Jeff Hart

Friday's semifinal playoff scores

Auburn and Missouri are competing for the Southeastern Conference title Saturday, and possibly a chance to play for the national championship. Yet both teams have to guard against a letdown.

The Green Bay Packers will have to try to win for the first time in more than a month without Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have ruled out their star quarterback for the game Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Kyle Korver set the NBA record for consecutive games with a 3-pointer, Al Horford scored 22 points, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-89 Friday night.

Banks County used a 21-6 fourth quarter to erase a Dawson County lead and take a 58-46 win over the Lady Tigers Friday night in girls Region 7-AAA basketball action.

North Forsyth held Johns Creek to just 14 points through the first three quarters en rout to a 57-25 demolition of the Lady Gladiators Friday night.

Every player on the roster scored for Lumpkin County Friday night as the Indians whipped Union County 59-40.

While defending state champions Buford (Class AAA) and Gainesville (Class AAAAA) continue their methodical march toward another state finals appearance, North Gwinnett is just one win from its first state title shot since 2007.

Last season, the Gainesville offense was one of the most feared units in all of Georgia high school football. The Elephants, behind Class AAAAA Player of the Year Deshaun Watson, averaged 45.3 ppg while scoring a school-record 680 points on the way to the Class AAAAA state title. The current unit already has scored 641 points in 13 games (49.3 ppg) and shows no signs of slowing down.

What qualities go into the making of a great defense? Is it purely stats? Is it clutch performances? Is it by reputation with a large dose of intimidation added in?

Is it all of the above?