Photos: Cedar Grove defeats Cairo in first round of state tournament

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Photos: Cedar Grove defeats Cairo in first round of state tournament

Cedar Grove defeated Cairo, which was granted a last-minute berth to the 2026 GHSA basketball state tournament and was down nine players due to suspension, in the first round.

Cedar Grove shooting guard Dakota Freeman drives in for a layup over Cairo’s defense during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cairo guard Joshua Jones passes during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove point guard Tayson Blount (right) is guarded by Cairo guard Clifford "CJ" Hammonds on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove point guard Kevin Rogers dunks over Cairo’s defense on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove guard Kevin Rogers brings the ball down court against Cairo on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cairo guard Kelsey Mitchell (right) drives to the basket under pressure from Cedar Grove guard Kevin Rogers on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cairo guard Kelsey Mitchell (center) looks for the rebound against Cedar Grove during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove forward Dontavius Stringfield (right) passes the ball after rebounding against Cairo on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cairo guard Antoine Shivers (center) defends during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cairo guard Clifford "CJ" Hammonds signals to his teammates on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove guard Kevin Rogers (left) attempts a layup over Cairo guard Kelsey Mitchell on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove’s Emanuel Green (left) and Dontavius Stringfield celebrate a Saints’ basket against Cairo on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove point guard Terry Coleman dribbles during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove’s Emanuel Green dunks over Cairo’s defense on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove head coach Camden Terry calls out a play to his team on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cairo head coach JJ Cooper walks the sidelines during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cedar Grove’s Emanuel Green makes a jump shot over Cairo’s defense on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Cairo guard Kelsey Mitchell dribbles the ball on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Cedar Grove shooting guard Dakota Freeman drives in for a layup over Cairo’s defense during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Cedar Grove High School. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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