Photos: Nation's top prospect Kate Harpring leads Marist to 2026 state championship

Sports

Photos: Nation's top prospect Kate Harpring leads Marist to 2026 state championship

Marist defeated Kell 58-50 in the 4A girls basketball championship on March 12, 2026.

Marist head coach Kim Hixon celebrates with the trophy after their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Emily Morrison attempts a shot against Kell during their 58-50 win in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring makes a move against Kell defenders during their 58-50 win in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring (center) celebrates with the trophy after their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring reacts after making a free throw in the closing minute of their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring reacts after making a free throw in the closing minute of their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring celebrates with teammates after their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring (center) celebrates with teammates after their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist players celebrates after their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring attempts a shot against Kell guard Lyric Watson (bottom center) during the second half in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. Marist won 58-50. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring attempts a shot against Kell forward Kennedy Deese during the second half in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. Marist won 58-50. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring attempts a shot against Kell forward Kennedy Deese during the second half in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. Marist won 58-50. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kell guard Lyric Watson (left) drives against Marist guard Kate Harpring during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kell guard Asiah Thompson attempts a shot against Marist guard Mary Julia Johnson during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kell forward McKenzie Green attempts a shot against Marist guard Azelia Shell (left) and Mary Julia Johnson (right) during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kell guard Daphne White attempts a shot against Marist guard Kate Harpring during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring attempts a shot against Kell defenders during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring drives against Kell guard Asiah Thompson during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring attempts a shot against Kell defenders during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring attempts a shot against Kell defenders during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring communicates with teammates during the first half against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Marist guard Kate Harpring drives against Kell guard Asiah Thompson during the first half of the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Marist head coach Kim Hixon celebrates with the trophy after their 58-50 win against Kell in the Class 4A girls GHSA state championship at the Macon Coliseum, Thursday, March, 12, 2026, in Macon, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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