WEST COBB COUNTY, GA -- The first round of the GHSA basketball playoffs tipped off on a cold and windy Tuesday night in metro Atlanta. With two quality games less than six miles apart, we took in two close and competitive games. Here's what we learned.

HAWKS CONTINUE TO SHINE IN POST-SEASON

Hillgrove just knows how to win in February. The Hawks beat a young and talented Langston Hughes team 62-52 with senior baskets down the stretch.

Up by as much as 10 points for nearly all of the second half, Hillgrove had an insurance lead that they had to fight hard to maintain. Senior Antonio Wade drilled a couple of three-pointers and a midrange jumper to help steer off a Langston Hughes run.

The young Panthers relied exclusively on sophomore forward Chuma Okeke to make a comeback. The long-armed forward scored 10 points in the third and 19 in the fourth to cut the lead to as close as five points in the fourth quarter.

However, Julian Jordan scored eight of his eight points with less than five minutes to play, keeping a late comeback to just a hope.

Wade finished with a strong 24 points. The senior uses his speed and pull-up jumper very well. Julian added 17. Sophomore Collin Sexton, who didn't play in the first half, finished with 12 for Hillgrove.

Okeke was terrific, going for 37 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Khalil Cuffee sat on the bench with a bright green cast on his right foot. Cuffee, a sophomore, is a 19 point per game scorer.

Hillgrove is now 8-2 over the last three state tournaments.

Hillgrove will play the winner of the Lambert-Cherokee game. That first round match-up is Thursday night in Suwanee. We will be on hand for that match-up.

DOUBLE OVERTIME WIN FOR MCEACHERN

At the end of the first overtime period between McEachern and Westlake, a mother of presumably a son on one of the teams walked up the stairs in the middle of the bleachers behind the scorer's table clearly frustrated by what she was seeing. She had to cool off for a moment. A second overtime was coming. It was time to catch her breath. Anxiety was taking over. Everyone felt that way in this first round match-up of wild decisions, improbable shots and turnovers in the closing seconds.

Down by double digits in the second half, Westlake made a wild comeback and took advantage of missed free throws, turnovers and huge pull-up three-point shots from Daniel Lewis. The biggest triple coming at 2:26 in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 46. From there, no one hit shot.

Overtime.

The ball seemed to bounce around the court like a pinball with both teams hitting wild shots in the extra four minutes. Westlake had some big buckets from Raquan Wilkins and Clayton

Darius Jones made some huge scores. Point guard A.J. Jones bravely attacked the rim for layups and a couple of foul shots.

But neither team could hit foul shots when it mattered. Double overtime was the outcome.

In the final four minutes, McEachern strung it all together thanks to senior captain Brandon Caruthers. He was the calming presence on the floor and wanted the ball when it mattered. He delivered. McEachern won 67-56. Westlake didn't score in the second overtime period.

McEachern will play host to Alpharetta on Saturday in the second round of the AAAAAA bracket.