Jeff Hart

Despite a gut-wrenching 64-62 loss to Woodward Academy Monday night in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs, North Hall girls coach Kristi House says there is plenty to look forward too next year.

Decatur wanted to make Buford play ugly in the two teams

Riding another solid defensive effort, the Jefferson girls advanced to the Class AA quarterfinals after a 44-33 win over Manchester Monday night in the state playoffs.

Caroline Bowns poured in 29 points, including going 6-for-6 on 3-pointers, to lead the North Forsyth girls to a 64-49 win over Duluth Monday night in the Class AAAAAA state playoffs.

The Lakeview Academy girls started strong but could not overcome a shaky third quarter as Mt. Paran Christian rallied past the Lady Lions, 52-49, Monday in the first round the Class A Private playoffs.

Flowery Branch pounded out a 9-1 win over North Oconee Monday in baseball action.

It will be hard for area baseball teams as a whole to top the 2013 campaign, highlighted by North Hall's run to the Class AAA finals and Gainesville reaching the Elite 8 before dropping two heartbreaking one-run games.

The Region 8-AAAA champion Johnson boys got over last year's nightmare first round loss to Shaw by rallying to beat Stone Mountain at home and the East Hall boys continued Region 7-AAA's dominating run in the playoffs with a buzzer-beating win over Ringgold on the road Saturday night.

No one wanted to say it, but the first 16 minutes of Johnson

The 2013 state finalists picked up where they left off Saturday night. The Dawson County girls went on the road and came away with an impressive 58-48 win over Cartersville in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs.