Let's focus on some of the top games of the weekend across the classification:
-- The No. 5-ranked Hart County boys will travel to No. 10 Jefferson on Friday and Madison County on Saturday for Region 8 games and will try to protect their 11-3 record. The Bulldogs lost 56-37 to Riverside (S.C.) on Dec. 27 in the McDonald's Shootout, but seems to have found some rhythm.
In the 69-52 victory against Madison County on Dec. 28, Hart enjoyed a 27-11 lead after the first quarter and extended the lead to 39-20 at the break. The victory set up a meeting with St. Joseph's (S.C.) on Dec. 29, which Hart won 66-41. The team should take some positive momentum into Friday's game against Jefferson.
Jefferson has performed well after losing 66-61 to Mill Creek on Dec. 20. The Dragons defeated Habersham Central 64-40 before joining the field at the Florida Christmas Tournament in Pensacola. Jefferson had victories against North Sand Mountain (Ala.) (82-72), St. Stanilaus (Miss.) (71-42) and Fleming County (Ky.) (68-34).
Here are other top boys games to watch this weekend:
-- Top-ranked Morgan County will host Monroe Area in a Region 8 game. The Bulldogs recently took over the top spot and will be protecting their 13-1 record after winning the Sweet South Classic with a 68-58 victory against Druid Hills.
-- No. 2 Greater Atlanta Christian will host East Hall in a Region 7 game. GAC is riding momentum from victories against Blanche Ely (Fla.) (62-52) and Bishop Snyder (Fla.) (65-45) in the Tournament of Champions at Wheeler.
On the girls side, No. 3 Hart County enters the weekend 12-2 and has a chance to avenge both of its losses. Hart will travel to No. 4 Jefferson – which beat Hart 64-54 on Nov. 20 – and Madison County – which beat Hart 74-72 on Dec. 18 – on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Hart has not lost since its Dec. 18 defeat against Madison. A five-game winning streak was highlighted by victories against Clarke Central (80-48), Stephens County (60-46), Berkmar (74-17), Wade Hampton (S.C.) (68-52) and Dawson County (64-62).
Here are other top girls games to watch this weekend:
-- No. 6 Greater Atlanta Christian will play host to East Hall in a Region 7 matchup Friday. The game will provide a chance for the Lady Spartans to right the ship after losing three of its last four games.
-- No. 10 Rutland will entertain Peach County on Friday before traveling to Kendrick on Saturday in Region 4 contests. Rutland is coming off a 40-32 loss to Stratford Academy on Dec. 21.
-- No. 7 Dawson County will take its 11-5 record on the road against Cherokee Bluff in a Region 7 game. Dawson County beat Pickens (51-27) on Thursday after losing to Hart County (64-62) on Dec. 29.
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