Basketball Roundup: Houston County basketball teams bow out of state tournament, save one

It was a tough week for basketball in Houston County as all but one of the basketball teams fell.

Most fell in the first round, a handful made it to the Sweet 16, and only one will advance to the Elite 8.

Here’s a roundup of last week’s basketball:

Houston County

Boys: Houston County’s season came to an end, but just barely as they fell at Alexander 61-58 in overtime despite Josh Jackson’s best efforts down the stretch.

This was the Bears’ first Sweet 16 appearance under Buddy Bivins, and Jackson did everything he could to get them to the Elite 8.

HoCo drew a charge in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime, and Jackson had two terrific plays in the extra period; His first was a tough layup and the foul to put the Bears up 51-49 with 2:32 left, and his second was a 3-pointer in the corner and-one.

HoCo led 55-51 with 1:33 to play, but couldn’t hold on to advance.

This was the Bears’ first 20-win season in 20 years and first state playoff win since the 2018-29 season. They finish with a 22-7 overall record, and will return key players like Malik Gillespie, Josh Jackson and Braylin Mills next year despite losing Kam Plummer, Derek Henderson and others.

Northside

Boys: Northside finished the regular season 4-1 in their last five to host the Region 2-5A play-in, and after stumbling in the region tournament their season ended at the hands of Habersham Central 66-43 in the first round.

The Eagles doubled up on their overall wins from last season with 14 and had more region wins than the previous five years combined.

They will lose two seniors — Jordan Gaines and Chastan Brown, but everyone else should return. The Eagles finish with a 14-14 overall record.

Girls: The Lady Eagles came close to pulling off the round one upset against Habersham Central, but couldn’t quite get over the hump as they lost 38-27.

This was the 10th time this year they’ve held an opponent under 40 points, and the third in February. Much like the boys, the Lady Eagles only lose a handful of seniors in Halayahia Butler, Justice Lester and Terreahna Mitchell, but should return the rest.

Northside finishes the regular season with an 11-17 overall record, and quadruple their region wins from last year with four.

Perry

Girls: The Lady Panthers hung around for a while, but ultimately lost to Northview 69-34 in the first round.

That came on the heels of a big win over Wayne County in the Region 1-4A tournament, and Perry’s most productive regular season in years.

The Lady Panthers lose the power pair of Kennedi Miller and Anna Dean, but return plenty of others, including starters. They finish the season with a 14-12 overall record.

Veterans

Boys: Veterans ran into the buzzsaw that is a 26-3 Winder-Barrow team in the first round, losing 72-47.

Winder-Barrow knocked Warner Robins out in the Elite 8 last year before losing to Kell in the Final Four, and has beaten both of their playoff opponents by double digits.

The Warhawks lose Aiden Sweenor and Tristen Abner among others, but will return freshman standout Trey Byrd as they finish the season with a 16-13 overall record.

Girls: The Lady Warhawks are the only team left standing as the advance to the Elite 8 after a 50-48 win over Alexander in the Sweet 16.

They’ll play a 27-2 Langston Hughes next, who’s beaten their first two opponents in the state playoffs by a combined 64 points.

That game will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 25 on the road. Good luck to the Lady ‘Hawks!

Warner Robins

Boys: Warner Robins was stunned in the first round by St. Pius X Catholic in a 73-66 defeat that saw a season with lofty expectations fall short.

Gabe Jacobs poured 35 points into his final game as a Demon, and was emotional heading back into the locker room.

The Demons had a tough road to their first Region 1-4A championship in years, and will look to defend it next year as they end the season with an 18-8 overall record.

Girls: The Demonettes, after losing their first game of the season in the Region 1-4A championship to Ware County went on to beat Southwest DeKalb in round one before losing to North Oconee on the road in the Sweet 16.

The 73-61 defeat to a then 27-1 Lady Titans team marked the end of a historic season for Warner Robins, who finished the regular season undefeated for the first time in school history.

The Demonettes finish their season with a 25-2 overall record.

Westfield

Boys: Westfield lost another close game to end their season at Tiftarea Academy, 48-44 in the GIAA 3A play-in game.

The Hornets had Hayden Hardy named to the GIAA District 5-3A 1st Team and Hudson Hodge on the 2nd Team. Their overall record at the end of the season is 9-17.

Girls: The Lady Hornets couldn’t quite sneak into the top four of the GIAA rankings before the playoffs, but won their play-in game against St. Andrew’s handedly 47-20.

That’s where the run stopped, unfortunately, as they lost to Frederica Academy 48-35 in the first round.

Westfield did see Mary Blake Brannen hit the 1000-point milestone in her high school career this season and be named to the GIAA District 5-3A 1st Team. Hillary Fowler was also named on the 1st Team and Kate Lane was selected to the 2nd Team. They end the season with a 16-10 overall record.