Class 2A Boys

Westside-Augusta vs. Butler

When: Thursday, 3 p.m.

Westside-Augusta Patriots

Record: 27-3

Coach:  Jerry Hunter

How they got there: Def. Jeff Davis, def. Columbia, def. Early County, def. Northeast.

About the Patriots:  Westside is the Region 4 champion and has a 10-game winning streak. The Patriots are a young team, with three juniors as their leading scorers – Khalon Hudson (17.5 points, 8.2 rebounds), Jalexs Ewing (16.7 points, 4.9 rebounds) and Amauri Tillman (15.3 points). Sophomore Demarco Middleton averages 8.7 points. Westside won its last state championship in 1995. 

Butler Bulldogs

Record: 22-6

Coach:  Cervantes Boddy

How they got there: Def. Toombs County, def. Pace Academy, def. Washington County, def. Woodville-Tompkins.

About the Bulldogs: Butler is the No. 2 seed from Region 4.  The Bulldogs are a senior-heavy team with Kedar Bodie (13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds), Kendrell Glanton (11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds), Elijah Martinez (8.9 points, 6.8 rebounds) and Chance Finklin (6.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.7 blocks) doing the heavy lifting. Butler’s only state championship came in 1966.

Notes: This will be the fourth meeting between the Region 4 teams from the Augusta area. Butler won the two regular-season meetings, but Westside prevailed 52-38 in the region championship game. It was the first time Westside had beaten Butler since February 2018.