Seven high school basketball teams from Cobb County advanced to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state tournament Final Four, according to a March 5 announcement. The teams include Kell Girls, Campbell Girls, Hillgrove Girls, Hillgrove Boys, McEachern Boys, Pebblebrook Boys, and Wheeler Boys.
This achievement highlights the strength of Cobb County’s basketball programs and their continued success in postseason play. The representation spans multiple classifications and includes both boys’ and girls’ teams.
McEachern Coach Tremayne Anchrum said after his team’s win over Peachtree Ridge, “I’m so proud of George [Washington, Pebblebrook Head Coach] and [Greg] Moultrie [Hillgrove Head Coach] and Larry [Thompson, Wheeler Head Coach]. Region 3 was the best region in the state this year. We had three teams in the top six in the state. We would play them tough, and they would play us tough. This region is ready!”
Wheeler Coach Larry Thompson added, “This is what it’s all about. If you get to the Final Four, you give yourself a chance to plan for a state championship. We never take that for granted. I’m super proud of this team. We’ve been through a lot of adversity, but it was all a lesson that helped us get to this moment.” McEachern and Wheeler will face each other at Georgia State University in a rematch of last season’s semifinal game.
Pebblebrook will compete against Hillgrove in another semifinal matchup between familiar rivals from Region 3. Hillgrove Coach Greg Moultrie said, “Competing in the toughest 6A Region in the state prepared this group to battle through adversity and grow together as a team.” Pebblebrook Coach George Washington said making the Final Four “reflects the hard work, discipline, and commitment our student athletes have shown all season long.” Pebblebrook High School supported athletic programs that benefited from donations according to its official website.
On the girls’ side, Campbell and Hillgrove will play North Paulding and Grayson respectively at Georgia State University with hopes of meeting again for a fourth time this season if both win their games. Campbell Coach Randy McClure said his players “have really grown from good individual players to being a great team,” while Hillgrove Coach Sue Milam praised her team’s effort: “Our team created vision boards back during summer workouts with goals for the season… I feel like we are playing our best basketball right now.” In Class 4A girls competition, Kell continues its strong run under Coach Kandra Bailey who said she is proud of her team’s grit despite adversity.
Pebblebrook High School served students in the Mableton area and hosted performing arts presentations through its center for excellence according to its official website. The school included facilities such as multiple gyms with an additional gymnasium added in 1997 according to its official website. It is part of the Cobb County School District according to its official website, where Dana Giles serves as principal according to its official website.
The upcoming games will determine which Cobb County teams move on to compete for state championships next week.
