Christmas is on the horizon, so before we get a short respite prior to turning the page to calendar year 2020, we present our Mid-December Power Rankings for boys hoops.

#1 DAWSON CO TIGERS

RECORD: 9-1 (3-0)
LAST RANKING: #1

This talented bunch continues to dominate opposition, and now sits as the #4-ranked team in the state. A 3-0 start to region has Dawson perhaps looking every bit of the defending region champions.

#2 BANKS CO LEOPARDS

RECORD: 7-0 (2-0)
LAST RANKING: #2

The Leopards are up to #3 in the state polls. That’s a high water mark for this program, who has handled everyone without much trouble. Banks has not shied away from neighboring schools, beating Jefferson, Stephens County twice, and Lumpkin out of region. It was also taken down region rivals Rabun.

#3 JEFFERSON DRAGONS

RECORD: 5-5 (1-2)
LAST RANKING: #3

The Dragons have had some hiccups so far this season, but time is still on their side. Their region does hold the distinction of included last year’s State Champs (Morgan County) and the Runner-Up (Hart County). While Morgan is struggling bad this year, Hart is still the team to beat, as is Franklin County (11-1).

#4 TALLULAH FALLS INDIANS

RECORD: 4-4 (0-0)
LAST RANKING: #8

Tallulah Falls continues to play .500 as of late. Among its better moments this season includes a win over White County, while a loss to Union they’d love to have back.

#5 WHITE CO WARRIORS

RECORD: 4-5 (0-2)
LAST RANKING: #4

The Warriors’ resume includes victories over such teams as Lumpkin, Habersham (twice), and Union. Tallulah Falls is one of the local teams to beat White County this season. The guys are hoping the 2-game skid in region play will soon be reversed.

#6 STEPHENS CO INDIANS

RECORD: 4-7 (1-0)
LAST RANKING: #5

Stephens County has been hard to predict this year, with wins over Habersham and Rabun, but then falling to Rabun on the road and dropping a pair to Banks so far. There is plenty of skill on this roster.

#7 TOWNS CO INDIANS

RECORD: 4-2 (0-0)
LAST RANKING: #6

The Indians have grabbed wins over both Commerce and Union, but dropped a second game to Union as the Panthers had more of their team back from football season. Still early to get a true gauge on these guys, but Kolby Moss has played very well as of late.

#8 UNION CO PANTHERS

RECORD: 3-5 (1-1)
LAST RANKING: #12

The Panthers have finally regained full strength with their regular lineup back on the floor. Since then, they’ve begun to turn things around. That means you can toss out early losses to Towns and White. Still, there is a lot of work to do.

#9 COMMERCE TIGERS

RECORD: 4-3 (0-0)
LAST RANKING: #7

Commerce has 4 wins already, doubling last season’s output and matching the most in a season since 2014-15, when the Tigers had 7 victories. Still a lot of work to do, but guys like Creed Dunbar continue to make this a team that’s a legitimate threat.

#10 LUMPKIN CO INDIANS

RECORD: 4-7 (2-2)
LAST RANKING: #9

The Indians are in decent shape within region play, and senior Pat Jackson is a big reason why. Still, these guys would particularly like a shot to get back at rivals White County after a loss to them this season.

#11 HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS

RECORD: 4-7 (0-0)
LAST RANKING: #10

The Raiders are just a couple minutes away in close games from perhaps being a team more like 7-3 or 8-2. New coach Cody Anderson continues to prove that he was the right hire, as Habersham’s 4 wins already is better than a year ago, and if he can guide them to 8 this season, it would be the most since 2011-12. Habersham has beaten Rabun this year, but dropped a pair to White County and one to rivals Stephens County.

#12 RABUN CO WILDCATS

RECORD: 2-5 (1-1)
LAST RANKING: #11

The Wildcats are starting to gain some traction after a slow start. The first win of the year came at home against Stephens, in which Bear Old really showed out for Rabun. An early region win also bodes well for this team. They have split against Stephens, and dropped one to Banks and another to Habersham.