Games2Watch: Several region battles have big-time implications

If you're looking for Games2Watch on Friday, we've compiled a small list that you might want to keep an eye on. 

(BOYS BASKETBALL: TOURNAMENT POSITIONING HEATING UP IN NEGA AREA REGIONS)

CHEROKEE BLUFF BOYS (12-5, 4-1 Region 8-4A North) AT EAST FORSYTH (5-13, 3-3 Region 8-4A North) 
In the first meeting between the two teams, East Forsyth rallied late to force overtime and eventually won the game 88-78. It's Cherokee Bluff's only Region 8-4A subregion loss. If the Bears are to stay in the hunt for the North No. 1 seed, they'll need to avenge that loss on the Broncos' court Friday. Meanwhile, the Broncos need a sub-region win, sitting one-half game behind North Hall in the fourth spot. Right now, the Broncos' start to 2024 hasn't been good. They have lost three straight. Bluff has won the last 10 of 11. 

DAWSON COUNTY GIRLS (10-6, 3-1 Region 7-3A) AT WHITE COUNTY (14-3, 2-2 Region 7-3A)
The Lady Tigers had a rough ending to 2023, losing three straight. Since the new year, they've won two in a row, including a massive win over Class 5A top-10 Jefferson last weekend. They'll face another huge test against White County on Friday. The Lady Warriors have already battled the region's top-two teams, Wesleyan, No. 2 in the state, and Pickens, which ranked third in 3A, losing both. Dawson County has only played Pickens. So, in comparison, White County lost to Pickens on Tuesday, 58-52, while Dawson County fell 68-41 in December. Can you project a winner based on that information? Not so sure. Regardless, the Lady Warriors need the win to jump into a tie for third place with Dawson County, while the Lady Tigers need the win to keep sole possession of the third spot. It'll be a war in Cleveland on Friday. 

JEFFERSON BOYS  (14-4, 4-1 Region 8-5A) AT CLARKE CENTRAL (7-8, 4-1 Region 8-5A)
Jefferson's only slip-up in Region 8-5A play was a two-point loss to Eastside in December. If not for that, they'd be alone at the top of the standings. Instead, they'll battle the Gladiators to stay atop the standings. It's the season's first meeting between the two, so whoever wins this one will be one game ahead. This region will surely get interesting as Winder-Barrow also looks to stay at the top. The Bulldoggs also have one region loss -- to Jefferson -- and play Loganville. Regardless, if the Dragons win tonight, they'll have the tiebreaker -- for now -- over the Bulldoggs. 

EAST HALL BOYS (10-5, 5-1 Region 8-4A North) AT NORTH HALL (7-10, 3-2 Region 8-4A North) 
The Vikings have already proved they can beat North Hall as they took the first game on Dec. 5, 82-70. Since the new year, East Hall has won three of the last four games, only falling to top-10 ranked Madison County, 73-70. Meanwhile, North Hall has only played two games in 2024, losing to Cherokee Bluff and beating East Forsyth. These two teams play very similar, which means it'll be an uptempo, heated battle. If the Vikings win, they stay on top of the Region 8-4A North sub-region standings. If they lose and Bluff beats East Forsyth, they'll slip to No. 2. As for the Trojans, if they win, they'll be tied for second with East Hall. 

WEST HALL BOYS (4-10, 2-2 Region 7-3A) AT GILMER (9-4, 4-0 Region 7-3A) 
Although West Hall's overall record is six games under .500, the Spartans are still a factor in Region 7-3A. However, this matchup with region leader Gilmer in Elijay will be the battle of bigs on Friday. The Spartans have lost four straight, while the Bobcats took the first two weeks of January off. This might be the time for the Spartans to break the losing skid against a rusty Gilmer team. West Hall will rely on big man Teryk Tilley (6-foot-8) to slow down 7-foot-1 Bobcat center Jackson Mcvey. If the Spartans can do that, they'll break the streak and help their standing in the region.