Vinings wrestler aims for state title; Campbell boys qualify for state

Congratulations to Lovett School wrestler Hunter Rich of Vinings, who won the 285-pound title at the state sectionals last weekend in Sonoraville. The senior, who was a standout on the Lions state semifinalists football team in the fall, was among nine Lions who advanced to the AA state traditional championship finals that run today through Saturday at the Gwinnett Center.

Another Vinings Lovett wrestler, sophomore Kyler Allen, finished second in the 103-pound weight class, while junior Jack Young, also of Vinings, finished fourth at 135. Other Vinings-area Lovett wrestlers who enjoyed success on the mat this season were senior Ian Campbell, junior Patrick Emerson and freshman James Hite.

• After winning the Region-6-AAAAA tournament, the sixth-ranked Lady Spartans, 20-6, will continue their quest for the Region 4-AAAAA crown tonight at fifth-ranked McEachern, 19-5. The winner will play for the region title on Saturday, while the loser will have to settle for the third-place game that same day. Each of the four region tournament semifinalists will advance to next week’s state tournament.

• The Campbell boys advanced qualified for the state tournament Wednesday night with a 76-61 win over visiting Kennesaw Mountain. The 10^th-ranked Spartans also kept alive their hopes for their first region title since 2000 and will play at McEachern Friday night in the 4-AAAAA tournament semifinals. Roderick Perkins led with 24 points and 10 rebounds, with Matt Cotton and Justin Seymour added 21 pointseach. Dontre McCain had eight points and eight assists for Campbell, which split two games versus the Indians this season with each team winning on its home court.

• Perkins, who had a crowd-pleasing all-oop dunk off a pass from Cotton Wednesday night, knows how to finish with authority. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution thinks so, too, even if they don’t quite know his name. “Roger’’ Perkins is one of 10 metro Atlanta players featured in the 2011 AJC Slam Dunk Contest and first round voting is set to conclude Friday at midnight. You can click on this link to both see the dunks and vote.

• Finally, congratulations to CHS swimmer Sam Wilgus, who finished sixth in both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke at last week’s state championship meet.