Prep capsules

CLASS AAAA

WESTLAKE girls

Opponent: vs. Glenn Hills (Class AAAA south sectionals)

When: 5:30 p.m., today

Place: Jones County High School (Gray)

Coach: Hilda Hankerson

Record: 26-4

Key players: G Patrice Bryant (Sr., 5-8); G Chanae Early (Jr., 5-5); F Danielle Walker (Fr., 5-9.

Outlook: After graduating seven seniors off last year's team, the Lady Lions could be one of the sleeper teams in the girls Class AAAA state tournament. Westlake has managed to compile an impressive record despite starting two freshmen on the team. Two of Westlake's four losses were to state tourney participant Creekside and another was to defending Class AAA state champion North Atlanta.

GLENN HILLS girls

Opponent: vs. Westlake (Class AAAA south sectionals)

When: 5:30 p.m., today

Place: Jones County High School (Gray)

Coach: Bernard Bowman

Record: 27-2

Key players: G MarQuita Lacey (Sr., 5-3); C Tyhiesha Smith (Fr., 6-1); F Marian Whitfield (So., 5-8).

Outlook: Glenn Hills played perhaps its best game of the postseason last week when its routed Peach County 74-43 in the first round. Four members scored in double figures. However, the Lady Spartans shot poorly in the south sectionals last season and had their season come to an end. They must shoot well from the floor and if they don't, they could be in trouble.

CLASS AAA

DODGE COUNTY girls

Opponent: vs. Jefferson County (Class AAA south sectionals)

When: 4 p.m., today

Place: Macon Centreplex

Coach: Dick Kelly

Record: 23-5

Key players: G/F Dwan Parker (Sr., 5-10); G Jessica Powers (Sr., 5-4).

Outlook: Dodge County is traditionally one of the top teams in the state. They're not as good as they normally are, but they're still tough despite having only three seniors. Dwan Parker is the Squaws' leading scorer and will attend Mercer next season.

JEFFERSON COUNTY girls

Opponent: vs. Dodge County (Class AAA south sectionals)

When: 4 p.m., today

Place: Macon Centreplex

Coach: George Samples

Record: 20-7

Key players: G Taliah Roberts (Sr., 5-9); P Jessica Jackson (Sr., 5-10); P Krystin Kelly (Sr., 5-9).

Outlook: Jefferson County used a balanced scoring attack to beat Appling County in the first round last week. This is the farthest Jefferson County had advanced in the state tournament since the school opened in 1995. If they plan on advancing to the state quarterfinals, they need a similar effort they used to beat Appling last weekend.

WESTOVER girls

Opponent: vs. Washington County (Class AAA south sectionals)

When: 5:30 p.m., today

Place: Macon Centreplex

Coach: Lewis Smith

Record: 16-6

Key players: F/C Candace Crawford (Sr., 5-11); G April Thomas (Jr., 5-11); G Tiana Pope (So., 5-9).

Outlook: The Lady Patriots feature good balance and size and their go-to-player is senior Candace Crawford, who is averaging more than 18 points per game. However, despite its size, Westover is still a relatively young team.

WASHINGTON COUNTY girls

Opponent: vs. Westover (Class AAA south sectionals)

When: 5:30 p.m., today

Place: Macon Centreplex

Coach: Al Gray

Record: 16-7

Key players: C Candace Tallington (Sr., 6-0); G Markeisha Reeves (Jr., 5-3); F Rameeka Swint (Sr., 6-1).

Outlook: Washington County survived an upset bid from Liberty County in the first round last weekend and if the Lady Hawks hope to make it the state quarterfinals, they can't afford to dig themselves in an early hole like they did last week. Washington opened the second half on a 15-4 run to break open the game, then held off Liberty in the end.

PERRY girls

Opponent: vs. Swainsboro (Class AAA south sectionals)

When: 8:30 p.m., tonight

Place: Macon Centreplex

Coach: Max Vickers

Record: 19-6

Key players: G Natassjia Mitchell (So., 5-10); F Fatima Stripling (So., 5-11); C Moreemi Davis (Fr., 6-0).

Outlook: The Lady Panthers feature only four seniors, but the bulk of their talent lies in a strong group of underclassmen. Morreemi Davis is averaging 14 points per game while Fatima Stripling and Natassjia Mitchell are averaging 11 and 10 points respectively.

SWAINSBORO girls

Opponent: vs. Perry (Class AAA south sectionals)

When: 8:30 p.m., tonight

Place: Macon Centreplex

Coach: Bobby Andrews

Record: 21-7

Key players: G Adrienne Moore (Sr., 5-8); Shatoya Hunt (Sr., 5-9); C Nikki Robinson (Jr., 6-1).

Outlook: The Lady Tigers dominated Richmond Academy last week, rolling to a 29-9 halftime lead and never looked back. If Swainsboro comes out with the same kind of intensity against Perry tonight, they could find themselves in the state quarterfinals on Saturday.

CLASS A

BUFORD boys

Opponent: vs. Warren County (Class AA north sectionals)

When: 4 p.m., today

Place: Floyd College, Rome

Coach: Gerald Arnold

Record: 14-15

Key players: G Isaac Brown (Sr., 5-10); F Zack Crawford (Jr., 6-2); G Rico Brown (Sr., 5-10).

Outlook: Due to the football team's success, Buford started slowly but finished the regular season strong. Isaac Brown averages 13 points per game, but is averaging more than 20 points per game in the postseason. He scored 24 points in Buford's first round victory over Adairsville.

WARREN COUNTY boys

Opponent: vs. Buford (Class A north sectionals)

When: 4 p.m., today

Place: Floyd College, Rome

Coach: Brian Wallace

Record: 21-7

Key players: F Mark Moore (Sr., 6-4, 190); F Daniel Grier (Sr., 6-0); G Jevertus Burnett (Jr., 6-0).

Outlook: Warren County easily dismantled Greenforest in the first round last weekend but the competition will get tougher. Buford features just as many athletes as Warren, but they key to the game may be the Devils' ability to control the offensive boards and get second opportunities to score.

GISA CLASS AA

GATEWOOD girls

Opponent: vs. Briarwoodd (Class AA state semifinals)

When: 4 p.m., today

Place: Georgia College (at Milledgeville)

Coach: Jeff Eubanks

Record: 24-5

Key players: F Kim Johns (Sr., 5-8); C Stefanie Dixon (Sr., 5-9); G Mandy Alliston (Sr., 5-8); G Hannah Hudson (Sr., 5-5).

Outlook: After what was predicted to be a down year, Gatewood is back in the Final Four for the fourth straight season. The Lady Gators don't score a lot of points but their defense is strong. Kim Johns leads the team with at 14 points per game.

BRIARWOOD girls

Opponent: vs. Gatewood (Class AA state semifinals)

When: 4 p.m., today

Place: Georgia College (at Milledgeville)

Coach: Clayton Parrish

Record: 10-11

Key players: G Laine Bradshaw (Jr., 5-6); F Hannah Batrous (So., 5-8); G Rebecca Johnson (Jr., 5-7).

Outlook: Despite the injury-bug this season, Briarwood is in the Final Four and playing its best basketball of the season. Laine Bradshaw hit a career-high 32 points last Saturday night.