The final week of the regular season is upon us and just one northeast Georgia area boys team has locked down a region title and the No. 1 seed in its upcoming region tournaments.
However, more than a half-dozen are still in the running to claim titles and the top seed in their respective regions. Tuesday will have a huge impact on several teams’ playoff fates.
Buford clinched Region 8-6A last with its win over Mill Creek. For the rest, it will be a sprint to the finish.
In Region 8-5A, Habersham Central (20-3, 10-1 Region 8-5A) leads the standings by one-half game over Winder-Barrow (21-2, 9-1 Region 8-5A) and can force no worse than a tie for the region title with a win over winless Clarke Central (0-22, 0-10 Region 8-5A) on Tuesday. The Bulldoggs travel to Apalachee (13-10, 4-6 Region 8-5A) on Tuesday and plays host to Clarke Central on Friday to close out the season.
In Region 7-5A, Class 5A No. 1 Milton (17-6, 10-0 Region 7-2A) holds a slim 1-game lead over second-place Gainesville (16-6, 9-1 Region 7-5A) and the two teams will square off again on Tuesday at Davis Hill Gymnasium (you can hear all the action on 94.5 FM The Lake). Milton knocked off the Red Elephants 60-50 in the first matchup in a game that was close throughout.
A Gainesville victory would put pressure on both teams on Friday with the Red Elephants having a chance to steal the No. 1 seed in the final week. However, an Eagles victory on Tuesday would clinch the title with Gainesville taking the No. 2 seed into the region tournament.
But the most fun battle will continue to be in Region 8-3A. East Hall (19-4, 7-1 Region 8-3A) and Jefferson (16-5, 7-1 Region 8-3A) sit tied for the lead and will meet on Tuesday at The Arena. Cherokee Bluff (20-3, 6-2 Region 8-3A) is third after its loss to the Vikings on Friday.
There are several possibilities, with East Hall in the driver’s seat at the moment. A Vikings win on Tuesday would give them a 1-game lead with a chance to clinch on Friday against last place West Hall (6-17, 0-8 Region 8-3A).
However, a Vikings loss on Tuesday to the Dragons would put everyone back in a three-way tie, assuming Bluff can get past Oconee County, with Jefferson and Bluff set to close out the season on Friday in Flowery Branch.
Buckle up because it should be a fun week all around the area.
(See below for the full schedule of Tuesday's games.)
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY, Feb. 4
Banks County at Athens Academy, 6 p.m.*
Buford at Dacula, 6 p.m.*
Cedar Shoals at Flowery Branch, 6 p.m.*
Cherokee Bluff at Oconee County, 6 p.m.*
Clarke Central at Habersham Central, 6 p.m.*
East Hall at Jefferson, 6 p.m.*
GAC at White County, 6 p.m.*
Johnson at Pickens, 6 p.m.*
Loganville Christian at Lakeview Academy, 6 p.m.*
Lumpkin County at Chestatee, 6 p.m.*
Milton at Gainesville, 6 p.m.* – 94.5 FM The Lake
Monroe Area at West Hall, 6 p.m.*
North Forsyth at Denmark, 6 p.m.*
North Hall at Dawson County, 6 p.m.*
North Murray at Union County, 6 p.m.*
Oglethorpe County at Commerce, 6 p.m.*
Rabun County at Providence Christian, 6 p.m.*
(* -- denotes region contest)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/2/1284279/boys-region-recap-2-3-25