On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the girls basketball team won its third state title in five years at the Macon Centreplex
With an impressive 58-50 win against the Kell Longhorns, this victory was an exciting one, to say the least. The 29-2 season these girls had was enthralling to watch. Given all the support from our school community and the tireless work Coach Kim Hixon poured into this team, a state win was so well-deserved.
For her historic leadership and ability to keep the team focused on the ultimate prize, Hixon was also named Coach of the Year in the AAAA division. The team, fans, and larger school community cannot thank her enough for all the hours she devoted to bringing another state title to campus.
Kate Harping, a North Carolina basketball commit, truly held her own on the court throughout the entire season. Harping scored 40 points at the state championship and became Georgia’s leading all-time scorer, finishing her high school career with a total of 3,435 points.
Harping was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the second consecutive year and the Naismith High School Player of the Year. With her skills and athleticism, Harping took the team to another level and helped build the program to attain another state win.
Kate’s phenomenal high school basketball career could not have wrapped up with a better ending, and has touched the Marist community in so many ways.
The environment in the Macon Coliseum displayed how the Marist community comes together for one another. The stands for both the students and the parents were filled and nearly overflowing, and the anticipation that built from the school spirit throughout the school day greatly grew a positive morale for the team.
For the out-of-uniform day, many students wore blue and gold. Chants at an all-school assembly and an early dismissal for students attending the game demonstrated how nobody does it better than Marist. All of the Marist Family love contributed to another win for the War Eagles.
Through the state championship win, many titles were won, hard work paid off, and the love of the game showed through the players and the Marist family. This season was extremely special, and something that will be long remembered. The victories won were thrilling to see, and a state championship win was the best way to finish it all off.
