Top games this week: No. 3 Campbell girls' busy schedule includes

Campbell is among only four high schools that have reached the Class AAAAA playoffs in girls basketball each season since 2000-01, when the classification was created for Georgia’s biggest schools.

Unlike the other three -- Stephenson, Redan and McEachern -- Campbell has never reached the semifinals.

That won’t be on Campbell coach Randy McClure’s mind this week, when his third-ranked team faces No. 9 North Cobb on Wednesday and No. 4 Stephenson on Saturday. Campbell also must play Tuesday against Pebblebrook and Friday against Harrison in the busiest week of the season.

But these are games might shed light on whether this Campbell team is better equipped than five others since 2005 that have made the quarters but no further.

“Team chemistry is possibly as good as it’s ever been,’’ said McClure, Campbell’s head coach since 1990-91. “We’ve always had some good leaders that set the tone, and maybe 90 percent buy into it. We might have 100 percent for the first time.’’

It’s one of the most senior-oriented teams for Campbell under McClure, who has started several freshmen during the run of 10 straight state tournaments.

Senior guards Erica Norwood and Chakecia Miller are four-year starters, each averaging 13 points per game. Norwood has signed with Air Force, Miller with George Washington.

The third guard is Baylee Hawkins (8.5 points per game), the only junior in the starting five. The starting post players, Angel Foster (the top rebounder) and Jaleesea Phillips, are seniors.

A victory over North Cobb would put Campbell (15-4, 8-1) in excellent position to win Region 4-AAAAA.

And if Stephenson (16-3, 10-0) wins Region 2-AAAAA, Campbell and Stephenson would be seeded to face each other in the state quarterfinals, with that elusive bid to the semis on the line.

‘’We still have too much to do to consider that,’’ McClure said. “We still have to get out of our region [which comprises four top 10 teams]. There are a lot of great teams we’ve got to match up with first.’’

BIG GAMES

Six high school basketball games this week match ranked teams in metro Atlanta:

Wednesday

GIRLS

No. 3 Campbell at No. 9 North Cobb

Friday

BOYS

No. 1 Miller Grove at No. 10 Southwest DeKalb (AAAA)

No. 8 Providence Christian at No. 3 Whitefield Academy (A)

Saturday

BOYS

No. 9 Paideia at No. 6 Pace Academy (A)