Glenn Hills celebrating teams' state playoff runs

WHO'S HOT: Glenn Hills . Want to send a postcard to cloud nine? The address will be 2840 Glenn Hills Drive for the next few days.

Both Spartans teams made the semifinals of their Class AAA state basketball tournaments.

Hephzibah has never placed its teams in the Final Four during the same year. Josey and Laney haven't, either.

According to The Georgia High School Basketball Project, there are four area schools that have matched that feat in the Georgia High School Association state tournament. Washington County was the last to do it in 1992. Glascock County did it in 1969. Swainsboro did in 1957.

None of those schools placed both teams in the final.

ONLY BIG GAMES AROUND

1. Glenn Hills boys (27-2) vs. Hart County (23-5), 5:30 p.m., Friday : The Spartans made it this far in 1986 only to lose 60-59 to these same Bulldogs. It was the only state semifinal appearance for the boys team.

It gets top billing because the boys have never won a state title.

2. Glenn Hills girls (22-8) vs. Carrollton (28-2), 4 p.m., Friday: The Lady Trojans have won 16 in a row and have held opponents to 34 points per game this year.

BEST WIN LAST WEEK: Glenn Hills 52, Jordan 49. The Spartans' victory over the defending champs was a classic match that deserved to be played in Macon in March. Not off Deans Bridge Road in February.

The quality of play in the game would not have disappointed fans had it been showcased on the state championship stage.

MOST IMPORTANT WIN LAST WEEK: Wardlaw Academy 41, Laurens Academy 27 . The Lady Patriots won their seventh South Carolina Independent Schools Association state title behind the play of standout senior Elizabeth Stone.

HISTORY: A school has won the boys and girls state basketball championships in the same season seven times.

Southwest Atlanta Christian was the last double dip in 2006. It's only happened three times in the past 44 years.

NOT TAKING IT BACK: Hephzibah coach Wendell Lofton said he did not regret the fact he said his team would win the state title this year.

The Lady Rebels fell to Kendrick 73-65 on Saturday in Columbus.

"I would do it again," he said. "That's the motivation I had to give these girls. I thought it would light a fire, and it did. We played better. That's what I had to do to inspire these girls to play their best."

IN THE AIR: Lofton wasn't sure he'd return for his 34th season.

"I haven't proclaimed what I am going to do yet," he said. "It will be God's decision. God's advice may be for me to continue my basketball ministry at Hephzibah. Or it may mean that my ministry with these girls is done. I'll wait for him to tell me his decision."

Reach Jeff Sentell at (706) 823-3425 or jeff.sentell@augustachronicle.com.