This week is all about girl power for area basketball. Lakeview Academy boys notwithstanding, there are six northeast Georgia-based teams left standing in the state playoffs.
Five of them are girls programs.
Beyond that, most of the programs in question are making their first appearance in the state quarterfinals for the first time in some years. (NOTE: For a complete look at the state quarterfinal schedule involving area teams, scroll down.)
The Lakeview boys are the newcomers, having never reached the "Elite Eight" section of the postseason. The Lions will look to make a splash in the round when they travel to Kennesaw State take on Friday to battle Class A power Whitefield Academy.
They will be joined by the Lakeview girls, who are looking to book their first state semifinal appearance since 2005. The Lady Lions will take on two-time state champion Southwest Atlanta Christian (also last season's Class A Private runner-up) on Thursday in Kennesaw.
While it's been 11 years for the Lady Lions, the West Hall girls will be embarking on their first state quarterfinal appearance since 1999 when they take on Maynard Jackson on Friday at Augusta University. The Lady Spartans have won 12 straight contests and will take on a Jackson team that got the better of them back in December.
While the Flowery Branch girls have not been 17 years since a quarterfinal berth, the Lady Falcons will be breaking a 12-year quarterfinal drought when they take on Brunswick on Thursday at Columbus State University. The Lady Falcons have lost just once this season and will be facing a Brunswick team that has lost twice in what promises to be a barn-burner.
The Buford girls are far from a playoff novice -- in fact the Lady Wolves will make their 10th straight quarterfinal appearance on Friday in the Class AAAA bracket at Ft. Valley State University. Buford will face Arabia Mountain (from Lithonia) in its quarterfinal showdown on Friday. Arabia Mountain is in just its second ever state playoff berth.
STATE BASKETBALL QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
Feb. 25-26
Area teams in bold
(All semifinals at same sites on Feb. 27)
Class AAAAA at Columbus State
6:30 p.m. Thursday -- Flowery Branch girls (29-1) vs. Brunswick (29-2)
Class AAAA at Ft. Valley State
6:30 p.m. Friday -- Buford girls (24-5) vs. Arabia Mountain (20-10)
Class AAA at Augusta University
6:30 p.m. Friday -- West Hall girls (21-8) vs. Jackson (28-1)
Class AA at Georgia College
6:30 p.m. Thursday -- Rabun County girls (25-3) vs. Greater Atlanta Christian (19-9)
Class A Private at Kennesaw State
4:45 p.m. Friday -- Lakeview boys (25-4) vs. Whitefield Academy (19-10)
6:30 p.m. Thursday -- Lakeview girls (23-6) vs. Southwest Atlanta Christian (16-11)
