It’s been an unusual season for the Southwest DeKalb boys. Transfers have come and gone. A hardship case was upheld. There was a season-ending injury to a top player. And the competition in Region 5 was just as tough as it always is.
But the Panthers have persevered and find themselves in the third round of the Class AAAAA playoffs, just where they’d planned to be when the season began. No. 4 SWD will host No. 6 Woodland on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., with the winner headed for the Final Four on Saturday at Columbus State.
“All those things have brought the team together,” Southwest DeKalb coach Eugene Brown said. “They handled the adversity and it’s helped their growth and development.”
The Panthers had two transfers ruled ineligible by the GHSA. A third transfer was also denied, but the school appealed what was a simple clerical mistake and Dajon Dancil was cleared a few weeks ago. There was also another addition when 6-foot-7 sophomore Kusamae Draper’s family moved into the district; he had been attending Holy Spirit Prep.
Southwest has also been playing without DI prospect Eugene Brown, who needed knee surgery before the season began. Brown, the son of the coach, was cleared this week to begin running. It is a longshot, but Brown could possibly return if the Panthers keep winning.
That’s left three mainstays: guard Kadarius “KD” Johnson, forward James Glisson and point guard Jarrett Walton. Johnson, a 6-1 junior and DI prospect, leads DeKalb County in scoring (24.6 points), steals (4.8) and assists (5.5); Johnson was voted the Region 5 Player of the Year. Glisson, a 6-6 senior, averages 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.
Walton has been the most pleasant surprise. When Brown was injured, the coach was able to move Johnson to the “2” guard spot and start Walton at the point. He’s shot 56 percent from the field and averaged 3.0 assists.
“Jarrett has really stepped up his game,” Brown said. “Without him developing like he has we’d be in a lot of trouble.”
Southwest will have its hands full with Woodland on Tuesday. The Wolverines have a solid big man in the middle, an excellent guard and a variety of athletic wings. They’re heavy with seniors who bring a ton of experience.
The center is Sincere Whitehead, a 6-8 senior who averages 9.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.6 blocks. He was named to the All-Region 4 first team. Curtis Purdue, a 6-3 senior, leads the team at 13.3 points per game and was also named to the first team.
Senior Dwayne Chester, a second-team all-region pick, averages 8.1 points and five assists. Seniors Jalen Mason (9.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists) and Tyrek Washington (8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds) were honorable mention all-region picks.
Other boys semifinal games:
Dutchtown at No. 1 Buford, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.: Dutchtown is the biggest surprise team left in the field. The Bulldogs are 16-14, but play in the very competitive Region 4. Coach Jamal Basit's team is fundamentally sound and features a balanced attack led by Kam Hobbs (12.1 points) and Isiah Placide (10 points). Buford (26-2) has coasted in its first two games behind a talented roster led by Region 8 Player of the Year Donnell Nixon and Oklahoma State signee Marcus Watson.
No. 5 Fayette County at No. 8 Kell, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.: Josh Dupree, the Region 3 Player of the Year, will put his talent on display for Fayette County (24-5) in this intriguing Elite Eight match. Dupree, a senior, is a good all-around player who averages 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.2 steals. C.J .Henderson and Justin Perry are the top players for Kell (25-5). The Longhorns have won seven straight.
No. 7 Lithonia at No. 9 Warner Robins, Tuesday, 6 p.m.: The defending state champions from Warner Robins (23-6) have somehow managed to fly under the radar all season. The Demons feature a pair of All-Region 1 selections in Quon Dillard and Trevon Williams. Lithonia (18-9) is led by Eric Gaines and Justin Myles and could cause trouble inside with their size and strength. This is a rematch from last year's Elite Eight game, which Warner Robins won 67-64.
Girls semifinals
No. 6 Veterans at No. 1 Buford, Tuesday, 6 p.m.: Veterans (25-4) must find a way for its young team – Madison Perez (12.9 points) is the lone senior – to maintain its composure against the relentless pressure and defense that defines Buford basketball. The Wolves (26-2) are deep, play hard for 32 minutes and shoot the 3. Buford has playing a challenging schedule and its two losses came against Class AAAAAAA Elite Eight participants Norcross and Westlake.
Griffin at No. 4 Southwest DeKalb, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.: Griffin (21-7) has been playing at a particularly high level over the last month. The Bears are led by All-Region 3 selections Averyana Nelson and Daisya Reid. Southwest DeKalb (23-5) is one of the state's iconic programs and brings a nine-game winning streak into the game. The Panthers play an attacking style of defense and feast on turnovers created by steals and takeways. They can shoot the ball, too, with Lanee Edwards and Raven Thurman being two of their senior leaders.
No. 5 Eagle's Landing at No. 2 Villa Rica, Tuesday, 6 p.m.: Villa Rica (30-0) is the only unbeaten team in the classification, boys or girls. The Wildcats were tested in the second round by Arabia Mountain and Eagle's Landing should present a challenge. The Golden Eagles (23-5) are a young team that's led by Jalisa Dunlap (13.1 points) and Jaleah Storr (12.8 points). But can Eagle's Landing find a way to slow down Villa Rica's Deasia Merrill? So far no one has had an answer for the Kentucky signee.
Wayne County at Columbia, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.: Wayne County (23-4) has played well in the tournament and found a way to bounce No. 3 Harris County in the second round. The Gators were able to handle the taller, more physical Harris County line and will now be matched against a smaller, much quicker Columbia team. Wayne County is led by the versatile Terren Ward. Columbia (21-8), back in the third round for the first time since 2014, is led by Shontrice Austin and Constance Thomas.
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