High School Sports

The high school basketball is about to kick up a notch as several Northeast Georgia area schools begin region play this week.

On Saturday, the Gainesville boys basketball team defeated Westlake, 64-53, in the Hard in the Paint Classic at Maynard Jackson.

On Saturday, the Buford girls basketball team beat Walnut Grove, 71-39.

Gavin Markey’s 68-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter was the exclamation point on Jefferson’s 42-28 win over Cherokee Bluff Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

With two long drives to start the second half, No. 2 Buford turned a tight game into a blowout and earned a spot in the Class 6-A state semifinals.

Three games in Northeast Georgia highlighted the post-Thanksgiving quarterfinal action Friday night.

Lagrange won their third road game of the playoffs behind their dominant running game Friday night, knocking off North Hall at The Brickyard, 49-17.

As rough as the first round of the playoffs was for Northeast Georgia area teams, the second round made up for it.

It’s been 25 years since North Gwinnett and Buford have met on the football field.

North Hall’s biggest test of the season is slowing down LaGrange running back Malachi Fannin-Render.