Friday's region match ups provide opportunities for several Augusta area AAA boys basketball teams to solidify their positions heading into the last weeks of regular season region play. Teams are fighting for one of four coveted "byes" in the region tournament. A first or second place in either of the sub regions does the trick. Washington County, Butler, Thomson, Westside, and Josey all currently occupy one of the top two spots in their respective sub regions, but almost all of these teams (with undefeated Washington County being the lone exception) can lose ground Friday. And Richmond Academy, Glenn Hills, and Burke County can all move into second place under various scenarios. HS Hoops breaks down the various AAA sub region contests and the implications on the standings:
Sub Region 3A AAAWashington County Golden Hawks (16-0, 6-0) at Butler Bulldogs (11-8, 4-2)
Washington County looks to clinch at least a share of the number one spot in the sub region by defeating Butler, last season's region champion and state tournament runner up. A win will improve the sub region record to 7-0. A Butler win would move the Bulldogs firmly into second place and one step closer to catching Washington County.
Playing at home should benefit Butler. Senior Dan Lambert and junior Ronald Jones are solid front court players with valuable experience in important games. But Washington County is undefeated for a reason. The Golden Hawks, the sub region's only team located a good bit away from the city of Augusta, are a bit of a mystery to many who haven't seen them in action this season. HS Hoops will get its first look at Washington County Friday. We know freshman guard AJ Gray is a big contributor and that Coach Carlos Hope is one of the best around. Staying undefeated with a win over Butler on the road will speak loudly for the potential damage the Golden Hawks may inflict come region tournament and state tournament time.
Hepzibah Rebels (5-9, 0-6) at Burke County Bears (12-3, 3-3)
A Burke County win at home will improve the Bears' record to 4-3. Depending on Butler's performance, a Burke County win can either move the Bears into a tie for second place in the sub region standings or keep them one game behind the Bulldogs. Burke County faces Butler in Waynesboro on the final night of the regular season.
Cross Creek Razorbacks (11-10, 4-2) at Glenn Hills Spartans (9-10, 3-3)
Like Burke County, Glenn Hills can move into a second place tie with a win and a Butler loss. And like the Bears, the Spartans play at home. But Cross Creek has already recorded one victory against Glenn Hills this season, and the Razorbacks are certainly one of the most improved teams in the area.
Sub Region 3B AAA
Thomson Bulldogs (17-2, 5-1) at Harlem Bulldogs (9-11, 2-4)
Harlem has the home court advantage and the services of freshman guard Reggie Reid (featured here), but those advantages are unlikely to be enough to stop Thomson from moving to 6-1 in sub region play and getting one step closer to a number one seed in the region tournament.
Grovetown Warriors (5-14, 0-6) at Westside Patriots (11-6, 4-2)
Tuesday's overtime win over Josey moved the Patriots into a second place tie with the Eagles. A win at home Friday over Grovetown will guarantee that Westside will not move backwards in the standings, it will give them the chance to move into sole possession of second place (in the event that Josey loses to Richmond Academy), and it will likely keep the Patriots within one game of sub region leader Thomson. The Patriots play at Thomson Tuesday.
Richmond Academy Musketeers (8-9, 3-3) at Josey Eagles (13-7, 4-2)
Josey will look to avenge an earlier loss to Richmond and stay even with Westside and close to Thomson in the sub region standings. A Richmond win will put the Musketeers in the hunt for a top two sub region finish as they would move to 4-3 and look forward to playing Westside in the regular season finale.
Check back for results and highlights from many of these exciting and pivotal sub region games.
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