As January continues, there are several important clashes to watch out for. Closing this week, Jefferson will face East Hall on the road on January 7 in a big showdown in County and Region 8. East Hall is currently 13-2 overall and 2-1 in the region, but the Vikings have yet to face Jefferson. Cedar Shoals handed East Hall a massive 60-37 loss on December 10. So it will be a good opportunity to see if East Hall can match Jefferson, who is 13-1 overall and 3-0 in Region 8. Jefferson had already beaten Cedar Shoals 74-53 on the road, so a victory for the Dragons would solidify their status as a team to beat in region 8. Next week there will be more big games to prepare. On January 11, Fayette County, No.8, will visit McDonough, ranked No.1, and Westover, ranked No.2, will visit Bainbridge, No.7. McDonough’s boys topped the Class 4A polls over the holidays. with a 34-29 victory over previous number one Baldwin. Since that victory, McDonough has taken four in a row to move up to 12-1 and won the Morris Bank Holiday Classic Championship. Even more notable, Westover scored a 65-56 victory over Baldwin and that victory and Thursday’s 54-46 victory over Perry improved the Patriots’ record to 10-0. Baldwin’s two recent losses show the depth and excitement within 4A and there is a long list of contenders loading the current poll. Four of McDonough’s top 5 scorers are subclasses, including junior Amon McDowell (16.5 points per game), junior Daavion Thomas (14.5 points per game), runner-up Keenan Gray (9.8 points per game) match) and junior Avante Nichols (7.9 points per game). Nichols transferred from New Creation Christian this offseason and is a 6-foot-3 wing player. Westover’s Kemari Leverette scored four points in the win over Baldwin and finished with 12 points and teammates Effrin Smith (16), Keshay Walton (11) and Cameron Cromer (10) also finished in double digits. Baldwin’s Rudolph Satcher has led the Braves with 16.4 points per game this season and he’s also the team’s most reliable free throw shooter.
