The Buford girls have won two straight state championship, three of the last four and six of the 10. Is there any reason to put anyone else at the top of the list of teams to beat?
The Wolves lost all-state guard Tory Ozment, who signed with Michigan State, and outside sharp shooter Audrey Weiner, who signed with Air Force. But there remains plenty of talent to keep coach Gene Durden’s team at the top of the heap until someone else comes along.
Buford’s only loss has come against Class AAAAAAA power Norcross and the Wolves have wins over big schools like Grayson, North Gwinnett and Parkview and prominent programs like Morgan County and Holy Innocents’.
Ebony Grant, Casey Jones and Tate Walters are three veterans who return and will help offset the loss of 10 seniors. Grant plays bigger than 5-6; she scored 12 points in the state championship game against Flowery Branch. Walters and Jones are both good outside shooters.
Here are four other top teams to watch this season in Class AAAAA:
Southwest DeKalb: After five straight years of 22-plus wins, the Panthers had an uninspired season until the playoffs started. They won the Region 5 tournament and reached the second round of the playoffs. Kathy Walton's team returns guard Lanee Edwards and began the season 9-1. That includes a 14-point win over rival Arabia Mountain, which SWD defeated in the region final last year.
Villa Rica: The Wildcats went 26-2 last season before losing to Buford in the Final Four. Coach Tammy Norred returns much of the same team, particularly all-state forward Deasia Merrilland guard Aliyah Hindsman. Merrill, the school's all-time leading scorer, has signed with Kentucky. Villa Rica won its first 10 games and has a 83-12 record during Merrill's four seasons.
Harris County: Taziaha Fanning helped carry the Tigers to the Final Four last year before they were dropped by Flowery Branch. Fanning will have to take up some of the slack left by the graduation of Jessika Carter. Harris County can move up a notches in its perception by a good performance in the Myrtle Beach Girls Classic, which began Thursday.
Statesboro: Typically it's the boys who get most of the attention in The Boro. Now the girls are on an even keel with their male counterparts. The young Blue Devils, who have only one senior in the lineup, is led by junior Lacy Robins and sophomore Jamiah Jones and began the season 11-0. Robins averages 20.4 points and 5.3 rebounds. Jones averages 12.4 points.
About the Author
