Mount Paran beats Holy Innocents' in a thriller: Recapping the first day of the Georgia high school basketball semifinals

By Zach Shugan | Photos by Jamie Spaar

The first day of the final four started with a bang, as Mount Paran knocked off Holy Innocents’ with a 53-50 win at Buford City Arena.

Freshman Jessica Fields led Mount Paran with 20 points, and senior Kara Dunn posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Eagles will square off against Hebron Christian or Galloway next weekend in Macon for the Class A Private girls basketball state championship.

Class 7A

Norcross punched its ticket to Macon with a 54-51 win over Campbell at Buford City Arena.

A 3-pointer by DeNaeja Morton with 40 seconds left in the game broke a 51-51 tie and brought the Blue Devils one win closer to their first state title since 2013. 

They await the results of Saturday’s Harrison-Archer game to see who their opponent will be.

Class 4A

Luella continued its tear through the state playoffs with a 62-53 win over Baldwin at Fort Valley State University. 

Three players scored in double figures for the Lions, with sophomore Milani Smith’s 17 points leading the way.

Meeting Luella in Macon on Wednesday for the Class 4A state championship game is Marist. The War Eagles ground out a 38-35 win over Pickens in Fort Valley.

Class 2A

Elbert County and Rabun County both won their semifinal games, setting up Round 4 this year between the top two teams out of Region 8-2A.

Elbert County began the day with a 56-40 victory over Josey at Georgia College and State University. Later in Milledgeville, Rabun County did its part to set up the rematch by defeating Northeast-Macon 50-38.

The Blue Devils and Wildcats face off Thursday afternoon in Macon for the Class 2A state championship.

Boys basketball

In the headliner of the boys basketball final four, Berkmar took down Pebblebrook at Buford City Arena and booked a return ticket to Macon.

Jameel Rideout had it going offensively with 22 points on the night, and Malique Ewin (19 points and eight rebounds) controlled the paint on both ends for the Patriots. 

After coming up just short to Milton in last year’s 7A state championship, this experienced group has a shot at redemption next weekend when it takes on the winner of Newton vs. Norcross.

Class 4A

Spencer reserved its spot in the state title game with a 44-36 win over Marist at Fort Valley State. The Greenwave held Marist to just 17 points through three quarters.

Westover came from behind to take out McDonough with a 42-39 victory in Fort Valley. The Patriots trailed by 10 at halftime after scoring only 13 points, but they rallied in the second half and kept their title hopes alive.

Spencer meets Westover for the 4A state championship Wednesday night in Macon.

Class 2A

Like the Class 2A state championship on the girls side, the boys side sees two region foes match up for Round 4.

Westside-Augusta got past Northeast-Macon with a 73-55 victory at GCSU. Junior forward Khalon Hudson went off for 27 points and 19 rebounds in the Patriots’ win over the Raiders.

In the final game of the day in Milledgeville, Butler took control early and never relented in a 66-45 win over Woodville-Tompkins. Four players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs, led by 13 points from Kendrell Glanton.

Butler and Westside, located 11 miles apart in Augusta, square off for the 2A state championship Thursday in Macon.

Class A Private

Greenforest made it look easy in a 68-40 win over Heritage and inched closer to its fourth state title in program history.

The Eagles see the winner of King’s Ridge vs First Presbyterian Day next weekend in Macon for the Class A Private championship game.