By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com
 

          The universal coin flip Thursday morning did no favors for two Central Georgia girls basketball teams, and for almost all of the area boys teams, either.

          The coin landed on the side that said the top half of the GHSA state basketball tournament bracket would host in the quarterfinal round if both seeds were the same. It goes for all classes except A, which have seeds.

          Monticello’s boys were the only area team on the top half, but the fourth-seeded Hurricanes will travel with a win no matter what, with top-seed Washington County and third-seed Vidalia up next.

          So the Golden Hawks would be only area home team no matter what with a win, since Monticello is a four and Jordan a two.

          The girls from Peach County and Dodge County will travel, to Franklin County for the Trojans and Model for the Indians.

          Wins for Warner Robins, Upson-Lee, Baldwin, Central, and Westside – Dublin travels no matter what - mean a ride on the buses next week if there are no upsets.

          So they’re hoping for a few upsets.

          With a win: Warner Robins would host Flowery Branch or travel to Lithonia;

          Upson-Lee would host Jefferson or travel to LaFayette; Baldwin would host Cartersville or travel to Blessed Trinity;

          Central would host Towers or travel to Morgan County; Westside, which won Wednesday, got a break and could host Redan, but would travel to Hart County;

          Dublin is on the road regardless, to two-seed Rockmart or one-seed Spencer.

          A win in the quarterfinal round means a tolerable road trip for most teams in the semifinals.

          Fort Valley State hosts the 5A and 4A semis on March 2 and 3, with AA at Georgia College on March 3. Class 3A is at Armstrong State on March 3, with Class A Private at Columbus State and Class A Public at Valdosta State.