2019-20 GHSA Basketball Semifinals

CLASS 3A CLASS 2A BY SETH ELLERBEE BY SETH ELLERBEE

Two-time defending state champion Johnson-Savannah is back in semifinals. The Atomsmashers lost just one game this season, to Glynn Academy 52-44 on Nov. 25. Since then, Johnson won 23 straight games including a 58-49 victory over Sonoraville in the quarterfinals. Three players – senior Jaida Burgess, senior Antalazia Baker and sophomore Amani Hamilton – are averaging double-figures. Greater Atlanta Christian stands in the way and defeated Jefferson 54-51 to earn its semifinal berth. Ava Irvin scored 17 points in the quarters, Kaleigh Addie added 15 points and Jaci Bolden scored 14 points. Beach is back in the semifinals after losing to Hart County 62-58 in the semis last season. The Bulldogs beat Ringgold 47-31 in the quarterfinals. Kaila Rougier and senior Madison Evans combined for 22 points. Last season, North Hall advanced to the second round before losing to Hart County 73-66 and this year, the semifinal berth is a testament to the playoff experience from last year’s run. The Trojans are in the semis after beating Morgan County 57-41 in the quarterfinals. Against Morgan, senior Lauren Swanson scored 12 points and senior Grace Hollifield scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Southwest DeKalb is in the semifinals for the first time since 2013 after scoring a 50-47 victory over topranked Laney in the quarterfinals. Senior Ja’Khyla Johnson, who averages 14 points per game, scored 16 in the victory over Laney. Senior Avrie Grayer is averaging 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals per game for Southwest. Southwest will face Rockmart, which is in the semifinals for the first time in program history. It beat Vidalia 62-57 to earn the semifinal berth and against Vidalia, junior Keyarah Berry, who is averaging 32 points per game, led with 37 points in the quarterfinal victory. Across the bracket, Early County and Douglass will face off for a rematch of last season’s championship game which Douglass won 57-51 for its first-ever title. Early County earned its semifinal berth after beating Union County 60-58 in the quarterfinals. Sophomore Jordan Eafford led with 21 points against Union. Douglass enters the semifinals riding a 16-game winning streak including a 56-53 victory over Washington County in the quarterfinals. This is the third semifinal appearance for Douglass, including last season and an appearance in 2007. GIRLS GIRLS

Pace Academy enters the semifinals on a 16-game winning streak. Four-star junior guard Matthew Cleveland averages 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and three assists and steals per game. The Knights will face Region 3 No. 3 seed Johnson-Savannah after its 49-46 victory over Long County in the quarters. Emondre Bowles and Derrick Edwards each scored 14 points in the quarterfinals and will factor against Pace. On the other side of the bracket, Jefferson will play Central-Macon for a chance to advance. Jefferson is riding a 12-game winning streak entering the semifinals. The Dragons beat Monroe 55-45 in the quarterfinals and senior forward Jacob Radaker led with 20 points. Senior guard Owen Parker and sophomore Malaki Starks combined for 24 points in the quarterfinal victory. Central-Macon, the Region 4 No. 2 seed, outlasted Region 3 No. 1 Windsor Forest in the quarterfinals 79-76 in overtime to advance. Quay Primas, a junior forward, scored the tying basket to force overtime and finished with 28 points to lead all scorers. Senior forward Harold Thompkins, sophomore guard Christian Hill and senior guard Tony Card will all factor for the Chargers. After losing to Early County 77-69 in the first round last season, Glenn Hills enters the semifinals after a 76- 69 victory over Spencer in the quarterfinals. The Spartans have two players averaging double-figures—senior Emmanuel Jones is scoring 18 points per game and John Whitehead III is scoring 17 points per game. In the quarterfinals, Whitehead led all scorers with 20 points, Octavious Walton scored 17 points, Jones added 12 points and Lazarius Marshall scored 11 points. After missing out on the playoffs last season, Swainsboro enters the semifinals on a 15-game winning streak and riding momentum from a 94-55 thrashing of Rockmart in the quarterfinals. Across the bracket, Chattooga is in the semifinals for the first time in program history, which dates to 1961. In its 67-57 victory over Banks County in the quarterfinals, senior Jatorrian Williams led with 22 points. The Indians will take on the defending champions, Therrell, in the semis. The Panthers are in the semis for the third time in program history after edging Washington County 57-55 in the quarterfinals without the power of star player Robbie Armbrester, who is nursing an arm injury. BOYS BOYS

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