Jeff Hart

UCF coach Gus Malzahn believes a victory over Georgia Tech in Friday night’s Gasparilla Bowl will do more than enable the Knights to finish with a winning record in their first season in a Power 5 conference.

Lakeview Academy looked sharp in its final tune-up before Lanierland with an impressive 74-39 win over Southwest Atlanta Christian on Thursday at home.

The Georgia Bulldogs are getting ready for a bowl game, which is standard routine at this time of year. Yet it feels so different.

Kyle Sturdivant scored 21 points and sealed the win with a pair of free throws, capping Georgia Tech's rally from a double-digit deficit to defeat Massachusetts 73-70 at the Diamond Head Classic on Thursday night.

Cherokee Bluff ran its win streak to five straight after routing McDonough 67-35 on Thursday in the Battle of Champions Showcase at Commerce High School.

Christmas tournament season will be in full swing beginning Thursday around northeast Georgia and the state.

Johns Creek opened the game with a 21-10 run and then held off several second half charges to beat North Hall 67-55 on Wednesday.

Trae Young had 30 points and 14 assists as the Atlanta Hawks withstood a late charge by the Houston Rockets to get a 134-127 victory Wednesday night.

Jabri Abdur-Rahim scored 23 points, RJ Melendez added 18, and Georgia extended its winning streak to six games, defeating Mount St. Mary's 94-82 on Wednesday.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart is bringing in the nation's top-ranked class, just ahead of playoff-bound Alabama at No. 2, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. The early signing period runs through Friday.