Boys basketball
North Gwinnett 72, Mill Creek 62
The North Gwinnett boys varsity basketball team traveled to Hoschton to play Mill Creek in the opening round of the GHSA Class AAAAAAA State Basketball playoffs. The Bulldogs defeated the Hawks 72-62 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
North (13-16) was the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAAAAAA while Mill Creek (19-9) was the No. 2 seed from Region 8-AAAAAAA. North and Mill Creek were rivals as both were in Region 8-AAAAAAA prior to the region realignments that went into effect at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
Standouts for the Bulldogs were Caleb Jones (14 points), Miles Clanton (14 points) and Julian Walker (10 points, nine rebounds).
North Gwinnett will travel to play Wheeler in the Sweet Sixteen.
Berkmar 58, Buford 53
In a stunning upset, Berkmar, the No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAAAAAA, defeated Buford, the No. 6 ranked team in AAAAAAA and Region 8-AAAAAAA champions, 58-53 on Wednesday night, Feb. 22 at the Buford Arena.
Buford ends their debut season in AAAAAAA with an overall season record of 20-7.
Lanier 67, Sprayberry 64
The Lanier varsity boys basketball team managed to hold on and punch their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen with a 67-64 win over Sprayberry on Wednesday night at the Ranch. Lanier (24-4) is ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAAA and are Region 8-AAAAAA champions while Sprayberry (13-16) was the No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA.
Standouts for the Longhorns were Osmar Garcia-Araujo (21 points, eight rebounds, four assists), Landon Suarez (15 points), Jayce Nathaniel (13 points, nine rebounds, five steals, four blocks) and Tahai Morgan (10 points).
Lanier will host Sequoyah in the Sweet Sixteen.
Boys tennis
Buford 5, Loganville 0
The Buford varsity boys tennis team swept their matches with Loganville on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Buford City Park.
Buford (3-3) singles player Miles Carbis beat Loganville’s Noah Martin with set scores of 6-1, 6-0. In No. 2 singles Buford’s Brent Sherman won over Loganville’s Peyton Jordan 6-0, 6-0 and in No. 3 singles Buford’s Eshaan Patel got the win over Loganville’s Landon Fuller 6-0, 6-0.
Buford’s No. 1 doubles team of Miller Troutt and James Trout was 6-0, 6-0 beating Loganville’s Devin Pugh and Grayson Farmer. In No. 2 doubles, Buford’s Jack Hall and Luke Clark defeated Loganville’s Ethan Hancock and Bryton Carino 6-2, 6-0.
Buford will make up a game against Peachtree Ridge on Wednesday, Mar. 1.
Girls tennis
Buford 3, Loganville 2
Loganville won at No. 1 and No. 3 singles over the Buford (3-3) varsity girls tennis team but it was not enough to defeat the Lady Wolves. Buford would win 3-2 over Loganville on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Buford City Park.
Buford’s No. 2 singles player Hannah Davidson defeated Loganville’s McKinley Steele 6-1, 6-3.
The No. 1 doubles team of Abigail Foretic and Ella Place won 6-4, 6-2 over Loganville’s Ellie Grayson and Laura Scott. In No. 2 doubles, Buford’s Anna Cate Smith and Millie Patel defeated Loganville’s Megan Taylor and Sammie Kolin 6-0, 6-0.
Buford will play Peachtree Ridge on Wednesday, Mar. 1.