With just three weeks left until the region tournaments begin, the Class AAA races across the state are taking shape. Going into the Tuesday games, here's a look at each region to see which teams are leading and which could make a run:
Region 1: Boys -- Monroe is 3-0 in region play and leads Crisp County (1-1). Ulysses Williams is leading the Monroe Tornadoes in scoring with 21 points per game. The Tornadoes are coming off a 75-54 loss at Lee County and will face Crisp County on Jan. 17. Girls -- The Monroe County girls (3-0) also are leading their region with Dougherty (2-1) a close second. The Lady Tornadoes are on a five-game winning streak since their 67-45 loss to Colquitt County on Dec. 29.
Region 2: Boys -- There is a close race at the top of the standings as the defending Class AAA champion Liberty County Panthers and the Long County Blue Tide are both 4-1 in region play. Sixth-ranked Liberty County is paced by Will Richardson, who is averaging 30-plus points per game. Auburn commitment Davion Mitchell has fully recovered from a early season injury and is averaging 23 points per game. Girls -- Tattnall County is 5-0 in region play. Pierce County (3-1) is a close second and will face Tattnall on Jan. 17 for the second time this season. Tattnall defeated Pierce 51-41 Dec. 9.
Region 3: Boys -- No. 4 Islands (13-5) is in the lead and undefeated with an 8-0 region record. The Sharks are paced by Trae Broadnax, who is averaging 20.7 points, and Justin Cave, who is averaging 19.4. The Sharks are coming off a 68-59 loss at Southeast Bulloch. Jenkins (12-7) is a close second with a 7-1 region. Girls -- Region 2 is arguably the toughest region in Class AAA with two of the best teams in the classification. Top-ranked Johnson-Savannah is leading the region with a 7-0 record. The Atomsmashers' senior guard Alexis Pierce is averaging 17.5 points. The No. 2 Beach Lady Bulldogs are a close second with a 7-1 region record. On Jan 13, the Lady Bulldogs defeated Windsor Forest 102-31 and have not lost a game since Dec. 13 against Johnson.
Region 4: Boys -- This region is arguably the toughest region in Class AAA with No. 5 Central-Macon on top of the standings at 7-0 and No. 2 Westside-Macon a close second at 5-1. The Chargers will face No. 2 Westside-Macon on Jan. 17, which will be the second time the teams have played this season. Central won the first matchup, 79-74, Dec. 9 . Girls -- No. 10 Peach County is leading the region race at 7-0. The Lady Trojans are led by Daishai Almond, who is averaging 17.2 points. Central-Macon is second in the region standings at 5-2.
Region 5: Boys -- No. 8 Cedar Grove is leading the standings at 7-0. The Saints' last loss came Dec. 20 against Buford in the Woodward Classic. Pace Academy is a close second at 5-1. The No. 9-ranked Knights will face Cedar Grove on Jan. 20 after losing the first matchup, 55-42, Dec. 6 . Girls -- No. 9 Redan (12-3) is atop the standings at 6-0. Westminster (4-1), Cedar Grove, Lovett and Pace Academy (each 4-2) are close behind. Redan will face Lovett on Jan. 17 after defeating the Lions 50-37 Dec. 2.
Region 6 South: Boys -- Calhoun (7-0) and Sonoraville (8-0) are on top of the standings and will face each other Jan 17. Calhoun's 6-foot-5 senior Chapin Reirson is leading the Yellow Jackets iwith 15 points per game. Girls -- No. 5 Calhoun (15-3) leads the region standings with a 6-1 record and will face Sonoraville on Jan 17. Haralson is close behind at 5-2.
Region 6 North: Boys -- Coahulla Creek (12-6) is leading the standings with a 5-2 region mark. North Murray is second at 3-4. Girls -- Ringgold and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe are tied at the top with 6-1 records.
Region 7: Boys -- No. 3 Greater Atlanta Christian (13-4) is leading the region with a 6-0 record. East Hall (5-1) and North Hall (4-3) are just behind the Spartans. GAC's last loss came against Berkmar (62-56) on Dec. 29 in the Roundball Classic in Charleston. The Spartans will face Dawson County (2-4 in region) Jan. 17. Girls -- East Hall is on top of the region standings at 6-0. Third-ranked GAC is a close second at 5-1. East Hall will face North Hall on Jan. 17 and will face GAC on Jan. 24 .
Region 8: Boys -- Top-ranked Morgan County (12-3) is leading the region at 4-0. The Bulldogs have won four consecutive games since their 57-48 loss to Cedar Shoals in the Sweet South Classic. Morgan County will face Jackson County on Jan. 17. Hart County is a close second in the region standings with a record of 3-1. Girls -- No. 4 Franklin County leads the region at 3-0. Franklin with face East Jackson on Jan. 17. No. 6 Hart County is second with a 3-1 record and will face Monroe Area on Jan. 17.
Class AAA boys rankings
1. Morgan County (12-3)
2. Westside-Macon (13-3)
3. Greater Atlanta Christian (13-4)
4. Islands (13-5)
5. Central-Macon (13-3)
6. Liberty County (11-5)
7. Jenkins (12-6)
8. Cedar Grove (8-4)
9. Pace Academy (7-7)
10. Johnson-Savannah (11-7)
Class AAA girls rankings
1. Johnson-Savannah (15-1)
2. Beach (16-1)
3. Greater Atlanta Christian (11-4)
4. Franklin County (14-4)
5. Calhoun (15-3)
6. Hart County (15-3)
7. Monroe (14-3)
8. Ringgold (13-5)
9. Redan (12-3)
10. Peach County (13-3)
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