Top 10 games to watch in Georgia high school boys basketball: Titans clash in region tournaments

The state tournament is just a week away, with region tournaments being the final hurdle for teams before the playoffs begin.

By Darren Nichols | Photo by Macen Howells

The state tournament is just a week away, with region tournaments being the final hurdle for teams before the playoffs begin.

Norcross-Berkmar in Region 7, Class 7A is the headliner this week.

TOP 10 GAMES OF THE WEEK

10. Denmark (14-11) vs. North Forsyth (13-12), 8:30 p.m. Tuesday

Denmark will take on North Forsyth to start the 7A-Region 6 tournament. The two teams are 1-1 in the season series. Denmark won the most recent matchup 56-55 and is on a five-game win streak. North Forsyth has won four of its last five games, the only loss being to Denmark. The Raiders won their first matchup by 39 points. 

9. South Paulding (14-12) vs. Rome (15-9), 6 p.m. Tuesday

Rome and South Paulding will face off for the third time this season to try to break the tie. Most recently, South Paulding escaped with a two-point victory, but earlier in the season Rome defeated South Paulding by 17 points. Rome will hope to perform better after a 37-point loss in its last outing. 

8. West Forsyth (18-7) vs. South Forsyth (12-14), 5:30 p.m. Tuesday

West Forsyth has the best 7A-Region 6 record so far this season at 10-2. The Wolverines are coming off a loss to end the season, but have momentum in the sense that they are 2-0 vs. South Forsyth this season. South Forsyth has won two of its last three games. South Forsyth came up a hair short in its last matchup with West Forsyth, so this could be a potential upset looming. 

7. Effingham County (17-7) vs. Bradwell Institute (15-10), 6 p.m. Tuesday

This is a game guaranteed to keep an audience glued to its seats. The two times these two teams faced off, Effingham County walked away victorious, but both games went to overtime. These two give it all they have when matching up, and with big-time scorers like Tahshaun Frasier for Bradwell Institute and Keion Wallace for Effingham County, this is a must-watch. 

6. Roswell (18-8) vs. Etowah (16-9), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Etowah has been on its A game of late, as the Eagles are on a seven-game win streak. During this streak, Etowah has played some phenomenal basketball, which includes a 36-point victory over Roswell. Roswell has responded well since that blowout loss, winning five of its next six games, with the only loss coming to Milton. Roswell beat Etowah earlier in the season, so the third game between these two should be a battle to the end. 

5. Statesboro (21-3) vs. Glynn Academy (18-7), 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Statesboro has won its last six games vs. Glynn Academy, which almost stopped the losing streak, falling by only two points earlier in the year. If Glynn Academy wants to stop the losing streak from reaching seven games, this would be an opportune time to do so. 

4. Monroe (22-2) vs. Westover (20-3), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Monroe and Westover will match up in the 4A-Region 1 championship game Wednesday. Monroe is looking to extend its win streak to 18 games while obtaining a region championship. Monroe defeated Westover in both games the two saw each other this season. Westover has dominated every opponent except Monroe, but each game between the two is a classic. The last time these two faced off, the game was decided by one point, so expect another close, hard-fought contest. 

3. Milton (18-7) vs. Cherokee (16-8), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Cherokee will try to slay the giant in the first round of the 7A-Region 5 tournament. Milton has dominated its region rivals, going 10-0 this year. Cherokee is one of the few region opponents that gave Milton a fight, so the Warriors can definitely give Milton a run for its money. 

2. McEachern (14-8) vs. East Coweta (16-9), 6 p.m. Wednesday

McEachern will take on East Coweta in the 7A-Region 2 tournament. The two teams are even in the season series, with both games being highly competitive. Both teams have lived in the shadow of Pebblebrook this season, but have also had success of their own. The winner of this matchup will get the reward of facing No. 1 Pebblebrook in the region finals. 

1. Norcross (21-5) vs. Berkmar (21-4), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

This 7A-Region 7 championship game will show off some amazing talent like Malique Ewin and Jameel Rideout of Berkmar vs. Norcross’ London Johnson and Jerry Deng. Both teams are red-hot entering this battle, with Norcross being winners of 13 of its last 14 games and Berkmar winning 12 in a row. Norcross hasn’t been able to take down Berkmar in two tries thus far, but one game was decided by two points and the other by one point.