Top 10 games to watch in Georgia high school girls basketball: It's region tournament time
By Michael Hebert | Photo by Jamie Spaar
The state tournament is just a week away, with region tournaments being the final hurdle for teams before the playoffs begin.
Several potentially solid matchups this week are contingent on other results.
TOP 10 GAMES OF THE WEEK
10. (Class 6A Region 5 tournament game) Carrollton (21-4) vs. Dalton/South Paulding, 4 p.m. Thursday
Carrollton is another team that has had little trouble winning consistently in the regular season, but the Trojans couldn’t secure the top seed in the Region 5 tournament. That honor went to Rome. Neither team should be much of a problem for Carrollton, but the Trojans likely have their eyes set on winning the tournament to make up for falling short in the regular season.
9. (Class 2A Region 4 tournament game) Jefferson (21-3) vs. Cedar Shoals/East Hall, 7 p.m. Thursday
Jefferson reeled off back-to-back wins after falling to Elbert County 64-56 on Jan. 29. Again, this game is contingent on what happens earlier in the week, but at the same time, Jefferson should take notice. One of the three teams to beat Jefferson this season was Cedar Shoals, which beat the Dragons 50-36 on Dec. 14.
8.(Class 5A Region 3 tournament game) Woodward Academy (22-2) vs. Mundy’s Mill/Tri Cities, 7 p.m. Thursday
Another game dependent on some games taking place early in the week features another power in Woodward Academy. It also features another private school, of which there have been many dominating the Georgia girls high school basketball scene. If chalk holds and all the higher seeds advance all the way to the Region 3 championship, Woodward could be facing Forest Park, but can’t afford to be caught looking ahead.
7. (Class 6A Region 7 tournament game) River Ridge (24-1) vs. Creekview/Centennial, 4 p.m. Thursday
While this game is dependent on Creekview and Centennial’s game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, River Ridge is playing like one of the best teams in the state. After all, it’s pretty hard to beat a 17-game winning streak. At this point, it seems as if the only thing that could slow down River Ridge would be the Knights themselves.
6.(Class 7A Region 4 tournament game) Brookwood (19-4) vs. Parkview (9-14), 3:30 p.m. Wednesday
No. 1 Brookwood kicks off play in the Class 7A Region 4 tournament against a team it has beaten by over 40 points twice this season. While Brookwood should have little trouble with Parkview in the first round, fans will likely be tuning in to watch one of the most consistent and overall best teams in the state this season. The Broncos are gearing up for a big potential title run.
5. (Class 7A Region 2 tournament game) McEachern (16-8) vs. Pebblebrook (13-9), 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
McEachern closed the regular season on a six-game win streak and faces a familiar foe in Pebblebrook in the Class 7A Region 2 Tournament. Pebblebrook made quick work of Newnan in the first round to set up the matchup with the Indians, and the winner will face the winner of Campbell and East Coweta.
4.(Class 7A Region 5 tournament game) Cherokee (19-5) vs. Etowah (10-16), 6 p.m. Tuesday
Cherokee is riding high on a 10-game winning streak heading into Tuesday’s matchup with Etowah, a team the Warriors beat 63-31 on Jan. 7. Etowah did improve as the season went on, so Cherokee can’t be caught looking ahead. The winner of this game will face the winner of Woodstock and Roswell.
3. (Class 7A Region 6 tournament game) North Forsyth (15-3) vs. Denmark (13-13), 4 p.m. Tuesday
North Forsyth closed the regular season on a 10-game win streak, including a huge 50-48 victory over South Forsyth to get to 10. North Forsyth hasn’t really been under the radar this season, but overshadowed by some of the other powers like Brookwood and Grayson. Nevertheless, North Forsyth has been one of the top teams in Class 7A and has a chance to show the rest of the state starting with Denmark.
2.(Class 5A Region 6 tournament game) Maynard Jackson (14-3) vs. Villa Rica/Midtown, 7 p.m. Thursday
Maynard Jackson closed the season on a two-game winning streak. The Jaguars didn’t play as many games as most of their opponents this season, but still claimed the top spot in Class 5A Region 6 rather easily. If chalk holds and all the higher seeds advance, Maynard Jackson could see a championship matchup with New Manchester, which the Jaguars already with in the season series, most recently with a 54-47 loss on Jan. 28.
1. (Class 3A Region 7 tournament game) Lumpkin County (24-1) vs. East Forsyth (19-7), 7 p.m. Tuesday
Lumpkin County is taking its 22-game win streak into the postseason. Seeing as the Indians have cruised for the vast majority of the regular season, now we’ll find out if Lumpkin County can be just as dominant against some stiffer competition, starting Tuesday against a solid East Forsyth team.
