As area teams continue the race to the end of the regular season, they also battle each other for region tournament seeding. Below are a few games that could have a big impact on their respective region standings.
Region 8-5A Boys
Cedar Shoals at Buford: No. 8 Buford continues to rise and is playing well right now. It’ll be put to the test tonight when they host No. 4 Cedar Shoals (20-1, 6-0). The Jaguars are on a 15-game win streak and beat Buford on Jan. 7, 67-61. But the defending state champion Wolves have proved the young roster is jelling together, winning the last four games and routing Walnut Grove, 78-57, last week. Listen live on AM 550/FM 102.9 WDUN
Region 7-4A girls
Flowery Branch at Marist: Flowery Branch (15-8, 8-2) only lost to No. 7 Marist (20-1, 9-0) by four points, 47-43, in December. Since then, the Lady Falcons have won the last 8-of-11 games, including their last four games. If the Branch beats Marist and White County, it’ll put them in a better position to take the No. 2 seed into next month’s Region 7-4A tournament.
Region 7-3A Boys
GAC at Cherokee Bluff: If Cherokee Bluff (14-8, 6-3) wants to improve its region standing, they’ll have to get past No. 6 Greater Atlanta (15-6, 7-2) tonight at home. The Bears were beaten badly in December, 69-43, and are 8-3 since that game, including a four-game win streak. If Bluff beats GAC, they’ll move into a tie with the Spartans for second place in the region.
Region 7-3A Girls
Lumpkin at Dawson County: Lumpkin County (14-8, 5-5) is coming off a massive blowout win over Greater Atlanta on Tuesday and has won the last three games. Dawson County (12-9, 5-4) beat the Lady Indians in their first meeting on Dec. 17, 64-51. Isabel Davenport reached the 1,000-point mark against GAC and can take over a game from the 3-point arc. The Lady Tigers, on the other hand, have been playing hot and cold. If Davenport and her supporting cast have a hot night, the Lady Indians could elevate themselves from No. 5 in the region to a tie for No. 3 spot.
Region 8-2A Boys
Union County at Rabun County: Rabun County (7-13, 5-5) has a chance to move into a tie for the No. 3 spot in the region tonight with Union County (11-9, 6-4). The Wildcat shocked Banks County last week. The Panthers, however, have won their last 4-of-5 games and pulled away from the Wildcats on Jan. 3, 63-48.