Basketball Roundup: Westfield girls advance to GIAA Final Four, GHSA playoff matchups set

The GIAA is deep into its playoff tournament while the GHSA’s starts this week with seven Houston County teams participating.

Here’s a recap of last week’s basketball and a look to the week ahead:

Houston County

Boys

Houston County is one of the only GHSA schools in the county that will host a playoff game after securing their first region championship under head coach Buddy Bivins with a 64-54 overtime victory over Coffee.

The Bears are matched up with Pope (17-10, 4th Region 6-5A), and they will host the Greyhounds on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.

Northside

Girls

Northside just missed out on home court advantage, and so they will travel for the first round.

On Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. they’ll head up to River Ridge (20-7, 2nd Region 6-5A), who was undefeated in region play but lost the region championship to Sequoyah.

Perry

Girls

After a pair of losses in the region tournament, Perry will travel to North Oconee (21-6, 1st Region 8-4A) for the first round.

The game will take place on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.

Veterans

Boys

Veterans made the postseason in their first year under the direction of Brandon Driggers, and they will travel for the opening round.

On Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. the Warhawks will head up to Lassiter (24-3, 1st Region 6-5A).

Girls

Veterans is tasked with Sequoyah (18-10, 1st Region 6-5A), the region champion over River Ridge, on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. The matchup will be on the road for the Lady Warhawks.

Warner Robins

Boys

Following an unfortunate loss in the Region 1-4A semifinals, Warner Robins will be forced to travel in the first round.

Their matchup is against Eastside (20-8, 2nd Region 8-4A) on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.

Girls

The Demonettes won their fourth region championship with head coach Rebecca Ivory with a 60-30 victory over Wayne County.

That game earned home court advantage for Warner Robins, who will host Cedar Shoals (16-12, 4th Region 8-4A) on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.

Westfield

Boys

Westfield started their tournament journey with a thrilling 64-57 victory over John Milledge Academy, officially winning the season series and advancing to the Elite Eight.

On Saturday the Hornets headed up to First Presbyterian Day to take on one-seed Brookwood, who used a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter to put the game away in a 70-49 final.

Westfield’s season ends with an Elite Eight appearance and 13-14 overall record.

Girls

The Lady Hornets finally broke through the Elite 8 barrier on Saturday in a 50-35 win against John Milledge Academy at First Presbyterian Day.

This is the first time Westfield has advanced past the Elite Eight since 2021, the same year they lost the state championship game to Southland Academy.

Their Final Four matchup against Terrell Academy is on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. against Terrell Academy at Columbus State University.