There is just one more full week on the schedule before the state playoffs open, but before the regionals get under way to finalize the playoff field, it is worth noting that this year’s playoff schedule will be compressed—as announced in a press release that was posted by the GHSA on Tuesday, April 2.
The reason for the schedule’s compression according to the release was the limited availability of the Rome Tennis Center.
“The only Saturday the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College was available for the state finals this year was May 4, so we had to compress the playoffs by a few days in order to secure that wonderful facility,”
This year’s playoff schedule will increase the importance of scheduling within the play windows in advance, as the press release stresses on more than one occasion.
"As we approach the start of the state tennis tournament, you may notice that the play "windows" are a day shorter this year than last," reads the post. "We are asking for everybody's cooperation to work together in scheduling your matches and keeping the playoffs on schedule, and we know it will probably require some compromises. Please remember that the "play by" date is the date by which the match must be completed and reported to the GHSA. The final day of a "window" is meant to be a last resort if rain has prevented you from playing earlier!"
"Please do NOT wait until the last day of a "window" to schedule your match and then ask for an extension if you are rained out on that last day. You risk BOTH teams being forfeited out of the tournament!
Try to play early during the play window. Remember that the restriction on playing during the school day is waived for the state playoffs. You do not have to wait until school lets out to begin play."
Here are the windows and the potential playing dates that have been set:
First Round (and Area for Class A): April 15, 16 & 17 – April 18 is rain day.
Second Round (first for Class A): April 19, 20 & 22 – April 23 is rain day.
Quarterfinals (all classes): April 24, 25 & 26 – April 27 is rain day.
Semifinals (all classes): April 29 & 30 – no rain day.
THE PLAYOFF PICTURE
While the regionals are still waiting around the corner, some of the playoff seeding has already been settled heading into the weekend.
In Class AAAAAAA Girls, Region 5 Lambert earned the top seed, Milton is No. 2, South Forsyth is No. 3 and West Forsyth is No. 4. The Milton Boys won Region 5 and last year’s state finalist South Forsyth earned No. 2 in front of No. 3 Lambert and No. 4 West Forsyth.
Here’s the rest of playoff slots that have already been secured.
Class AAAAAA Girls: R5#1 Northgate, R5#2 South Paulding, R5#3 Alexander, R5#4 Douglas County
Class AAAAAA Boys: R5#1 Douglas County, R5#2 Alexander, R5#3 South Paulding, R5#4 Hughes
Class AA Girls: R4#1 Davidson Arts, R4#2 Screven County, R4#3 Westside-Augusta, R4#4 Harlem
Class AA Boys: R4#1 Davidson Arts, R4#2 Johnson-Augusta, R4#3 Screven County, R4#4 Harlem
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