Tri-City Dominating the Playoffs

Tri-City, wake up! The basketball scene in our area is absolutely electric right now. With raw talent, elite coaching and an undeniable hunger for success, local teams are proving their dominance on the biggest stage.

Five teams are headed to the Final Four, two more have secured spots in the Elite Eight, and the road to a state championship is heating up like never before. This season has been nothing short of spectacular, and the best part? It’s far from over.

Starting with the Pacelli Lady Vikings, who have punched their ticket to the Final Four for the second consecutive year, continuing their incredible postseason run with a dominant 57-25 victory over Tattnall Square Academy.

This squad has been on a mission all season long, making a habit of completely dismantling their opponents, and Feb. 21st’s performance was no exception. The Lady Vikings have won 14 games this year by 24 points or more, and their suffocating defense continues to be their calling card. Leading the charge was Mckayla Hosley, who put on a clinic, going five-for-10 from the field to rack up 12 points while adding four steals to her stat line. Right alongside her was Grace Smith, who contributed 11 points in yet another strong outing. As a team, Pacelli has been in peak form, winning eight of their last 9 games and improving to 20-4 on the season.

Over that stretch, they’ve held opponents to an average of just 28.7 points per game, proving that their defensive intensity is a force to be reckoned with. Up next, they face Stratford Academy in a highly anticipated showdown at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. Both teams come into this matchup riding hot streaks, with Stratford Academy on a 9-game win streak and Pacelli on a six-game tear of their own. This battle has all the makings of an instant classic.

Not to be outdone, the Pacelli boys extended their perfect season on Feb. 22 with an emphatic 80-56 win over Tallulah Falls, showcasing an offensive explosion that left fans in awe. This was the highest-scoring performance of the season for the Vikings, who continue to prove why they are one of the most dangerous teams in the state.

The star of the night was Mikehi Williams, who delivered a career-high 22 points on a nearly flawless 9-for-10 shooting performance while also grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists. His presence on the court was simply unstoppable.

Jalien Bush was another key contributor, flirting with a double-double after putting up 11 points and 9 assists. The Vikings completely dominated the offensive glass, securing 11 offensive rebounds and extending possessions time and time again. This team thrives on second-chance opportunities, and their ability to crash the boards has been a major factor in their undefeated season.

Now sitting at a flawless 26-0, Pacelli is locked in and ready for their next challenge, a matchup against Tattnall Square Academy at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. Tattnall Square has been putting up big numbers all season, scoring at least 55 points in every game they’ve played, but they’ve yet to face a team as complete as Pacelli.

Meanwhile, the Central Lady Red Devils are proving that they belong among the state’s elite after securing their Final Four berth with a hard-fought 63-53 victory over Auburn.

The undisputed star of the night was Jabria Lindsey, who put together one of the most dominant individual performances of the season, torching Auburn for an eye-popping 40 points while adding 15 rebounds. Lindsey has been on an absolute tear, extending her streak to 34 consecutive games with at least 16 points, and she continues to be the driving force behind Central’s championship aspirations.

Despite coming into this matchup with a tough history against Auburn, having lost seven of their previous nine meetings, the Red Devils refused to be denied.

Now, they face a monumental challenge against Hoover, a team that has had their number in recent years, winning their last three matchups. The two teams will square off at noon on Thursday, Feb. 27. Hoover enters this contest on an eight-game win streak, setting the stage for a clash of two powerhouse programs.

Not to be overlooked, the Central Red Devils boys kept their incredible streak alive, picking up their 13th consecutive win with a convincing 59-42 victory over Auburn. It was a total team effort, with Central controlling the game from start to finish.

On the other side, Auburn’s Tabari Allen did everything in his power to keep his team in the fight, delivering a monster double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, his highest-scoring outing since February 2024. However, Central’s depth and execution proved too much to handle, as they improved their record to a stellar 29-4.

Next up is another epic battle with Hoover at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27. Central has been an offensive juggernaut all season long, scoring 55 or more points in 33 straight games, meaning Hoover will have their hands full trying to contain them.

Then there’s the Hardaway Lady Hawks, who continue to dominate the competition. They absolutely dismantled Columbia in a statement 76-27 playoff win, further proving why they are one of the most dangerous teams left in the tournament.

This team has been steamrolling through the competition, winning 19 games this season by 23 points or more. Now, they gear up for a titanic showdown against Josey, a battle between two of the state’s hottest teams, at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1. The Hawks enter on a 14-game win streak, while Josey has won 11 straight. Something’s got to give in this high-stakes clash.

The Carver Tigers also showed why they are a force to be reckoned with, delivering a dominant 75-54 victory over Burke County. With their high-octane offense firing on all cylinders, the Tigers have now won 18 straight games and are averaging an incredible 85.3 points per contest over that stretch.

Burke County put up a valiant fight, with De’Quayvian Lovette dropping 16 points, marking his third straight game with at least 15, but it wasn’t enough to slow down Carver’s relentless attack. The Tigers now prepare for a massive Elite Eight showdown against Spencer on at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, with both teams looking to continue their postseason push.

Speaking of Spencer, the Greenwaves had to dig deep in their latest battle, narrowly escaping with a 51-49 victory over Crisp County. In a game that came down to the wire, Spencer’s resilience was on full display as they secured their spot in the Elite Eight.

Beyond high school basketball, Columbus Youth Basketball crowned several champions over the weekend in an exciting display of future talent. The 8U title went to 29th Street Recreation, led by Geovante “JoJo” Flemister Jr., who put on a show with 10 points and five rebounds. The Lady Tigers claimed the Girls Championship, with India Allen leading the charge with 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

The Reapers took home the 12U title behind a phenomenal performance from James Cross Jr., who poured in 22 points and six assists.

The Hornets secured the 10U championship, with Jacob Fortson stepping up with six points and seven rebounds.

And in the 13-14U division, Faith Blazers captured the title behind Lincoln Walker’s 10-point performance in a thrilling 27-22 win.

Meanwhile, Middle School Girls Flag Football made its long-awaited debut, kicking off with an instant classic between the Fort Patriots and Eddy Generals. In a back-and-forth battle that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Patriots pulled out a thrilling 21-14 victory.

Elsewhere, the Veterans Rangers proved they are still the team to beat, dominating their season-opening doubleheader with a 28-0 shutout of Baker followed by a 27-0 victory over Arnold, extending their undefeated streak from last season.

From the hardwood to the gridiron, the energy in the Tri-City area is at an all-time high. These teams are making history, and the journey is far from over. Stay locked in, because the best is yet to come.