The Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe girls' basketball team defeated No. 1 state-ranked Carrollton, 44-38, to earn its first region championship in more than 10 years.

Lady Warriors' Head Coach Wayne Weaver said his girls' had been waiting "a long time" to win the title.

The past two years, the Red-and-White has finished third in the region.

However, on Saturday in Acworth, the third try was a charm after having to defeat a determined Cartersville, 47-38 in the semifinals on Friday.

"We struggled with Cartersville," Weaver said. "And I think the only one that thought we could beat Carrollton was us. I told the girls in the locker room (before the game), 'If they can handle the pressure then we can beat them."

The win boosts LFO's overall record to 26-3 going into Friday's 7 p.m. game with St. Pius X in the first round of the AAA state playoffs.

Weaver said this isn't the deepest team he's had. However, it's the healthiest he added.

The veteran coach was confident going into the playoffs this season.

"We're focusing mostly on being able to handle the other team's pressure," he said. "We concentrate on defense. But I think if we can handle the pressure then we can beat anybody."

The loss was Carrollton 's first defeat since December.

Lady Trojans’ Coach Shon Thomaston told the Times-Georgian she thought the difference in the game was toughness.

"Normally we don’t get out-toughed,” she said. “But they played a lot more physical than what we did.”

Kayla Weaver was the Warriors' leading scorer with 18 points. The senior also had six steals and five assists.

Post player Jasmain Carey had 12 points from the blocks. She also pulled down 20 rebounds and held Carrollton's second leading scorer to 10 points. Michelle Morgan joined Carey to control the boards as she ripped down 10 caroms.

Weaver said he was especially pleased with junior Madison Smith's defensive efforts. He said she held their leading scorer, Karism Boykin, to 19 points.