Here are some of the top games involving Class AAAAA basketball teams this weekend:
- New Manchester at South Paulding, Friday (boys): Top-ranked Allatoona (21-0, 14-0) has just about wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Region 5-AAAAA tournament. The No. 2 seed is likely to go to sixth-ranked South Paulding (18-3, 12-2) or New Manchester (15-4, 11-2), which has the more difficult remaining schedule, including a game at Allatoona on Feb. 4.
- LaGrange at Shaw, Saturday (boys): LaGrange (18-4, 7-2) and Shaw (16-6, 7-2) are tied for first place in a tight 1-AAAAA race, and the winner will have the upper hand in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the region tournament. LaGrange won 65-58 two weeks ago in the teams' first meeting. Shaw also has a big game Friday against Carver-Columbus (14-7, 5-3), which is tied for third place.
- Flowery Branch at Winder-Barrow, Friday (girls): No. 4 Flowery Branch (20-1, 10-1), No. 8 Gainesville (14-4, 10-1) and Winder-Barrow (13-7, 9-2) are the top three teams in 8-AAAAA. Flowery Branch handled one on Tuesday, beating Gainesville 45-42 to avenge its only loss of the season. Next up is a Winder-Barrow team that played the Falcons close in a 51-47 loss on Jan. 12.
- Southwest DeKalb vs. Norcross, Saturday (girls): Two programs that have won a combined seven state championships since 2008 will tune up for the postseason when they meet at 4 p.m. at the Wesleyan Winter Showcase. Class AAAAA No. 3 Southwest DeKalb (17-5) is undefeated against Georgia teams. Norcross, No. 4 in AAAAAA, has won nine consecutive games and is 16-4.
About the Author
