Southwest DeKalb may have won a state girls basketball championship weeks ago, but the Panthers are still racking up honors after the season’s conclusion. Power Forward Kayla Lewis was named Miss Georgia Basketball, only adding to the awards that have been assembled by the back-to-back-to-back state champs. Lewis, who is committed to Florida, averaged 14.5 points and close to seven rebounds on the season. The athletic forward was recruited by a host of top colleges.
Meanwhile, several former DeKalb basketball stars were having success in the ongoing NCAA Women’s Tournament. Angel Gray, a graduate of Stone Mountain and current senior at Florida State University, leads the Noles against their stiffest test of the year in undefeated UConn in the Elite Eight. Another senior heads the charge at Kentucky in Amani Franklin, who also advanced to the Elite Eight to play Oklahoma. Franklin was graduated from Redan in 2006.
Girls tennis is getting into full swing, and Marist features one of the state’s most under-appreciated dynasties in all sports. The War Eagles won an incredible 13 titles between 1994 and 2006, and also won the championship last year under Francis Kissell. This year has been more of the same, as the team sits at 9-3 and 4-0 in Region 6, Class 4A, where they are yet to lose a single match. Sophomore Mary Elizabeth Shutley has been a key cog, while the recent addition of No. 1 singles player Shannon Murdy, who had been busy playing in junior tournaments until recently, gives them another major force.
PIUS AND MARIST LOOKING GOOD …
St. Pius look poised to make a possible state title run in lacrosse this spring. The Golden Lions are ranked second in Class A-4A by laxpower.com, but will have to respond after a tough 12-4 loss to Harrison. Upcoming are Woodward on April 9, followed by a showdown with No. 1 Westminster on April 13.
Speaking of the Golden Lions, they are looking to do big things on the diamond this season. SPX is 6-1 in region play after a narrow 3-2 loss to Dunwoody, but will still feel they are in the race for the 5-AAA title with plenty of games left to play. One man to look for is Adam Hall, who has a batting average close to .700 after joining the squad a few games into the season as he was a member of the swim team.
Marist also look poised for a region title in Region 6, Class 4A. The War Eagles are undefeated in region play, but take a break from it in the immediate future, as they will be facing two strong Class 5A teams in Brookwood and Greenbrier over the next week.
Redan started slow, but have won seven of nine since an 0-4 start and look to be one of the favorites to qualify for state out of Region 2, Class 5A. Leading the way is Patrick Smith, who was hitting an impressive .560 at press time, and Bryan Melvin, who checked in with a .500 batting average for the 7-4 Red Raiders.
After a shocking loss to North Springs early in the year, the Marist soccer team has regained their footing with seven consecutive region wins. The most important coming last week in 3-2 victories over strong Tucker and Lakeside teams. Region play is now over for the War Eagles and they are guaranteed a playoff spot. However, a region title is not in their hands, as North Springs would beat them out via the head-to-head tiebreaker if they can win their final two region matchups in the coming weeks.
The success continues in soccer at St. Pius as well. Both the boys and girls teams are ranked No. 1.
There was plenty of speed on display at Panthersville Stadium, with the DeKalb County Track & Field Championships taking place. Among the big winners were Miller Grove, who took home first place in the 4 x 100 meter relay with a time of 42.3 seconds. Also impressive was Dunwoody’s James Dwyer, who beat out cross country and track rival John Ewing by five seconds in the 3200-meter. SW Dekalb won the event.
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