Here are a few of the top games coming up this weekend:
BOYS
Friday
Macon County at No. 3 Taylor County. This is a huge regular season game for both teams, as they head for the home stretch in Region 4 play. Taylor, which holds down the No. 3 spot in the public school power ratings, won the first meeting on Dec. 22 (76-60). The Vikings are led by senior guard John Corbin (12 points per game, 10 rebounds), junior forward Lyn-J Dixon (15 points, five rebounds) and senior Nick Jones (12 points per game). Macon County, which sits at No. 11 in the power ratings, is led by juniors Clayton Jenkins (23 points, three rebounds and four assists) and Trey Brown (15 points, eight rebounds)
Saturday
No. 2 Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy vs. (Class AAAAAAA) No. 1 Newton. Fresh off of a tough win over resurgent No. 9 Holy Innocents’ (71-68) on Thursday night, SACA will host one of the best teams in the state in the undefeated Rams (17-0). The Warriors’ DeAundrae Ballard, a Florida signee, is a serious candidate for Player of the Year, averaging 27 points and 6 rebounds per game. A win for SACA would certainly boost its place in the private school power rating, which is currently No. 8.
GIRLS
Friday
Terrell County at No. 1 Pelham. Terrell County will look to prove that it should be ranked in the top 10 and up its power rating placement, currently No. 14, with an upset over the Hornets. Meanwhile Pelham, No. 3 in the power ratings, looks primed to make a run at its first state title since 1997. The team is paced by four players who average double figures in points per game: junior Mahogany Randall (17 points), and seniors Destiny Thomas (14 points), Mahogany Brown (13) and Aaliyah Williams (11).
Saturday
No. 3 Wesleyan vs. (Class AA) No. 3 Model. Currently, Wesleyan holds the No. 4 spot in the power ratings but could improve upon that standing with a win over a top five team from Class AA. This will be the fhird and final game this season that Model has faced a Top 10 team from Class A. The Blue Devils (14-4), fell to No. 1 Holy Innocents’ (68-61) in the opening game of the season, and defeated No. 8 Darlington (58-47) on Dec. 19.
