Five APS Basketball Teams Advance to Round Two of State Playoffs

By Seth Coleman

Atlanta Public Schools sent five basketball teams to Round 2 of the Georgia High School Association state tournament over the weekend, and all five have advanced to the quarterfinals, also known as the “Elite Eight.” Only the DeKalb County Public Schools, which has a totall of 19 high schools, has more teams in the quarterfinals (seven) than APS.

All five APS squads will be back in action this week – at Augusta State University, Columbus State University or Fort Valley State University – attempting to advance to the state title game in their respective classifications next week in Macon.

Henry W. Grady (boys)

The Grey Knights (27-3), the Class AAAA Region 6 champions, rolled past Mary Person (17-12) of Forsyth, the No. 2 seed from Region 2, 75-41, last Saturday. Grady will take on perennial power Westover (19-11) of Albany, the No. 1 seed from Region 1, Friday at 4:45 p.m., at Fort Valley State University.

Maynard H. Jackson (girls)

The Lady Jaguars (28-1), the Class AAA Region 4 champions, extended their winning streak to 26 straight games after beating Hart County (24-6), the No. 2 seed from Region 8, 79-71, last Friday. Jackson will face West Hall (21-8), the No. 1 seed from Region 7, Friday at 6:30 p.m., at Augusta State University.

Benjamin E. Mays (boys and girls)

The Mays girls team (22-7), also known as “beauties off the court, beasts on the court,” eliminated Grovetown (28-2), 84-72, last Friday. The Lady Raiders, the No. 2 seed from Class AAAAA Region 6, will play Winder-Barrow (24-6), Thursday at 3 p.m., at Columbus State University. Winder-Barrow, located near Athens, is the No. 4 seed from Region 8.

The Mays boys team (13-13) knocked off Jones County (16-13), 70-68, on Saturday. The Raiders, the No. 3 seed from Class AAAAA Region 6, will battle Cedar Shoals (28-2) of Athens, the No. 1 seed from Region 8, Thursday at 8:15 p.m., at Columbus State University.

South Atlanta (boys)

The Hornets (24-6), the No. 3 seed from Class AAA Region 4, defeated Callaway (18-4), 79-73, Saturday. South Atlanta face Central-Macon (27-2), the No. 1 seed from Region 2, Thursday, 4:45 p.m., at Augusta State University.