TOP GIRLS TEAMS: Fayette Co. seeks to take final step

1. Fayette County

Fayette County girls basketball coach John Strickland learned a little bit about patience last spring. He wanted the Tigers to celebrate the end of the year as one of the state’s best.

Instead, Fayette fell to Southwest DeKalb in the Class AAAA championship.

“It was tough, but it was certainly a lesson,” Strickland said. “The girls have been working hard to not just be one of the best teams in the state but also one of the best programs. We’re close. Maybe we can get there this year.”

Fortunately for Strickland, the Tigers return all five starters from the state runner-up team, including point guard Tessah Holt and junior power forward Anma Onyeuku. The challenge will be finding a bench. Strickland lost six senior reserves to graduation.

2. Norcross

Wherever Angie Hembree goes, good basketball is sure to follow. The former architect of the Collins Hill dynasty is entering her second year with the Blue Devils. Her first squad was 13-11 but won seven of its final 10. Norcross will feature center Tiffany Clark, a Vanderbilt commitment, and should get a boost from transfer point guard Briana Jordan, daughter of former Atlanta Braves player Brian Jordan.

3. Wesleyan

Five state titles in seven years says all you need to know about Jan Azar’s program. The Wolves return to Class A this season with the same amount of firepower they’ve always had and should be one of the best teams in the state, if not the country.

Senior Anne Marie Armstrong will lead a talented starting five with Chantel Kennedy, the team’s best defensive player.

“We have a great tradition here, and that’s really a credit to the players that have played here,” Azar said. “We have the potential to build on that.”

4. Marietta

Blue Devils coach Ken Sprague has a statistic that is tormenting.

“I think for about six years now we’ve lost our final game in the state playoffs to the No. 1 team,” Sprague said. “So we’ve beaten some people we shouldn’t have, but we still haven’t gotten to the top.”

Marietta went 28-3 a year ago and could be just as good this season. Sprague returns senior forward Telia McCall, a Virginia commitment, and senior guard Brittney Echols.

5. Redan

The Raiders had the unfortunate problem of facing Region 2-AAAAA foe Stephenson three times last season. Redan, which finished 23-8, lost all of them, including the state title game. Redan returns senior Delia Drunson, junior Alisha Andrews, junior Nia Evans and sophomore Kierra Paige.

“They’re still young,” coach Rhonda Malone said. “But that experience last year is going to help us this year.”

6. Carrollton

The Trojans have been one of the best teams in Class AAA the past couple of seasons. Last year, Carrollton went 29-3, falling to undefeated Kendrick in the final. Back for a second stab at the title will be senior point guard Karisma Boykin, senior forward Janyce Ealey and junior forward Tierra Prothro.

“I think our team knows people look to them as one of the best in the state now,” coach Shon Thomaston said

7. Collins Hill

The Eagles weren’t the Eagles in 2007-08. The five-time state champs lost their starting point guard early and were never the same, finishing 14-10 after winning three consecutive Class AAAAA crowns. A healthy squad returns, hoping to take down the Region 7-AAAAA elites, Duluth and Mill Creek.

“If our kids show up ready to play, I fully expect us to get back to the state tournament this year,” Eagles coach Tracey Tipton said. “We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us, though.”

Senior Crystal Chaney and senior guard Jazmin Walker will help the cause.

8. Woodward Academy

The War Eagles have been a staple in the playoffs, and there’s no reason to think the state’s longest active streak (17) of state tournament appearances will end this year. Woodward drops to Class AAA, but helping ease into the new classification will be Vanderbilt commitment Elan Brown, a 5-9 senior.

9. Southwest DeKalb

Panthers coach Kathy Walton hopes her first state title isn’t her last. Southwest DeKalb took the Class AAAA crown a year ago against Fayette County, but the team lost three starters. Coming back will be sisters Kajuanna Rivers and Alonda Rivers.

“It’s a great feeling to accomplish something like that,” Walton said. “But it’s not an easy thing to do. Our girls understand that.”

10. Sandy Creek

Life for the Patriots won’t be easy this year after moving up to Class AAAA. But the return of point guard Morgan Toles, an Auburn commitment, should ease the transition.

“I’m a little biased, but I think she’s one of the best point guards in the country,” coach Lesie Cooper said. “She’s special.”