The Chestatee girls basketball team, winners of five consecutive games and seven of its last eight, is about to embark one of its toughest weeks of the season.
A pair of subregion road games await, including a Tuesday trip to Creekview (11-3, 3-1 7A-AAA), and Friday trip to Gilmer (12-3, 3-0).
The Lady War Eagles (8-6, 3-0) haven’t lost since Dec. 20 against Kennesaw Mountain thanks largely to sound defense. Since then, they’ve given up 40 points or more only twice, and are yielding an average of 31.6 points per game.
They could be tested this week, especially against Gilmer, which scores a region-high 58 points per game. But Chestatee proved it could hold down prolific offenses when it limited high-powered Pickens to 43 points in a win on Friday. It was the second-lowest out of the season for Lady Dragons (9-5, 3-1) at the time.
North Hall looks to keep rolling
After losing all five starters from 2007-08, the North Hall Trojans started this season well before hitting a lull around the holidays.
During a four-game stretch in late December, the Trojans lost three times. But since 7A-AAA play opened earlier this month, they seem to be hitting their stride. North Hall (9-5, 3-0) is now the winner of three straight, including Saturday’s 54-44 win over Creekview, which was ranked No.10 and hadn’t lost to a Class AAA team this season.
The Trojans can stretch their streak to five with wins over subregion foes Gilmer and White County this week. They’ll step out of the subregion for a crossover game at Flowery Branch on Saturday.
7B-AAA set to tip off
Subregion games in 7B-AAA get started Tuesday with plenty of postseason contenders set to meet in boys action.
West Hall (14-1) will be at West Forsyth (7-3), while East Hall (6-4) will play host to Johnson (7-4). It’ll be the first game in almost two weeks for East Hall, which hasn’t played since wrapping up a holiday tournament with three wins and one loss on Dec. 30.
Gainesville’s teams have an intriguing week ahead. Sandwiching a Friday home date against West Forsyth, there’s Red Elephant coach Todd Cottrell’s return to Flowery Branch — a team he led to a region title last season — on Tuesday. Then on Saturday, there’s the always-entertaining renewal of the Gainesville-East Hall rivalry.
Saturday’s girls game could be especially crucial, as the Lady Vikings and Lady Elephants look to be the frontrunners in 7B-AAA.
Dueling for duals
The GHSA state dual meet wrestling championships get started Friday morning with four area teams taking part.
Jefferson, after winning seven straight Class A duals title, will try to extend its streak in Class AA. The Dragons topped Banks County, which will also be part of the 16-team AA field, in the Region 8-AA finals on Saturday.
Lumpkin County, which took second in Region 7-AAA, and Jackson County, the No. 2 team from 8-AAA, will represent Northeast Georgia in the tournament.
More big games
The Lakeview Academy girls will travel to take on Towns County on Friday. Control of Region 8-A could be on the line.
Buford’s No. 2-ranked girls team will play host to Greater Atlanta Christian on Tuesday. Both teams are unbeaten in Region 6-AA competition.