Let’s take a look at some of the top Class AA boys and girls games taking place this weekend.
We'll start on the boys' side, where there's a top five matchup. On Friday, the No. 2 Swainsboro Tigers (20-2, 9-1 in 2-AA) host the No. 3 Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets (17-5, 10-1). It's a rematch from Dec. 13, when the Jackets defeated the Tigers 71-68. At the time they first played, the Tigers were 6-0 and they've lost just once since. The Tigers rallied from nine down with 2:30 remaining and took a brief lead before the Jackets prevailed. The Jackets were led by C.J. Parker's game-high 25 points, followed by Ti King (17) and Ja'Quez Kirby (12). The Tigers were led by Immanuel Hacket (22 points) and AJ Kingsberry (17).
In Region 6-AA No. 1 Therrell Panthers (17-5, 11-0) will play at the No. 8 Douglass Astros (18-4, 9-2) on Friday. The Astros kept it competitive in their first matchup, losing 50-42 to the Panthers on Dec. 10. However, one of Therrell's best players, Robbie Armbrester, did not play. In Armbrester's absence, Rasean Frederick and Roman Son each scored 13 points.
The Dublin Fighting Irish (18-2), who made their rankings debut this week, will put their 10-game win streak on the line whey they travel to play A-Public’s No. 5 Wilkinson County Warriors (14-7) on Saturday. The Irish edged the Warriors 56-55 on Dec. 23, with Jaques Evans scoring 21 points with nine rebounds and two steals. Evans and Qua King lead the Irish, averaging 13.7 points each on the season.
On the girls’ side, you’d be hard pressed to find a more challenging weekend ahead than what the No. 7 Union County Lady Panthers (17-4, 8-2 in 8-AA) have in store. They play two top five teams on back-to-back nights, starting at the No. 3 Rabun County Lady Wildcats (19-1, 9-1) on Friday. On Saturday, they host the No. 4 Putnam County Lady War Eagles (18-2, 9-1). On Jan. 3, the Lady Panthers only lost by four to Rabun County, 50-46, at home. Sophomore Ava Hunter scored 19 points for the Lady Panthers with 11 rebounds and seven blocks. On Jan. 18, they lost on the road, 61-45, to Putnam County, with Andelin Hill leading the way with 12 points in the losing effort. The Lady Panthers will likely need to win one of this weekend’s games remain ranked, and a 2-0 weekend should propel them into the top five.
In Region 3, No. 5 Southwest Macon Lady Patriots (16-2, 8-1) travel to play against the No. 8 Washington County Lady Golden Hawks (16-3, 8-1) on Friday with sole possession of first place on the line. On Jan. 3, the Lady Patriots edged Washington County 54-48, with Stangious Alford (19 points, nine rebounds, two steals) and Ja’Khyla Johnson (16 points, six rebounds) leading them. Destinee Ellison had a game-high 21 points for Washington County in the losing effort.
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