The Wolves and Dragons pushed on to the quarterfinals, while the Knights saw their season end after a thrilling but ultimately heartbreaking 83-80 overtime loss to Sandy Creek in the second round of the Class AAAA bracket.
(NOTE: See below for a complete list of area scores and quarterfinal playoff schedule.)
The Vikings, meanwhile, battled Morgan County for three quarters but could not keep pace over the final eight minutes, falling 72-54 on the road in the Class AAA bracket.
Fellow Region 7-AAA competitor Dawson County also tumbled out of the bracket, losing at Cedar Grove 62-33.
The lone remaining team from 7-AAA on the boys side, Buford needed a second half rally to get past Blessed Trinity. But the Wolves are back in the quarterfinals for the second straight season and third time in four years. Buford will play host to Cartersville on Thursday after the Purple Hurricanes knocked out St. Pius 59-40 on Tuesday.
In Class AA, Jefferson overpowered Manchester 80-62 to reach the quarterfinal round for the first time since marching into the state semifinals in 2010. The Dragons will now look to pull off an upset over defending Class AA champ Greater Atlanta Christian. The Spartans defeated Model 80-62 on Tuesday and will travel to Jefferson on Thursday.
That leaves a total of six area squads still dancing in the GHSA bracket, as four girls teams -- Buford, Jefferson, North Forsyth and Towns County -- will also compete in the round of eight on Wednesday.
Both Buford contests -- the Lady Wolves' game against Woodward Academy at 6 p.m. Tuesday and the Wolves' showdown against Cartersville at 7 p.m. Thursday -- will be broadcast live on WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM.
TUESDAY'S SECOND ROUND STATE PLAYOFF RESULTS
Class AAAA
Sandy Creek 83, Johnson 80
Class AAA
Buford 45, Blessed Trinity 40
Morgan County boys 72, East Hall 54
Cedar Grove boys 62, Dawson County 33
Class AA
Jefferson boys 80, Manchester 62
STATE QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS FOR AREA TEAMS
Tip times included if available
Class AAAAAA
North Forsyth girls at Archer, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Class AAA
Woodward Academy girls at Buford, 6 p.m. Wednesday -- Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
Cartersville boys at Buford, 7 p.m. Thursday -- Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
Class AA
Wesleyan girls at Jefferson, 6 p.m. Wednesday
GAC boys at Jefferson, 7 p.m. Thursday
Class A
Towns County girls at Randolph-Clay, 6 p.m. Wednesday
Johnson's Rod English, left, goes up and under a Sandy Creek defender for a basket in the Knights' playoff loss on Tuesday in Oakwood.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/2/271662