But one of them will.
And both coaches are using the early Region 7-AAA South showdown as an example of what pressure-packed playoff basketball will be like - if they make it.
"Since both teams have lost to East Hall, this is a huge game," Johnson coach Benji Wood said. "Gainesville is undefeated and East Hall is playing very well so whoever losses this game is in trouble of getting a good seeding."
In other Region 7-AAA games Friday, East Hall travels to West Hall and Gainesville is off on the South side. Chestatee travels to White County and Gilmer plays host to Fannin County on the North side.
The Class AAA No. 1-ranked Lady Elephants lead the South subregion with a 3-0 mark. Both Johnson, ranked third, and Flowery Branch, ranked sixth, were expected to challenge for the subregion title this year.
The surprise has been the Lady Vikings, who are second with a 2-1 record. Johnson is 1-1 while the Lady Falcons are a shocking 0-2.
"We have to have this one," Flowery Branch coach Angela Middleton said. "Not just for the subregion but because we're struggling and need a win. This will be a test of character for our team."
The Lady Falcons (10-5, 0-2) were flying almost a month ago having won their first-ever Lanierland championship and posting a gaudy 7-1 record. They beat these same Lady Knights 59-57 for the title leading from start to finish.
But the new year has been kind to them. They've lost three-of-four games since winning Lanierland. And, seven of their next nine games are on the road.
"We've lost that chemistry we had going during the tournament," Middleton said. "Plus, I think the girls are now realizing that they are on other teams' scouting reports. We're not going to sneak up on anyone anymore. The next two weeks will show what kind of team we have."
Junior Beth Adcock leads the team in scoring at 18 points a game and senior Kristina Tyler, who has battled back and ankle injuries, is averaging 16. Freshman Courtney Newton is scoring 12 points a game.
For the Johnson (12-4, 1-1) it is much the same story. The Lady Knights jumped out to a 7-0 record but are just 5-4 since.
"We're not playing with the same fire and intensity we had early on," Wood said. "I think the good start may have hurt us because the girls started to get the feeling they were going to win just by showing up. That's my fault for letting that happen. We're not good enough yet to have that kind of attitude.
"Our defensive play has not been good and we're not executing on offense like we were early in the season. For us it starts with defense and we will have to do that to beat Flowery Branch."
The Lady Knights have a chance to make a move with six of their next seven games at home, including three big subregion games.
"This is the stretch where we need to work hard and get some wins," Wood said. "The girls I think are now realizing they will have to work hard every game to earn wins. No one in this region is easy and if you don't work hard, you will get beat."
Sophomore Whitney Randolph leads Johnson in scoring at 18 points a game. Seniors Sarah Lane and Amanda Towe have played well and sophomore Krystyn Young has stepped up her game, Wood said.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/1/165511