Decatur High's Queen Alford Named Region 6-AA Player of the Year

Though Decatur's girls in no way got what they wanted in this week's Region 6-AA tournament at the Decatur High Arena, losing their last two games and finishing with a fourth seed in the state tournament, history was made nevertheless.

For the first time in anyone's memory, a Decatur girl was named the region's Player of Year. Queen Alford, a 5-9 shooting guard, who grew up in Decatur and has spent her entire school career in the Decatur system, was announced as the player of the year before the home crowd Saturday between the girls and boys championship games.

"Ever since we lost last year to Rabun County [in the season's final game] this has been one of my goals," said Alford, who signed with Jacksonville University last fall. "I'd already made all-region twice, so I was wanting to step it up one more notch this year.

"But no way do I get a big head over this," she added. "I'm very grateful, but the most important thing is to keep getting better, to keep playing aggressive, and to win a state championship."

Other Decatur players receiving honors Saturday were junior Jordan Dillard, who made the girls all-region squad, and senior Kurt Robinson who made the boys.

Decatur's girls, who lost 46-39 to Greater Atlanta Christian in the regional consolation Saturday, will play their first state playoff game against 22-3 Heard County, in Franklin, either Friday or Saturday.

The boys, coming off a heartbreaking last-second defeat to GAC Friday night, dialed in a lackluster effort Saturday, losing 52-38 to South Atlanta in the consolation. Senior Xeric Kirk led the Bulldogs with 16 points.

The boys, also with a fourth seed, will play at 21-2 Manchester next Friday (game time still to be determined). Manchester, ranked fifth in the state's Coaches Poll, has its usual deep, lightning-quick squad, with its tallest player at 6-3, and only three players over 6-0.

Also on Saturday, Greater Atlanta's boys won their fourth consecutive regional championship. Despite the draining intensity of Friday's one-point win over Decatur, the Spatans seized control in the second quarter and never looked back in beating Buford with surprising ease, 59-48.

Collin Swinton, GAC's deft point guard, finished with 19 points and 8 assists. GAC held Buford superstar (and former GAC player) A. J. Davis to a mere two points, both on free throws.

Buford's girls won their fourth straight regional championship, beating a pesky Lovett 45-39. Andraya Carter and Kristina Nelson both scored 12 for Buford.

Here's the wrap-up of Saturday's final day of play in the Region 6-AA tournament:

Girls Consolation

Greater Atlanta Christian  46 (C. Buford-19)
Decatur                    39 (J. Dillard-15)

Boys Consolation

Decatur          38 (X Kirk-16)
South Atlanta    52 (N. King-16)

Girls Championship

Lovett  39 (T. Eason-12)
Buford  45 (A. Carter-12; K. Nelson-12)

Boys Championship

Buford                     48 (T.Shipes-18)
Greater Atlanta Christian  59 (C. Swinton-19)

Region Players of the Year

Queen Alford (Decatur)
T.J. Shipes (Buford)