It’s finally here — the GHSA State Playoffs begin today for most of our locals who are still enjoying the 2017-18 season. Here’s a rundown of the opening round matchups for Friday and Saturday.

Class 4A

BOYS

#3 Stephens Co Indians (20-8) @ #2 Marist War Eagles (10-15)

WHEN: Friday, February 16 – 7:30 PM
Why Stephens will win? The Indians have De’Undra Singleton and Ty Nails, as well as Montavius Thornton, a trio of game-changers that will prove hard for Marist to keep quiet. Marist might be the home team and region runner-up, but they are very beatable as evidenced by their record, including just 5-4 in region 7-AAAA.

#4 White Co Warriors (14-11) @ #1 St. Pius X Golden Lions (24-3)

WHEN: Saturday, Februar 17 – 7 PM
Why White will win? It’ll be hard, but the Warriors could easily have been a #1 or #2 in their tough region 7-AAAA. St. Pius is an unbelievably talented team, ranked #2 overall in the state in Class 4A. It will take Sam Borg’s team taking care of the basketball (limit turnovers), making their shots, and converting opportunities at the free throw line. Clay Dockery, Austin Harris, Jay Lepkoske and others will have to play the best game all season, but they can certainly do it.

GIRLS

#2 White Co Lady Warriors (14-12) vs #3 North Oconee Lady Titans (10-16)

WHEN: Friday, February 16 – 6 PM
Why White will win? The Lady Warriors are playing some of their best ball right now with three straight wins, two coming over powerhouse West Hall, prior to the region championship loss to Marist. They are also on the home court. Dasha Cannon is only a freshman, but has been phenomenal. North Oconee has struggled on the road, going just 2-6 in true road games. The Lady Titans have also gone just 4-8 since the start of the new year, struggling to find consistency.

Class 3A

BOYS

#2 Dawson Co Tigers (18-9) vs #3 Monroe Area Hurricanes (17-10)

WHEN: Saturday, February 17 – 5 PM
Why Dawson will win? The Tigers are riding momentum after advancing to the 7-AAA title game, falling to #3-ranked GAC. These guys are GOOD! Cullen Reed and Jeremiah Crumley are both 1,000-point scorers who make a dynamic duo that is hard to stop. They’ll be at home, which helps. But look out for Isaiah Glasper, a junior averaging 15 pts per game, as well as senior Elijah Goodman (12 pts, 6 reb per game). These guys hit the boards hard, averaging almost 33 rebounds per game, so Dawson needs to get physical and fight for every loose ball. NOTE: The Hurricanes also turn the ball over 17 times per game, but are deadly from deep (Glasper, Goodman and freshman Lakendric Lyles have made 79 3-pointers (35%) between the three of them.

GIRLS

#4 Dawson Co Lady Tigers (15-11) @ #1 Franklin Co Lady Lions (27-0)

WHEN: Friday, February 16 – 6 PM
Why Dawson will win? The Lady Tigers are easily the best four-seed in the state, but that doesn’t do them any favors when being pitted against the #2-ranked team in the state. Franklin County is perfect at 27-0 and average nearly 63 points per game. This is crazy, but they’ve only had two games all season where a team has been within 10 points of them at the final buzzer. The “closest” win was a nine-point victory. That means Steve Sweat’s girls need to put the pressure on Franklin and put them in a spot they’re not used to being. The offense is good (56 pts/game), so Kaylee Sticker needs to be her dominant self, while others like Calli Watson (lethal from long range) will have to be on their game. Don’t think for a second this #4 can’t beat this #1.

Class 2A

BOYS

#1 Banks Co Leopards (24-4) vs #4 Coosa Eagles (11-17)

WHEN: Friday, February 16 – 7 PM
Why Banks will win? Carl Cleveland, Dylan Orr, Darius Bonds, Gabe Martin, should we go on? Coach Mike Cleveland’s guys will be dominant as always against a team that’s lost five of its last seven games, and have been known to have slumps (five multi-game losing streaks). As always, Banks will need the quick start from tip, maybe a couple triples by Martin and Bonds, and then let the dominant Cleveland and Orr do their thing to put this one away early in front of the home crowd.

GIRLS

#1 Banks Co Lady Leopards (23-5) vs #4 Pepperell Lady Dragons (6-18)

WHEN: Friday, February 16 – 5:30 PM
Why Banks will win? The Lady Leopards are just too strong all the way around, and fresh off the momentum of a region tournament championship. The #2-ranked Lady Leopards are proving why they’re a state championship caliber team. What if Pepperell shuts down leader Allison Smith? Well, there’s Jaycie Bowen. What if she gets shut down? Maddie Thomas. And if she gets locked up? Amber Williams, Lauren Shedd, Kailyn Gilstrap…you get the point. Too many weapons and home court…this will be quick if the girls are focused.

#3 Rabun C Lady Wildcats (22-6) @ #2 Rockmart Lady Yellowjackets (19-8)

WHEN: Friday, February 16 – 7 PM
Why Rabun will win? The best #3 seed in class 2A. On the road makes it a bit tougher, where Rockmart is an astounding 11-1. But the Lady Cats and DeeDee Dillard are 10-2 away from Tiger, so that won’t phase this group. They also have state championship game experience, and have a 20-plus points per game leader in Georgia Stockton, as well as players like Laken Stiles and Brooke Henricks among other young players who have some good skills. Rabun is one of the top-scoring groups in the state (66.2 pts/game).

Class 1A

BOYS

Tallulah Falls Indians (14-12) @ Walker Wolverines (18-8)

WHEN: Friday, February 16 – 6 PM
Why Tallulah Falls will win? The Indians re-tooled completely this year after last year’s historic senior-heavy team that advanced to the Sweet 16. It’s taken time, but guys like Tahj Moss (17.2 pts, 8.6 reb per game) and Matthew Weidner (16 pts, 7.1 reb per game) are leading the way. They have size underneath, but Hayden Johnson (10.2 pts/game) and others will need to step up when Moss and Weidner face tough defense. Walker has three guys that LOVE to fire the 3-pointer, so stepping up on the perimeter will be key for Tallulah Falls. Walker’s top three scorers are all sophomores, so perhaps they could be rattled if the Indians get off to a quick start.