Lumpkin County Indians

Record/ranking: 26-4, No. 2 seed from Region 7, ranked No. 2

Coach: David Dowse

Top players: Mary Mullinax, Averie Jones, Lexi Pierce, Kate Jackson. Mullinax was named the Region 7 Player of the Year for the second season; she averages 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 steals. Mullinax, last year’s Class 3A Player of the Year, is headed for Emory. Jackson was the star of last year’s championship game with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

How they got there: def. Oconee County 72-47, def. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 66-32, def. Cross Creek 63-48, def. Calvary Day 78-31.

Previous championships: One – 2022.

 

Hebron Christian Lions

Record/ranking: 31-0, No. 1 seed in Region 8, ranked No. 1

Coach: Jan Azar

Top players: Aubrey Beckham, Jakerra Butler, Amiya Porter, Nicky Daniel.  Beckham, a sophomore, was named Region 8 Player of the Year. Beckham had 21 points, 18 in the second half, in the semifinal. Beckham had a triple-double and Butler scored 27 in the quarterfinal.  

How they got there: def. White County 68-53, def. Carver-Atlanta 75-23, def. Mary Persons 98-25, def. Wesleyan 65-58.

Previous championships: One – 2021.

Game notes: Lumpkin County beat Greater Atlanta Christian in the Class 3A championship last year, while Hebron Christian lost to Mount Paran in the final of the Class A Private game. … Azar won 13 state championships at Wesleyan before moving to Hebron Christian. … Lumpkin County is closing school on Friday in order to allow students attend the championship game.