With the

fall season over and Christmas just around the corner,

the winter sports season has begun. The area high

school's boys and girls basketball teams are gering up

for a very competitive and challenging season.

In 4-AAAA,

the Fayette County Tigers look to be strong with four

seniors starting. The team's leading scorer, William

Moore, returns to lead the Tigers to a possible regional

title. The battle for the region title will be uphill for

McIntosh. The Chiefs graduated several players from last

year's squad and only have one starter returning this

year in Stephen Cox. Seniors Graham Ingram and Rico

Blackmon will round out the front court, as the Chiefs

try to stay competitive and make a late season run.

On the

girls side of 4-AAAA, the reverse is true. Fayette

County, which was senior heavy last year, has graduated a

number of their talented and more experienced players.

Kara Davis and Christine Pritchett return and will try to

lead the Tigers against a very talented region. McIntosh

won the region last year and has the potential to do it

again. Though many players from last year's team have

graduated, the backcourt includes Melanie Schneider, one

of the top players in her age group. Schneider scored 20

points in the Chiefs first victory this year, a 76-36

victory over LaGrange.

In 4-AAA,

Sandy Creek's boys are almost certain to improve on their

4-21 record from last year. The team returns all five

starters, including thei leading scorer L.T. Lockett.

Lockett averaged 21 points a game last year. The Patriots

are athletic and fast and will challenge most teams.

Starr's Mill will improve this year, too. Finishing 3-20

last year, the Panthers return thir whole squad,

including leading scorer Dane Davenport, who averaged

seven points a game last year. The team is not very fast,

but they are big and can present challenges to most

teams.

On the

girls side, Mark Decourcy will be the new head coach for

the Sandy Creek Lady Patriots. The team went 6-18 last

year and return two integral parts of the team in Ashley

Lott and Jessica Demooney. The team will also benefit

from playing a more up-tempo game and trying to spread

the court. The Starr's Mill Panthers return their entire

squad and have a plethora of talented players. They are

all very athletic and fast. Their only problem is a lack

of size.

All of the

teams should be able to compete in their region, but

every game will be a battle. Both 4-AAAA and 4-AAA are

filled with tough teams, including Griffin and East

Coweta in AAAA ad Woodward Academy and Riverdale in AAA.

The season is long and it is more important to win at the

end of the season than at the beginning.