The

regional basketball tournaments have begun.

The season

ended in the first round for some, while others will

undoubtedly see themselves in the state tournament next

week. The Sandy Creek Lady Patriots, the McIntosh Chiefs,

and the Starr's Mill Panthers all lost in the first round

of their respective tournaments, while their counterparts

have found ways to survive.

The Starr's

Mill Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Patriots 52-47, mere

days after beating them at the end of the regular season.

Starr's Mill won all three meetings between the two teams

this season. The Lady Patriots built an early lead, but

Amy Holloway and Jamie Vining hit some key three pointers

to get the Lady Panthers back into the game.

Starr's

Mill controlled the tempo for the rest of the game, but

Sandy Creek cut the lead to two points with just under a

minute to go. Starr's Mill outlasted Sandy Creek, playing

some good defense and making key shots. Maya Hughes led

Sandy Creek in scoring with 18 points. Jamie Vining

netted nine points for the Lady Panthers.

The Sandy

Creek boys opened the tournament with a win as well,

defeating Forest Park 67-50. L. T. Lockett came out on

fire, scoring 15 of his game high 21 points in the first

half. The Patriots built a lead and refused to relinguish

it, despite several surges from Forest Park. Jermaine

Harris added 14 points for Sandy Creek.

Though they

almost came