Three Cobb County girls basketball teams reached the Final Four in their respective classifications, with Kell High School advancing to the state championship game, according to a March 10 announcement. The Kell Longhorns competed in Athens at Akins Arena for the Class 4A semifinals, while Campbell and Hillgrove played at Georgia State University in the Class 6A Final Four. Only Kell will move on to play for the title in Macon, but all three teams completed notable seasons.
The success of these teams is significant as they are expected to return most of their players next season. Kell will graduate only one senior, while Campbell and Hillgrove each have three seniors leaving. This experience is likely to benefit them in future competitions.
Kell finished the season with just five losses and went undefeated in region play, securing the Region 6-4A championship. The team is currently on an 11-game winning streak and has not lost since January 23. “I’m really proud of this team and the grit and determination they’ve shown all season,” said Kell Head Coach Kandra Bailey. “We’ve faced a lot of adversity this year, but our girls never backed down. They stayed together, kept working, and kept believing in each other. They’ve handled every challenge that’s come their way, but we know the job isn’t finished yet!”
The Lady Longhorns will face Marist in the final at Macon Coliseum on Thursday evening. Bailey said about her team’s achievement: “Making the Finals means everything to us. It shows how hard we’ve worked all season and how we’ve persevered together through every challenge. It’s also proof that our dedication and belief in each other have paid off. Every time we step on the floor, we want to represent the pride, support, and tradition we get from and have in our Kell community!”
Campbell’s Lady Spartans ended their season with 25 wins after being eliminated by North Paulding in the Final Four round at Georgia State University. Coach Randy McClure said: “I am happy for our school to be counted as one of the last four teams standing… I am truly grateful to God, who was the orchestrator of all of this!” Hillgrove’s Lady Hawks also had a strong showing despite injuries throughout their season; Coach Sue Milam said: “I am proud of this season. These kids have been fun to coach… The girls were resilient, and different players stepped up at different moments of the season to help us be successful.” She added excitement for what lies ahead for Hillgrove.
Kell High School seeks to foster student excellence in academics, character building and community involvement, according to the official website. The school operates within secondary education according to its official website.
With most key players returning next year across all three programs, expectations remain high for continued success on Cobb County courts.
