By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

  Five Central Georgia teams have earned the right to say “We’re going to Columbus” this week and play for GHSA fast-pitch softball state championships.

Wednesday

Class 5A: Houston County vs. Lassiter, 5 p.m.
Class 3A: West Laurens vs. LaGrange, 11 a.m.
Class A/Division I: ACE Charter vs. Toombs County, 11 a.m.; Bremen vs. East Laurens, 1 p.m.
Class A/ Division II: Screven County vs. GMC Prep, 1 p.m.

Houston County, West Laurens, East Laurens, ACE Charter, and GMC Prep are still practicing and getting ready for Wednesday’s opening action.

          West Laurens and GMC Prep are returning to Columbus, the Raiders in 4A last year. Both, though, went 0-2 in Columbus.

          West Laurens is the last Central Georgia state champion, taking it in 4A in 2022. ACE won the Class A Public trip in 2021, Jones County winning in 5A.

          GMC Prep eyes its first state title since 2015, when it defended its 2014 win. Mount de Sales in 2019 and FPD in 2016 won Class A Private championships.

          The playoff setup for Class A/Division I through Class AAA is different this year, with power ratings rather than simply the top four teams in each region. That setup remain in place for 4A through 6A.

          Houston County won the 2-5A title, while West Laurens took 4-AAA. East Laurens and ACE Charter shared the Region 2-A/Division I title, each at 17-1 in region play.

          GMC Prep emerged from a three-way tie for first in Regino 5-A/Division II with Johnson County and Glascock County.

          Houston County beat Winder-Barrow in two to open the playoffs, then needed three to oust South Paulding (3-6, 10-1, 7-4) and reach the Elite Eight.

          West Laurens cruised through four games, outscoring Cross Creek and White County 64-3 to advance in Class AAA.

          East Laurens blew out Oglethorpe County 11-0 and 17-1 in the first round, then outbattled Dade County 3-1, 0-1, 6-5 in the second round in Class A/Division I.

          ACE Charter handled Dublin in two (12-0, 10-6) before surviving Jeff Davis in two (5-4,6-4) to return to Columbus.

          GMC Prep moved in Class A/Division II with wins over Seminole County (14-0, 8-0) and Lake Oconee (5-0, 6-1).

          All opening games are on Wednesday.