Teams like Grayson, Carrollton and Buford are regular participants in the Elite Eight. For other schools, an appearance in the third round of the playoffs is a rare occurrence. Ask the fans of Lithonia, Gordon Lee, Whitefield Academy and Pepperell. 

The Lithonia Bulldogs have reached the state quarterfinal round for the first time in 31 years. 

Second-year coach Kevin Barnes’ team finished third in Region 5-4A, losing only to Marist and Southwest DeKalb. In the playoffs the Bulldogs (10-2) have beaten Griffin and Centennial to earn a trip to the third round for the first time since 1994. 

Lithonia has made only one trip to the state championship game, that coming in 1969 under the late Hall of Fame coach T. McFerrin. 

Whitefield Academy, which began its program in 2002, is making its first trip to the quarterfinals. The Wolfpack (9-2) had reached the second round the two previous seasons under coach Robert Walsh. They defeated Aquinas in the second round after earning a first-round bye. 

Gordon Lee has advanced to the third round for the first time since 2002. The Trojans (11-1) have beaten Towers and Elbert County in the playoffs. Gordon Lee last reached the semifinals in 1966 and played for the state title in 1948 and 1949. 

Pepperell is back in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. The Dragons (8-4) defeated Bremen and Jasper County in the playoffs. Pepperell reached the semifinals in 1997 and 1998 and won its only state championship in 1990 under Hall of Fame coach Lynn Hunnicutt.