Rivalry to get more heated with playoffs on line

GAINESVILLE - If you think the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry is heated, try this new one on for size: the Class AAA No.3-ranked North Hall and No. 6 Chestatee high girls softball teams.

Despite having played just three times, it's already becoming one of the most intense showdowns running.

The two teams' meet Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Region 7-AAA Tournament at Lanier Point Park with an automatic berth in the state tournament on the line.

No. 9 Flowery Branch and No. 4 Pickens County play in the other quarterfinal game for a shot at the other automatic bid.

"We want another crack at (North Hall), no doubt," Chestatee pitcher and recent North Georgia signee Brooke Puckett said last week. "We feel we're better and we just played a bad game."

Puckett is referring to the Lady Trojans' 9-0 pasting of the Lady War Eagles last month in the only meeting of the year between the two teams'. Chestatee won both meetings over North Hall last year.

The anticipated meeting was set up by both teams' impressive wins in the second round of the tournament on Tuesday.

Defending region champ Chestatee got a measure of revenge beating West Hall, which knocked the War Eagles out of the state sectionals last year. North Hall hammered East Hall.

North Hall coach Roger Fannon tried to downplay the showdown.

"Well, we know everyone is gunning for us because we're the No. 1 seed. I'm sure they thought they could've played better (the first game against us) but I thought we played real well. I don't think it would be the same score, but I'm confident that we could beat (Chestatee) again," he said after his team's win over East Hall.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

The Flowery Branch-Pickens game will feature on of the best pitching matchups of the tournament with the Falcons' Holli Lewis going against Pickens' Whitney Propes, considered by many to be the top softball prospect in Georgia.

Pickens beat Flowery Branch earlier in the season. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

In other action Thursday in the elimination round, arch-rivals Johnson and West Hall will battle to stay alive. Gainesville will play East Hall and Gilmer County and Fannin County look to keep playing.

All elimination games begin at 4:30 p.m.