Region Tournaments to Watch: Class 3A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Bainbridge, Cairo, Dougherty, Monroe, Peach County, Westover</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams from Region 1 are usually extremely dangerous this time of year. Monroe is in a good spot to grab the one-seed heading into the region tournament behind Lorenzo Still (15 ppg), Nehemiah Tinch (10.8 ppg) and Brayden Burns (10.3 ppg). The Golden Tornadoes split with Dougherty in the regular season in two nailbiters. The Trojans always play their best ball late in the season. They have fire power between veterans [player_tooltip player_id='2046357' first='Jawuan' last='Jinks'] (15.6 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2337612' first='Kaleke' last='Singletary-Jinks'] (11.4 ppg). Westover has been sneaky tough this season with eight players averaging over four points per game, the by committee approach led by 6-foot-4 junior Greg Williams' 9.9 points and 6.7 rebounds. The Patriots swept Dougherty and lost twice to Monroe by a total of five points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 4</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Aquinas, Baldwin, Cross Creek, Harlem, Hephzibah, Howard, ARC, West Laurens, Westside-Augusta</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross Creek, Baldwin and Westside-Augusta have been a cut above the rest. The Razorbacks are 13-0 to start region play. They are big, athletic and deep with many players capable of winning games. [player_tooltip player_id='1702258' first='Jaden' last='Priester'] is heading to Morehead State while [player_tooltip player_id='2125529' first='Frashad' last='Tisby'] is up next, the 6-foot-5 sophomore picking up a Tennessee Tech offer. Cross Creek seemingly has a new leading scorer every game with an incredibly balanced attack and dynamic inside-out players like [player_tooltip player_id='2471159' first='Braylon' last='Maddox']. Baldwin lost 45-42 in their first meeting against Cross Creek on the road. The Braves play fast with a gritty defensive mindset. [player_tooltip player_id='2460991' first='Karez' last='Demory'] (17.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='1912004' first='Deven' last='Nelson'] (16.1) combine to average 33.3 points per game, an elite Middle Georgia backcourt. Three-time defending state champ Westside has seen [player_tooltip player_id='2372174' first='Jarius' last='Adkinson'] return after missing the start of the season. After losing 66-34 to Cross Creek in Round 1, the Patriots narrowed the gap, losing 67-59. Westside also split with Baldwin, losing their second meeting 72-65. When healthy, the Patriots have one of the most athletic backcourts in the state between [player_tooltip player_id='2372176' first='Dontrell' last='Jackson'] (19.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.7 apg, 3.2 spg), [player_tooltip player_id='2471141' first='Aldrion' last='Jones'] (12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Keori Atwell (8.1 ppg, 5 rpg). Keep an eye on West Laurens as a potential disruptor. If they make state as a four-seed they could give higher seeds trouble. Just 10-12 overall, the Raiders have played top teams tight, losing to Westside by 8 and 9, to East Laurens by 2 and 3, Cross Creek by 9 and 5 and sweeping Dublin. Three seniors average double digits led by RJ Whipple (14.3 ppg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Region 8</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEAMS: Cherokee Bluff, East Hall, Jefferson, Monroe Area, Oconee County, West Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Hall clinched the one-seed heading into the region tournament with a win over Jefferson. [player_tooltip player_id='2125516' first='Braydon' last='Langston'], [player_tooltip player_id='2319619' first='Jamarcus' last='Harrison'], Chasen Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='1543493' first='Jordan' last='Richerson'] lead Press Hall. Jefferson has been a surprise, overachieving due to toughness and coaching. [player_tooltip player_id='2575538' first='Christian' last='Hester'] has been a steady force in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='2309856' first='Clay' last='Owen'] opens up the defense with his three-point shooting while Ceven Nicely, Josiah Morris and Dashaun Keith use their speed.&nbsp; Cherokee Bluff was in prime position for the top seed but faltered late. The Bears still went 2-1 against East Hall during the regular season however, beating the Vikings for the Lanierland title. The tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1383034' first='Boston' last='Kersh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1543523' first='Cooper' last='Glover'] is punishing, two big guards that are athletic and crafty attacking the hoop. Tyler Underwood brings immense grit and physicality at point guard. Oconee County's [player_tooltip player_id='2637087' first='Bo' last='Hogan'] is a late bloomer, the 6-foot-7 post a double-double threat averaging 12.3 points and 9 rebounds a night while Monroe Area has the top rebounder in the region with [player_tooltip player_id='2301496' first='Trip' last='Griffith'] dominating the glass. West Hall has a dynamic forward of their own in 6-foot-8 [player_tooltip player_id='2337615' first='Teryk' last='Tilley'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->