There are 34 games scheduled for Tuesday around the northeast Georgia area. But, of course, as we all know, not all games are created equal.
That’s not to take anything away from the importance of every game for every team. But when first place is on the line, or head-to-head matchups with teams that are expected to challenge for playoff spots occur, those tend to draw more attention.
Such will be the case on Tuesday for several girls and boys teams in the area.
Combined, eight girls and boys from Class 4A to Class 6A ranked in the top 10 in the latest Sandy’s Spiel poll in their respective classifications. In the GHSA Postseason Rankings (PRS) poll, there 17 teams combined from Class 3A down to Class A ranked in the top 32 in their respective classifications.
Which means there are plenty of games that will have some big implications as far as movement up and down the standings and for key head-to-head tiebreakers. But only one matchup on Tuesday will be for first place outright in their region.
The Jackson County girls (12-6, 5-0 Region 8-5A) are tied with Loganville (7-10, 5-0 Region 8-5A), and the two teams will meet in Loganville (I’m sure everyone knows where that is, right?) for the region lead at the halfway point.
JACKSON COUNTY GIRLS at LOGANVILLE (REGION 8-5A): The Lady Panthers already have more wins than each of the past two seasons combined (11) and come in having won 4 of their last 5, with the only loss to Class 3A No. 2-ranked Jefferson. They beat Loganville by 29 (63-34) in an early season tournament, and a win tonight would give them a sweep of the region during the first round of games.
But the Lady Red Devils are 7-5 since a 0-5 start and also have won 4 of their last 5, and are 3-1 at home. Jackson County is 3-2 on the road.
Below is a look at some of the other big games set for Tuesday that COULD have an impact on first place in several region standings:
JEFFERSON GIRLS at EAST HALL (REGION 8-3A): The Lady Dragons (13-3, 3-0 Region 8-3A) are ranked second in Class 3A and tied with Cherokee Bluff for the early region lead. The Lady Vikings (8-7, 1-2 Region 8-3A) are ranked 23rd and sit fourth.
Every game in this region will be big. East Hall lost to Bluff last week and needs a win to stay in the running for a top-two spot. The Lady Dragons will play host to Bluff on Friday and need a win to set up a showdown for first place.
Jefferson has won 10 straight and is 3-0 on the road so far this season.
OCONEE COUNTY GIRLS at CHEROKEE BLUFF (REGION 8-3A): Almost a similar scenario for both of these teams as well in 8-3A. The Lady Bears (14-4, 3-0 Region 8-3A) are a perfect 6-0 at home and have won 5 straight.
The Lady Warriors (12-5, 2-1 Region 8-3A) sit third and can climb into a tie for second or even first place, depending on the Bluff-East Hall outcome.
It should be a great matchup of guards with Oconee County’s Julie Azeltine and Eliza Oechsle against Bluff’s Claire Carlson and Bristol Kersh.
JEFFERSON BOYS at EAST HALL (REGION 8-3A): The 12th-ranked Dragons (11-4, 3-0 Region 8-3A) are tied with Cherokee Bluff atop the region standings. The third-ranked Vikings (13-3, 2-1 Region 8-3A) are a game behind after falling to the Bears last week in a thriller.
Jefferson plays host to Bluff on Friday, so they can set up a possible first-place showdown with a win. East Hall needs a win to stay in the top two and can’t afford a loss that would drop them two games out of first place.
The Dragons are just 3-2 on the road, while East Hall is 9-1 at home.
GEORGE WALTON GIRLS at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (GIAA DISTRICT 4A/3A): The two teams will not end up in the same classification once the playoffs come around. Still, they share the same region, and positioning will play a factor.
Despite both teams having some explosive offensive players, look for a defensive slugfest. George Walton (10-2, 3-0 GIAA District 4A/3A) is yielding just 36.25 ppg. Lakeview Academy (11-4, 3-1 GIAA District 4A/3A) is giving up just 39.70 ppg.
The Lady Lions, ranked fourth overall in GIAA, lost to Athens Christian, while the Lady Bulldogs, ranked second overall in GIAA, knocked off Athens Christian in region play. However, Lakeview is averaging 64.25 ppg in the region, while George Walton is scoring just 56.7 ppg in the region.
Other notable games on Tuesday:
North Atlanta boys at North Forsyth: The Raiders (8-9, 5-2 Region 6-6A) have won three straight overall and 4 straight in region play to climb into third place. A win over the Warriors (10-7, 5-1 Region 6-6A) would propel them into second place for the moment.
Banks County boys at Providence Christian: Both teams are ranked in the top 22 in the PSR in Class A Division 1, and this will be a battle for second place in Region 8-A D1. The Leopards (9-7, 4-1 Region 8-A D1) have won 5 of their last 7, while the Storm (12-4, 3-2 Region 8-A D1) have dropped four straight.
However, Providence Christian is a perfect 8-0 at home. Banks County is 4-2 on the road.
Lumpkin County girls at White County: The fourth-ranked Lady Warriors (13-4, 5-1 Region 6-3A) sit one game behind No. 1 Pickens in the standings but suddenly are battling some key injury issues. The Lady Indians (7-10, 2-4 Region 6-3A) are among a group of three teams tied for fifth but are just one game behind fourth-place Dawson County.
White County’s only region loss was to Pickens, so they cannot afford to fall more than one game behind as they try to stay in the region title race to keep pace with Pickens.
Pickens girls at Dawson County: Pickens (15-1, 6-0 Region 6-3A) is trying to keep some distance between itself and the rest of what is a balanced region. Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers (10-7, 3-3 Region 6-3A) need a win to stay in fourth place with four teams right behind them in the standings.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/1/1280800/basketball-notebook-8-3a-6-3-will-have-several-key-showdowns