The state playoffs for basketball begin this coming weekend, and there are plenty of area representatives gunning for the ultimate prize.
Thirty-one different programs from northeast Georgia will begin the final step in the long trek to a state championship.
A number of region champions will get things going as No. 1 seeds, including the Banks County boys, Buford boys and girls, East Hall boys, Gainesville boys, Jefferson girls, Rabun County girls and West Hall girls. Region 8-A champion Lakeview Academy boys and girls will also enter with higher seeds in Class A -- though they await the final GHSA Power Ratings, along with everyone in Class A, to determine exactly whom they will face.
Scroll down for a complete look at state playoff match-ups for northeast Georgia programs.
(NOTE: Gainesville has announced that tickets for its doubleheader on Friday will cost $10. GHSA passes only. No re-entry permitted.)
FIRST ROUND STATE PLAYOFF BASKETBALL MATCHUPS
Times, dates added when available
CLASS AAAAAA
BOYS
- Gainesville (Region 8-AAAAAA, No. 1) vs. Creekview (Region 6, No. 4), 7:30 p.m. Friday* -- Radio: 1240 AM ESPN
- Lanier (Region 8, No. 3) at South Cobb (Region 6, No. 2), 6:30 p.m. Friday
- Winder-Barrow (Region 8, No. 4) at Allatoona (Region 6, No. 1), 6 p.m. Saturday
GIRLS
- Winder-Barrow (Region 8, No. 1) vs. Sequoyah (Region 6, No. 4), 7 p.m. Friday
- Gainesville (Region 8, No. 2) vs. River Ridge (Region 6, No. 3), 6 p.m. Friday* -- Radio: 1240 AM ESPN
- Habersham Central (Region 8, No. 4) at Creekview (Region 6, No. 1), 6 p.m. Friday
CLASS AAAAA
BOYS
- Buford (Region 8, No. 1) vs. Lithia Springs (Region 6, No. 4), 6:30 p.m. Saturday*
- Flowery Branch (Region 8, No. 3) at Riverwood (Region 6, No. 2), 5:30 p.m. Saturday -- Radio: WDUN AM 550
GIRLS
- Buford (Region 8, No. 1) vs. Decatur (Region 6, No. 4), 5 p.m. Saturday*
- Flowery Branch (Region 8, No. 2) vs. North Springs (Region 6, No. 3), 6 p.m. Friday
CLASS AAAA
BOYS
- Stephens County (Region 8, No. 2) vs. Heritage, Catoosa (Region 6, No. 3), 6 p.m. Saturday
- White County (Region 7, No. 3) at Sandy Creek (Region 5, No. 2), 5:30 p.m. Saturday
- West Hall (Region 5, No. 4) at LaGrange (Region 5, No. 1), 7 p.m. Saturday
GIRLS
- West Hall (Region 7, No. 1) vs. Troup (Region 5, No. 4), 7:30 p.m. Friday
- Chestatee (Region , No. 2) vs. Chapel Hill (Region , No. 3), 6 p.m. Friday
- Jefferson (Region 8, No. 1) vs. Gilmer (Region 6, No. 4), 6 p.m. Friday
CLASS AAA
BOYS
- East Hall (Region 7, No. 1) vs. Westminster (Region 5, No. 4), 6 p.m. Saturday
- Lumpkin County (Region 7, No. 3) at Cedar Grove (Region , No. 2), 6 p.m. Saturday
- Dawson County (Region 7, No. 4) at Pace Academy (Region , No. 1), 4 p.m. Saturday
GIRLS
- Dawson County (Region 7, No. 2) vs. Lovett (Region 5, No. 3), 7 p.m. Friday
- North Hall (Region 7, No. 3) at Pace Academy (Region 5, No. 2), 2:30 p.m. Saturday*
- East Hall (Region 7, No. 4) at Redan (Region 5, No. 1), 5:30 p.m. Friday -- Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
- Jackson County (Region 8, No. 4) at Haralson County (Region 6, No. 1) , 7 p.m. Friday
CLASS AA
BOYS
- Banks County (Region 8, No. 1) vs. Washington (Region 6, No. 4), 6 p.m. Saturday
GIRLS
- Rabun County (Region 8, No. 1) vs. Therrell (Region 6, No. 4), 6 p.m. Friday
- Banks County (Region 8, No. 2) vs. South Atlanta (Region 6, No. 3), 6 p.m. Friday
CLASS A
(Seedings determined via the GHSA Class A Power Ratings Index)
A PRIVATE
BOYS
- Lakeview Academy (No. 2 seed, bye first round)
- Tallulah Falls (No. 12) vs. Landmark Christian (No. 21), 6 p.m. Saturday
- Riverside Military (No. 23) at First Presbyterian (No. 10), 5 p.m. Saturday
GIRLS
- Lakeview Academy (No. 3, bye first round)
A PUBLIC
- Towns County (No. 15) vs. Schley County (No. 18), 5 p.m. Saturday
*-Doubleheader at single venue
