High school basketball AAAA notebook: 40-point performance fuels clinching win

--The second-ranked Columbus girls hammered Sandy Creek, 70-40, Friday. Tatyana Wyatt, Jacqueria Gunter, Jazmyn McIntosh and Alexia Manning each scored double figures for the Blue Devils, who finished the regular season at 24-1 and 14-0 in Region 5-AAAA play.

--The Woodland (Stockbridge) girls jumped out to a 23-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and cruised to a 76-42 win over Stockbridge on Senior Night on Friday. All four seniors—Mecca Sneed, KK Parrish, Aalyiah Dotson and Brianna Ohonba—started for coach Ashley Maddox’s team, which was looking to complete an undefeated season in Region 4-AAAA with a win against Dutchtown on Saturday. Sophomore post Zaundra Stevens led Woodland with 20 points against Stockbridge. The Wolfpack reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament last season.

--Weather impact: The winter weather that shut down school for much of the state has taken its toll on several teams. “I counted … we’re only going to have two days of practice in 17 days,” said South Atlanta boys coach Michael Reddick, whose team lost to Grady on Friday, but was already assured of the top seed out of Sub-region B in the 6-AAAA tournament. “I hope Monday and Tuesday practices can get us back on track.”

No. 1 Columbia will be the top seed out Sub-region A. South Atlanta beat Columbia in the two perennial powers’ only meeting this season. The winter weather caused Columbia to play six games in six days.

--Big performances: Hassani Gravett poured in 40 points to lead No. 3 Alexander past No. 3 Fayette County, 90-81, on Friday. It was Alexander's 16th straight win and locked up the No. 1 seed in the Region 5-AAAA tournament.