Things are really starting to heat up and take shape among the various regions around northeast Georgia.
There are more than three weeks left in the regular season, so there are still many crucial games, including several monster games on Friday and Saturday. It could be a pivotal weekend as positioning for the upcoming region tournaments will be furious.
In Region 8-7A, Buford (13-3, 2-0 Region 8-7A) is tied with Collins Hill (12-5, 2-0 Region 8-7A) in the early going. The Wolves head to Central Gwinnett (7-8, 0-2 Region 8-7A), while the Eagles play host to Mountain View (9-7, 1-1 Region 8-7A).
If both win on Friday, that would set up a showdown for first place on Tuesday at The Buford Arena.
Region 8-6A is looking interesting in the early going. No. 2 Shiloh (12-3, 3-0 Region 8-6A) has the early lead, with Jackson County (7-7, 2-0 Region 8-6A) right behind. Gainesville (3-11, 1-1 Region 8-6A) and Habersham Central (12-3, 1-1 Region 8-6A) are tied for third.
On Friday, Habersham is at home against Apalachee (4-11, 0-2 Region 8-6A), while the Red Elephants play host to North Forsyth (4-12, 1-2 Region 8-6A). On Saturday, Habersham heads to North Forsyth, while Gainesville will play host to Lanier. Jackson County will be at Shiloh on Saturday.
In Region 8-5A, there is a logjam at the top with Jefferson (14-4, 4-1 Region 8-5A), Winder-Barrow (15-3, 4-1 Region 8-5A), and Clarke Central (7-8, 4-1 Region 8-5A) all tied atop the standings. Flowery Branch (4-14, 0-5 Region 8-5A) has lost five straight and is now at the bottom of the standings.
The Dragons beat Winder, who beat Clarke Central earlier in the season in region play. Jefferson’s only region loss came to Eastside (9-8, 3-3 Region 8-5A). The Dragons head to Clarke Central on Friday, while Winder travels to Loganville (5-10, 2-3 Region 8-5A).
Jefferson and Winder-Barrow will meet again on Jan. 23 in Jefferson.
The interesting stat for Region 8-4A, which is split into subregions, is that the North teams are still looking for their first win against any of the South teams. The South is a perfect 12-0 as a whole against the North. The next crossover day will be Tuesday.
On Friday, there are plenty of crucial games in both subregions. East Hall (10-5, 5-1 Region 8-4A North) leads the North subregion by one-half game over Cherokee Bluff (12-5, 4-1 Region 8-4A North). The Vikings take on rival North Hall (7-10, 3-2 Region 8-4A North) on the road while the Bears travel to East Forsyth (5-13, 3-3 Region 8-4A North).
On the South side, Seckinger (11-4, 3-1 Region 8-4A South) leads the way and will play host to Madison County (13-4, 2-1 Region 8-4A South) with first place on the line. North Oconee (13-3, 2-1 Region 8-4A South) heads to Walnut Grove (9-5, 1-3 Region 8-4A South) trying to keep pace.
In Region 7-3A, Gilmer (9-4, 4-0 Region 7-3A) and Wesleyan (8-8. 3-0 Region 7-3A) lead the way, with Pickens (12-5, 3-1 Region 7-3A) right behind. West Hall sits fourth at (4-10, 2-2 Region 7-3A) but has lost four straight.
Dawson County (8-8, 1-3 Region 7-3A) is a game back of the Spartans but also has dropped four straight, while Lumpkin County (6-10, 1-4 Region 7-3A) is on a three-game win streak.
The Tigers have a huge road win at White County (4-13, 0-4 Region 7-3A), while Dawson County travels to Gilmer on Friday.
In Region 8-2A, Banks County (11-6, 2-0 Region 8-2A) and Union County (14-2, 2-0 Region 8-2A) are tied atop the standings. Their Tuesday matchup was postponed until Jan. 23, but both will be in action on Friday.
The Leopards travel to Athens Academy (12-3, 1-1 Region 8-2A), while the Panthers are on the road at East Jackson (7-7, 0-2 Region 8-2A).
Region 8-A Division 2 could see a lot of movement over the weekend as several teams play on both Friday and Saturday in key region matchups.
Towns County (10-4, 5-0 Region 8-A Division 2) travels to Lake Oconee (3-10, 1-3 Region 8-A Division 2) on Friday and then plays host to Washington-Wilkes (3-8, 2-2 Region 8-A Division 2) on Saturday. (The Towns County at Lake Oconee game has moved to Jan. 23 due to weather concerns.))
The Indians are one-half game behind Greene County (11-4, 6-0 Region 8-A Division 2) and one-half game ahead of Lincoln County (8-4, 5-1 Region 8-A Division 2) in the standings. Lincoln County plays host to Aquinas (2-8, 2-3 Region 8-A Division 2) on Friday and then travels to Greene County on Saturday.
Region 8-A Division 1 opened region play on Wednesday with Commerce (6-11, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 1) knocking off Rabun County (5-12, 0-1 Region 8-A Division 1). Neither team plays in the region again until Tuesday.
(See the entire schedules for Friday and Saturday below.)
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE FOR Friday, Jan. 12
Apalachee at Habersham Central, 6 p.m.*
Banks County at Athens Academy, 7 p.m.*
Bethlehem Christian at Lakeview Academy, 6 p.m.*
Buford at Central Gwinnett, 6 p.m.*
Cherokee Bluff at East Forsyth, 6 p.m.*
Chestatee at Johnson, 6 p.m.*
Dawson County at White County, 7 p.m.*
East Hall at North Hall, 6 p.m.*
Flowery Branch at Heritage-Conyers, 5:30 p.m.*
Jefferson at Clarke Central, 7 p.m.*
Lanier Christian Academy at Fideles Christian, 6:30 p.m.*
North Forsyth at Gainesville, 7 p.m.* -- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
Prince Avenue Christian at Rabun County, 6:30 p.m.
Tallulah Falls at Commerce, 7 p.m.*
Towns County at Lake Oconee, 7 p.m..* -- (moved to Jan. 23)
Union County at East Jackson, 6 p.m.*
West Hall at Gilmer, 7 p.m.*
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE FOR Saturday, Jan. 13
Fannin County at Union County, 3 p.m.
Habersham Central at North Forsyth, 3 p.m.*
Heritage-Conyers at Flowery Branch, 1:30 p.m.* (boys game first)
Jackson County at Shiloh, 4 p.m.*
Lanier at Gainesville, 4 p.m.* – RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
Lanier Christian at Providence Christian, 4:15 p.m.
Lumpkin County at Murray County, 1:30 p.m.
River Ridge at Buford, 6 p.m.
Washington-Wilkes at Towns County, 5 p.m..*
(* -- denotes region contest)
