The brackets sometimes create some unfortunate pairings. Such is the class in the Class AAA girls quarterfinals, where No. 1-ranked Dawson County and No. 2-ranked Laney are matched in a game more fitting for the championship game.
Dawson County (29-0) is a veteran team that’s been rock solid all year. The Tigers have a great pedigree and feature some experienced girls who have focused on making this their championship season.
Coach Steve Sweat’s team has three exceptional players in Sheyenne Seabolt (15.6 points, 7.8 rebounds), Ashley Parker (13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds) and Karlie Bearden (11.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists).
Dawson County was tested by East Hall in the Region 7 championship game, eventually pulling away for a six-point victory. But the most difficult things about the playoffs has been waiting for the weather to get nice enough to accommodate play. Dawson beat Elbert County by 36 and No. 10 Dodge County by 31.
Laney will be a bigger challenge. The Wildcats (26-3) have won 10 straight since their Jan. 19 loss to South Atlanta. Laney has played a tougher schedule than Dawson, competing against larger schools like Greenbrier, Cross Creek, Brunswick and Valdosta, as well as fellow AAA power Morgan County.
Aliyah Collier leads Laney with 16.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. DeSha Benjamin, a freshman, averages 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. Sophomore Aubriana Bonner averages 9.9 points and 3.3 steals.
The Wildcats defeated Hephzibah in the Region 3 championship game and have scored easy wins in the state playoffs, a 21-point victory over Westminster and a 31-point win over Pepperell.
Laney won the coin flip and gets to host the game.
It’s just too bad one of them goes home on Monday night.
A look at the other Elite Eight matchups:
Kendrick at Decatur: Another great game that features No. 2 Decatur against No. 7 Kendrick, which won the Class AA championship a year ago. The game promises to be a defensive showcase, as both teams pride themselves on getting after it.
Decatur (28-2) has won 11 straight games since its January loss to South Atlanta. The Bulldogs are led by playmaker Jayla Morris (18.2 points), along with Janay Williams (13.6 points, 12.6 rebounds) and Kayla Thomas (11.6 points, 8.5 rebounds). Kendrick (27-2) is seeking a third straight trip to the state semifinals. The Cherokees feature a balanced scoring attack, with three girls averaging at least nine points: Melia Jones (11.9), Taylor Farley (11) and Margarnique McKissic (9.2.).
East Hall at Calhoun: East Hall (19-10) entered the playoffs with a full head of steam. The Vikings have won 10 of their last 12 games, losing only to No. 1 Dawson County and Class AAAA Gainesville. East Hall is an excellent 3-point shooting team and hit seven straight against Peach County in the second round. Kylah Mize scored 20 for the Vikings in that game and joins Carly Winters and Jatasia Bailey to form a solid nucleus.
No. 9 Calhoun (25-4) beat Washington County in the second round on Monday and is in the Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons. Sophomore Jana Johns had 28 points, 24 in the second half and overtime, in the win over Waco. Sydnie Parker is the team’s top rebounder.
Central Carroll at Beach: No. 5 Beach won the coin flip and got the right to host the game. The Bulldogs (24-5) has won 14 straight games, the second-longest winning streak in the state. Senior Jacqueline Anderson averages 15.7 points, 2.9 assists and 3.9 steals and has been steady all season. Beach is a strong defensive team, with DyManee Royal (7.0 rebounds), Erin Davis (5.1 rebounds) and Judasia Hills (4.6 rebounds) all hitting the glass. Central (25-3) is making its first trip to the quarterfinals since 1987 courtesy of a buzzer beater against Hephzibah in the second round.
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