Girls hoops: Model continues to impress

The Model Lady Blue Devils entered the state tournament as Class AA's only undefeated team. After two rounds in the playoffs, their record remains unblemished. They survived overtime to beat Lovett 56-51 in the first round, then coasted past Dublin 59-27 to reach the quarterfinals.

Though I pegged them to be upset by Lovett - which nearly happened - the Lady Blue Devils have been nothing short of impressive as they seek the first state title in program history. What's so remarkable is they're doing it with just two seniors on the team.

Led by 6-foot sophomore sensation Victoria Saxton, the No. 4-ranked Lady Blue Devils (28-0), the top seed from Region 7, take on their first ranked team of the postseason in No. 6 Putnam County (23-4), the top seed from Region 4.

The game will be played on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Georgia College in Milledgeville, which hosts all AA quarterfinals and semifinals games.

The Lady Eagles have a sophomore standout of their own in 5-foot-7 forward Rykia Pennamon, and head into the quarterfinals on an 11-game wins streak that includes two wins over quarterfinalist Monticello, and a win over No. 10-ranked Bleckley County.

I have Putnam County winning this game, but then again I've been wrong about Model from the jump.

The other quarterfinals matchups all feature Region 6 teams, which is no surprise given it's the most competitive league in AA. Top seed and title favorites, No. 1-ranked Holy Innocents' (25-4) takes on No. 2 Pelham (25-1), a No. 1 seed from Region 4 on Friday at 3 p.m. Both teams earned blowouts in the first two rounds.

Region 6's No. 2 seed and defending state champs, No. 3 Wesleyan (25-4) takes on unranked Heard County (23-5), the No. 1 seed from Region 5 on Thursday at 3 p.m. And No. 3 seed GAC - ranked No. 7 - plays No. 5 Rabun County (25-3), a No. 1 seed from Region 8 on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Here's a look at my somewhat busted bracket: