Round 2 of the AA playoffs tips off on Wednesday, with winners advancing to the quarterfinals, which begin on Feb. 28. Below are some of the top matchups to keep an eye on, along with a review of the playoff predictions made before the tournament started.
(For a rundown of Round 1, go here.)
No. 1 South Atlanta boys vs. No. 3 Butler
When/where: Thursday, 6 p.m. at South Atlanta
Records/playoff seeds: South Atlanta (25-1, No. 1 seed, Region 6), Butler (18-8, No. 2, Region 4)
Last meeting: South Atlanta beat Butler 78-67 in the first round of the 2015 AAA playoffs.
No. 2 Laney boys vs. No. 7 Hapeville Charter
When/where: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Laney
Records/playoff seeds: Laney (24-5, No. 1, Region 4), Hapeville Charter (18-7, No. 2, Region 6)
Last meeting: None on record dating back to Hapeville's inaugural season in 2011-12.
No. 6 Thomasville boys vs. No. 8 Chattooga
When/where: Thursday, 7 p.m. at Chattooga
Records/playoff seeds: Thomasville (19-8, No. 2, Region 1), Chattooga (25-1, No. 1, Region 7)
Last meeting: None of record dating back to the 2005-06 season.
No. 9 Banks County boys vs. No. 10 Josey
When/where: Thursday, 3 p.m. at Josey
Records/playoff seeds: Banks County (23-4, No. 1, Region 8), Josey (21-7, No. 3, Region 4)
Last meeting: None of record dating back to the 2005-06 season.
No. 3 Dodge County girls vs. No. 10 Heard County
When/where: Wednesday, 4 p.m. at Heard County
Records/playoff seeds: Dodge County (25-3, No. 2, Region 3), Heard County (No. 1, Region 5)
Last meeting: None of record dating back to the 2005-06 season.
No. 5 Rabun County girls vs. No. 7 Vidalia
When/where: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Records/playoff seeds: Rabun County (26-2, No. 1, Region 8); Vidalia (23-5, No. 2, Region 2)
Last meeting: None of record dating back to the 2006-07 season.
Boys:
Credit: Adam Krohn
Credit: Adam Krohn
Notes:
- The boys bracket is in good shape and it could have been in better shape had I not looked over an error by GHSA that had Therrell playing Jasper County in the first round. Though Therrell was ranked, Monticello was a tough opponent that had home-court advantage and reached semifinals last year. Still, Therrell only lost by five points. On the other side of the bracket, I barely missed on Spencer, which lost 49-47 to Rockmart. I had Therrell advancing to the quarterfinals, so there's another wrong pick. I had Spencer losing in the second round.
- As noted above, there are a handful of top 10 matchups taking place in round 2. But all eyes will be on the No.3 Butler at No. 1 South Atlanta matchup. The winner of that game will be a heavy favorite to reach the semifinals, where No. 4 Early County could be waiting if it takes care of business. Whichever team makes it to the championship game will have earned it the hard way.
- Another intriguing game is Thomasville at Chattooga. The Indians have just won loss, but this will be the first ranked team they've played this season. Will they have an answer for Reggie Perry, who led the Bulldogs to the quarterfinals last year as a sophomore? They're one of three No. 1 seeds I've predicted a second round exit for, the others being Washington County and Swainsboro.
Girls:
Credit: Adam Krohn
Credit: Adam Krohn
Notes:
- I missed on three first round games with this bracket. I didn't picture South Atlanta getting the first playoff win in program history against eighth-ranked Banks County. I also missed on Berrien and Jeff Davis. However, didn't have Banks County, Washington County or Josey advancing past the second round.
- The No. 1 seeds I predict will exit in the second round: No. 10 Heard County and Bleckley County.
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Credit: Stan Awtrey
Credit: Stan Awtrey
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