Region Tournaments to Watch: Class 1A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 2-A D-I</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: ACE Charter, Bleckley County, Central-Macon, Dodge County, Dublin, East Laurens, Jefferson County, Northeast-Macon, Southwest-Macon, Washington County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dublin has emerged from the pack with a chance to snag the one-seed. They beat Southwest-Macon 57-48 and split with East Laurens. AJ Johnson (14 ppg), Tristian Bell (12 ppg), Javion Harris (10.4 ppg) and Matravious Linder (10 ppg) are all seniors. Southwest-Macon has the name recognition with [player_tooltip player_id='1543486' first='Chase' last='Dupree'] (20.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) leading the way with [player_tooltip player_id='2031393' first='CJ' last='Howard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2111515' first='Brandon' last='Ashley'] composing an electric backcourt. A two-game slide with UIC-signee [player_tooltip player_id='1943464' first='Rashund' last='Washington'] (20 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.3 bpg) sidelined with a broken wrist puts East Laurens behind the eight-ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1986580' first='Tylan' last='Snead'] (17.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg) has had a strong campaign to steady the waters. Dodge County is picking up steam behind [player_tooltip player_id='2335864' first='Kyler' last='Johnson'] while Bleckley County has climbed back into the race after winning 39-37 at Southwest-Macon to spark a five-game winning streak which was ended by the Patriots 62-36 in a rematch. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 6-A D-I</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Bremen, Darlington, Haralson County, Heard County, Model, Pepperell, Temple</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Temple can win at Model, they will complete a 12-0 regular season in region play. The veteran Tigers have hurt the opposition with their athleticism and streaky outside shooting. Temple picks up full court and are relentless till the final buzzer. [player_tooltip player_id='2732992' first='Darren' last='Drayton'] is a sparkplug guard with great body control and timely playmaking while [player_tooltip player_id='2289619' first='Alexander' last='Banks'] is a two-time Region Player of the Year, a combo-forward with inside-outside skill. Model's [player_tooltip player_id='2314006' first='Chase' last='Allen'] can be unstoppable for stretches at a time when he's able to get deep post position. The Blue Devils are at their best when they can play inside-out and see [player_tooltip player_id='2732993' first='Noah' last='Travis'] and Stevie Dallas drain threes. [player_tooltip player_id='2733065' first='Bryson' last='Denson'] has emerged as a key slasher. Darlington hasn't had a smooth season but they are dangerous if they can put it all together with [player_tooltip player_id='1543498' first='Brent' last='Bell'] leading the way. [player_tooltip player_id='2570512' first='Trustin' last='Mercer'] has been a solid second option. [player_tooltip player_id='1543484' first='Christian' last='Teasley'] is an X-Factor along with [player_tooltip player_id='2297166' first='DJ' last='Hall'] if they can produce in the backcourt. Heard County is scrapping for a four-seed led by Cameron Ogletree's 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds a night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 8-A D-I</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Athens Academy, Banks County, Commerce, Elbert County, Oglethorpe County, Providence Christian, Rabun County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rabun County's stranglehold over the region has loosened, beaten 67-49 at Commerce and 73-69 at Providence Christian with a narrow 63-60 win over Banks County sandwiched in between. The Wildcats have the best player in the region and one of the best in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1861339' first='Huey' last='Blalock'] (21.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 7.7 apg, 2.7 spg). [player_tooltip player_id='2887558' first='Hayes' last='Free'] has been good this year averaging 14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while [player_tooltip player_id='2297123' first='Reed' last='Burrell'] is chipping in 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Banks County is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1861303' first='Kolby' last='Watson']'s 20 points and 7.3 rebounds while Commerce uses a balanced attack between [player_tooltip player_id='2853085' first='Maki' last='Mitchell'] (11.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2880580' first='Essien' last='Lockleer'] (9.8 ppg), Evan Peters (9 ppg), Ty Sorrells (8.9 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2756704' first='Bryson' last='Parks'] (7.7 ppg). Providence Christian has gotten big performances from [player_tooltip player_id='2147230' first='Caleb' last='Paige'], [player_tooltip player_id='1617639' first='Jaylon' last='Seymour'], [player_tooltip player_id='2385262' first='Brice' last='Proctor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2771917' first='AJ' last='Cantrell']. Elbert County has a dynamic duo in breakout star [player_tooltip player_id='1543488' first='Aj' last='Brown'] (17.1 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.8 spg) and Grady Jones (16.6 ppg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->