Here are some key matchups this weekend:
GIRLS
Friday
No. 3 Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (12-4) at No. 1 St. Francis (13-1). This is a monster regular season matchup and a rematch of last season's private school final, won by St. Francis (62-56). The Knights' lone loss this season was to nationally-ranked Sparkman, the top-ranked team in Alabama, while they have defeated the likes of Tucker and Stephenson, ranked first and fifth, respectively, in Class AAAAA. SACA's losses have come at the hands of Norcross and Westlake, ranked eighth and 10th, respectively in Class AAAAAA, Southwest DeKalb, ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAA, and Buford, top-ranked in Class AAA. Both teams feature balanced lineups. St. Francis is paced by Abby Grant, Candice Williams and Kasiyahna Kushkituah, while SACA is led by Amy Griffin, Marquita Daniels and Tori Dozier.
Towns County (10-7) at No. 4 George Walton Academy (14-1). George Walton is one of the state's top up-and-coming programs. The Bulldogs will look to stay on a roll when one of the best public school programs in Class A comes to Monroe. Led by senior guard Eryn Cochran, Towns County has failed to make the state playoffs just twice since 2000, and advanced to the public school Final Four last season.
Saturday
No. 2 Holy Innocents' (14-0) at No. 7 Darlington (10-5). This non-region contest will feature one of the best one-on-one matchups of the season, with Holy Innocents' freshman sensation Khayla Pointer going against Darlington senior Maggie Beth Atha. Both point guards lead their teams in scoring, assists and steals.
BOYS
Friday
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian (13-1) at Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (9-6). Mt. Vernon currently sits at No. 6 in the power rating but is unranked in the AJC poll. The Mustangs will look to continue their march to respectability when they visit the Chargers, who are undefeated in region play (3-0), in McDonough. ELCA, which sits currently three spots outside of the top 16 in the Class A power ratings, is led by senior guard Matt Tankersley. Mt. Vernon counters with senior guard Keon Douglas.
Saturday
No. 7 Greenforest Academy (10-7) at W.D. Mohammed (9-7). The defending private school champions have not been as dominant as they were last season when they finished 27-4. The only Class A team to defeat the Eagles last season was W.D. Mohammed. The Caliphs need another win over Greenforest this season to keep pace in the power ratings, where they currently sit four spots outside of the top 16 that will advance to the state playoffs next month. Greenforest is led by guard Justin Ravenel and center Faisal Abdul-Malik, while W.D. Mohammed is paced by senior guard Muhammad Hamilton, who has committed to Tuskegee.
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