Basketball season hits its stride now that the holidays are over. Here are some of the top games of this weekend:
GIRLS
Friday
St. Francis at Mount Paran Christian. This is an early battle for the lead in Region 6-Division B. Mount Paran is undefeated (11-0) and will see how much it has improved since last season, when the Eagles, who were eventually failed to make it past the first round of the state playoffs, lost both games to the Knights by margins of 40 points or more. St. Francis (7-3) is unbeaten in games against teams from Georgia.
Pelham at Calhoun County. This is Game 1 in a pair of huge games this weekend for Calhoun County. The Cougars are 11-2 overall, and undefeated (7-0) in Region 1. The two non-region losses came at the hands of Class AA title contender Early County. Pelham (7-3) is undefeated (5-0) in region play thus far as well. The young Hornets do not have a single senior on the roster and are getting it done with defense, averaging 13 steals per game.
Saturday
Wesleyan vs. Dillard (Florida). The Wolves will take on one of the top teams in Florida's second largest classification at the She Got Game Classic. The event features 33 of the best teams in the southeast, with games taking place at McEachern, Paulding County and Wheeler. Wesleyan, undefeated going into the weekend at 12-0, will face Dillard of Fort Lauderdale, ranked in the top 10 in Florida's Class AAAAAAA, at 5 p.m. at McEachern.
Calhoun County at Mitchell County. This is Game 2 of Calhoun County's weekend gauntlet. Mitchell County joins Calhoun County and Pelham as the only teams that are remain undefeated in Region 1.
BOYS
Friday
Walker at Pinecrest Academy. Before Pinecrest takes on Mt. Bethel Christian on Saturday, the Paladins will host Walker (9-3), which has won three of its last four contests. The Wolverines are led by a trio of juniors -- F Burke Chebuhar (15 points, 11 rebounds per game), G Chandler Baker and PG Chris Newell.
Pelham at Calhoun County. This is the first game of the season between two teams that could meet four times before the season comes to an end – twice during the regular season, and one time each in the Region 1 tournament and the state playoffs. Both are undefeated in region play thus far.
Saturday
Pinecrest Academy at Mt. Bethel Christian. This is a key matchup in Region 6-Division B. Both teams are 3-1 in the subregion. Pinecrest is led by a pair of juniors guards – Josh Boeye and Caleb Bohn. Mt. Bethel took fifth place, recently, at the Arby's Classic, a national tournament held in Bristol, Tennessee. The Eagles are led by senior Stanley Eze, junior Jordan Meka and sophomore Jayce Harrison.
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