Valdosta Wildcats ready to take on state playoffs

Feb. 20—VALDOSTA — The Valdosta High School boy's basketball team comes into the state playoffs tied for first place in Region 1-7A with a 7-1 region record. Overall, the Wildcats are 21-6.

Head Coach James Lee encourages the community to come out and support the team at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, versus Brookwood High School (Region 4, third seed) on the Wildcat's home court.

"We definitely want everybody there," he said. "It's historic for the program. This is only the second 20-win season we've had at VHS. It's one of the best teams historically from a winning standpoint that we've had."

Lee says the team is ready for the challenges of playoff play, stating, "That's the thing with state playoffs — it's all about matchups and all about different brands of basketball."

Coach Lee discussed that understanding the opposing team's play style and their 'brand' of basketball is vital to winning games at a higher level. Looking inward, Lee believes that keeping defensive principles alive while continuing to shoot the ball well is the way to victory for the Wildcats.

When asked how fired up the program is for their playoff prospects, Lee stated, "We definitely are [fired up], and we have a really good bracket. We feel like we have a really good chance of making it to the Elite Eight."

Lee states that the team "Definitely wants you to come out and be supportive, and on Wednesday, let's see if we can pack the cat cage."

If the Wildcats win on Wednesday, they will take on the winner of the Marietta High School (Region 3, Team 4) versus Campbell High School, Smyrna (Region 2, Team 1) in the next round.