Basketball Roundup: Houston County boys, Warner Robins girls crowned region champions

Region tournament week is over and Houston County saw two teams crowned region champions. Now the county looks ahead to the postseason, which begins next week.

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

Houston County

Boys

Houston County (20-6) and Buddy Bivins finally got ahold of that elusive region championship, downing Coffee 64-54 in overtime in the Region 2-5A championship game.

That came on the heels of a one-point win over Veterans the day before in the semifinals. This is Bivins’ first region championship with the Bears, and the first time they haven’t had to play Lee County for the chip in his tenure.

HoCo will enter the state tournament as a one seed, guaranteeing a home game in the first round and the second if they make it that far.

Girls

The Lady Bears’ (0-24) season is officially over after a 56-18 defeat at the hands of county rival Northside in the Region 2-5A play-in games on Tuesday.

It marked the end of a turbulent season for HoCo, who ended their year with no wins for the first time in the MaxPreps era, going back to 2006.

Northside

Boys

Northside’s (13-13) second year under Buck Harris ended without a playoff appearance as the Eagles fell to Coffee 78-68 on Tuesday in the Region 2-5A play-in.

Northside only scored one point through much of the third quarter, and a 15-point deficit to start the fourth quarter proved too much for them to overcome.

Girls

The Lady Eagles (16-11) advanced to the Region 2-5A semifinals after defeating Houston County 58-16, and on Thursday they fell to Lee County before facing Veterans in the consolation game on Friday.

Their third and final matchup against the Lady Warhawks was by far their closest — a 41-38 final — but still a win as Northside claimed the third seed in the state tournament.

Perry

Boys

Perry (5-20) lost on Monday, Feb. 9 to Wayne County in Jesup as part of the Region 1-4A play-in games.

The 61-42 final marked the end of the Panthers’ season, as they will not enter the state tournament for the third straight year.

Girls

The Lady Panthers (8-16) will enter the postseason for a second straight year, though they lost both of the Region 1-4A tournament games last week.

The first was a 57-32 final to Warner Robins in the semifinals, and turnovers prevented a victory against Ware County, 44-39, in the consolation game.

Perry will enter the state tournament as a four seed, guaranteeing travel in most if not all rounds of the playoffs.

Veterans

Boys

Veterans (12-16) found themselves on the wrong end of a couple of close Region 2-5A tournament games last week.

They did win their play-in against Thomas County Central 62-61 to keep their season alive, but Thursday’s loss to Houston County in the semifinals was 55-54, and their consolation game loss to Lee County was by five, 61-56.

Still, the Warhawks made the postseason in their first year under Brandon Driggers after finishing the regular season strong. They will enter as a four seed, guaranteeing travel in most if not all rounds.

Girls

It was a rocky season for the Lady Warhawks (9-18) but they will maintain their postseason streak.

Tuesday’s 44-39 win over Thomas County Central in the Region 2-5A play-in guaranteed a spot in the state tournament, though Thursday’s 61-30 loss to Coffee similarly promised travel in the first round.

Friday’s 41-38 loss to Northside, Veterans’ closest this season, will place them in the state tournament as a four seed. This guarantees travel for most if not all rounds of the playoffs.

Warner Robins

Boys

Warner Robins (14-13) suffered a disappointing 64-62 defeat to Wayne County in last week’s Region 1-4A semifinals, erasing their home court advantage.

They did redeem it with a 60-55 win against Benedictine in the consolation game, but now they will enter the state tournament as a three seed, still guaranteeing travel for at least the first round. There is potential for a home game in the second round, provided a four seed gets away with an upset in their bracket.

Girls

The Demonettes (22-3) claimed their first region championship in three years, and fourth under Rebecca Ivory, with a 60-30 victory over Wayne County on Friday.

The Lady Yellow Jackets started strong, but Warner Robins responded with overwhelming defensive effort and energy for a crushing final at home, securing a one seed entering the state tournament.

The Demonettes will be at home for the first round of the state tournament, and the second if they make it that far.

Westfield

Boys

Westfield (12-13) lost last week’s GIAA District 5-4A/3A tournament game to Calvary Christian 51-41 in Columbus, though they will still enter the state tournament.

At the time of writing the Hornets are the eighth ranked team in the GIAA 3A MaxPreps rankings, narrowly giving them a home game against John Milledge Academy on Feb. 18.

The time is to be announced, and the winner will advance to play Brookwood at one of Stratford, Tattnall or First Presbyterian Day on Feb. 21.

Girls

The Lady Hornets (21-5) couldn’t quite capture a GIAA District 5-4A/3A championship in last week’s region tournament, losing 59-48 to St. Anne-Pacelli in the championship game.

That was Westfield’s first loss to the Vikings this season, though they have been close contests each time.

At the time of writing, the Lady Hornets are ranked third in the GIAA 3A MaxPreps rankings, putting them down for a first-round bye before being the home team against the winner if the six and 11 seed matchup.

That game will take place on Feb. 20 at one of Stratford, Tattnall or First Presbyterian Day.