The Elite Eight round of the Class AAA tournament may be the best among all the classifications in the state. Each of the remaining boys and girls teams are all among the top-10 in the state. In other words, there are no underdogs that remain in the field.
Here is a look at the third-round games, all to be played at Augusta University:
Thursday’s games
Girls: Johnson Savannah vs. Peach County, 3 p.m. No. 8 Johnson (24-6) brings a balanced scoring attack led by Alexis Pierce, Olivia Owens and Sy'Marieona Williams. No. 5 Peach County (26-2) features FSU signee Nausia Woolfolk, who averages 19.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 6.3 steals.
Boys: South Atlanta vs. Central Macon, 4:15 p.m. No. 5 South Atlanta (24-6) suffered an attention-getting loss in the Region 4 semifinals, but has recovered nicely and beaten 1-AAA runner-up Johnson Savannah and Region 5 champion Callaway in the first two rounds. No. 6 Central Macon (27-2) has won 20 straight games, including the Region 2 championship, and knocked off previously ranked Banks County by two points in the second round.
Girls: Morgan County vs. Laney, 6:30 p.m. These two powers have already met twice this year, with Morgan both games -- 78-69 and 72-53. Defending state champion and No. 2 Laney (25-4) has won 10 straight games and features a frenetic, fast-paced offense led by De'Sha Benjamin and Aubriana Bonner. No. 1 Morgan County (25-3) has won 22 straight games with guards Tatyana Davis and Pumpkin Brown leading the way.
Boys: Morgan County vs. Laney, 8:15 p.m. The two state powers split during the regular season. Morgan won the first game 65-64, while Laney won the rematch 65-63. No. 2 Laney (26-2) has won 11 straight games with its high-powered offense, led by Christian Keeling (23.9 points) and Zephaniah Jasper (20.2 points). No. 3 Morgan County (23-4) is led by 6-7 Florida Atlantic commitment Jailyn Ingram.
Friday’s games:
Girls: Beach vs. Kendrick, 3 p.m. No. 6 Kendrick (27-2) lost in the Region 2-AAA championship, but scored a nice win over Region 6-AAA champion Sonoraville in the second round. The Cherokees are a deep team that loves to press and trap, with Brittany Thompson their marquee player. No. 4 Beach (26-4) has won eight straight and won the Region 1 title using its own stuff brand of defense.
Boys: Jenkins vs. Calhoun, 4:15 p.m. Another championship-worthy game. Defending champion and No. 4 Jenkins (26-4) is led by Trevion Lamar (16.4 points, 9.5 rebounds) and features a deep bench. No. 1 Calhoun (27-0) is an experienced team, with many members who finished second in the state two years ago. Calhoun is led by Kaelan Riley (15.4 points) and Jireh Wilson (13.4 points).
Girls: Maynard Jackson vs. West Hall, 6:30 p.m. These two teams met during the regular season with Jackson coming away with a 71-57 victory. No. 3 Jackson (28-1) brings a 26-game winning streak into game. The Jaguars are led by Keimeshia Walker, who is the running for player of the year honors. No. 9 West Hall (21-8), a younger team led by Anna McKendree, has won 12 straight game and beat Adairsville and Washington County to reach the third round.
Boys: Cedar Grove vs. Westside Augusta, 8:15 p.m. No. 7 Cedar Grove (20-7) may be the best defensive team remaining in the field. The Saints have won 10 straight games, including the Region 4 championship. No. 8 Westside (18-5) has a balanced-scoring attack led by Damontrez Hawes (18.3 points). Three of Westside's losses have come against No. 2 Laney.
