Peach County girls have plenty of momentum entering playoffs

FORT VALLEY -- The Peach County girls basketball team's mindset entering its opening game of the GHSA Class AAA Tournament on Wednesday against Josey couldn't be better.

The Trojans (26-2) are red hot, winners of 11 straight games, and they are fresh off of a repeat as Region 2-AAA champions. Peach County avenged its only two losses of the season in the region title game as it came from behind to defeat Kendrick for the first time this year by a 78-73 score.

"(Confidence) is high," Peach County head coach Maxine Cherry said. "I'd say it's really high. They're excited, and they're ready to play. They've been more committed and dedicated. We did some things with them trying to boost their morale, and they're just jelling together."

Peach County intends to force tempo and play its style when Josey visits Fort Valley on Wednesday. The Eagles (19-7) fell to the No. 4 seed in Region 3-AAA after being upset by Hephzibah in the region tournament. Region 3-AAA is also home to the defending state champion Laney Wildcats.

"One thing we're going to have to do is get backside rebounds and run the floor," Cherry said. "We're going to definitely press, and we'll see if they can handle that pressure."

First-round opponents have proven to be little trouble for Peach County in recent years. The Trojans defeated Jackson-Atlanta by 34 points in 2014 and duplicated that with another 34-point victory over Savannah a year ago.

Second round opponents, however, have fared much better against the Trojans. Washington County bounced Peach County from the playoffs two years ago by double digits, followed by East Hall's 71-53 triumph last season.

Should East Hall defeat Ringgold and Peach County take care of Josey, the two familiar playoff foes will square off once again later this week.

"I try to take one game at a time, but when you do look ahead, there's a possibility that we may be playing (East Hall) again," Cherry said. "I think (the players) are ready for them if we do have to play them. We've been working on same man and getting them accustomed to it, and I think we'd do very well against them this time."

If Peach County is to make a deep playoff run, it will depend heavily upon the play of senior Nausia Woolfolk. The Florida State-bound guard is one of the most prolific scorers in Middle Georgia history and is the reigning Class AAA player of the year.

Woolfolk stepped up huge in the region championship win over Kendrick, scoring 28 points and recording nine assists.

"She is leading and being a leader," Cherry said. "She knows when to take over the game and when to control the tempo of the game."

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Peach County girls have plenty of momentum entering playoffs ."