Sports
Local Basketball Teams Begin Action in Region Tournaments
Washington boys, Westlake girls earn No. 1 and No. 2 seed as the drive for the state playoffs begins Monday.
In college basketball, the hysteria of post-season tournaments are affectionately known as March Madness. However, in high school, the playoffs can best be described as February Frenzy.
The regular season is in the books and as teams compete in their region tournaments, it’s time to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
At stake now, during this week’s action, the precious honor of earning a bid in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Playoffs.
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Here in the neighborhood, teams will play at various sites as every dribble, bounce pass and shot attempt takes on a greater meaning with squads fighting to extend their seasons.
No. 1 and No. 2 seeds
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The Washington boys and Westlake girls achieved one-third of their pre-season goals by clinching their respective regular season region crowns. Advancing to the state playoffs and winning the ultimate prize complete the remaining two pieces of the equation.
Washington posted a 17-7 overall record while going 10-2 in league play to clinch the 5A-AAA sub-region crown.
The Bulldogs earned a No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the region tournament. Washington plays the winner of Riverwood versus Cedar Grove on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 8:30 p.m. The host site for this game is at Riverwood High School in Sandy Springs.
“Our guys worked hard this season. We continue to grow as a family and get better everyday,” said head coach William Faulkner. “We know we have to come out and play strong in the tournament. There’s no cake walk in our region. If we don’t play hard, we’ll be packing up our stuff for the season.”
Over at Westlake, the Lady Lions went 20-5 overall and 13-1 in the region, earning a share of the 2-AAAAA regular season title with Stephenson. Both squads split victories this year, winning on the opponent’s home floor. Stephenson took the first match, 52-24, on Jan.29. Westlake returned the favor Feb. 8 with a 53-47 triumph. The Lady Lions showcase an overall win-loss total of 20-5.
During a pre-tournament meeting, Westlake lost in a coin flip with Stephenson and plays as a No. 2 seed. The Lady Lions will face No. 7 seed East Coweta on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at Luella High School in Locust Grove.
“We work hard every year to prepare for this time,” said Westlake girls’ head coach Hilda Hankerson. “We’re on track to where we should be and we’re looking forward to playing in the region tournament. We should be one of the top four teams to come out of the region and make the state playoffs.”
In the mix
Although they didn’t finish in first place, the boys from Westlake, Washington’s girls and both programs at Mays played well during the regular season.
Westlake won six-of-eight down the stretch to go 14-8 and 7-7 in 2-AAAAA. The Lions will suit up as a No. 4 seed versus No. 5 seed and host-school Luella on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
The Washington Lady Bulldogs enter the postseason at 11-13 and 8-4 in 5A-AAA.
During her brief stint on the sidelines, second-year head coach Denise Alsobrooks has completely changed the culture of the girls’ program at Washington. In the two seasons prior to hire, the Lady Bulldogs went winless in the region and won a total of four games.
Now, they take the court at Riverwood High School in this year’s tournament as a No. 3 seed. Washington's march to the state playoffs begins Monday at 6 p.m. against No. 6 seed Arabia Mountain.
“I think we’ll match up well with Arabia Mountain. Everybody’s record is 0-0 right now. Whoever comes ready to play will be the better team and I hope it’s us,” said Alsobrooks.
Over at Mays, the girls and boys will play as a No. 3 seed against the same opponent –Lakeside, DeKalb. The Lady Raiders' game is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m. There male counterparts hit the court Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. The tournament takes place at Tucker High School.
Rocky road
The 2010-11 season was a rocky road for both squads at Therrell High School. Both teams combined for a 9-26 record. Therrell faces a hefty task as a bottom seed in the region tournament this week, which convenes at Maynard Jackson High School.