Preview of state softball tournament

The state softball tournament begins Thursday in Columbus. Class AA-powerhouse Buford is seeking its fourth consecutive state championship, while Collins Hill is going for a repeat in Class AAAAA, the largest classification. Here's more info:

Class AAAAA

Quick hits: Collins Hill is the defending champion. "The biggest reason we made it back is because we play as a team ... We don't have any superstars, just a solid group who goes out and plays hard," coach Billy Dooley said. Collins Hill has seven seniors, but it is a pair of juniors who are turning heads -- pitcher Kayla Floor (19-2 with an 0.91 ERA, while striking out 165 batters in 130 innings) and infielder Mckenzie Halstead (.457 avg. with 15 doubles and 34 RBIs). Grayson is back for the second year in a row behind two sophomores, Kanani Cabrales (.447 avg.) and Taylor Denton (.528 avg.). Brookwood is led by Jessica Neidigh, who set school records with batting average (.533) and stolen bases (26). Mandy Blackwell is a tough out, with only two strikeouts in 100 plate appearances. Said Brookwood coach Bill Batchelor, "We told our kids if you can get there [to Columbus], you have just as good of a chance as anyone." It's six straight years for East Coweta, led by Brittany Sinkfield (.364 avg.)

Favorite: Collins Hill

Dark horse: Brookwood

Best team not there: Parkview

Rest of field: East Coweta, Lassiter, Harrison, Newnan, Lowndes and Grayson

Class AAAA

Quick hits: Northgate has been to Columbus eight of the past nine years. Andie Martin is batting .527 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs, while Ansley Smith has a .453 avg. with 25 RBIs. Northgate has two stellar pitchers with Ashley Clifton (hurled a perfect game in the second round against Houston County) and Forrest Skelton (103 strikeouts). Said Northgate coach Lisa Skelton, "My pitchers have very easily kept us close in games [with a chance] to win, and this allows your hitters to come through with the runs."

Favorite: Madison County

Dark horse: Loganville

Best team not there: Whitewater

Rest of field: Greenbrier, Union Grove, Jones County, Creekview, Northgate and Kell

Class AAA

Quick hits: This may be the state's most competitive classification, with as many as four teams that could win it all.

Favorite: White County

Dark horse: Allatoona

Best team not there: Oconee County

Rest of field: West Laurens, Ringgold, Perry, Thomson, Walnut Grove, and Eastside

Class AA

Quick hits: Can anyone threaten Buford's dynasty? Buford is the three-time defending state champion and looks strong again this year. Pitcher Karly Fullem (Georgia Tech commitment) is 13-1 with a 0.77 ERA and has a 6-0 record in Columbus over the past three seasons. Infielder Chelsie Thomas (Georgia Tech) has a .441 average, while stealing 24 bases in 25 attempts. Buford infielder Melissa Dickie (North Georgia) is batting .461, and catcher Lexi Overstreet has 37 RBIs. Outfielder Cara Cole set the school record with 17 sacrifice bunts. Said coach Tony Wolfe, "[Going to] Columbus never gets old. We always have new players experiencing it for the first time and old players who have such good memories." Meanwhile, Greater Atlanta Christian has been peaking, led by infielders Sierra Lawrence (.456 avg., 21 stolen bases, 10 doubles and six triples) and Sarah Armstrong (.402 avg., nine triples).

Favorite: Buford

Dark horse: GAC

Best team not there: Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe

Rest of field: Jeff Davis, Pike County, Union County, Dodge County, Berrien County and North Oconee

Class A

Quick hits: Gordon Lee aims to be the first team in state history to finish with an undefeated record for the season.