Athens one of six local teams in position to host postseason tournaments

Published 6:30 am Friday, January 27, 2017

With the regular season winding down, the postseason basketball picture is becoming more clear with at least six local teams in position to host area tournaments.

Schedules and other information on area tournaments must be sent to the Alabama High School Athletic Association office before Feb. 1. The final regular season games will be played no later than Feb. 3.

The 6A Area 16 girls tournament will feature two of the top five teams in the state. Should Athens beat Muscle Shoals tonight, a coin toss will determine if No. 5 Athens or No. 1 Hazel Green host the tournament.

There is much more to play for in the 6A Area 16 boys tournament where Muscle Shoals, Florence and Hazel Green are all still competing with Athens to host the tournament and for seeding position.

Girls area tournaments may be played between Feb. 4-10 while the boys have from Feb. 4-11 to play area tournaments. The top two teams from each advance to the sub-regional playoff round. The area champion will host a sub-regional game with the chance to advance to one of four regional tournaments.

Sub-regional games will be played Feb. 13-14 with regional tournaments taking place Feb. 15-23.

7A

James Clemens girls will travel to top-ranked Sparkman for the 7A Area 8 tournament. The Jets will play the No. 1 ranked team in 7A at 6 p.m., Feb. 7 with the championship game set for Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

The 7A Area 8 boys tournament will also be held at Sparkman where James Clemens will play the host at 7 p.m., Feb. 9. That championship game is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 11.

5A

East Limestone’s girls team won a coin toss Wednesday to break a tie with Lawrence County for the right to host the 5A Area 16 championship. A date has not been set yet for that tournament. East Limestone’s boys team will be the second seed and travel to Russellville for their area tournament. The runner-up from that area could travel to nationally-ranked Mae Jemison for a sub-regional game.

4A

West Limestone’s boys and girls teams will host area tournaments, but those dates have not been set at this time. After earning the top seed in a three-team area, the Wildcats are automatically in the sub-regional round and get a first-round bye in their area tournament. West Limestone’s area opponents in 4A Area 15 are Danville and Priceville.

3A

East Lawrence will host the 3A Area 15 tournament featuring Clements and Elkmont. Elkmont will play West Morgan at 6 p.m., Feb. 7, followed by Clements vs. East Lawrence at 7:30 p.m. The championship game is set for Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The girls seeds and host have yet to be determined.

2A

Despite winning 16 of the last 18 area tournaments, No. 3 Tanner will travel for the third straight season to play in its area tournament. The Rattlers travel to Sheffield where they will play Mars Hill. Those tournament dates have yet to be set.

The third-ranked Tanner’s girls team will host the area tournament, but that tournament date has not been set.

1A

Lindsay Lane Christian Academy has a chance to force a tie for first place when the Lions travel to Decatur Heritage next week for their area tournament. A win would mandate a coin toss to determine the area champion. A loss would pit LLCA against Athens Bible School in the opening round.

The seeds for the girls tournament have yet to be determined.