Buford's Samantha Thomas has helped the Lady Wolves make the playoffs again. They are looking for an unprecedented eighth straight state title.
The girls state softball playoffs are ready to begin and several local and area teams are ready to find out if they have enough to make it to Columbus in 2014.<br />
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Buford is once again among the field, this time in Class AAAA, and the Lady Wolves are looking for an unprecedented eighth straight title in the their third classification over that stretch. Commerce is hoping for a return trip to Columbus in Class A Public as well.<br />
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First round action in all classifications, except Class A, begins Wednesday with best-of-three series as the site of the higher-seeded team. Class A will begin on Oct. 22.<br />
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In Class AAAA, Class AAAA No. 1-ranked and 8-AAAA No. 1 seed Buford will open the playoffs at home against Pickens. White County is the No. 3 seed from 8-AAAA and will travel to 7-AAAA No. 2 seed Gilmer.<br />
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In Class AAA, area rivalries will be renewed in the first round as Regions 7 and 8 will be matched up. Region 7-AAA winner Dawson County will play host to East Jackson while Region 8-AAA winner Jackson County will play host to Franklin County. Region 8-AAA No. 2 seed Oconee County will play host to Banks County and Region 7-AAA No. 2 seed Lumpkin County will play host to Morgan County. <br />
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In Class AAAAAA, North Gwinnett is back as the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA. The Lady Bulldogs will take on 8-AAAAAA No. 2 seed Archer on the road. Mill Creek, the No. 2 seed from 7-AAAAAA, will play host to Parkview. South Forsyth advanced to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in 6-AAAAAA and will play host to Woodstock.<br />
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In Class AAAAA, Apalachee will be the No. 1 seed from 8-AAAAA and play host to River Ridge from 7-AAAAA. Winder-Barrow is the No. 3 seed and travel to Creekview and Flowery Branch, the No. 4 seed from 8-AAAAA, will hit the road against 7-AAAAA No. 1 seed Cambridge.<br />
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In Class AA, Union County, the No. 2 seed from 8-AA, will play host to Darlington while 8-AA No. 4 seed Rabun County will travel to 7-AA No. 1 seed Gordon Lee, which moved up this year after winning the Class A Public state title last year.<br />
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In Class A Public, the top 16 in the power rankings have yet to be announced but Commerce, which advanced to Columbus last season, is expected to make the field again this season.
