GHSA state championship HQ, Thursday
Class AA girls
Preview
Josey (19-6) vs. Fannin County (23-4)
Josey hopes transition defense is up to par and helps the Eagles to their first state title since 1998. Clutch and game-changing defense has been a hallmark this season, led by seniors Jamirah Mitchell and Deajah Houck, part of the 2018 runner-up team.
Fannin County came up with a lifetime play to beat Butler in a semifinal, a steal and a long pass and a buzzer-beating layup lifting the Rebels past Butler.
The Rebels are a bit a surprise finalist, having started out 6-4 and then having some layoffs. But one 16-game winning streak later, here they are, led by Florida State signee Makayla Timpson.
Class AA Boys
Preview
Columbia (21-6) vs. Pace Academy (27-1)
A battle of powers, with a team that went to eight straight championship games – the streak ended in 2014 – and one with consecutive state titles in different classes right after that.
Former Miller Grove head coach Sharman White now leads Pace, White with six straight 4A titles to his credit. The defending champs haven’t lost since the season opener, to 3A finalist Sandy Creek.
Pace won the regular-season meeting 67-56 in mid-January, and averages almost 70 points a game.
Class 5A Girls
Preview
Woodward (21-1) vs. Forest Park (24-5)
The defending 6A champion is taking on a team that won three 3A titles in the late 1990s.
Woodward has two wins over Forest Park this season, and is led by underclassmen Sydney Bowles and Sara Lewis. Bowles had 38 in one meeting with the Panthers.
The War Eagles won playoff games by 45, 31, 11, and 23.
Forest Park, the No. 2 team in Region 2, beat Warner Robins 51-25 in the second round, and average 57 points a game, plus seven blocks.
Class 5A Boys
Eagles Landing 81, Tri-Cities 69
Preview
Tri-Cities (23-4) vs. Eagles Landing (26-1)
Eagles Landing won the 4A title in 2013, and Tri-Cities took the 6A championship in 2019.
Tri-Cities knocked off perennial contender St. Pius 73-71 in the third round.
Eagles Landing has at least 21 wins in seven seasons in an eight-season span, and are going for its first title since 2013. Junior AJ Barnes and sophomore David Thomas are the keys along with senior Jaylon Hand