With football season coming to an end in the next few weeks, winter sports are starting to get underway and basketball was the first sport to kick off. But that almost got overlooked because the second round of the football playoffs had some of the best games in recent memory and the quarterfinals should be no different. With that said, here are the top five Georgia High School sports stories.
5. Basketball season gets underway
Football may rule the high school sports scene in Georgia, but basketball is not slacking when it comes to popularity and with a team like Milton making a run at a second consecutive state title, it should be another great year of high school basketball. Fans got a chance to see Milton in action Saturday night against Huffman, Ala., at the Eric Snow Verizon Holiday Classic at Kennesaw State and won 70-35. They will have another big game Wednesday night as they face McEachern. Can Milton keep the good times rolling and win another state title and possibly a national title? We'll have to wait and see.
4. Grayson takes down North Gwinnett
Just when you think you have Class AAAAA figured out, another curve ball is thrown at you. North Gwinnett has looked strong all season and were the favorite to reach the finals. However, Grayson, who has a lot of playoff experience, was able to ground the potent North Gwinnett offense and come away with the 23-19 win. The Rams forced North Gwinnett to turn the ball over four times and Grayson was able to take a 23-0 lead at one point in the contest. With that win Grayson is the only team in AAAAA to make the quarterfinals the last four years. North Gwinnett ends their season with a 11-1 record.
3. Welcome to the show Hillgrove
As big as the North Gwinnett upset was, the fact Camden County went down to Hillgrove might be the biggest upset in AAAAA history. Camden was the defending AAAAA champions and Hillgrove is in its first year in AAAAA after being in AAAA the last few years. But Hillgrove was able to run all over the Wildcats thanks to quarterback Gage Henry throwing for 170 yards and two touchdowns and Kenyan Drake rushing for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Hillgrove will face Brookwood in the quarterfinals Friday night. Camden loses its first home playoff game since 2006 when they lost to Warner Robins in the second round.
2. Showdown at Hallford
One of the more interesting quarterfinal games has to be Ware County going on the road to take on Tucker. Ware is coming off a 21-13 win over Whitewater who defeated Nothside, Warner Robins in the first round of the playoffs last year. Tucker has a 12-0 record and has blown past everybody they have played so far. Tucker is looking to win their first state title since 2008 while Ware is looking to reach the finals the first time since 2007.
1. Carrollton and Cairo go to battle
In AAA, a pair of powerhouses will square off as Cairo will go on the road to take on Carrollton. Cairo is coming off a tough 11-7 won over Eastside while Carrollton is also coming off a low scoring game, edging past St. Pius 14-7. Both teams come in undefeated and both have multiple state titles under their belts. Cairo has three titles and Carrollton has eight. The winner will face the Cedar Grove-Burke County game in the semifinals.