Region standings across Northeast Georgia could take on a different look after Tuesday night's slate of games.
Perhaps, the most intriguing match-up of the night is Cherokee Bluff at North Hall. It's Part 1 of the mad rush to the end of the regular season. Friday's Cherokee Bluff at Chestatee doubleheader also will be a big one.
Nevertheless, we're focused on Tuesday night right now, and there are a handful of games to keep an eye on.
On the girls side, Cherokee Bluff (13-8, 5-3 Region 8-4A North) will give North Hall its best shot to grab at least a tie for the No. 2 spot in the region standings.
Bluff and East Forsyth sit at 5-3 in the sub-region standings. East Forsyth plays Johnson. The Lady Broncos should get the win there to stay in the top-3.
Bluff lost to North Hall 47-42 at home on Jan. 3. That loss set the Lady Bears on a five-game losing streak that included losses to North Oconee, Chestatee, East Forsyth and Walnut Grove. Bluff, however, has gotten it together as of late and rolls in on a three-game winning streak. But there is a smidge of bad news for the Lady Bears. It looks like North Hall (17-5, 6-2 Region 8-4A North) has hit its stride since losing to East Forsyth on Jan. 10. They have won six straight, including a win over region leader Chestatee, 53-51.
The two Hall County rivals desperately need a win to keep the No. 1 North seed in sight. With this one at North Hall, the Lady Trojans have a slight edge. Get your tickets now and get there early, as this one will be a dandy.
On the boys side, we believe the Trojans (12-10, 4-4 Region 8-4A North) have righted the ship after losing five in a row. They have now won three straight. Cherokee Bluff (15-7, 7-1 Region 8-4A North) sits atop the standings with a massive game looming at co-leader Chestatee on Friday. Will the Bears be overlooking North Hall? Well, at home on Jan. 3, they hammered North Hall by 18 points. With that game a month old now and in the past, don't count out the Trojans in this one. But don't count out a hot Bluff team, either.
In other games to watch on Tuesday, the West Hall boys (11-10, 6-3 Region 7-3A), who knocked off Region 7-3A leader White County on Friday, play host to the region's co-leader Wesleyan (15-6, 6-2 Region 7-3A). If the Spartans can knock off the Wolves, they'll climb into a tie with Wesleyan for the No. 2 spot and remain one game behind White County for the top spot. Furthermore, if Gilmer knocks White County, which will be playing without leading scorer Jadon Yeh on Tuesday, there will be a three-way tie for first.
In Region 8-6A, Gainesville hosts North Forsyth. You can hear the action live on AM 1240 and 94.5 FM The Lake.
Despite the loss to Habersham Central on Friday, the Lady Red Elephants (18-2, 6-2 Region 8-6A) are still in a fight for the top spot in the region. It starts with knocking off ninth-ranked North Forsyth (16-6, 8-1 Region 8-6A) at home on Tuesday. The Lady Raiders have been beating most the region by 20 or more points, except for the loss to Habersham Central two weeks ago. In the first meeting, NoFo beat Gainesville by 20 points. The Lady Red Elephants will have to slow down North Forsyth's transition game to have a chance in this one. If they do, it should be a barn burner in Gainesville.
On the boys side, both the Raiders (12-10, 5-4 Region 8-6A) and Red Elephants (12-8, 5-3 Region 8-6A) have been struggling offensively against the region's top-2 teams, Lanier and Shiloh. The Raiders fell to Lanier last Tuesday and Shiloh on Saturday; in both, the offense was lackluster. Gainesville has had the same issue in their three losses, falling to Shiloh two weeks ago and Habersham Central last Friday; offensive output was weak. wasn't very good. So, this one should be interesting. Gainesville walked out a six-point winner in the first meeting at Raider Arena. Expect this one to be a heated battle from the tip to the final horn.
Other key region games to watch on Tuesday:
-- Flowery Branch plays host to Eastside. Both boys and girls swept Eastside in the first meeting. A win for the Lady Falcons will keep them No. 2 in the standings. As for the Falcons (15-6, 5-4 Region 8-5A), with just three games remaining on the schedule, they'll need to win out, which means beating Eastside (18-4, 8-2 Region 8-5A) and Heritage (15-6, 7-2 Region 8-5A) and hope for some help to improve their region tournament seeding. Right now, they're in fourth.
-- The Banks County boys (15-7, 5-2 Region 8-2A) could improve their region tournament seeding with a win over Union County (15-7, 6-1 Region 8-2A). Of course, Union County is in a battle to remain tied or take the lead in the Region 8-2A standings. The Panthers won big in the first meeting in Blairsville, but with this one in Homer, the Leopards have a slight edge.
HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE, Tuesday, Jan. 31
Apalachee at Habersham Central*
Buford at Central Gwinnett*
Cherokee Bluff at North Hall*
Chestatee at East Hall*
Cross Keys at Lakeview Academy
East Jackson at Fellowship Christian*
Eastside at Flowery Branch*
Jefferson at Loganville*
Johnson at East Forsyth*
Lanier Christian at Fideles Christian*
North Forsyth at Gainesville* -- AM 1240 & FM 94.5 The Lake
Pickens at Lumpkin County*
Riverside Prep at Bethlehem Christian*
Tallulah Falls at Commerce*
Union County at Banks County*
Wesleyan at West Hall*
White County at Gilmer*
(* -- denotes region contest)
