Region Tournaments to Watch: Class 4A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 4</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Fayette County, Starr's Mill, LaGrange, Riverdale, Whitewater, Trinity Christian, Troup County, North Clayton<br>FAVORITE: Fayette County<br>DARK HORSE: Starr's Mill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 9 Fayette County is the only team to have been ranked this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1762749' first='Keith' last='Gillespie'] (16.9 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2478469' first='Christian' last='McAllister'] (16.6 ppg) have formed a potent one-two punch to keep the Tigers in contention after the loss of a big senior class and talent via transfer. The only region opponent that has beaten Fayette County is Starr's Mill in their first meeting, 70-59. The trio of guard [player_tooltip player_id='1801875' first='Scott' last='Stevens'] along with big men Steven Barros and [player_tooltip player_id='2342509' first='William' last='Robinson'] give the Panthers size, strength and length to anchor the defense. Trinity Christian took Fayette County to overtime in their lone game to date, falling 54-53. Young Harris-signee [player_tooltip player_id='1201631' first='Ernesto' last='Almonte'] is averaging 17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. Whitewater has a balanced backcourt between [player_tooltip player_id='2106865' first='Ashtain' last='Preston'], [player_tooltip player_id='2127897' first='Kaden' last='Thomas'] and Kamiron Jones and have [player_tooltip player_id='1986589' first='Seyi' last='Daramola'] lurking inside to block shots. [player_tooltip player_id='2342510' first='Masiah' last='Jones'] is good enough to lead Riverdale past anyone, averaging 20.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2 blocks. LaGrange always pieces together a strong record in the non-region schedule and is a threat for a top three finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 5</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Pace Academy, McDonough, Lovett, Woodland-Stockbridge, Luella, Hampton, Mt. Zion-Jonesboro, Stockbridge<br>FAVORITE: Pace Academy<br>DARK HORSE: Lovett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 1 Pace Academy and No. 2 McDonough have been running neck and neck for the entirety of the season, both teams in the Top 5 all year. McDonough fired the opening salvo with a 63-59 win, but Pace Academy returned fire and won at McDonough 79-57 in the rematch. Similar to last year when the two teams split, maybe this year we will have a rubber match. Lovett upended McDonough in the region tournament last year, preventing a Round 3. [player_tooltip player_id='1383030' first='Eric' last='Chatfield'] (23), [player_tooltip player_id='1762523' first='Chandler' last='Bing'] (22) and [player_tooltip player_id='996829' first='Kyle' last='Greene'] (17) combined for 62 points in their win over the Warhawks. [player_tooltip player_id='1329307' first='Keenan' last='Gray'] averaged 20 points while [player_tooltip player_id='1501753' first='Zion' last='Greene'] netted 16 points per game in the two games. No one else in the region has beaten either team but Lovett is a young shot-making team that is getting better and better, their top four scorers three sophomores and a freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='1543489' first='Kingston' last='Whitty'] (15.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2102283' first='Cameron' last='Cannon'] (15.2 ppg) can fill it up from the perimeter, forming one of the best young duos in the state. Woodland made a surprise trip to the Elite Eight last year and are in a somewhat similar position this year, sitting at 13-10 overall. [player_tooltip player_id='1300734' first='Mason' last='Lewis'] powers the Wolfpack at 21.3 points and 6 rebounds per game. A mid-season addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1300709' first='Tylon' last='Redmond'] has paid dividends, the Eagle's Landing transfer second in scoring at 13 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 8</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: North Oconee, Seckinger, Madison County, Cherokee Bluff, East Hall, North Hall, Cedar Shoals, East Forsyth, Walnut Grove, Chestatee, Johnson-Gainesville<br>FAVORITE: North Oconee<br>DARK HORSE: Cherokee Bluff</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The classification's biggest most competitive region has seen five teams ranked during the season. No. 3 North Oconee, No. 7 Seckinger and No. 8 Madison County hold the distinction heading into the final week of the regular season. Aside from an early 63-61 loss at Seckinger, North Oconee has blown everyone out of the water, but did only win at Cedar Shoals 57-54. The Titans beat Madison County by 34 and 28, Seckinger by 32 and Cherokee Bluff by 12. North Oconee is an explosive offense with shooters and size to control the backboards. [player_tooltip player_id='1861277' first='Justin' last='Payne'], [player_tooltip player_id='1300680' first='Byrd' last='Carter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2046364' first='Justin' last='Wise'] do damage on the perimeter while [player_tooltip player_id='1765473' first='Khamari' last='Brooks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1300715' first='Evan' last='Montgomery'] dictate what happens in the paint. Seckinger is a deep team that can score the ball and has seen improvements defensively as the season has worn on. [player_tooltip player_id='2046338' first='Carter' last='Watkins'] has emerged as the team's most consistent scorer with [player_tooltip player_id='1444781' first='Keith' last='Banks'] not far behind. [player_tooltip player_id='2243047' first='Caleb' last='Wells'] holds great long-term promise as a big wing while [player_tooltip player_id='1470272' first='Braxton' last='Miller'] is the unsung hero that rarely turns the ball over. Madison County has never quite hit their stride and may be due to finally peak. Piedmont-signee [player_tooltip player_id='1765472' first='Mason' last='Smith'] is a two-way standout, a tough-nosed guard that does everything for the Red Raiders. Reigning Region Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1386823' first='Jay' last='Carruth'] can't be forgotten about. If [player_tooltip player_id='1386822' first='Grant' last='Smith'] can find his stroke, Madison County could take a deep run in state. Cherokee Bluff has enjoyed their best season in school history, highlighted by a Lanierland title. The Bears are 16-2 over their last 18 games, losing to North Oconee 56-44 and upset at Cedar Shoals 63-50. [player_tooltip player_id='1383034' first='Boston' last='Kersh'] has been a workhorse as a nightly double-double threat. East Hall presses and has fresh legs with [player_tooltip player_id='2125516' first='Braydon' last='Langston'] and breakout standout [player_tooltip player_id='2319619' first='Jamarcus' last='Harrison']. Walnut Grove has a rock-solid trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1383035' first='Marcus' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1223263' first='Tyler' last='Jewell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1062214' first='Chase' last='Roux'], but will need some late season magic to make the tournament, losers of nine of 10. Chestatee has the state's leading scorer and ultimate double-double machine in [player_tooltip player_id='1350895' first='Colton' last='Wilbanks']. Don't sleep on Cedar Shoals, a dangerous group that has pushed the best teams in the region to the brink.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->