By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

How about Round 3?

The teams from LaGrange and Troup have played twice this season, and if things go according to form today in the opening round of the Region 2-AAA tournament, they’ll meet for the third time on Tuesday and the stakes would be a lot higher this time with a trip to the state tournament on the line.

The region tournament gets under way today at LaGrange High, with the sixth-seeded LaGrange girls taking on seventh-seeding Shaw at 5 p.m.

In today’s nightcap at 6:30 p.m., the sixth-seeded Troup boys’ team will face seventh-seeded Columbus.

The winners of today’s play-in games advance to the main tournament draw on Tuesday at Troup High, and the third-seeded LaGrange Grangers and third-seeded Troup Lady Tigers will be waiting.

After two early games on Tuesday featuring four teams from Columbus, the Lady Tigers will play on their home court at 7 p.m., possibly against a LaGrange team they’ve beaten twice.

At 8:30 p.m. it’ll be the Grangers’ turn, and they could be facing a Troup team they’ve beaten twice, although both games were close.

The four winners of Tuesday’s games advance to the region semifinals, and more importantly, they’ll each earn invitations to the state tournament.

The teams from Troup and LaGrange won’t suffer from a lack of familiarity, since they just played each other Friday night at LaGrange High.

While Troup’s girls had no trouble winning Friday, the boys’ game was tight throughout, with the Grangers pulling away in the final few minutes to win 53-46.

In the first game between the Tigers and Grangers, LaGrange won 50-46.

LaGrange boys’ coach Mike Pauley figured his team would have to beat a quality team to get to state, and although the Tigers have an 8-14 record, they’re capable of making some noise this week.

Troup has been competitive in nearly every game this season, it has just had trouble closing out games at the end.

“We knew we’d have to beat somebody good to get to state, whether it was Kendrick, Carver or Troup,” Pauley said.

The coach said he doesn’t mind playing the Tigers on their home court.

“I think we’d just assume play them there than go to Columbus,” Pauley said.

Troup has to get past Columbus before it can worry about LaGrange.

Troup has beaten Columbus 48-42 and 61-38.

“We just hope to play well Monday and have another shot at (LaGrange),” Troup head coach Thermond Billingslea said.

On the girls’ side, the Lady Grangers will need to have a short memory if they advance to Tuesday’s game.

On Friday, Troup ran away with a 55-32 victory.

LaGrange splits its two games with Shaw, including a 59-30 loss on Jan. 24.

If Troup wins today, it will add to a remarkable turnaround season.

After winning just four games a year ago, the Lady Tigers are on the doorstep of making it to the state tournament.

“They’ve done what I’ve asked them to do,” Troup head caoch Caroline Sellers said. “I’m very proud.”

Also this week, Callaway’s teams will participate in the Region 5-AA tournament.

Although that tournament begins today, Callaway’s teams won’t play until later in the week.

The fourth-seeded Lady Cavaliers will play on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Heard County High, and the second-seeded Cavaliers will play on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the semifinals in Manchester.

By earning a bye into the semis, the Cavaliers have already secured a spot at state.

In GISA basketball, four local teams will participate in the state tournament this week.

The Dawson Street Christian School Wildcats, after capturing the Region 4-A title, will play David Emanuel at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday in Forsyth.

Also in Class A, the Lafayette Christian School Lady Cougars will take on David Emanuel at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Forsyth.

LaGrange Academy’s teams will be at Middle Georgia College in Cochran for their first-round games.

On Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., the Lady Warriors will play Westminster Christian at 8:30 p.m.

The Warriors take the court on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against Strong Rock Christian.