Georgia high school hoops teams are burning up the brackets this week with several heading into the Sweet 16 this weekend.
Games on Tuesday and Wednesday set up the weekend action.
On Tuesday, T.W. Josey’s girls handily defeated Jeff Davis 72-20.
The Eagles, who are the reigning state Class AA champs, advance to the next round and will host Banks County at 6 p.m. Friday.
Glenn Hills boys’ team ended its playoff hopes Tuesday with a loss in Vidalia 85-57.
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Wednesday saw five playoff games happening in Richmond County alone, while several additional Richmond County schools were on the road.
Both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams at Cross Creek High School knocked off their opponents on the home court.
The girls, who are undefeated in conference play and have only one loss overall, roared past Mary Persons High School 69-34. They will host Murray County at 6 p.m. Friday. The boys will play at LaFayette at 6 p.m. Saturday after defeating Upson-Lee High School 75-45.
Also Wednesday night, Butler’s boys team continued its winning ways beating Toombs County 57-42. Butler will play at Pace Academy at 6 p.m. Friday.
Aquinas boys lost to Deerfield-Windsor 71-56 Wednesday.
Westside’s boys defeated Jeff Davis Wednesday 71-39 and will host Columbia at 4 p.m. Saturday.
In girls’ basketball action, Laney defeated Vidalia 75-61 Wednesday and will host Union County at 6 p.m. Saturday. Butler lost to Swainsboro 62-36.
In Columbia County, Evans’ boys advanced after beating Houston County 64-56 Tuesday. The Knights will travel to Carrollton Friday.
Grovetown’s boys annihilated Northside 93-37 on Tuesday and will host Alexander at 7:30 p.m. Friday, while Grovetown girls’ team beat Northside 58-37 Tuesday. The girls will host Rome at 6 p.m.
Burke County’s boys also advanced after squeaking out a win over Peach County 67-66 Tuesday and will play Ringgold at 6:30 p.m. Friday at home. Burke County’s girls lost to Central 55-40 Tuesday.
Thomson’s boys also advanced after beating Crisp County 75-51 Wednesday and will host Hart County at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Thomson’s girls beat Peach County 49-28 Wednesday and will play at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe at 5 p.m. Saturday.
After this weekend, winners will head to the Elite 8 and then to the semifinals March 4 and 5. Some brackets will be at Georgia College and State University with others scheduled at Valdosta State University. The state finals will be March 11 and 12 in Macon.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
