This week is big for local high school basketball programs as they tune up for the upcoming Lanierland tournament. Chestatee, Johnson and West Hall will out play out-of-county matchups before the Hall County-based Lanierland begins on Dec. 20.

Then on Friday, Chestatee and Flowery Branch will face off for their final test before tournament play begins.

Perhaps the most interesting game of the week will take place in Buford on Friday as the Lady Wolves, No. 1 in Class AA, host Columbia, No. 1 in Class AAA. This is a game that pits defending state champions against one another.

ATLANTA HAWKS: The Hawks currently stand one game out of first place in the Southeast Division, but have a chance to make up ground this week with a games at the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday and then Boston Celtics on Thursday, followed by a home game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.

Atlanta is coming off a 97-83 win against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

ATLANTA THRASHERS: The Thrashers, who sit in third place in the Southeast Division, have a busy week, starting with a road contest today at the Washington Senators. Then on Wednesday, Atlanta heads south to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Before the week is out, the Thrashers come home to Philips Arena to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday and the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Georgia Bulldogs have a light schedule this week with a home game against Arkansas State on Saturday in Athens. Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs are off until Sunday when they play host to High Point University.

Meanwhile, Georgia Tech heads off to the Battle at Atlantis to face Richmond on Saturday in Paradise Island, Bahamas.