Jeff Hart

JASPER -- Pickens scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to shock Gainesville 8-7 Friday in the Region 7-AAA season finale for both teams.

MURRAYVILLE -- The Class AAA fifth-ranked North Hall girls soccer team advanced to the Elite Eight of the playyofs after shutting out Stephens County 4-0 Wednesday.

WATKINSVILLE -- Having already set the school record in wins and surpassed last year's playoff run, the Flowery Branch girls soccer team was looking to add to the program's best season ever Wednesday night in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs.

ATLANTA -- After pulling up at Philips Arena in his white Hummer H2, Mike Bibby strolled past an admiring security guard, who wished him luck through the rest of the playoffs. The lovefest is occurring all over Atlanta after the Hawks evened their best-of-seven first round series against the Boston Celtics Monday night.

WASHINGTON -- Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with an ailing right shoulder, though the Braves were told he can get over the problem without surgery.

Norvell Van won two events to lead the Flowery Branch boys track team to the Region 7-AAA title Tuesday at the West Forsyth track. The Falcons led after the first day's field events and then ran away from the field during the track finals tallying 111 points to outdistance second-place West Hall (87) and third-place Gainesville (70).

ATLANTA -- Taylor Bennett has found a new football home, and Georgia Tech fans may be surprised to learn he will be playing for the Bulldogs and a coach named Dooley in 2008.

ATLANTA -- Joe Johnson scored 35 points - including 20 in the fourth quarter - and the surprising Atlanta Hawks overcame two double-digit deficits to beat the Boston Celtics 97-92 on Monday night, evening the series at two games apiece.

CLEVELAND -- The East Hall baseball team played spoiler Monday as the Vikings handed White County a costly loss, 9-7, in a key Region 7-AAA game.

NEW YORK -- John Smoltz left Atlanta's 6-3 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday with what he called "discomfort" in his throwing shoulder. The Braves right-hander allowed four runs and seven hits in a season-low four innings. He also gave up his first two home runs of the season.