Here is a look at all four Class A state championship final games. All four will be played in the Macon Centreplex.
Girls Public Final: Taylor County vs. Turner County
When: March 5, 3 p.m.
The skinny: Taylor County (30-0) is one of only two undefeated teams (Holy Innocents in Class AA) left in the tournament. The Vikings have a storied basketball history, dating back six decades when Taylor County won five consecutive titles from 1968 through 1972. The program has nine state titles total, with the last one coming in 2003 under head coach Matt Troutman, who has been in place since 1983. This is the first appearance in the finals for Turner County (28-2), led by head coach Tasha Kimble, in her third season in charge of the Rebel program. Turner County had advanced to the quarterfinals the past two seasons. The Rebels knocked off defending champion Randolph-Clay in last week's semifinals (52-44).
Who to watch: Taylor County is led by a trio of juniors in 5-foot-9 guard Rasheeka Simmons, 5-11 forward Kelsie Towns and 5-9 forward Kourtney Long. Turner County is led by juniors as well, 5-6 point guard Xariah Office and 5-8 guard Mylashia Yancey.
Boys Public Final: Calhoun County vs. Greenville
When: March 5, 4:45 p.m.
The skinny: This is the first trip to the finals for Calhoun County (29-2) since the Cougars won the state title in 1997. Head coach Marcus Shaw has led the program to the state playoffs in four of his five seasons in charge, including a trip to last season's semifinals. Greenville (28-2) is back in the finals for the first time since it won a state championship in 1992. This is the first season for head coach Walter Jackson.
Who to watch: Calhoun County is led by seniors Quenten Taylor (5-11, G) and Sherrod Williams (6-2, G), along with junior Jerrek Solite (5-11, G). Greenville is paced by a quartet of seniors – Jamal McKee (6-3, G), Tarmarcus Jackson (5-11, G), Mikhail Snelling (5-8, G) and Quan Tenny (6-0, G).
Girls Private Final: St. Francis vs. Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
When: March 7, 12:45 p.m.
The skinny: This is a matchup of the last two state champions that has become one of the state's best rivalries. The Knights (27-3), defeated SACA (28-3) for the 2013 private school championship, 62-56. Last season, the Warriors knocked off St. Francis in the semifinals, 66-61.
Who to watch: St. Francis has a young team, led by senior point guard Abby Grant (5-9), and sophomores Kasiyahna Kushkituah (6-3, C) and Nichel Tampa (5-4, G). SACA has just seven players on its roster and is led by seniors Nicole Martin (5-11, G) and Shakyna Payne (6-4, F).
Boys Private Final: St. Francis vs. Greenforest Christian Academy
When: March 7, 4:45 p.m.
The skinny: These two have been on a collision course since the beginning of the season. Greenforest (27-1) defeated St. Francis (28-3) for the 2013 private school championship, 55-41, when several of the St. Francis' key players were freshmen. Last season, Greenforest was bounced out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals by Calvary Day, while the Knights won the championship with a 65-60 win over Whitefield Academy. Greenforest's only loss this season was to Class AAAAAA finalist Pebblebrook. St. Francis played a national schedule, losing just one game to a team from Georgia (Class AAAAA Miller Grove)
Who to watch: Both rosters are filled with talented players. Greenforest is led by seniors Faisal Abdulmalik (6-6, F) and Justin Ravenel (6-3, G). St. Francis is paced by seniors Malik Beasley (6-5, G, signed with Florida State), Kaiser Gates (6-8, F, signed with Xavier) and Josh Coleman (6-10, C, signed with Coastal Carolina).
