Jeff Hart

The Atlanta Braves avoided arbitration with outfielder Martin Prado, agreeing Friday to a $4.75 million contract for 2012, and also brought back utility infielder Jack Wilson with a scaled-down deal.

Gainesville began perhaps its most grueling stretch of the season Tuesday with a 61-52 win over rival Johnson in a key Region 8B-AAA game at the Johnson gym.

North Hall continued its solid start to its Region 8A-AAA season with an 84-59 thumping of Lumpkin County Tuesday night at home.

The new year has been good to the Gainesville girls basketball team so far.

West Hall nearly rallied from a 10-point third quarter deficit against Walnut Grove but fell short in a 52-20 loss in Region 8B-AAA action on the road.

Lakeview Academy Athletic director Duece Roark was not sure what to make of the decision Tuesday by the Georgia High School Association Executive Committee to split all future state championship playoffs into public and private tournaments for Class A level schools.

Gainesville opened the game with a 20-0 run and then cruised to an easy 75-42 victory over Oconee County Friday night.

Hayden Chapman hit four free throws in the final 4.3 seconds to help East Hall preserve a 86-82 win over St. Francis Friday night.

The White County boys basketball team opened its Region 8A-AAA subregion schedule with a 61-50 win over Lumpkin County Friday night.

West Hall held Johnson scoreless in the first quarter en route to a 47-27 win in Region 8B-AAA girls action.