The senior members of the Bowdon High School girls’ basketball team had been knocking on that postseason door during the past few years, and they finally kicked it in Thursday evening.

The Red Devilettes (14-8) stamped their Class AA state tournament pass behind a 56-43 quarterfinal win over Spencer in the Region 5-AA Tournament at Jordan High School, placing three scorers in double figures in the process.

And for first-year Bowdon coach Remonica Stephens, seeing the joy in her players’ faces made it all worth the while.

“It means a lot, especially to this group of seniors,” Stephens said. “They’re so excited. They’re just really excited. This is what we’ve played all season for, just for this opportunity.”

Bowdon led just 25-24 at the half and momentarily trailed early in the third quarter, but a 9-0 run late in the period gave the Red Devilettes an 11-point lead going into the final eight minutes.

“We just didn’t show up and play well in the first half. But they came out after the half and got a lot more life in the third and fourth quarter,” Stephens said.

Senior guard Jacole Stephens led Bowdon with 12 points, while Whitney McClure added 11 and Reshay Brewer posted 10.

Bowdon returns to action today in a 4 p.m. semifinal showdown with rival Bremen (20-5) at Spencer High School in Columbus.

In other Region 5-AA Tournament action from Thursday:

Kendrick boys 74, Bowdon 61: The Red Devils (11-12) saw their season come to a close in the quarterfinal round at Jordan, as the Cherokees (9-16) busted open a 44-all game entering the fourth quarter by outscoring Bowdon, 30-17, in the final eight minutes.

Juwan Maze led the Red Devils with 23 points, while Marcus Thurman added 13 and C.J. Brewer finished with 11.

Manchester girls 55, Heard County 52: The Lady Braves (11-11) also suffered a season-ending loss despite a huge night from senior guard Jasmine Cook, who posted a game-high 26 points.

Prep Wrestling

The Villa Rica High School wrestling team had a pair of grapplers win by pin in the opening round of the GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Tournament on Thursday evening in Macon, with Josh Ivey (113) and Tristan Ware (138) both advancing to the quarterfinal round this morning at 9 in the Class AAAAA bracket.

Sam Preston (120) suffered an opening-round setback and will hit the mat at 11 a.m. in the first round of wrestlebacks.

Prep Soccer

Carrollton boys 4, Douglas County 1: The Trojans (2-0) collected the road win, getting a pair of goals from Kevin Sosa, while Alejandro Vargas added a score and Tyler Edwards capped off the scoring on a free kick. Edwards also had an assist, as did Logan Seagraves.

Carrollton returns home to host Starr’s Mill on Tuesday night at 6.

Carrollton girls 4, Douglas County 1: The Lady Trojans (1-1) got two goals apiece from Sarah Bryan and Lauren Dressander, while Isabel Rothschadl led the defensive charge. Carrollton is back in action on Tuesday at home against Starr’s Mill in an 8 p.m. affair.

Prep Tennis

The Bremen High School tennis teams got into swing Thursday, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams recording 4-1 wins.

For the girls, Meg Cummings won at No. 1 singles (8-1), as did No. 2 Charli Allen (8-2) and No. 3 Emily Cheshier (8-0). In doubles play, No. 1 Alexis Nappi/Wrenn Parrish (2-8) fell, but No. 2 Charlotte Williams/Elizabeth Knott (8-6) earned a win.

The Blue Devils swept in singles, with No. 1 Nick Forrister (8-5), No. 2 Cale Van Dyke (8-4) and No. 3 Jordan Leahey (8-3) all cruising, while No. 1 doubles Andrew Tisinger/Conner Gibbs (8-4) won and No. 2 Luke Vines/Will Sammon (5-8) lost.