Two area girls basketball teams are headed to Macon this week for the state tournament semifinals.
Three-time defending Class AA state champs Buford (24-7) return to familiar territory at 7 p.m. Thursday when they tip off against Region 1-AA champs Brooks County.
North Hall (24-7) is headed back to the semifinals for the first time in two decades and will compete for a championship game berth against defending Class AAA state champs Washington County at 4 p.m. Friday.
Both state championship games are Saturday, with the Class AA girls game at 3 p.m. and the Class AAA girls final at 7 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: One of the most intriguing matchups of the week pits last year's top teams from Region 8-AAA, Gainesville (5-0) and White County (4-0), at 5:55 p.m. Friday in Cleveland.
The Warriors entered state as the region's top team last season and Gainesville finished second, but this year the Red Elephants are eyeing the top spot. A win over last season's region champs early in the season would be a solid start for Gainesville on the road to a possible No. 1 seed.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: The Flowery Branch girls (7-0) put their perfect record on the line at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday against Buford (4-2) at Falcon Field in Flowery Branch.
The Lady Wolves will try to do what no team has yet been able to do against the Lady Falcons; score a goal. Flowery Branch goalkeeper Lauren Dunn has recorded seven shutouts in seven games this season, while the offense has averaged over five goals a game and 19 in the last two.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Both the Georgia and Georgia Tech men's basketball teams open conference tournament play this Thursday. No. 11 Georgia will open against No. 6 Mississippi at 9 p.m. in New Orleans, and Georgia Tech will open against Miami at 9 p.m. at Phillips Arena in Atlanta.
While both have had tough seasons, both are also coming off of wins to finish the regular season.
NBA: The shorthanded Atlanta Hawks (22-15) will look to build on a two-game winning streak as they embark on a six-game road trip starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Indiana. All games can be seen on SportSouth.
