Here’s a preview of the girls’ quarterfinals (boys on deck Wednesday):
PRIVATE GIRLS
No. 8 Christian Heritage (22-6) at No. 1 Holy Innocents (27-1)
-- Holy Innocents, the 2016 state champions in Class AA, has been to at least the quarterfinals for six consecutive seasons.
-- This is Christian Heritage's first trip to the Elite Eight.
-- Winner faces the winner of No. 5 Prince Avenue at No. 4 Stratford Academy, Friday at Columbus State (2 p.m.)
No. 5 Prince Avenue (25-2) at No. 4 Stratford Academy (25-2)
-- This is Prince Avenue's first trip to the Elite Eight in school history.
-- This is Stratford Academy's second consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight.
-- Winner faces the winner of No. 8 Christian Heritage at No. 1 Holy Innocents, Friday at Columbus State at 2 p.m.
No. 10 Paideia (21-9) at No. 2 St. Francis (25-4)
-- Since 2008, St. Francis has won three state titles, made two trips to the Final Four and four to the Elite Eight.
-- Though Paideia has advanced to the state playoffs in all but one of head coach Paul Meiere's seasons at the helm, this is the Python's first trip to the quarterfinals since 2010.
-- The winner faces the winner of No. 6 Wesleyan at No. 3 Calvary Day, Friday at Columbus State at 6 p.m.
No. 6 Wesleyan (24-4) at No. 3 Calvary Day (27-2)
-- In her 18th season as head coach, Jan Azar has led Wesleyan to 12 state titles (six in Class AA) and failed to reach at least the Final Four just once (2003).
-- This is Calvary Day's eighth trip to the quarterfinals since 2006. The Cavaliers won the title in 2008.
-- The winner faces the winner of No.10 Paideia at No. 2 St. Francis, Friday at Columbus State at 6 p.m.
PUBLIC GIRLS
No. 8 Bowdon (23-5) at No. 1 Telfair County (26-2)
-- This is Bowdon's first trip to the Elite Eight since 2005.
-- Telfair County, last year's runner-up, has now been in the Elite Eight the last three seasons.
-- The winner faces the winner of No. 5 Wheeler County at No. 4 Greenville, Saturday at Valdosta State at 2 p.m.
No. 5 Wheeler County (20-4) at No. 4 Greenville (25-2)
-- This is Wheeler County's third consecutive trip to the Elite Eight.
-- Greenville has advanced to at least the Elite Eight in four of the last five seasons.
-- The winner faces the winner of No. 8 Bowdon at No. 1 Telfair County, Saturday at Valdosta State at 2 p.m.
No. 7 Wilcox County (23-5) at No. 2 Terrell County (24-4)
-- Terrell County has advanced to at least the Elite Eight in three of the last four seasons.
-- This is Wilcox County's first trip to the Elite Eight since 2011.
The winner faces the winner of No. 6 Pelham at No. 3 Marion County, Saturday at Valdosta State at 6 p.m.
No. 6 Pelham (27-2) at No. 3 Marion County (23-5)
-- Since Antonia Tookes took over as head coach in 2011, defending state champion Pelham has advanced to at least the Elite Eight seven times.
-- This is Marion County's second consecutive trip to the Elite Eight.
-- The winner faces the winner of No. 7 Wilcox County at No. 2 Terrell County, Saturday at Valdosta State at 6 p.m.
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