Five Games to Watch: Sweet 16

There is no shortage of intriguing Sweet 16 matchups. Here are five good ones that caught my eye and will be worth the price of admission. <h4><strong>Class 7A: R3 #2 North Cobb at R5 #1 North Forsyth</strong></h4> Elite high school guard play will be on display in this terrific matchup. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/azonya-austin/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/azonya-austin/">Azonya Austin</a></a> (Alabama A&M) and Sydney Thomas lead North Cobb’s five-man rotation while Caroline Martin (North Georgia) and Ansley Allen charge the Raiders. Austin is a great ball handler that dictates the tempo of the game while Martin is a lethal three-point shooter and a crafty slasher. The matchup of Thomas and Allen pits two of Georgia’s best unsigned guards against one another – a must-see game for D-II programs looking to add an important piece late to their recruiting class. Role players will need to step up for both sides. North Cobb has Madison Edge and Dayuna Colvin on the perimeter while 5-foot-8 Amari White-Neville plays post. The Raiders don’t have much size either, but Vekondja Ogbogu is a physical defender and Lily Bales has been known to hit big shots from the perimeter. On paper and considering personnel, this could be the best game in the state. <h4><strong>Class 5A: R4 #4 Jones County at R6 #3 Lithia Springs</strong></h4> Jones County’s guard play vs. Lithia Springs’ size will be an interesting duel. 6-foot-3 Wake Forest-signee <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/demeara-hinds/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/demeara-hinds/">Demeara Hinds</a></a> is a chiseled athlete that averaged 12.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 3.1 blocks on her way to winning Region 6 Player of the Year. Freshman of the Year honors went to 5-foot-2 Cam Morris, who dropped in a team-best 14 points and 3.4 steals per game. Jones County has a star freshman of their own in 5-foot-6 Jada Morgan. Morgan is a tough-nosed combo-guard that can create her own offense off the dribble and has three-point range and the physicality to finish through contact when getting to the rim. Senior Lu Woolfolk was named Region 4 Player of the Year. <h4><strong>Class 4A: R1 #2 Americus-Sumter at R7 #1 Marist</strong></h4> At 26-1, Marist enters the Sweet 16 with immense confidence and momentum after dissecting a scrappy Cedartown team 65-21. Americus-Sumter used an 18-3 first quarter to gain enough distance in a 49-32 win over Burke County. Seniors Tyler Brazle and 5-foot-10 Riley Donahue were All-Region 7 selections for the War Eagles. They will need to limit turnovers as Americus-Sumter boasts 5-foot-10 Troy-signee <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jelissa-reese/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jelissa-reese/">Jelissa Reese</a></a> (23.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 4.4 apg, 4.9 spg) and 5-foot-6 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/trinity-jones/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/trinity-jones/">Trinity Jones</a></a> (15 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.3 apg, 3.3 spg). <h4><strong>Class 2A: R4 #2 Josey at R6 #1 Douglass</strong></h4> The defending state champion Douglass Lady Astros rallied from down 15 points to survive Rabun County 44-42. No doubt, the Astros have the hardest route back to the title game and it won’t get any easier as they host Josey, a team that has proven they are capable of beating anyone in the state as long as it isn’t Laney. Amani Jones (12.9 ppg), Deajah Houck (8.8 ppg), Ky’Shonna Brown (7.5 ppg) and Arieonna Booker (6.7 ppg) lead a balanced offense. They won’t be intimidated by Douglass’ star power. Region 6 Player of the Year 6-foot-4 Ikenya King averages 18 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Josey will need to keep her off the glass. Kayla Sesberry is the engine for Coach Alana Allen and does a good job of pushing the tempo and playing tight on-ball defense as a part of Douglass’ full court press. 5-foot-10 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ashuntee-weems/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ashuntee-weems/">Ashuntee Weems</a></a> is the most dynamic player. The slashing wing flies around on defense and thrives in transition when getting out into the passing lanes. <h4><strong>Class A-Private: #10 ELCA at #7 Calvary Day</strong></h4> If Clemson-signee <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/weronika-hipp/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/weronika-hipp/">Weronika Hipp</a></a> is dialed in from deep and is efficient with her shot selection, ELCA should leave Savannah with a win. If the Cavaliers turn her into an inconsistent volume shooter and the offense strays away from Jalisa Dunlap then the Chargers will be in a dog fight. Calvary Day has strong guard play with Region 3 Player of the Year Mahkayla Premo and First Team All-Region picks Jasmine Akins and Hannah Cail, a sharpshooting freshman. ELCA’s X-Factor could be Keslynn Oxendine, a skilled wing that can hit shots and rebound