Looks like Region 6-AAA is going to be as tightly contested as it was a year ago. There are four really good teams in the league, three of whom have already been state ranked. Even three of the other teams in the league are competitive. It should make for an interesting run to the region tournament.
Last week the St. Pius boys were flying high at No. 5 in the state. But two straight losses put the Golden Lions out of the rankings and into third place in the region. It’s going to be that kind of year.
Right now Cedar Grove and Blessed Trinity are in the driver’s seat. Each one has only one region loss as teams are making the turn. Cedar Grove is 10-5 overall and 8-1 and ranked No. 9. Blessed Trinity is 16-3 overall and 7-1 and ranked No. 8.
Blessed Trinity has really been on a tear. The Titans, who host Decatur Tuesday night, have won 10 straight games since losing to Woodward Academy, its only league loss. That stretch includes an 11-point win over Cedar Grove and a five-point win at St. Pius.
Cedar Grove has grown a reputation for having the stingiest defense in the league. The Saints beat St. Pius 37-36 last week to earn a sweep over the Golden Lions. Although the Saints have some questions on offense, they’ve allowed an average of only 35.5 points since Jan. 1.
Blessed Trinity will host Cedar Grove in the rematch on Jan. 31.
That leaves St. Pius (16-3, 5-3) and defending region champion Woodward Academy (13-6, 5-3) scrambling for position. Decatur (8-9, 3-4) is in fifth place, but the Bulldogs beat Woodward last week and cannot be dismissed. Even Towers and McNair are dangerous.
Peach girls take over in Region 2
The No. 9 Peach County girls have won eight straight games and have taken over first place in Region 2-AAA. The young Trojans (15-3, 6-1) had an important 61-57 win at Pike County on Friday and a 54-49 win at Perry on Saturday in a non-region rivalry game.
Peach is led by sophomore Nausia Woolfolk, who averages 29 points and 5.6 rebounds. Sophomore Jordan Davis (12.4 points) and Alexia Green (11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds) add fuel to an offense that averages 61.3 points and shootings 61 percent from the field.
Pike (13-6, 5-2), Southwest Macon (12-2, 4-2) and Henry County (11-6, 4-3) are also in the hunt in the region.
Cartersville’s Irby reaches 1,500 point milestone
The Cartersville girls can make a case for their inclusion in the state rankings if they perform well this week. The Purple Hurricanes play at Sonoraville on Tuesday and host Adairsville on Friday. Two wins would like thrust coach Cindy Moore’s team into the state rankings and sew up the Region 5-AAA regular season.
Cartersville (15-3, 8-0) has already beaten both of its closest challengers this year. The Canes beat Sonoraville 66-60 on Dec. 10 and beat Adairsville 67-51 on Dec. 13. Sonoraville (14-4, 6-2) and Adairsville (9-7, 7-1) are the closest challengers.
Cartersville is led by senior point guard Kaelyn Irby, who scored reached the 1,500-point mark for her career against Ringgold on Friday. Irby had 20 points, nine assists and nine steals in the win. Irby also has more than 500 assists, 400 steals and 400 rebounds for her career.
About the Author
