Gainesville High enters the GHSA Class AAAAA boys basketball state tournament with a renewed focus after a loss in its region championship game.

After running the table in the Region 8-AAAAA regular season with a 17-0 record, the Red Elephants (20-5) fell one game short of a region title. Instead the title and top seed in the state tournament went to Cedar Shoals (26-2).

Gainesville, however, remains undaunted as it prepares for its first-round matchup against Villa Rica (18-9).

“We just have to focus on the things we can control and play our brand of basketball,” Gainesville coach Benjie Wood said. “We had a bad night the other night, but we have to put that behind us and move forward.”

The biggest downside to not winning the region is that, should Gainesville beat Villa Rica, the Red Elephants will more than likely matchup against a 26-2 McIntosh team that is ranked No. 4 in the state, according to MaxPreps.

Gainesville, ranked No. 13, is fully capable of advancing deep into this tournament, but the task will be far more difficult.

Girls: Flowery Branch (27-1) is one of the top teams in the state and a contender to go all the way to Macon to play for a championship.

“Anytime you go into a state tournament, you want to be successful,” Lady Falcons coach Courtney Newton said. “We are going to do the best we can. We’ve put pressure on ourselves to perform well all season.”

Flowery Branch sophomore Taniyah Worth will be one to watch for the Lady Falcons.

Gainesville is another team that could make some noise in the state tournament. The Lady Red Elephants (18-6) handed Flowery Branch their only loss of the season and junior guard Tanai Watson will be looking to build upon that success in the state tournament.

Class AAAA

Boys: For the boys, it’s Buford and North Hall. Buford is 16-11, but boasts a perfect 8-0 region record, while North Hall’s (21-7) only region losses have come at the hands of Buford.

Buford and North Hall will both host first-round playoff games.

The Wolves are playing Fayette County (14-11) and the Trojans will host Carrollton (12-14).

Girls: It is also Buford and North Hall for the girls.

The Lady Wolves (22-5) have a good chance to advance deeper in the tournament, although their task was made tougher with a loss to North Oconee in the region championship game.

North Hall (16-11) goes on the road in its first round playoff game against Carrollton (22-5).

Class AAA
Boys: East Hall won a very competitive Region 7-AAA tournament to earn a No. 1 seed heading into the GHSA Class AAA boys state tournament.

The Vikings (20-7) will play their first-round game Wednesday against Ringgold (10-16).

“We talk about it being a one-game tournament.” East Hall coach Joe Dix said. “I know that’s a cliché, but that’s what it really is. We just look at one game in front of us and we’re focused right now on Ringgold.”

Second to East Hall was Lumpkin County, the No. 4 seed entering the region tournament, which will now host a first-round playoff game.

The West Hall Spartans (13-14) made the state tournament for the first time since 2010-11.

Their reward? A date against an undefeated Calhoun team (25-0).

“It’s going to be uphill battle,” West Hall coach Zac Swansey said. “We know that. We’re going to go in and compete and live with the outcome.

“We feel like there’s no pressure on us.”

Banks County (23-4) defeated West Hall in the region tournament’s consolation game to earn the No. 3 seed after going 11-1 in region play during the regular season.

The Leopards will be one of the more talented three seeds in the tournament with Zez Steeple and Kahmal Wiley leading the charge.

Jefferson and Jackson County have also made it to the tournament.

Girls: West Hall proved to be the top team in Region 7-AAA. Riding a 10-game winning streak, the Lady Spartans (19-8) defeated top seeds East Hall and Dawson County to claim the region crown.

“That’s when you want to be playing your best basketball, right now heading into the state tournament,” West Hall coach Bryan Richerson said. “We’re doing a great job on both sides of the ball.

“Just not wanting to lose. That’s been a big key for us.”

Dawson County (23-4) and East Hall (20-6) are both strong contenders in the girls bracket.

Banks County, Jefferson and Jackson County round out the area schools who have made the state tournament.

Class AA

Boys: Riverside Military Academy (14-9) will host Temple High (20-5) in the first round of the state tournament.

Making it to state is not something that happens to the Eagles very often, but this team has shown a lot of grit over the course of the season.

“We’re playing with house money,” Riverside Military coach Marvin Latham said. “There’s no pressure for us. We just keep preaching the same things we’ve been preaching all season.

“Just go out and compete. Don’t worry about the score. Just compete.”

Class A

The Lakeview Academy boys (24-4) and girls (22-6) both captured Region 8-A championships.

The boys defeated Hebron Christian 71-44 to claim the title with Carter Reeves and Josh Randolph leading the Lions this season under the coaching of Todd Cottrell.

The girls defeated Athens Christian 47-41 in the region championship game.

The Lady Lions have had balanced scoring all season with Christen Copeland, Halee Cash, Hanna Grogan and Ryann Moody each taking their turn as the leading scorer in any given game this season.

The Class A brackets have not yet been announced.