Southwest DeKalb used a pair of big first half runs to take control against Cross Creek on the way to a 62-42 Class 5A girls’ second round  state playoff game.

The No. 1 ranked Panthers trailed 3-0 with 4:45 to play in the first quarter when their defense began to take its toll on the Razorbacks.  Southwest would force nine turnovers in the first quarter as the 3-0 deficit turned into a 14-5 lead at the end of the first period.

Daisa Alexander’s pull up from about 10 feet along the baseline found the bottom of the net despite also being fouled. She added the free throw to knot the game at 3-3.

It was the start of a 14-0 run by the Panthers that included Alexander’s five points, four more from Jada Walton via steals and three by Ruona Uswaisba.

Cross Creek managed just five points in the quarter on a three-pointer and a short jumper from KymMya Thomas.

Southwest opened the second quarter with a 12-0 run that included Chantz Cherry sandwiching an Alexander three with two of her own as the lead ballooned to 26-5.

Jana’zia Marshall ended the run with a drive for a layup, but Southwest would end the half with a 32-16 lead.

Jada Walton got the Panthers (24-6) off to a fast start in the second half with a jumper to start an 11-2 stretch for her team. The run would have five different people scores including a pair of buckets under the goal for Cori Bostic.

A three-pointer by Lanee Edwards with four seconds to play in the third quarter sent Southwest into the final period up 48-28.

Following a steal and basket by Cherry made it 62-34 with 2:20 to play and the Panthers cleared the bench.

Back-to-back threes by Marshall and Nya Daniels closed the gap to 20 in the final 1:20 of the game.

Alexander finished with a game-high 19 points to lead the Panthers with Cherry added 12 and Walton 10.  Alana Davis had 14 to lead Cross Creek (21-7) and Thomas tossed in 12.

Southwest moves on to face Columbus (23-5) in the Elite 8 at Columbus State at 3:00 pm on Friday (2/25). Columbus advanced with a hard-fought 48-42 win over Gainesville on Friday.

Class 4A Girls
Arabia Mountain 53, Burke Co. 38
The Arabia Mountain Lady Rams led most of the game on the way to a 53-38 Class 4A girls’ second round state playoff victory over their host Burke County on Friday night.

Arabia led 31-19 at the half and kept Burke County (14-11) at a distance the rest of the way. Arabia led 31-19 at the half and kept Burke County (14-11) at a distance the rest of the way.

Iyanla Kitchens had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks and Kennedi Manning 11 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks as the pair put up double-doubles to lead the Lady Rams who led for most of the game. Samantha Pringle had a team 15 points and Iyanna McMillian added 10 in the winning cause.

Coach Yolanda Redmond’s Lady Rams notched some program history with their first ever 20-win season (20-10) and first trip to the Elite 8 in just their second playoff appearance. It is also the program’s first back-to-back winning season in the seven years of the program.

Arabia Mountain travels to Ft. Valley State next Friday (2/26) for a 6:30 pm tipoff against Buford (24-5). Buford was a 59-48 winner over Mt. Zion-Jonesboro.

Veterans 47, Redan 40
The Redan Lady Raiders had their season come to an end on Friday as Veterans held them off for a 47-40 victory.

Redan (21-6) fell behind 17-5 in the first quarter and could never quite catch up.

Class 6A Girls
Tucker 72, Mountain View 54
The No. 5 ranked Tucker Lady Tigers got some payback for last year’s second round loss to Mountain View with a 72-54 Class 6A girls’ playoff victory at Tucker on Friday night.

Tucker’s press caused problems for Mountain View (14-13) forcing several violations of the 10 second backcourt rule and turnovers. Tucker (25-4) got out to a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter and continues to build on it the rest of the way.

The lead was 41-31 at the half and 60-48 after three quarters of play. Tucker extended its lead after the half taking a 60-48 lead into the fourth quarter.

Tucker travels to West Georgia University for a 3:00 pm tip on Thursday (2/25) against Woodstock (26-3). Woodstock is coming off a 52-41 victory over Colquitt County on Friday.

DCSD State Playoff Results
Friday, Feb. 19
Class 6A Girls
Tucker (25-4) 72, Mountain View (14-13) 54

Class 5A Girls
Southwest DeKalb (24-6) 62, Cross Creek (21-7) 42

Class 4A Girls
Veterans (25-4) 47, Redan (21-6) 40
Arabia Mountain (20-10) 53, Burke Co. (14-11) 38

DCSD State Playoff Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 25
Class 6A Girls
Tucker (25-4) vs. Woodstock (26-3), West Georgia Univ., 3 pm

Friday, Feb. 26
Class 5A Girls
SW DeKalb (24-6) vs. Columbus (23-5), Columbus St., 3 pm

Class 4A Girls
Arabia Mountain (20-10) vs. Buford (24-5), Ft. Valley State, 6:30 pm