Four area high school softball programs begin their quest for the state playoffs in earnest today.
With the regular season behind them, Region 7-2A and 7-4A teams start their league tournaments with hopes of at least finishing in the top four, which brings with it a berth in the state tourney.
Northwest Whitfield (23-3), the No. 1-ranked team in the Ga.PrepCountry.com Class 4A coaches poll, is shooting for its third region title in four seasons after winning the 7-4A crown in 2009 and 2011. The Lady Bruins are the No. 1 seed for the region tournament, which begins at 11 a.m. at Heritage Point Park in Dalton, after going 10-0 in Sub-region 7B-4A play this year.
In each of the recent seasons in which it won those region titles, Northwest was among the final eight teams in the state playoffs to earn a trip to Columbus. The Lady Bruins finished in the top four both times, but from this season?s start a state title has been their ultimate hope.
?We have accomplished our first goal, which was getting the No. 1 seed in the tournament, but right now everyone is 0-0,? Lady Bruins coach Jason Brooker said. ?None of the stats matter, none of the rankings matter and none of the records matter at this point. Nothing that you have done matters if you want to take the next step, and I hope we can bring the intensity.
?All of our starters have been there to Columbus and know what it takes to get there, and we just want to make sure that we are taking each step as it comes and not looking ahead for anything.?
Northwest will play at 1 p.m. today, taking on the winner of an 11 a.m. matchup between Gilmer and Southeast Whitfield (10-14). In other 11 a.m. games, Dalton (9-15) takes on Cedartown ? the winner faces Heritage-Catoosa at 1 p.m. ? and Ridgeland faces Pickens, with the winner playing River Ridge at 1 p.m. LaFayette plays Cass in the other 1 p.m. game.
No loser?s bracket games are scheduled today in 7-4A. The double-elimination event will resume Monday at 5 p.m. with a round of loser?s bracket games before the winner?s bracket semifinals and more loser?s bracket games at 7 p.m.
At the Region 7-2A tournament at Alto Park in Rome, Murray County (12-12) will try to build on what has already been a year of major improvement after a winless 2011. The Lady Indians, who are seeded fifth, take on No. 4 seed Armuchee at noon.
If they win, they?ll advance to play the winner of Coosa and top-seeded Calhoun at 4:30 p.m. If they lose, they?ll face the loser of an early matchup between Pepperell and second-seeded Dade County.
?I think our chances are good,? Murray County coach Sandra Johnston said, ?as long as we go out there and play the defense we know how to play, hit the ball the way we know how to hit it.?
Coahulla Creek and North Murray begin play in the Region 5-3A tournament Monday. Christ-ian Heritage did not qualify for the Region 6-A tournament, which also starts Monday.
Click here to sign up to receive text alerts on your team.Source: http://daltondailycitizen.com/sports/x766458914/Prep-Softball-Region-7-4A-in-Dalton
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