With region play well underway statewide, every matchup becomes crucial. Several of those important games occur this week, and many carry playoff seeding and region title implications. Here are four of the best Georgia high school boys basketball games to keep an eye on in the coming days.
Newton at Grayson (Tuesday, January 23)
No additional hype is needed for this matchup. Two of the best high school boys basketball teams in Georgia face off for a temporary lead in Region 4. Grayson, led by four-star guard Gicarri Harris, ranks within the Top-15 nationally and has yet to lose to a squad from Georgia. Newton has had a tense season with seven games decided by 10 points or less, and the Rams’ sophomore- and junior-heavy squad is eager to notch a program-defining win on the road.
These teams will meet for the second time in the season finale, so this first matchup is set to generate interesting storylines for the rest of the year.
West Forsyth at Lambert (Tuesday, January 23)
The battle for Region 6 has been narrowed down to three teams, and the Wolverines and Longhorns make up two. A three-point win over Milton put West Forsyth squarely in the region’s top spot, but Lambert enters this matchup on the heels of a 34-point rout of Denmark.
The two squads have nearly identical records, but the Longhorns are 5-1 at home, which could be a significant factor. A Lambert win would force a three-way tie atop the Region 6-7A standings, while a West Forsyth victory likely would secure an eventual region title.
Berkmar at Norcross (Friday, January 26)
It’s a four-team race in Region 7, and both Berkmar and Norcross sit in the midst of recent chaos. The Patriots began the season strong, with excellent wins over Greenforest and Wheeler, but they have tapered off recently, losing three of their last four games and struggling offensively.
Norcross’s struggles have been scattered throughout the season, but don’t be deceived by the 9-11 record the Blue Devils have posted. They’ve faced an extremely challenging schedule that includes Alexander, Wheeler, Lexington (SC), and Myers Park (NC). The first matchup between Norcross and Berkmar was a 69-66 thriller that saw the Blue Devils win, just as they did in the 2022 7A state championship. Will this contest produce a similar outcome?
Carrollton at Langston Hughes (Saturday, January 27)
A rare late-season non-region matchup, this game may provide both teams with a taste of playoff basketball before the tournament arrives. Stylistically, these squads excel defensively, making for a likely low-scoring game in which possessions remain at a premium.
Neither Carrollton nor Hughes has come close to clinching a region title, so this temporary break from region play may allow the squads to regroup before the home stretch. While there are no direct seeding or playoff implications, this unique non-region tilt will showcase two of the best Georgia high school boys basketball defensive teams.
