Here’s a look at some of the top games of the weekend and early next week:
BOYS
No. 2 (Private) Mount Bethel Christian at No. 1 (Private) St. Francis, Friday. This is the second time the teams have met this season. St. Francis won the first meeting back on December 21, 70-68. The Knights trailed 54-42 heading into the fourth quarter. Junior G Dwon Odum was one assist away from a triple-double as he scored 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and doled out nine assists. Sophomore F Jusuan Holt had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while senior G CJ Riley led all scorers with 27 points. Mt. Bethel junior F Jordan Meka and senior PG Coleman Boyd eclipsed the 1,000-point threshold this season.
No. 2 (Public) Hancock Central at No. 7 (Public) Greene County, Friday. When they met back on December 4, Hancock Central won 70-61, and remains undefeated in Region 7 (14-3, 8-0) with Greene County two games behind (14-4, 7-2). Both teams are in a tight battle for the top seed in next month's region tournament with defending public state champion Wilkinson County, also unbeaten in league play (9-9, 5-0).
Chattahoochee County at No. 1 (Public) Calhoun County, Tuesday. Calhoun County is 18-0 for the first time in school history. The Cougars' closest game this year was a 65-64 win at Chattahoochee County (14-4, 8-2), almost two months ago on November 30. Calhoun County looks poised to make another deep run into the state playoffs, having advanced to at least the quarterfinals every season since 2014. The Cougars won the public title in 2015.
GIRLS
No. 1 (Private) Wesleyan at No. 2 (Private) Holy Innocents', Friday. This is the first meeting between the two Region 5 foes since Wesleyan defeated the Bears in last season's private state championship game, 61-44. The Wolves have looked unbeatable this season (20-0, 4-0 in Region 5) after losing just four times last year. Three of those losses were to Holy Innocents' – twice in the regular season and again in the region tournament, 54-47, on February 10, 2018. Wesleyan has not lost a game since. The Wolves are paced by senior G Callie Weaver, junior F A.C. Carter and sophomore G Nicole Azar, while sophomore Jillian "Juju" Hollingshead and freshman Marya Hudgins lead the Bears.
Savannah Christian at No. 8 (Private) Calvary Day, Friday. This is the rematch between the Savannah-area rivals. Calvary Day (14-3, 5-0 in Region 3-East) won back on January 5, 52-31, on the strength of a dominant third quarter in which the Cavaliers outscored Savannah Christian 19-7. Calvary Day is led by junior G Jasmine Akins, sophomore F Zhani Thompson and freshman G Mahkayla Premo. The Raiders (13-7, 8-2) are led by senior F Kayla Jones, junior G Paige Dennis and sophomore G Mallory Robinett.
No. 2 (Public) Greenville at No. 1 (Public) Marion County, Tuesday. Marion County (17-0, 9-0 in Region 4) is having its best season ever after advancing to the state title game last season, where they were blown out by Greenville, 73-52. The Eagles exacted a bit of revenge this season with a 71-70 win, December 11, at Greenville (18-1, 9-1).
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