Student

athletes at all of the local high schools have faced

possibly their toughest competition of the young season

this week: finals. Their weekend matches will most likely

be less daunting, but no less interesting.

Starr's

Mill will travel to face the Fayette County Tigers on

Friday night. The Starr's Mill girls have a talented and

athletic squad, while the Lady Tigers are a bit

inexperienced. As for the boys, Fayette County has

several quality players with lots of speed and

athleticism, while Starr's Mill has size and good game

plans. All logic is thrown out the window when two county

schools play each other though.

The two

teams met last week with the Lady Panthers defeating the

Lady Tigers, 51-40 and the Fayette County boys triumphing

over the Starr's Mill boys, 57-52. The Panthers rallied

back from a 10 point deficit to close it to one with one

minute left. They couldn't overtake the Tigers but will

look for revenge this Friday.

McIntosh

will host LaGrange on Friday night. The boys and girls

have had almost 10 days off, to study for finals and rest

up for Christmas tournaments and region play. The girls

are led by Jessi Prahl, who has returned from an injury

and could only benefit from more rest. The boys have

produced some exciting victories and should gel more as

the season goes along.

Next week

will also be the beginning of Christmas basketball

tournaments. East Coweta will travel to play in the

Carrollton Christmas tournament, while Starr's Mill will

participate in the North Georgia College tournament. The

Indians may get a chance to meet their rivals the Newnan

Cougars, while the Panthers will look to come together

more as a team and gain some important experience against

some good competition.

There will

also be several wrestling events going on this weekend.

Sandy Creek will travel to Northgate High School on

Saturday to compete in the Caveman Duals, while Fayette

County will compete in the Brookwood Tournament on both

Friday and Saturday. Starr's Mill will host a two day

Invitational tournament with action beginning at 6 p.m.

on Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday. McIntosh will travel

the furthest as they head to Chattanooga,TN to wrestle in

the McCallie Invitational.

Perhaps

Christmas will come early for our local teams, producing

wins and positive strides for their athletic programs.

The teams will also get a chance to relax without the

pressures of school for a while.