Region titles are up for grabs on Saturday with a distinct DeKalb County flavor as eight DeKalb high school basketball teams play for their respective region titles and a No. 1 seed heading into the state tournaments beginning on Tuesday.
The Druid Hills Red Devils (14-9) secured a first round home on Friday night with a 68-56 victory over host Luella (16-10). The Red Devils have knocked off No. 3 seed Lovejoy and No. 2 seed Luella on their run to the Region 2-AAAAA boys’ final. They faced the winner of No. 1 seed Rockdale County (16-7) and No. 4 seed Morrow (18-8) at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Druid Hills lost twice to Rockdale and split a pair of games with Morrow during the regular season.
Miller Grove (24-3) and Stephenson (16-11) meet for the second time this season, but a region championship is on the line at Mays. Miller Grove, the No. 1 ranked team in Class AAAAA, defeated No. 5 Tucker (18-8) 72-53 to reach the championship tilt.
Stephenson, the No. 10 ranked team, followed up by winning a 37-29 defensive battle over No. 4 ranked Mays. Miller Grove won the only meeting this season 64-42 back on November 27.
Tucker faced Mays for the No. 3 seed at Mays on Saturday. Mays won a tough 45-42 decision over Tucker on January 11 in the two teams’ only meeting.
It will also be an All-DeKalb championship matchup in the Region 6-AAAAA girls’ final as No. 3 ranked Miller Grove (22-4) meets No. 9 ranked Southwest DeKalb (18-8). Miller Grove knocked off No. 2 ranked Stephenson (23-4) 56-40 while Southwest topped No. 1 ranked Tucker (23-4).
Miller Grove and Southwest are meeting for the fourth time this season with Miller Grove winning Region 6-AAAAA games by the scores of 52-46 and 49-35 and the Peach State Classic championship game of 52-36.
Tucker and Stephenson will meet for the third time this season with Tucker holding a 2-0 advantage with wins of 53-48 and 46-45.
The Region 6-AAAA girls’ championship game is another all DeKalb tilt as No. 2 ranked Redan (23-1) and No. 1 ranked Columbia (21-3) meet for third time this season in a 6 p.m. game at South Atlanta. The two teams split regular season games with Columbia taking the first meeting 65-33 at home and Redan winning at home in a tight 64-62 contest.
Columbia (25-2) enters the Region 6-AAAA boys’ championship ranked No. 1 in the state and take on host and No. 5 ranked South Atlanta (23-4). The Eagles look to avenge a 73-65 loss to South Atlanta on January 25 that broke a home winning streak dating back to 2004.
DEKALB SCHOOLS REGION BASKETBALL RESULTS
Friday, Feb. 15
Boys
Region 2-AAAAAA at Luella
Druid Hills (14-9) 68, Luella (16-10)
Region 6-AAAAA at Mays
Miller Grove (24-3) 72, Tucker (18-8) 53
Stephenson (16-11) 37, Mays (19-6) 29
6-AAAA at South Atlanta
South Atlanta (23-4) 46, Marist (20-4) 41
Columbia (25-2) 66, Grady (18-8) 64
Region 6-AAA at Decatur
Consolation* – Decatur (17-11) 46, Cedar Grove (22-6) 31(No. 4 seed)
Girls
Region 6-AAAAA at Mays
Miller Grove (22-4) 56, Stephenson (23-4) 40
SW DeKalb (18-8) 54, Tucker (23-4) 49
Region 6-AAAA at South Atlanta
Redan (23-1) 59, Grady (18-11) 33
Columbia (21-3) 50, Marist (16-7) 41
Mark Brock is the Information Officer/Statistician/Web Manager for DeKalb County Schools Athletics