The high school basketball season extended at least a few more days for 12 area teams this past weekend. Two more will join the fray on Monday, as the state playoffs move into the second round for Classes AA-AAAAAA and Class A squads initiate their bracket.
Hot on the heels of Friday and Saturday's first round games, the second round will commence on Monday and Tuesday for girls and boys teams, respectively.
Those that make it will have just one day of rest before quarterfinal play heats up on Wednesday-Thursday. Endure that, and your reward is another one or two days off before the semifinals get underway on Saturday.
Survive and advance indeed.
The Buford boys and girls, East Hall boys and girls, Dawson County boys and girls, Jefferson boys and girls, Johnson boys, North Hall girls, Lakeview Academy girls, Rabun County girls, North Forsyth girls, and Towns County girls will all battle on Monday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, spring sports will continue to get serious, as all local baseball teams get their season started, while soccer, golf, tennis and track each continue their competitions.
By the way, one last congratulations to all of northeast Georgia's wrestlers, who wrapped up perhaps their most successful season ever this past weekend, as three teams won titles in the traditional championships -- Buford, Commerce and Jefferson -- and 19 individuals from around the area claimed titles.
If the rest of the school sports season is as successful, we're in for a treat indeed.
AREA SPORTS SCHEDULE, FEB. 24 - MARCH 1
Monday, Feb. 24
BASKETBALL:
Girls state second round games (First round Class A)
Dawson County at Morgan County, 6 p.m.
Decatur at Buford, 6 p.m.
Duluth at North Forsyth, 7:30 p.m.
East Hall at St. Pius, 7 p.m. -- Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
Lakeview Academy at Mt. Paran, 6 p.m.
Manchester at Jefferson, 6 p.m.
North Hall at Woodward Academy, 6:30 p.m.
Rabun County at Kendrick, 5 p.m.
Towns County at Gordon Lee, 6 p.m.
BASEBALL:
Flowery Branch at North Oconee
Habersham Central at Oconee County
Lumpkin County at East Jackson
North Forsyth at Forsyth Central
West Hall at Johnson
Tuesday, Feb. 25
BASKETBALL:
Boys state second round games
Blessed Trinity at Buford, 7 p.m.
Dawson County at Cedar Grove, 7 p.m.
East Hall boys at Morgan County, 7 p.m.
Manchester at Jefferson, 6 p.m.
Sandy Creek at Johnson, 7:30 p.m. -- Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
BASEBALL:
White County at Jackson County
SOCCER:
Banks County at Lakeview Academy
Buford at Lovett
Cedar Shoals at Chestatee
Habersham Central at Johnson
Jackson County at Athens Academy
Lanier at West Hall
North Forsyth at Gainesville
North Hall at White County
Union County at Lumpkin County
Riverside Military at Clarke Central
Wednesday, Feb. 26
BASKETBALL:
State quarterfinal games
BASEBALL:
Buford at Providence Christian
Habersham Central at Stephens County
Jackson County at Johnson
Lumpkin County at White County
North Hall at Flowery Branch
North Oconee at Jefferson
Pickens at North Forsyth
Riverside at Chestatee
SOCCER:
Franklin County at Chestatee
Thursday, Feb. 27
BASKETBALL:
State quarterfinal games
SOCCER
North Hall at Lumpkin County
Friday, Feb. 28
BASEBALL:
East Jackson at Lumpkin County
Flowery Branch at Shiloh
Jackson County at Oglethorpe County
Johnson at West Hall
North Forsyth vs. Alcovy
North Gwinnett at Gainesville
North Hall at Chestatee
Rabun County at Habersham Central
Tift County at Jefferson
SOCCER:
Chestatee at Monroe Area
Jackson County at Gainesville
North Oconee at Johnson
Riverside Military at Pace Academy
West Hall at Flowery Branch
Saturday, March 1
BASKETBALL:
State semifinal games
BASEBALL:
Buford vs. Hebron Christian (Coolray Field, Lawrenceville)
Tift County at Jefferson
SOCCER:
Johnson at Flowery Branch
McIntosh at Gainesville
The Buford girls will play host to Decatur on Monday in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs. / photo: David McGregor
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/2/271573