The third time was the charm for the Starr’s Mill varsity boys basketball team. They defeated Lovejoy, a team that had defeated Starr's Mill twice this season, 60-53 in the first round of the region 4-AAAAA tournament, earning them a spot in the AAAAA state tournament next week. The Panthers trailed 16-7 at the end of the first quarter but went on a 19-2 run in the second quarter and held Lovejoy to 10 total points in the second and third quarter. Mark Harris led the team in scoring with 28 points, while Spencer Shelton added 11.

“My feet haven’t touched the ground yet,” said head coach Brandon Hutchins, who is so proud of his team earning their first bid to the state tournament in school history. “Our zone press really threw Lovejoy off and our kids just woke up and responded.”

Starr’s Mill now gets a third crack at Fayette County at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. The Tigers have defeated the Panthers in their previous two meetings this season.

In other games on Monday night, Our Lady of Mercy’s girls defeated Greenforest Christian 62-54. They will face Landmark Christian, a team that has defeated them twice this season, on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy High School.

The season ended in the first round of the 4-AAAA playoffs for the McIntosh and Whitewater varsity girls teams. The Lady Chiefs lost to Douglas County 53-39, while the Lady Wildcats lost to Chapel Hill, 55-34.

Tonight’s schedule of games

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Region 5-A boys - Our Lady of Mercy High School
• Our Lady of Mercy vs. St. Francis, 4 p.m.
• Landmark Christian vs. Galloway, 8:30 p.m.

Region 4-AAAA boys - Whitewater High School
• Whitewater vs. Alexander, 5:30 p.m.
• Sandy Creek vs, Haralson County, 8:30 p.m.

Region 4-AAAAA girls - Mundy’s Mill High School
• Starr’s Mill vs. Mundy’s Mill, 4:30 p.m.
• Fayette County vs. Union Grove, 6 p.m.

Fayette County’s boys, McIntosh’s boys, Sandy Creek’s girls and Landmark’s girls all earned themselves first round byes.

• Fayette County will play Starr’s Mill on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
• McIntosh will play the winner of Douglas County and Northgate at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
• Sandy Creek will play Douglas County at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
• Landmark Christian will play Our Lady of Mercy at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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