Two teams are trying to reach a goal neither has achieved before in today's Class AAAA semifinal.
Alcovy plays in its first Final Four ever after defeating Forest Park 51-40 for its 27th win on the 2011-12 season.
Its opponent is in a similar situation, as Miller Grove has reached the semifinals for the first time after winning the most games in its school history with 23.
Miller Grove's first season was 2005.
The Wolverines of Region 6-AAAA are currently on a 14-game winning streak and are riding its region's top defense into the Final Four.
"They're pretty athletic basically we are going to be able to have to handle their pressure," Alcovy coach Kidada Holtzclaw said. "We have to make sure we take good quality shots, and we've got to win the battle of the boards."
Miller Grove has allowed less than 20 points four times this season, led defensively by Klarissa Weaver and Tabitha Fudge, a High Point signee.
Weaver leads DeKalb County with 104 blocks and has had two triple-doubles in the Wolverines first three playoff games. She has tallied 25 blocks during that time.
Thompson is averaging 15.8 points per game this season, and 18.7 points per game during the playoffs. Weaver and Fudge are averaging 7.1 rebounds per game apiece.
"They're pretty equally balanced," Holtzclaw said. "They have a couple of kids that can shoot the 3 pretty well, and have got two legitimate 6-foot-1 post players. One's a lefty, long, tall and athletic. I think that poses a bit of a problem for us. I think we'll be OK if we do our job defensively and control them on the boards."
The top-seeded Wolverines opened the 2012 playoffs with a 73-45 win over Chapel Hill, before beating Forsyth Central 53-45 and Rome 67-38 in the Elite Eight.
To earn the top seed in 6-AAAA Miller Grove defeated Chamblee 53-52 on Feb. 18. The Wolverines lost to Chamblee earlier in the season, 43-38 much like the Tigers.
Alcovy also faced Chamblee, losing 59-47 on Jan. 22. It's the only opponent the two teams have in common.
The Tigers will look to stay aggressive throughout the game, matching Miller Grove on effort to rebounds. Alcovy will put Ashley Williams on either Weaver or Fudge defensively, but will not be able to match the other size-wise.
"I think we matchup at the five but I think them having two legitimate post player causes us matchup problems," Holtzclaw said. "We have to be able to sustain post presence on both blocks."
Alcovy is riding a three game winning streak into today's game, and has won eight of its last nine.
After falling to Fayette County in the Region 3-AAAA championship, the Tigers beat Mundy's Mill 60-48 at home. They then went on the road for a 71-62 win over Warner Robins and beat Forest Park 51-40 in the Elite Eight at Fort Valley State on Friday.
The Tigers are also a top defensive team, proving that against Forest Park. Alcovy limited its top player Ashlee Cole to just 11 points, with all 11 coming in the second half.
The Tigers have allowed less than 30 points all four times.
Alcovy continued to work on defense and hustling to the glass in Tuesday's practice, both aspects Holtzclaw said the Tigers will have to do to reach the AAAA title game.
"It's something we've tried to do and been successful doing," Holtzclaw said. "So I think it comes down to which team is willing to work the hardest to get it."
