Two highly anticipated boys games are the highlight of the weekend schedule in Class AAAAA.
No. 1 Buford and No. 3 Cedar Shoals will get their much-anticipated rematch on Friday, a game that will help determine the regular-season champion for Region 8. Buford (13-2, 5-0) has won two straight since the break, including a five-point win at Clarke Central. Cedar Shoals (15-2) has won 11 straight since it lost to Buford 72-66 on Dec. 6.
No. 8 Southwest DeKalb and No. 9 Columbia will continue their neighborhood rivalry on Friday at Southwest. The two teams are currently trailing No. 2-ranked Miller Grove, which has not lost a region game. SWD (11-6, 3-1) defeated Columbia (10-5, 3-2) 62-51 in their first meeting on Dec. 2.
Top girls games on Friday:
Villa Rica at Cass: These two teams each bring a seven-game winning streak into the Region 7 showdown in Cassville. Villa Rica won the first meting 61-47 on Dec. 3. No. 8 Villa Rica (14-1, 7-1) is led by Deasia Merrill (22.2 points, 10.8 rebounds) and Jaila Orozco (15.3 points, 7.7 rebounds). Cass (11-3, 5-2) has been tested only once since its loss to Kell on Dec. 10.
McIntosh at Griffin: No. 5 Griffin (14-0) will try to put some distance between itself and the challengers in Region 3. McIntosh (12-2) has only one league loss (that against Fayette County on Dec. 10) and brings a six-game winning streak into the game.
Southwest DeKalb girls hosts Inner City Roundball Classic
Defending Class AAAAA girls champion Southwest DeKalb will host the Inner City Roundball Classic on Monday. The event features four games involving eight of the state’s traditionally strong girls basketball teams.
The event features Wheeler vs. Clarke Central at 2 p.m., Gainesville vs. Westlake at 3:30 p.m., Greenforest vs. Douglass at 5 p.m., and Duluth vs. Southwest DeKalb at 6:30 p.m.
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