WHO'S HOT: Laney's boys won three games last week by an average margin of 19.7 points.

Since a two-point loss to Evans Dec. 30, Laney is 4-0. One of the keys to its strong start to 2009 has been the team's depth, with coach Justin Durham substituting liberally.

"Our second five is just as good as our (starting) five," Durham said after he inserted 17 players in a 27-point dressing down of Southeast Bulloch on Friday. "Actually, they may even be better."

Laney, 3-0 in the region, will complete the first half of its region schedule tonight at Screven County. The Wildcats seem to be in excellent position to earn a first-round bye in the Region 3-AA tournament.

WHO'S NOT: In the past two weeks, the Thomson boys are 0-2 in games decided by two points or fewer, including a one-point loss to state-ranked Washington County this past weekend.

All these close games will probably serve the Bulldogs well in the long run. In fact, Region 3-AAA should have one of the better tournaments. Washington County and Liberty County are both ranked. Burke County, Thomson and Richmond Hill (ranked last week) are all below .500 in the region, yet should all still contend for the postseason.

THIS WEEK'S BIG GAMES

BOYS

Richmond Academy (14-1, 8-0) at Evans (13-1, 7-1), 6:30 tonight: If you stack Region 3-AAAA into tiers, these teams have established themselves as the top two. Both are ranked.

North Augusta (5-2, 2-1) at Lexington (13-2, 4-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday: Lexington is the only unbeaten team in the region.

GIRLS

Dodge County at Laney, 5 p.m. Saturday: Wildcats get a chance to prove themselves against one of the top teams in Region 3-AA's opposite sub-region. Could be a preview of a later-round region tournament game.

Glenn Hills at Harlem, 7 p.m., Friday: It's a big week for the Spartans, with games against Butler and Harlem.

STILL STRONG: Harlem and Butler both seemed bound for tests after their Region 3-AAAA showdown early last week, which Butler won 52-48 in overtime.

But Friday, the two top teams in the region won by an average of 18.5 points. Harlem beat Josey. Butler defeated Lakeside to remain on top of the region with an 8-0 record. With a win over Glenn Hills today -- certainly no guarantee -- Butler will complete the first half of its region schedule unblemished.

RAINING TREYS: Alleluia Community senior Joe Veihman topped everyone in the area this season by scoring 58 points Friday night. He made 17 3-pointers in Alleluia's 78-52 win over Heritage.

DID YOU KNOW? Dutch Fork, the only unbeaten team in South Carolina's Region 5-AAAA, is coached by former North Augusta and Washington County coach Faye Norris .

Aiken, which is 3-1 in the region, will play host to Dutch Fork on Friday night.

Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.