Education

Kell High School is celebrating two basketball championships

Kell fans react at the end of the 4th quarter during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Boy’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 61-53 over Eagle's Landing. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
Kell fans react at the end of the 4th quarter during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Boy’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 61-53 over Eagle's Landing. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
March 10, 2023

Kell High School has reason for pride and jubilation Friday after winning two state championships. Both the boys and girls teams were crowned in the GHSA state high school basketball tournament in Class 5A.

It’s the first state championship for either of the Kell teams, who are known as the Longhorns.

The tournament continues for other GHSA classifications on Friday at the Macon Coliseum.

The girls team struck first with a commanding victory over Warner Robins. The boys won a closer contest Thursday night, overcoming Eagle’s Landing. Kell, located in East Cobb, has about 1,500 students, according to AJC School Guide. And one proud principal.

“What an amazing night for the coaches, players, & the entire #LonghornNation,” principal Peter Giles tweeted, along with photos of both of his teams. “It has been an amazing journey to watch & to see the work pay off tonight in front of an incredible Kell community & student body that was LOUD & made a difference!”

Both teams were undefeated in region play and didn’t lose a game at home throughout the whole season. The boys ended the season at 27-2 on a 15-game win streak, while the girls closed out the 2022-23 season at 26-5 with a 14-game streak of victories.

Readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ajc.com will find full coverage of the games, including two pages in the Friday ePaper edition.

Class 5A girls: Kell 57, Warner Robins 36 (Story and photos)

Class 5A boys: Kell 61, Eagle’s Landing 53 (Story and photos)

It’s Cedar Grove vs. Sandy Creek again - this time in basketball

Kell’s head coach Kendra Bailey (center left) and Crystal Henderson (center right) celebrate their victory over Warner Robins during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Girl’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 57-36 over Warner Robins. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
Kell’s head coach Kendra Bailey (center left) and Crystal Henderson (center right) celebrate their victory over Warner Robins during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Girl’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 57-36 over Warner Robins. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
Kell’s players celebrate their victory during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Boy’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 61-53 over Eagle's Landing. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
Kell’s players celebrate their victory during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Boy’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 61-53 over Eagle's Landing. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
Kell fans celebrate their victory over Warner Robins during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Girl’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 57-36 over Warner Robins. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
Kell fans celebrate their victory over Warner Robins during 2023 GHSA Basketball Class 5A Girl’s State Championship game at the Macon Centreplex, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Macon, GA. Kell won 57-36 over Warner Robins. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)
A page from the Friday ePaper edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A page from the Friday ePaper edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A page from the Friday ePaper edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A page from the Friday ePaper edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

About the Author

Cassidy Alexander covers Georgia education issues for the AJC. She previously covered education for The Daytona Beach News-Journal, and was named Florida's Outstanding New Journalist of the Year.

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