There are just eight teams still playing in each classification of the GHSA basketball playoffs -- and plenty of them are from northeast Georgia.
In fact, nine area programs will continue their postseason quests this week, as the state quarterfinals get underway Tuesday and Wednesday.
Each of the teams left standing face tough match-ups, as to be expected at this point of the campaign, but each also has legitimate state championship hopes if they can maintain the form that has gotten them this far.
The Gainesville boys, both Buford teams, Flowery Branch girls, Jefferson girls, Dawson County girls, Rabun County girls and both Lakeview teams all hit the court again this week -- with the Red Elephants, Wolves, Lady Wildcats and Lions and Lady Lions enjoying home-court advantage.
Perhaps Dawson County presents the biggest surprise, as the second-seeded Lady Tigers battled through a tough regular season only to catch fire in the Region 7-AAA tournament. They have yet to cool off, claiming a huge road playoff win in last week's second round, 63-53 over Monroe of Albany that netted the program's third quarterfinal berth in five seasons. Up next is defending state champion Morgan County on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of other storylines that bear watching this week. Gainesville's boys face a rematch with Langston Hughes after defeating Hughes 74-57 in the Red Elephants' season opener. A win would take Gainesville back into the state semifinals for the first time since finishing as state runner-up in 2013. Tuesday's game will be broadcast live on 1240 AM ESPN Radio.
Meanwhile, the Flowery Branch girls are looking for their first ever semifinal berth when they travel to face Carrollton on Tuesday. The Lady Falcons face a Lady Trojans team that has just one loss on its resume this campaign, but after a brutal regular season schedule and an impressive quarterfinal defeat of Statesboro, the Branch believes it is up for the challenge.
Both Buford squads face Warner Robins -- on different days and different locations, thanks to the vagaries of a coin flip to determine home-court advantage between the four No. 1 seeds -- in what are intriguing showdowns. The Wolves are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2014 thanks to a second-round buzzer-beater from Alex Jones, 69-68 over New Hampstead and will play at home Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Lady Wolves cruised into their 11th straight state quarterfinal and will face their first road contest of these playoffs on Tuesday.
Both Lakeview teams needed strong performances to make their second-straight quarterfinal appearances. And each knows they must step up their game to keep their seasons going. The Lions are facing Athens Christian in a rematch of two earlier season contests. Lakeview is 2-0 so far against the Eagles this season, but the Region 8-A championship proved a tight affair that the Lions claimed 43-41. Win again and Lakeview will make its first ever semifinal appearance. Meanwhile, the Lady Lions are gunning for their first "Final Four" berth since 2005 when they play host to Darlington. Both Lakeview squads play on Wednesday at home in games broadcast live on WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM.
In Class AA, the Rabun County girls are looking to break through for their first ever state semifinal when they play host to Fitzgerald on Tuesday. The Lady Wildcats have been here four times previously, including last season.
And, in Class AAAA, the Jefferson girls are gunning for their first semifinal berth since 2006 when they travel to face Carver in Columbus.
It should make for a fascinating set of contests this week, and those left standing when the dust settles will head right back on the road on Saturday for semifinal showdowns at neutral sites around the state.
QUARTERFINAL ROUND PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS
Class AAAAAA
- Langston Hughes (Region 5, No. 3 seed) at Gainesville boys (Region 8, No. 1), 6:30 p.m. Tuesday -- Radio: 1240 AM ESPN
Class AAAAA
- Warner Robins (Region 1, No. 1) at Buford boys (Region 8, No. 1), 6 p.m. Wednesday
- Buford girls (Region 8, No. 1 seed) at Warner Robins (Region 1, No. 1), 5:30 p.m. Tuesday
- Flowery Branch girls (Region 8, No. 2) at Carrollton (Region 7, No. 1), 6 p.m. Tuesday
Class AAAA
- Jefferson girls (Region 8, No. 1) at Carver, Columbus (Region 1, No. 1), 6 p.m. Tuesday
Class AAA
- Dawson County girls (Region 7, No. 2) at Morgan County (Region 8, No. 1), 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
Class AA
- Fitzgerald (Region 1, No. 1) at Rabun County girls (Region 8, No. 1), 6 p.m. Tuesday*
Class A Private
- Darlington (No. 11) at Lakeview Academy girls (No. 3), 5:30 p.m. Wednesday -- Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
- Athens Christian (No. 7) at Lakeview Academy boys (No. 2), 7 p.m. Wednesday -- Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
* - Coin flip determined home-court advantage
