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March 10, 2026 — Last weekend, three Cobb Girls Basketball teams played in their classification's Final Four playoff bracket. The Kell Longhorns played in Athens at Akins Arena in the 4A semifinals, while Campbell and Hillgrove both played at Georgia State University (GSU) in the Class 6A Final Four. Only Kell advanced to the final game in Macon, but the Spartans and the Hawks both had exceptional seasons.
All three teams are fairly young and will bring back a lot of experience and leadership next season. Kell is graduating only one senior, and Campbell and Hillgrove both have three seniors. All of these teams will be back in 2026-27 with a full resume and a renewed hunger for a state title.
The Longhorns lost only five games this season and went undefeated in region play to claim the Region 6-4A championship. They beat both Campbell and Hillgrove in non-region games late last year and lost one home game to Cherokee in mid-December. They haven't been bested since January 23rd, and are currently on an 11-game winning streak.
"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!"
Finishing the job means one more win against Marist in the Macon Coliseum this Thursday evening. The War Eagles are a complete team, and it will require a total team effort by the Longhorns on both ends of the court. Marist can score big and has outscored its opponents throughout the playoffs by nearly 2-to-1.
Coach Bailey will have her girls ready. She is well aware of what's at stake in this game.
"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!" she said about her Macon-bound Lady Longhorns.
Campbell's Lady Spartans also had a great season, with 25 wins and the top-seed in Region 3-6A for the postseason. They beat Wheeler, North Forsyth, and Lowndes prior to elimination by North Paulding in the Final Four at GSU. It was Coach Randy McClure's fifth trip to the state Final Four round.
The Spartans had only two region losses all season: one to McEachern and one to Hillgrove. The Hillgrove loss sparked something in the team, and they didn't drop another game until the Final Four on Saturday. The ensuing 11-game win streak included beating McEachern in their second meeting and Hillgrove twice. The second half of their season was a testament to the hard work they put in during practice and off the court.
"I am happy for our school to be counted as one of the last four teams standing," Coach McClure said with sincerity. "I'm also happy that our kids had some success from all the hard work they put in. The fan and family support is always such a huge encouragement. I am truly grateful to God, who was the orchestrator of all of this!"
The Hillgrove Lady Hawks also lost only two region games—both to Campbell—one during the regular season and one during the region tournament. The last two seasons for the Lady Hawks have shown major improvement. The team finished 12-16 in 2023-24, 22-8 last season, and 24-7 this year. With the majority of the team coming back next year, Hillgrove will certainly be a preseason favorite for another deep run in the 2027 playoffs.
"I am proud of this season. These kids have been fun to coach," said Coach Sue Milam with a smile. "They've worked hard since June trying to win a state championship. The loss [to Campbell] in the region finals was a good gut check. I felt like they responded and played their toughest basketball through a hard draw in the state tournament."
The team struggled with injuries all season and at one point was down to eight available players. Making it to the playoffs was a challenge, but the Lady Hawks prevailed.
"It wasn't until about playoff time that we got to a full roster for practice," Coach Milam said. "The girls were resilient, and different players stepped up at different moments of the season to help us be successful. We will miss our seniors and wish them well at their next stage, but I am excited for what the future holds at Hillgrove!"
Thanks for all the great basketball this season, Ladies of Cobb! Best of luck to the Lady Longhorns as they continue their quest for a state title!
