It was a tough night all around for northeast Georgia basketball, as Thursday's Sweet 16 state playoff contests proved anything but.
All nine area teams in action lost -- in stark contrast to Wednesday's second round play that saw seven of eight northeast Georgia programs clinch quarterfinal berths.
(NOTE: Check below for a full list of second round playoff scores for area teams and next week's quarterfinal match-ups)
One defending state champion in the Buford boys fell to perennial state power Miller Grove 79-75 in a Class 5A matchup that saw a late Wolves rally fall short at home. Also in Class 5A, the Flowery Branch boys went to overtime against Lithonia but were outscored 15-3 in the extra frame in a 52-39 loss.
The Lakeview Academy boys, who advanced to the Class A Private semifinals in 2017, could not get past Holy Innocents' dropping a 73-66 decision in Atlanta. The Lanier boys in Class 6A fell to defending state champion Langston Hughes 70-57 after hanging tough for a half.
A young Jefferson squad took Lafayette down to the wire but saw a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer misfire in a 53-51 loss in Class 4A. The Stephens County boys also fell in Class 4A, 72-53, to Sandy Creek.
In Class 3A, the Dawson County boys fell 64-52 to Cedar Grove, while the East Hall girls were overwhelmed by Lovett 58-39.
The Banks County boys pushed defending Class 2A champion South Atlanta most of the night but the Hornets eventually pulled away for a 72-60 win.
SECOND ROUND STATE PLAYOFF BASKETBALL SCORES
Area teams in bold
THURSDAY'S SCORES
CLASS 6A
Hughes 70, Lanier boys 57
CLASS 5A
Lithonia 52, Flowery Branch boys 39 OT
Miller Grove 79, Buford boys 75
CLASS 4A
Lafayette 53, Jefferson boys 51
Sandy Creek 72, Stephens County boys 53
CLASS 3A
Lovett 58, East Hall girls 39
Cedar Grove 64, Dawson County boys 52
CLASS 2A
South Atlanta 72, Banks County boys 60
CLASS A Private
Holy Innocents 73, Lakeview boys 66
WEDNESDAY'S SCORES
CLASS 7A
North Forsyth girls 56, Grayson 40
CLASS 6A
Gainesville boys 82, Alexander 57
Harrison 61, Lanier girls 54
CLASS 5A
Flowery Branch girls 68, Lithia Springs 39
Buford girls 75, Jackson, Atlanta 40
CLASS 4A
Jefferson girls 62, Pickens 40
CLASS 2A
Banks County girls 70, KIPP 28
Rabun County girls 63, Lamar County 42
STATE QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS FOR AREA TEAMS
CLASS 7A
Hillgrove at North Forsyth girls
CLASS 6A
Lakeside, Evans at Gainesville boys
CLASS 5A
Dutchtown at Flowery Branch girls
Eagles Landing at Buford girls
CLASS 4A
Henry County at Jefferson girls
CLASS 2A
Laney at Banks County girls
Rabun Country girls at Fitzgerald
