Region Tournaments to Watch: Class 2A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 4</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Burke County, Butler, Glenn Hills, Josey, Laney, Thomson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not much separates the top four in the region. Butler has been amongst the best teams in the region and are battle tested outside of the CSRA. [player_tooltip player_id='2471142' first='Marcus' last='Scurry'] (19.3 ppg) is an elite playmaker heading to Denver while [player_tooltip player_id='2369504' first='Kwamane' last='Bridges'] (18.5 ppg) is a toolsy do-everything swingman. Burke County puts points up at a high level between guards [player_tooltip player_id='2708426' first='De'Quayvian' last='Lovette'] (18.2 ppg) – a freshman – and La'Quinton Morgan (17.9 ppg). The Bears beat the Bulldogs in their first meeting 70-69 and won at Laney 82-79 in double overtime. The Wildcats have been tough behind [player_tooltip player_id='2245636' first='Dewon' last='Simmons Jr']., splitting with Butler. Thomson got off to a slow start in a rebuilding year but have found their footing. They lost at Burke County 69-65 but then beat the Bears 71-63. The Bulldogs lost at Butler 55-53 and split with Laney, beating the Wildcats 61-59 in their first matchup. Markevion Jones is averaging 17.8 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 5</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Carver-Atlanta, Hapeville Charter, Holy Innocents', KIPP Atlanta, Lovett, Therrell, Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Innocents' is on a rampage toward playing for a Class 3A-1A Private State Title behind North Carolina-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1383017' first='Caleb' last='Wilson'] (21 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.4 spg, 3.5 bpg). [player_tooltip player_id='1696172' first='Devin' last='Hutcherson'] (13 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1543489' first='Kingston' last='Whitty'] (10.7 ppg) support the offense while [player_tooltip player_id='2477186' first='Khalid' last='Worthy'] is a monster offensive rebounder at 6-foot-7. KIPP Atlanta and Lovett will be in a tussle for the two-seed. KIPP got off to a hot start and only lost 63-62 to Holy Innocents' in their first meeting but the loss of leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2691491' first='Quadarious' last='Clemons'] (17.1 ppg) has brought the Warriors back to earth, down by 30 against the Golden Bears in their second meeting. [player_tooltip player_id='1383020' first='Chane' last='Bynum'] can take over games when he is engaged, averaging 16.7 points and 11.2 rebounds. Jayvon Johnson has stepped up in the backcourt averaging 15.3 points, 4.5 rebound and 5.7 assists while [player_tooltip player_id='2746194' first='Akil' last='Robinson'] (11.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2746192' first='Laqwaun' last='Morgan'] (9.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.0 bpg) bring length, athleticism and activity. Lovett has lost a little momentum with [player_tooltip player_id='1696254' first='Jack' last='Rees'] (10.2 ppg) out of the lineup but [player_tooltip player_id='2102283' first='Cameron' last='Cannon'] (18.3 ppg) can still score with the best of them and keep the Lions in games. [player_tooltip player_id='2746189' first='Landyn' last='Murphy'] is a quick guard averaging 9.2 points and 4.5 assists while [player_tooltip player_id='1835731' first='Ryan' last='Cain'] is a knockdown shooter averaging over 9 points per game on 44% three-point shooting. Don't overlook Therrell who has [player_tooltip player_id='2691492' first='Morion' last='McWhorter'] as a dominant paint presence averaging 15.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 6</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Columbia, Drew Charter, Miller Grove, Redan, Salem, South Atlanta</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbia is the team to beat but South Atlanta has pushed the Eagles to the brink twice, losing 55-51 in overtime and falling 49-48. Columbia has seen contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='2574769' first='Xavier' last='Lewis'] (10.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2764747' first='Jace' last='Smith'] (7.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg). [player_tooltip player_id='2426929' first='Zayd' last='Muhammad'] is a 6-foot-7 guard with major upside while Deontae Hill is a feisty defender. South Atlanta is led by [player_tooltip player_id='2284887' first='Duor' last='Duor'] (13.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.9 bpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2419519' first='Bol' last='Deng'] (12.6 ppg). Ke'shawn Briggs (11.4 ppg) powers Redan. Salem at 8-16 and 2-7 in region is a head scratching team. They spent time in the Top 10 early in the season but lack consistency. The Seminoles own signature wins over Tucker (56-53), Alcovy (62-60 OT) and Towers (49-47) but have gone 2-10 their last 12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->