More than a month after the season officially began, varsity basketball teams in Fayette and elsewhere are moving full steam ahead into the heart of their region schedules this month.
Fayette County, Sandy Creek and Whitewater began Region 5-AAAA play last night, while Region 4-AAAAA squads from McIntosh and Starr’s Mill already have several conference games under their belts.
The McIntosh boys sit atop their subregion with a 6-0 record and have won their first 13 games overall, good enough for the number-two ranking in the state. Drew is second in the subregion at 8-1 (a loss to McIntosh), followed by Mundy’s Mill, Forest Park, Morrow, Starr’s Mill and Northgate. Starr’s Mill is 5-7 overall and 2-4 in region play.
At right, above, McIntosh’s Jordan Lyons (driving with ball) helped propel the Chiefs to a 68-63 win over cross-county rival Whitewater Saturday. The win moved the Chiefs to 13-0 and kept them ranked second in the state. Photo/Taylor Trebotte.
Sandy Creek began the week with an 8-5 record, while Fayette County stood at 6-6 and Whitewater at 5-9.
Landmark entered the new year at 11-2 overall and 3-0 in Region 5-A, one of four unbeaten teams in their subregion along with Paideia, Greenforest and Southwest Atlanta Christian. Our Lady of Mercy is not far behind at 5-5 overall and 1-2 in region play.
On the girls’ side, McIntosh’s 4-2 region record (8-4 overall) was just behind Woodland, Forest Park, Drew and Luella. Starr’s Mill began the season 3-9 overall and 1-5 in Region 4-AAAAA.
Going into the opening Region 5-AAAA games this week, Fayette County stood at 5-3, with Whitewater at 7-7 and Sandy Creek at 5-8.
In Region 5-A, Landmark was 8-4 overall and 2-1 before Tuesday night’s games. Four teams in the subregion were still unbeaten: ELCA, Southwest Atlanta Christian, Mount Vernon and Atlanta International. OLM’s record going into this week was 7-4 and 1-2.
Below, Victor Ayuk of Whitewater (2) goes up to the rim for the ball as McIntosh’s Chase Walter (32) and Jordan Lyons (23) hold their position for a possible rebound. McIntosh won 68-63. Whitewater won the girls’ game 37-35. Photo/Taylor Trebotte.
