Seven varsity basketball teams from Fayette have clinched spots in the GHSA state tournaments that begin this weekend, while most region tournaments were scheduled to close out last night after press time.
The top four teams in each region advance to state to make up the 32-team field in each classification, except for A teams which are determined based on final power rankings.
The McIntosh Chiefs were the final local team with a shot at a region championship, squaring off against Mundy’s Mill in Tuesday night’s Region 4-AAAAA final game. They got there after a 50-48 win over Mt. Zion in Monday’s semifinal.
By reaching the finals and securing at least a No. 2 seed in the region, the Chiefs are guaranteed to host their first state tournament game Saturday. It will be the first time the boys have ever hosted a state game.
The Whitewater Wildcats fell 63-58 to Mundy’s Mill in Monday’s other semifinal and were to face Mt. Zion in the third-place game.
The Starr’s Mill Lady Panthers ended up in the girls’ third-place game Tuesday against Mt. Zion after Monday’s 51-45 loss to Drew.
In Region 5-AAAA, all four local teams are going to state. The Sandy Creek Patriots reached the region final before losing 83-61 to Alexander, while Fayette County took third place with a 67-49 win over Carrollton.
The Fayette County Lady Tigers went into overtime in their championship game before losing 70-67 to Columbus, and the Lady Patriots dropped a 60-51 decision to Carrollton in the third-place game.
The Region 5-A championship game was set for Tuesday night with Landmark facing Greenforest after an 80-79 win over WD Mohammed in Monday’s semifinal. In the previous round Saturday, the War Eagles won 77-58 over Our Lady of Mercy.
The Lady Bobcats reached the semifinals of the region tournament, which ended for them with a loss to Paideia.
