Harlem remains optimistic

A 6-4 loss to Thomson on Tuesday was definitely a setback for the members of the Harlem softball team, but it didn't ruin their plans for a regular-season subregion title.

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"Nothing's decided yet," coach Mike Leverett said. "If we would have won this game today, it would have pretty much been decided, but now we've got to battle."

Thomson's win at Harlem was the first in school history against its region rival. The win was also big in Region 3B-AAA implications. Thomson came away a half-game ahead of Harlem atop the subregion standings. Both teams had one loss in region play, but Thomson had one more wins.

"Really, we're in a tie, and if we win out and they win out, then we're still tied," Osborn said. "We'll have to decide that stuff later on. We've got a lot to take care of before then."

That included a key subregion game on Thursday, pitting Cross Creek at Thomson. The game was rained out and will be made up on Monday, which means Harlem and Thomson still have a shot to claim at outright subregion regular-season title.

Harlem, which has won the subregion regular season championship each of the past two years, must win at home against Butler on Monday and in road games at Cross Creek on Tuesday and at Washington County on Wednesday to claim at least a share of the Region 3B-AAA regular season title.

Regardless of who finishes first, second or third, the three teams, along with Washington County in fourth place, have already clinched spots in the Region 3-AAA Tournament next weekend.

Savannah, Ga., will be the host city for the region tournament, which will take place Friday and Saturday.

The top four teams from the north side of the region will face the top four teams from the south in first-round action Friday.

"I hope the north does good," Leverett said. "I know South Effingham is always tough on that side. I don't know about the rest of the region."

The region tournament finals and semifinals will be played Saturday in Savannah.

Also playing

Region tournament play has already started for Greenbrier, Evans and Lakeside. The Region 3-AAAA Tournament began with first-round play Saturday in Brunswick, Ga.

Greenbrier entered the tournament with an 11-year region tournament championship streak on the line. The Lady Wolfpack have not lost a region tournament since the school opened in 1996. They entered this year's tournament as a No. 1 seed.

The four winning teams from Friday's play will square off Tuesday back in Brunswick for the Region 3-AAAA Tournament semifinals and finals.