By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It’s a simple enough scenario for the Troup Lady Tigers.

If Troup beats Central-Carroll at home today, it will be the number two seed for next week’s Region 5-AAAA tournament, no matter what happens in Saturday’s regular-season finale against Cartersville.

If Troup loses today, it could still finish second, or it could end up dropping to third or even fourth depending on what happens with Saturday’s game.

Here’s the situation.

While Sandy Creek has sewn up the number one spot with a 10-0 record heading into its final two games, Troup is in second place 7-3 in the region.

Central-Carroll and Cedartown are a game behind at 6-4.

Troup won both regular-season games against Cedartown, and it beat Central-Carroll 43-32 on Jan. 15.

Earning the number two seed is important for a few reasons.

The teams that finish first and second will earn a bye into the semifinals of the region tournament.

That also means those two teams will be guaranteed a spot at state, no matter what happens in the region tournament.

The region’s other five teams will have to win at least one game to make it to the semifinals.

“That’s huge to get that bye in the region tournament,” Troup head coach Carla Thornton said. “This time of year, everybody’s hurting, and you’re trying to grind it out.”

LaGrange’s girls’ team also has a lot to play in today’s regular-season finale against Chapel Hill.

LaGrange and Cartersville are tied for sixth place in the region with a 3-8 record, and Chapel Hill is seventh at 1-9.

The number six and seven seeds will face off in a play-in game next week, with the winner facing the number three seed in the region tournament.

If LaGrange gets the number five seed, it would face the number four seed in the region tournament with a berth in the semifinals on the line.

The schedule is in LaGrange’s favor.

While LaGrange hosts a Chapel Hill team that has only won one region game this season, Cartersville closes the regular season with Saturday’s game at Troup.

On the boys’ side of the region, Troup is also looking to secure the number two spot.

Sandy Creek has sewn up the number one seed with a 10-0 record, and Cartersville and Troup are vying to finish second.

Cartersville is 7-4 in the region, and Troup is a half-game back at 6-4.

If Troup beats Central-Carroll today, it would finish second with a win over Cartersville on Saturday.

If Troup loses to Cartersville, it will finish third.

LaGrange heads into its final regular-season finale against Chapel Hill in sixth place in the region at 3-8.

Cedartown and Chapel Hill are tied for fourth place at 4-6.

REGION STANDINGS

GIRLS

Overall record first, followed by region record:

Sandy Creek               19-4, 10-0

Troup                              14-7, 7-3

Central                            16-5, 6-4

Cedartown                     14-7, 6-4

Cartersville                    11-12, 3-8

LaGrange                       11-13, 3-8

Chapel Hill                       7-15, 1-9

BOYS

Sandy Creek                 20-3, 10-0

Cartersville                  13-11, 7-4

Troup                               14-8, 6-4

Cedartown                     11-12, 4-6

Chapel Hill                     11-10, 4-6

LaGrange                      11-13, 3-8

Central-Carroll              7-16, 2-8