A handful of area prep basketball teams battled their way into region title showdowns on Thursday -- and plenty more region championship showdowns will be set after tonight.
(NOTE: For a complete look at Thursday's scores from northeast Georgia-based regions and Friday's region tournament schedule, scroll down. And for in-depth game stories and video highlights from around the area, visit our High School sports page.)
While Thursday was certainly busy, Friday features plenty more region tournament action, including semifinals for Regions 8-AAAAAA, 8-AAAAA, 7-AAA and 8-A. The 8-AAAAA semifinals feature Buford and Flowery Branch, and all the contests will be broadcast on WDUN. The Gainesville boys and girls semifinal battles in 8-AAAAAA will also feature on AM 1240.
On Thursday, the White County girls pulled off one of the program's biggest wins in years in the Region 7-AAAA semifinals, edging out West Hall 58-51 in a slugfest. The Lady Warriors booked a spot in the 7-AAAA championship against Marist, which fended off a determined Chestatee 43-34.
Meanwhile, Region 8-AA play saw both the Banks County boys and girls play their way into Friday's title showdowns at Putnam County High in Eatonton.
Jefferson's boys and girls will also contend for the Region 8-AAAA crown after claiming victories in their respective semifinals on Thursday. Both teams will play for the title on their home court on Friday.
THURSDAY'S REGION BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCORES
REGION 7-AAAA SEMIFINALS
White County girls 58, West Hall 51
Marist boys 51, White County 42
Marist girls 43, Chestatee 34
Blessed Trinity boys 72, West Hall 45
REGION 8-AAAA SEMIFINALS
Jefferson girls 53, St. Pius 42
Jefferson boys 64, Stephens County 62
Madison County girls 46, North Oconee 33
St. Pius boys 81, Madison County 46
REGION 8-AAA SEMIFINALS
Morgan County girls 51, Hart County 49
Hart County boys 50, Monroe Area 49
Franklin County girls 67, Monroe Area 23
Morgan County boys 58, East Jackson 46
REGION 8-AA SEMIFINALS
Banks County girls 49, Rabun County 42
Banks County boys 74, Monticello 65
Elbert County girls 59, Putnam County 53
Elbert County boys 53, Putnam County 28
FRIDAY’S REGION TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
REGION 8-AAAAAA SEMIFINALS
at Dacula
No. 2 Lanier girls vs. No. 3 Dacula, 4 p.m.
No. 2 Dacula boys vs. No. 3 Lanier, 5:30 p.m.
No. 1 Winder-Barrow girls vs. No. 5 Gainesville, 7 p.m.
No. 1 Gainesville boys vs. No. 4 Apalachee, 8:30 p.m.
REGION 8-AAAAA SEMIFINALS
at Johnson
No. 1 Buford girls vs. No. 5 Clarke Central, 4 p.m.
No. 1 Buford boys vs, No. 4 Flowery Branch, 5:30 p.m.
No. 2 Flowery Branch girls vs. No. 3 Cedar Shoals, 7 p.m.
No. 2 Clarke Central boys vs. No. 3 Cedar Shoals, 8:30 p.m.
REGION 8-AAAA CHAMPIONSHIPS, 3rd PLACE
at Jefferson
St. Pius girls vs. North Oconee, 3rd place, 4 p.m.
Stephens County boys vs. Madison County, 3rd place, 5:30 p.m.
Jefferson girls vs. Madison County, championship, 7 p.m.
Jefferson boys vs. St. Pius, championship, 8:30 p.m.
REGION 7-AAA SEMIFINALS
at Dawson County
No. 2 East Hall girls vs. No. 3 North Hall, 4 p.m.
No. 2 East Hall boys vs. No. 3 Dawson County, 5:30 p.m.
No. 1 GAC girls vs. No. 4 Dawson County, 7 p.m.
No. 1 GAC boys vs. No. 5 North Hall, 8:30 p.m.
REGION 8-AA CHAMPIONSHIPS, 3rd PLACE
at Putnam County
Rabun County girls vs. Putnam County, 3rd place, 4 p.m.
Monticello boys vs. Putnam County, 3rd place, 5:30 p.m.
Banks County girls vs. Elbert County, championship, 7 p.m.
Banks County boys vs. Elbert County, championship, 8:30 p.m.
REGION 8-A SEMIFINALS
at Commerce
No. 1S Prince Avenue girls vs. No. 3S George Walton, 4 p.m.
No. 1S Prince Avenue boys vs. No. 3S George Walton, 5:30 p.m.
No. 1N Lakeview girls vs. No. 2S Athens Academy, 7 p.m.
No. 1N Lakeview boys vs. No. 2S Athens Academy, 8:30 p.m.
