Jeff Hart

It might be a different year, but it has been the same result through the first two rounds of the playoffs for the Buford football team. The Wolves dominated on defense and scored on six of seven first half possessions on their way to a convincing 44-7 win against North Oconee to easily move into the quarterfinals of the Class-AA playoffs.

For anyone who dared listen before the season began, Flowery Branch football coach Lee Shaw said he believed the 2008 team had a chance to be the best in school history. After Friday night's thrilling 21-14 win over Ridgeland in the second round of the Class AAA state playoffs, the current Falcons team will get a chance to prove him right.

For the first time since 2005 the Gainesville football team will head to the third round of the Class AAA state playoffs. The Red Elephants scored the first 28 points and then held off a second half rally to beat Cartersville 42-28 Friday night at Bobby Gruhn Field. The Elephants (12-0) will take on Carver-Columbus next week. The home team will be determined by a coin flip on Saturday morning.

Gainesville, Buford, and Flowery Branch all moved on Friday night in the state football payoffs. Region 7-AAA teams Gainesville and Flowery Branch each advanced to the third round of the Class AAA playoffs for the first time since 2005. North Hall and Jefferson, however, fell in their bids to make it to the quarterfinal round.

The Chestatee girls basketball team opened its season with a 47-41 win over St. Pius Friday night. Chelsea Wilson poured in 18 points and Peyton Robertson added 15 to lead the Lady War Eagles (1-0).

North Oconee football coach Terry Tuley told several publications this week that his young Titans squad will not be intimidated by Buford and that getting a win over a program like the defending Class AA state champions would be monumental. Buford coach Jess Simpson just shrugged the comments off Wednesday with a chuckle.

Transfer forward Porsha Phillips was impressive in her debut with Georgia. But Lady Dogs coach Andy Landers feels she can do better. Phillips scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds and four steals to help Georgia rout Alabama State 85-35 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. Phillips was a reserve on LSU's Final Four Team in 2006-07.

Tyler Smith had 21 points and five assists and No. 14 Tennessee defeated Chattanooga 114-75 on Saturday night.

K.C. Rivers scored 18 points to help Clemson beat TCU 70-58 win on Saturday night in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic.

Chris Echols led Georgia State with 18 points as the Panthers held off Division II Concordia-St. Paul 67-63 in the NABC Classic Saturday night.