As the season hits the midway mark and region is in full swing there are just three unbeaten teams left – the Calhoun County boys, and the Wesleyan and Marion County girls. Here’s a look at each:
Calhoun County (16-0). The Cougars are ranked No. 1 in Class A public, but this should come as no surprise. Calhoun County has advanced to at least the state semifinals in four of the last five seasons, winning the championship in 2015 when the Cougars finished 30-2. Last season they bowed out in the semifinals after compiling a record of 28-3. Calhoun County remained unbeaten Tuesday night when the Cougars broke a 28-28 tie in the first half and pulled away from Manchester (8-5) for a 64-52 non-region win.
Marion County (13-0). Eagle head coach Fran McPherson has her team on schedule for a date in the state title game in March. After arriving in 2015, she led Marion County to the second round of the playoffs in 2016, the quarterfinals in 2017 and runners up last season. The Eagles have already avenged last year's loss in the finals to Greenville (71-70) and remained unbeaten Tuesday night with a 61-31 beat down of Brookstone. Marion County raced to a 26-14 halftime lead and then buried the Cougars in the third quarter when they outscored them 19-7. Marion County is paced by the inside-outside tandem of senior F Ashley Whitley and junior G Jameisha Williams.
Wesleyan (17-0). One of the state's premiere programs has taken things to a new level this season. The Wolves are off to their best start in program history, remaining unbeaten with an easy 79-20 region win on the road at W.D. Mohammed. The young and deep Wolves showed their balance as seven players scored at least nine points in the win – freshman F Jessie Parish (15 points), sophomore G Nicole Azar (14), junior F Izzy Larson (11, 9 rebounds), junior F A.C. Carter (10), senior G Callie Weaver (9), freshman G Imani Washington and sophomore F Alyssa Phillip (9).
