Jerry Jackson wasn’t sure exactly what he’d have at Arabia Mountain this season. The veteran coach missed most of last year with an injury and wanted to make sure his girls grasped the way he wanted the game to be played – fast and physical.
“Our main objectives were to come in and teach them how to play hard and understand the game, understand basketball,” Jackson said. “To be honest, we’re way ahead of where I thought we would be, but I’ve got some kids that practice hard and leave it on the court every day and I’ve got a great coaching staff that does the same thing. When you’ve got that, anything can happen.”
The No. 10-ranked Rams (24-5) are extremely young; Arabia Mountain started one freshman and two sophomores in its first-round playoff game against Villa Rica.
Freshmen Myori Pruitt has handled her role at point guard and has “played well above her years,” Jackson said.
The Rams also start sophomores Keyonna Giles and Mikayla Jamison, junior Sydney Bunkley and senior Ke’andrea Middlebrooks. Jordyn Ward, a 3-point shooting wiz, is the first player off the bench.
Pruitt and Bunkley were both named to the first unit of the All-Region 5 team.
Arabia Mountain plays an all-out attack style for 36 minutes. The Rams use traps for the length of the court and have the quickness to get back on defense when the trap is beaten. They prefer to play at quick tempo and much of their offense is built around converting turnovers, but they have enough shooting to survive in a halfcourt game.
“All the seniors that we have, the hustle, the rebounding, the defensive tenacity … their overall leadership has really, really helped propel us to this point,” Jackson said.
The Rams will have their hands full on Wednesday at 6 p.m. when they travel to play No. 5 Starr’s Mill (25-3), winners of 23 consecutive games.
The Panthers recently won its first Region 3 championship and defeated a solid Warner Robins team 63-47 in the first round.
“(This team) is strong mentally,” coach Emily Sweeney told Ben Barkley of The Prowler. “They didn’t let anything get they best of them. They wanted to win.”
Starr’s Mill is led by Region 3 Player of the Year Alice Anne Hudson, a senior who earlier this season became the school’s first player to score 1,500 career points. Jaclyn Hester and sharp-shooter Ashtyn Lally – both named to first-team all-region -- have continued to play well in the playoffs. Hudson had 18 points in each of the last two games.
Boys Second-Round Games:
Clarke Central at Eagle's Landing: Eagle's Landing has earned its No. 1 state ranking and put away New Hampstead in the first round. The Golden Eagles (25-3) feature four All-Region 4 players: Kirshon Thrash and Keith Lamar (first team) and David Thomas and Algermany Barnes (second team). Clarke Central (18-8) proved it can win on the road with a first-round victory over Maynard Jackson and must do it again. The Gladiators are led by all-region selections Cameron Stokes, Josh Smith and Jaiquez Smith.
Griffin at Southwest DeKalb: No. 10 Southwest DeKalb found the winning recipe at the right team, claiming the Region 5 tournament and whipping Paulding County in the state opener. The Panthers (17-12) are led by Ohio State signee Eugene Brown III and Kusamae Draper. Griffin is the only remaining representative from Region 3. The Bears (13-11) are led by Quay Baker, Brandon Callaway and Jaleel Chambliss, the region's Freshman of the Year.
Cedar Shoals at Wayne County: Wayne County (16-12) gets to host No. 3 Cedar Shoals in what promises to be quality second-round match. Wayne's top players are Shamar Taylor, Jakari Slay and Dresus Johnson. Cedar Shoals (25-3) brings two all-state caliber players in Quincy Canty (the Region 8 Player of the Year) and Tyler Johnson, as well as quick point guard Kashik Brown.
Lithonia at Veterans: This may be the best boys game for the second round. No. 6 Lithonia, ranked No. 1 most of the year, appears to be refocused after losing twice in the Region 5 tournament. The Bulldogs (25-3) are led by Region 5 Player of the Year Eric Gaines and Franklin Champion, who had 18 points and 14 rebounds in the first-round win over Hiram. Veterans' (24-3) best all-around player is T.J. Grant and its go-to scorer is DeAngelo Hines, with Horace Johnson also playing an integral role.
Statesboro at Buford: This should be a fun game between a pair of well-coached teams. Statesboro (22-6), behind coach Lee Hill, is led by Region 2 Player of the Year Zarion Griffin and Joe Burns. Buford (21-6), coached by Eddie Martin, features all-region players Sebastian Augustave and Caleb Williams, as well as big man James Munlyn Jr.
Kell at Warner Robins: No. 8 Kell (24-5) escaped in an overtime thriller against Miller Grove thanks to 49 points from junior Scoota Henderson, the Region 7 Player of the Year. The Longhorns can put up the points thanks to the presence of players like Nahjae Colon, Xavier Presley and Jaylen Brown. Warner Robins (22-4) held off a fourth-quarter charge to beat Jonesboro in the first round and successfully christen its new arena, the "Demon Den." The Demons won their seventh straight region title this season thanks to players like Keshun Howser, Quon Dillard and Greg Jones.
Dutchtown at Riverwood: No. 2-ranked Dutchtown (24-4) reached the Elite Eight last year before being eliminated by Buford. The Bulldogs regrouped behind all-region players Kameron Hobbs and Cameron Bryant and flourished with the addition of Jamaine Mann, who transferred from Starr's Mill and became the Region 4 Player of the Year. Riverwood (22-6) is a senior-heavy team that earned the right to host by winning the Region 6 tournament. The Raiders are led by Nathan Henderson and Jonathan Brown, a pair of all-region selections.
Bainbridge at Columbia: Bainbridge (16-13) hits the road again after its first-round road win over Riverdale. The Bearcats have a strong scorer in Lathan Levens (he had 27 in the region tournament) and solid players in K.J. Cochran and Mark Taylor Jr. Columbia (17-11), coached by veteran Phil McCrary, is led by Devin Longstreet (15 points), physical forward D'Kwon Harris (7.1 rebounds) and point guard Kawasiki Ricks.
Girls Second-Round Games:
Riverwood at Eagle's Landing: Jaleah Storr, the Region 4 co-player of the year, leads No. 9 Eagle's Landing. The Golden Eagles (21-8) also feature first-team all-region choices Jasmine Akins and Mariyah Fletcher. Riverwood's (22-6) top players are Olivia Smith, a first-team all-region player, Jayla Green and Ciara Smith.
Rome at Veterans: Rome will be looking for its second straight road upset. The Wolves (21-9) knocked off No. 4 Southwest DeKalb in the first round and now face No. 7 Veterans. Rome's top players are Amberly Brown, Trenishia Adams and Justyce Moore. Veterans (25-3) is led by center Stacie Jones, a Kennesaw State signee who averages 12.7 points and 11.9 rebounds. Tamia Luckey (12 points) loves to drive to the bucket and Zykeria Jenkins is among the team's top athletes.
Jones County at Lithia Springs: Jones County's Lu Woolfolk was the Region 4 co-player of the year. The Greyhounds (24-5) also feature first-team selection Jada Morgan and honorable mention picks Madison Bennett, Toree Smith and Courtney Wimberly. Lithia Springs (20-10) is led by Wake Forest signee Demeara Hinds, the Region 6 Player of the Year, and Cam Morris, the region's Freshman of the Year.
Bainbridge at Kell: No. 1 Kell (29-0), the only remaining unbeaten team in the classification, has a pair of all-region players in Kya Williams and Crystal Henderson. The Longhorns hardly broke a sweat in its 32-point first-round win over Lithonia. Bainbridge (15-15) is led by Detavia Salter, Taralyn Brown and Denise Chapell.
Wayne County at Buford: This could be one of the best games of the second round. No. 2 Buford (28-1) continues to roll with its all-out defensive assault plan and No. 6 Wayne County (24-2), whose only two losses have come against No. 3 Statesboro. Wayne is a young team led by senior Allie Foster. Buford is led by Region 8 Player of the Year Tate Walters, Ashyia Willis,Blair Wallis and Katelyn Klein.
Carrollton at Harris County: Two outstanding players go head-to-head in his game – Carrollton's De'Mauri Flournoy and Harris County's Zikeyah Carter. No. 8 Carrollton (20-10) also has all-region selection Kanija Daniel in the lineup. Harris County (17-10) has a second scoring threat in Jherri Carter-Ransom.
Woodland at Maynard Jackson: This game features two very good defensive teams. Woodland (21-9) is led by Sambresha Everett and Mya Giddis, both named to the All-Region 4 team. Jackson (21-8) features Xaviera Dyer and Unique Miller (both all-region picks), along with Ivy Karangu, Sherrion Cooper and Kristian Jewsome.
