Here are five private and public girls’ teams to watch this season. Next week we’ll take a look at some of the best individual boys in Class A.
Private
Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. The Warriors finished 26-5 en route to winning the second state title in the program's history (2006). SACA lost two big-time talents in G Marquita Daniels and F Amy Griffin, who have moved on to South Alabama and LaSalle, respectively. Leading a young team this season will be seniors G Nicole Martin and 6-4 F Shakyna Payne. SACA's road to repeating is a little easier as perennial powerhouses Darlington and Holy Innocents, defeated by the Warriors in last year's state title game, have moved up to Class AA.
St. Francis. The Knights, the 2012 private school state champions, went 24-4 last season and defeated nemesis Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy during the region tournament but lost to the Warriors in the semifinals. St. Francis' young but talented team this season will be led by senior G Abby Grant, one of the best pure shooters in the state. Sophomores C Kasiyahna Kushkituah, G Taja Cumming and G Maya Dodson are primed to step up.
Mount Paran Christian. The Eagles could be one of the sleepers to win a state title this season as nearly every player is back from last year's team that went 20-6 and advanced to the state quarterfinals. The Eagles will have to learn a new system as Tab Griffin takes over as head coach.
Calvary Day. The Cavaliers have a shot to win their second state title (2008). Calvary Day finished 23-4 last season and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Senior forwards Abigail Lewis, an all-state player, and Dawona Magwood are back to lead the way for head coach Jackie Hamilton, who is 75-11 in the last three seasons.
George Walton Academy. The Bulldogs finished 27-2 last season and pushed Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy in the state quarterfinals before losing 48-37. They will have to find replacements for G Cynara Pitt (Shorter) and F Ivy Atkism (Clemson).
Public
Randolph-Clay. The Red Devils finished 27-4 last season and steamrolled through the playoff field en route to winning the program's first state title. All-state players Brandi Buie and Kobi Thornton led the way. Buie is now at Jacksonville. Thornton, a 6-2 junior forward is a player of the year candidate who will carry the load for R-C this season.
Mitchell County. The Eagles finished 25-7 and advanced to the public school finals before losing to Region 1 rival Randolph-Clay for the fourth time that season. Mitchell County will have to find replacements for all-state performers A'Miracle Jones and Shonbreka Holton (Albany Technical College).
Greenville. The Patriots went just 18-10 last season but went on a run in the state playoffs and advanced to the semifinals, where they were defeated by Mitchell County. Guards Keosha Dozier and Kiyanna Johnson, an all-state performer, are now at Clark-Atlanta University. Junior G Tierra Ford and senior G Mekeeshia Tenney will now take over the backcourt.
Claxton. The Tigers went 25-6 and advanced to the state semifinals for the first time in school history where they were defeated by eventual champion Randolph-Clay. Claxton will have to find a replacement for all-state performer G Devonna Brewton, now at Middle Georgia State. Head coach Laura Aziz quietly has built one of the state's most consistent programs.
Emanuel County Institute. The Bulldogs finished 16-8 and came within one point of advancing to the semifinals. Senior G Tazha Williams is the team's leading returning scorer while fellow senior forward Brianna Williams was the leading rebounder.
About the Author
