Jeff Hart

North Hall has the lead after the opening day of the Region 8-AAA boys track and field championships on a cold, dreary Friday afternoon at Lanier High School.

After stumbling at Oconee County Monday in the middle of a tight race for the Region 8-AAA title, Gainesville could ill-afford a second straight loss to Johnson Wednesday at Ivey-Watson Field.

The Gainesville boys tennis team advanced to the second round of the Class AAA state playoffs for the first time since 2009 with a 4-1 win over Shaw Tuesday at Longwood Park.

The Riverside Military Academy golf team came away with a thrilling one-shot win over Athens Academy to win the Region 8-A golf championship Tuesday.

White County coach John Brown was hoping to rest hard-throwing Georgia-signee Luke Crumley until Friday. But a furious late-inning rally by West Hall Monday night gave Brown little choice with no margin for error as the race for the Region 8-AAA title comes down to the home stretch.

Atlanta's Tommy Hanson struck out nine in only five innings. His own whiff in a key situation helped ensure his third loss in four starts. Hanson struck out on a key squeeze play with the bases loaded early in the game, as Dillon Gee and New York beat the Braves 3-2 on Sunday.

Good things do come to those who wait. Just ask Johnson boys soccer coach Brian Shirley.

Jair Jurrjens threw seven sharp innings, combining with George Sherrill and Scott Linebrink on a two-hitter, and the Braves shut out the struggling Mets 4-0 Saturday night to complete a doubleheader sweep. In the opener, Alex Gonzalez hit two of Atlanta's four solo homers and the Braves finally provided some offense for Derek Lowe in a 4-2 victory.

Joe Johnson scored 25 points, Jamal Crawford finished with 23 and the Atlanta Hawks shocked Orlando 103-93 in Game 1 of their playoff series on Saturday, overcoming a monster night by Dwight Howard.

Johnson dealt Oconee County a serious blow to its region 8-AAA playoff chances with a 7-3 win at Johnson Field Friday.