Druid Hills Avery Covington (10, shown here against McDonough earlier this season) hit some clutch free throws to lead the Red Devils to a playoff clinching 45-44 win over No. 3 seed Salem at McDonough on Monday. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Druid Hills Avery Covington (10, shown here against McDonough earlier this season) hit some clutch free throws to lead the Red Devils to a playoff clinching 45-44 win over No. 3 seed Salem at McDonough on Monday. (Photo by Mark Brock)

The first night of region tournament action for DeKalb County basketball programs included big wins for Druid Hills and Cedar Grove to clinch a berth in the state playoffs beginning next week.

The sixth seeded Druid Hills Red Devils pulled out a 45-44 victory over third seeded Salem to earn their Class 4A boys ‘state playoff berth in Coach Antoine Stroud’s first season at the helm.

Druid Hills (13-13) was hanging on up 45-42 with 12 seconds to play thanks to some late clutch free throws by Avery Covington. Salem missed a three and got a put back for two as the buzzer went off as the Red Devils held on for the win. It extends Druid Hills’ state playoff streak to four years (2017-2020) after three consecutive trips under the retired Jerome Lee.

The Red Devils own a big win over No. 1 ranked Woodward and move on to face McDonough (15-11) at 5:30 pm at McDonough on Thursday. McDonough swept a pair of close games in the regular season.

Cedar Grove (6-16) advanced by knocking out DeKalb County rival Towers (11-13) 61-58 in Region 5-3A play. The Titans rallied to close a nine-point gap on two occasions in the second half. Corey Lazenby earns a trip to the Class 3A boys’ state playoffs in his first year at the helm of the Saints’ program. It will be the Saints’ eighth consecutive trip to state (2013-2020).

Redan (11-15) and Stone Mountain (1-24) boys had their seasons come to an end in the Region 5-3A Tournament. Redan fell 62-47 to Lovett (19-6) while Stone Mountain dropped an 84-41 decision to Westminster (17-8).

The Tucker Lady Tigers (4-22) won their second consecutive game on the season with a 40-32 win over Morrow (5-21) in the girls’ play-in game of the Region 4-6A Tournament at Lovejoy on Monday. They have to take on No. 1 ranked Lovejoy (21-4) on Wednesday at 7:00 pm for a spot in the state playoffs.

The Dunwoody Wildcats (1-22) saw their season come to an end in first round boys’ play of the Region 7-6A Tournament with a 53-41 loss to North Atlanta (14-10).

DEKALB REGION TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Monday Feb. 3
Region 4-6A at Lovejoy
Girls
Tucker (4-22) 40, Morrow (5-21) 32

Region 7-6A at Chattahoochee
Boys
North Atlanta (14-10) 53, Dunwoody (1-22) 41

Region 4-4A at McDonough
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Druid Hills (13-13) 45, Salem (12-14) 44

Region 5-3A at Lovett
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Cedar Grove (6-16) 61, Towers (11-13) 58
Lovett (19-6) 62, Redan (11-15) 47
Westminster (17-8) 84, Stone Mountain (1-24) 41

DCSD REGION TOURNAMENET SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Region 7-7A at Norcross
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Lakeside (10-10) vs. Central Gwinnett (9-16), 6:00 pm
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Lakeside (9-14) vs. Central Gwinnett (6-17), 7:30 pm

Region 4-6A at Lovejoy
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Stephenson (17-8) vs. Mundy’s Mill (7-19), 4:00 pm
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
M.L. King Jr. (12-12) vs. Morrow (14-11), 5:30 pm

Region 5-5A at Arabia Mountain
Boys (winner gets playoff berth)
Columbia (14-10) vs. Arabia Mountain (11-13), 7:00 pm
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Miller Grove (8-13) vs. Lithonia (8-14), 5:30 pm

Region 4-4A at McDonough
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Druid Hills (13-12) vs. Eastside (14-8), 5:30 pm

Region 5-3A at Lovett
Girls (winner gets playoff berth)
Stone Mountain (8-14) vs. Redan (7-15), 4:30 pm
Cedar Grove (15-5) vs. Towers (5-14), 7:30 pm

Region 6-2A at Douglass
Boys
McNair (2-20) vs. Therrell (18-7), 8:30 pm