Both teams, starting with Friday night's game against Athens Academy, begin a stretch of four-of-five games on the road in eight days, including four Region 8-A contests.
That stretch will be followed by finishing the regular season with six-of-seven games at home.
Lakeview Athletic Director and boys basketball coach Richie Hughes said they have a chance to put themselves in position. The Athens Academy boys (10-3) are ranked 14th while the girls are ranked No. 3 in Class A.
"This will be a huge test for both our teams," Hughes said. "Athens Academy is one of the traditional powers in the region and if we have aspirations of going somewhere we need to beat them."
The Lions (7-4) should not be scared of the Spartans. Lakeview has already played two state champions from last year (East Hall and Whitefield Academy) plus Class AAA teams West Hall and Chestatee .
The girls are also 7-4 having played Class AAA state champ Gainesville plus East Hall and North Hall.
"We've had a tough schedule but we did that intentionally so that we would be prepared when the region and subregion games came around," Hughes said.
The boys are led by Dustin Wellborn, who is averaging 17 points a game. Will Crumley is scoring 13 points a game and Tony Cash 9.
The girls are led by Chelsey Chastain.
"If we can go down to Athens and play with these guys, I like our chances of being able to make some noise in the region this year," Hughes said.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/1/166100