It seemed like only yesterday that the 2018-19 high school basketball season was getting under way. On Friday, the regular season comes to an end with a full slate of games on tap around northeast Georgia.
Many teams already know their positions for the upcoming region tournaments. For others, Friday's season finales will have huge significance.
Perhaps the biggest showdown of the night will be at the Gainesville gym as the Red Elephants play host to Lanier with the Region 8-6A No. 1 seed on the line.
Both the boys teams already have locked state playoff berths but Lanier (16-6, 8-0 Region 8-6A) can seal the top seed with a win over Gainesville (16-8, 8-1 Region 8-6A). The Longhorns knocked off the Red Elephants 78-77 on a buzzer-beater in overtime in the first meeting in Sugar Hill two weeks ago. A Gainesville win would put the two teams in a virtual tie with a coin flip deciding the top seed.
Riveride MIlitary (17-4, 8-1 Region 8-A) already has claimed the top seed and a first round bye in Region 8-A for the boys and the Lakeview Academy (17-7 Region 8-A) boys can grab a first round bye as well with a win over Hebron Christian on the road.
(All start times are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise notes.)
Friday, Feb. 1 (end of regular season)
North Hall at Cherokee Bluff, 6 p.m.*
Social Circle at Banks County, 6 p.m.*
Athens Christian at Towns County*
Blessed Trinity at West Hall*
Clarke Central at Buford* -- WDUN AM 550/102.9FM
Commerce at Riverside Military*
East Hall at Dawson County*
Flowery Branch at White County*
Jefferson at Jackson County*
Johnson at Loganville*
Lakeview Academy at Hebron Christian*
Lanier at Gainesville* -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Oglethorpe County at Union County*
Rabun County at Putnam County*
(* -- Denotes region contest)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/2/757470/basketball-sked-for-1-28-to-2-2