Jeff Hart

In a matter of days, the U.S. women's water polo team went from the pursuit of a historic gold medal to going home empty-handed.

This region essentially stayed intact as the entire old 8-7A moved down, and with the addition of Discovery, it now has a seven-team field.

Just when it appeared the U.S. had conceded its dominance with an early exit from Women’s World Cup, the Americans have roared back under new coach Emma Hayes with an undefeated run in the Paris Olympics.

Region 6-6A is basically the old Region 6-7A, mostly an All-Forsyth County region, with Alpharetta, North Forsyth and North Atlanta, minus Milton, added in this reclass cycle.

Defending Class 7A champion Buford opened its 2024 season with a 9-2 win over River Ridge on Thursday on the road.

North Hall opened its season on Thursday with a sweep of Flowery Branch and Gilmer a tri-match at Flowery Branch.

Stephen Curry scored 36 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:16 left, and the U.S. will play for gold in the Paris Olympics on Saturday night after beating Serbia 95-91.

This is one stacked region -- at least at the top. Milton is the defending Class 7A state champion. Gainesville played for the Class 6A title in 2022. Roswell has won 33 games since 2021.

The U.S. and Australia are set for the next chapter in their international women's basketball rivalry at the Olympics.

Region 8-5A should be wide-open as only Habersham Central and Loganville made the 2023 playoffs and the new seven team region as a whole was just 27-45 overall in 2023 and no team posted a winning record.