There is just over one week left in the regular season and several northeast Georgia area teams have a chance to wrap up some top seeds for the upcoming region tournaments.
A semi-full slate of games on Friday and Saturday is on tap but there are some key matchups that could help decide some top seeding.
Here are some of the key games that could have an impact on the region standings:
In Region 8-6A, both Buford teams are off this weekend but the Habersham Central girls (13-4, 5-3 Region 8-4A Public) have a chance to maintain their position with a road win over Shiloh (5-14, 2-4 Region 8-4A Public).
In Region 8-4A, the Flowery Branch girls (5-11, 3-3 Region 8-4A Public) have a chance to climb into second place playing host to North Oconee (10-5, 4-2 Region 8-4A Public). A Lady Falcons win and a Cedar Shoals loss would put them in a virtual tie. The top-ranked Jefferson girls (15-3, 7-0 Region 8-4A Public) already lead the region by 2 1/2 games.
For the boys in Region 8-4A, no real movement is possible as Cedar Shoals (13-6, 8-1 Region 8-4A Public) leads by 1 1/2 games and travels to Madison County (7-9, 4-3 Region 8-4A Public).
In Region 8-3A, the East Jackson girls (7-2, 3-0 Region 8-3A Public) will try to stay unbeaten against Oconee County (6-11, 1-3 Region 8-3A Public) on the road on Friday.
The White County boys (12-5, 9-1 Region 7-3A Public) have a chance to clinch no worse than second place in Region 7-3A with a win over winless West Hall on Friday. The Lady Warriors also can clinch a top two spot with a win as well.
The Lakeview Academy (11-5, 6-3 Region 6-A Private) boys have a huge game in Region 6-A Private against Pinecrest Academy (5-4, 5-2 Region 6-A Private) as the two teams battle for third place.
In Region 8-A, the Towns County boys (12-3, 6-1 Region 8-A Public) are still atop the standings and have a big road game at Washington-Wilkes. The Indians won the first matchup 77-60 two weeks ago. The Commerce girls (9-8,4-1 Region 8-A Public) have won seven straight and sit in second place and face a struggling Lincoln County (3-10, 0-5 Region 8-A Public) squad on Friday.
(Check below for the schedule Friday and Saturday around the area.)
AREA BASKETBALL SCHEDULE FOR Friday, Jan. 29
(Games listed by highest classification)
(Games begin at 7 p.m. with girls unless otherwise noted)
REGION 8-6A
Habersham Central at Shiloh, 6 p.m.*
REGION 8-5A
Eastside at Johnson*
Loganville at Jackson County*
REGION 8-4A
East Hall at Jefferson*
North Oconee at Flowery Branch*
REGION 8-3A
East Jackson at Oconee County*
REGION 7-3A
North Hall at Dawson County*
White County at West Hall*
REGION 8-2A
Union County at Elbert County, 6:30 p.m.*
REGION 8-A PUBLIC
Towns County at Washington-Wilkes, 6 p.m.*
Lincoln County at Commerce (boys only), 6:30 p.m.*
REGION 6-A PRIVATE
Pinecrest Academy at Lakeview Academy, 6 p.m.*
AREA BASKETBALL SCHEDULE FOR Saturday, Jan. 30
(Games listed by highest classification)
REGION 8-6A
St. Francis at Buford (girls only), 1 p.m.
REGION 8-4A
Jefferson at Flowery Branch, 1:30 p.m.*
REGION 8-3A
East Jackson at Stephens County, 4:30 p.m.*
REGION 7-3A
North Hall at West Hall (girls only), 1 p.m.*
REGION 8-2A
Rabun County at Towns County, 5 p.m.
REGION 8-A PUBLIC
Rabun County at Towns County, 5 p.m.
Washington-Wilkes at Commerce (girls only), 7 p.m.*
