Region 1-AAAA Champion Carver-Columbus is taking an incredible resume into this year’s state tournament. The Tigers completed their perfect 27-0 regular season with an 81-35 win over Hardaway on Friday. Led by superstar Olivia Cochran, the team is are averaging 81 points per game and holding opponents to 37.4 ppg.
Out of Region 2-AAAA, defending state champion Spalding is hitting its defensive stride—a key ingredient in the Jags title run a year ago. Spalding scored a 45-30 win over West Laurens on Friday to clinch a top seed. Junior Corriana Evans is having a sensational season, averaging 13.6 ppg and hauling in a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game.
Baldwin battled past Burke County 65-58 in overtime to clinch the top seed out of Region 3-AAAA. The Braves narrowly escaped Cross Creek in the Region Tournament semifinals before scoring the overtime win. Senior Crystal Corley has been a force for Baldwin this season and is putting up 16.4 ppg while contributing 3.3 steals per game on the defensive end.
It’s been a sensational season for Henry County, which clinched the top seed out of Region 4-AAAA with a 63-28 win over Luella. The Warhawks are 26-2 on the year, and there only in-state loss came in a 59-45 defeat by Carver-Columbus in the season opener. Henry County is one of the top contenders in this year’s playoffs and has a blend of offensive firepower and lockdown defense put pressure on teams like Carver.
Sandy Creek scored a 50-47 win over Troup on Saturday to close out a perfect 12-0 finish in Region 5-AAAA. Junior Daija Powell has burst to the scene this season and at 6-foot-1, she has averaged 17.4 ppg to go with her 9.7 rebounds per game.
Region 6-AAAA was one of the more competitive conferences in the classification, but Heritage-Catoosa ran away with the top seed in an 80-58 win over Northwest Whitfield in Friday’s region championship. The Generals are 22-5 overall and are getting 20.5 ppg and 10.3 rebounds per game from versatile senior Emily Wiley.
Flowery Branch made it to the Class AAAAA Final Four a year ago, and will be taking a No. 1 seed into this year’s tournament after closing out Marist 50-34 on Saturday. The Falcons have not lost to a AAAA school all year and will be an interesting addition to this year’s bracket.
In Region 8-AAAA, Madison County swiftly defeated St. Pius 55-32 in the Region Championship on Friday. The Red Raiders are 24-2 on the year and carry an eight game winning streak into the playoffs.
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