Jeff Hart

Lakeview Academy led virtually from start-to-finish in taking a41-24 win over Athens Academy Friday night in Region 8-A girls action.

Dawson County picked up its first subregion win with a convincing 62-30 win over Fannin County Friday in Region 8A-AA action.

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.