight wins since. In the December clash, senior Wisdom Uboh (22 points) and Josh Steele (19) led Henry County in scoring while juniors Walker Kessler (22) and Jacorrei Turner (14) and senior Kevin Powell (10) paced Woodward Academy. The big difference in the game, however, was rebounding and Woodward Academy finished with a 41-to-26 advantage. Woodward Academy defeated Druid Hills 62-44 last Friday and Kesser turned in 27 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and seven blocks.

On the girls side, top-ranked Carver-Columbus moved to 18-0 with a 93-45 win over Hardaway on Saturday. The lopsided victory included a 25-3 scoring advantage in the third quarter and marked the sixth time this season, that the Tigers have scored more than 90 points in a game They will be traveling to take on 5-12 Dougherty tonight.

Henry County’s only loss to an in-state opponent came at the hands of Carver-Columbus (59-45) in its season opener. The Warhawks have been on a roll ever since, and carry a 9-0 Region 4-AAAA record into tonight’s matchup with visiting Woodward Academy.

Flowery Branch scored an impressive 68-61 home win against Class AAA powerhouse Greater Atlanta Christian over the weekend, and defending state champion Spalding prepares for a Region 2-AAAA showdown with a solid 10-4 Perry squad tonight.