The AAA semifinals will take place at Valdosta State University on Saturday with eight remaining teams trying for berths in the state championship games. The AAA finals will be held at the Macon Centerplex on March 5 -- 6 p.m. for the girls, 8 p.m. for the boys.
The top-ranked Pace Academy boys will face No. 6 Johnson-Savannah at 4 p.m. Saturday, followed by No. 4 Jefferson taking on unranked Central-Macon at 8 p.m. On the girls side, No. 3 Beach will face No. 7 North Hall at 2 p.m., and No. 6 Greater Atlanta Christian will play No. 1 Johnson-Savannah at 6 p.m.
Here are a few items of note from the matchups:
Boys
Pace Academy enters the semifinals on a 16-game winning streak, its last loss coming against Tennessee's Briarcrest Christian in the NXT LVL Hoopfest in Nashville on Dec. 27. Since then Pace has been dominant. Four-star junior guard Matthew Cleveland averages 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and three assists and steals per game. The Knights will face Region 3 No. 3 seed Johnson-Savannah after its 49-46 victory against Long County in the quarters. Johnson's Emondre Bowles and Derrick Edwards each scored 14 points in the quarterfinals and will have to be on top of their games against Pace. ... Jefferson will play Central-Macon for a chance to advance to the finals. Jefferson is riding a 12-game winning streak. The Dragons beat Monroe 55-45 in the quarterfinals, with senior forward Jacob Radaker leading with 20 points. Senior guard Owen Parker and sophomore Malaki Starks combined for 24 points. Central-Macon, the Region 4 No. 2 seed, outlasted Region 3 No. 1 Windsor Forest in the quarterfinals, 79-76 in overtime, to advance. Quay Primas, a junior forward, scored the tying basket to force overtime and finished with 28 points to lead all scorers. Senior forward Harold Thompkins, sophomore guard Christian Hill and senior guard Tony Card will all factor for the Chargers.
Girls
Johnson-Savannah is back in the semifinals and looking to defend its state championship for the third consecutive season. The Atomsmashers lost one game this season, 52-44 to Glynn Academy on Nov. 25. Since then, Johnson has won 23 consecutive games, including a 58-49 victory against Sonoraville in the quarterfinals. Three players – senior Jaida Burgess, senior Antalazia Baker and sophomore Amani Hamilton – are averaging in double-figures for Johnson. Greater Atlanta Christian stands in the way. The Spartans lost 12 games this season, but since entering the tournament, GAC has outclassed its opponents. GAC beat Jefferson 54-51 to earn the semifinal berth. Ava Irvin scored 17 points; Kaleigh Addie added 15 points, and Jaci Bolden scored 14 points. ... Beach is back in the semifinals after losing to Hart County 62-58 in the semis last season. The Bulldogs beat Ringgold 47-31 in the quarterfinals with junior Kaila Rougier and senior Madison Evans combining for 22 points. Last season, North Hall advanced to the second round before losing to Hart County 73-66. Its semifinal berth is a testament to the playoff experience. The Trojans are in the semis after beating Morgan County 57-41 in the quarterfinals. Against Morgan, senior Lauren Swanson scored XX points, and senior Grace Hollifield scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
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