A look at this week's top Middle Georgia basketball games

Bleckley County at Putnam County girls (5:30 p.m. Tuesday): Bleckley County is undefeated in Region 4-AA, and Putnam County has one region loss, 58-49 to Bleckley County in early December. Bleckley County is No. 6, Putnam County No. 9. The Royals survived a 44-38 overtime visit by Northeast on Friday.

Kendrick at Central girls (6 p.m., Tuesday): It wasn't that long ago that Central was battling just to win a handful of games in any given season. Now, the Chargers are at home with a chance to jump into a tie for first in Region 2-AAA with a win over the unbeaten (17-1 overall) and No. 4 Cherokees.

Macon County at Crawford County boys (7:30 p.m., Tuesday): Not only are two of the top three teams in Region 4-AA battling, but the game features some top-flight individual talents, including Macon County's 6-foot-5 Marquell Wiggins and Crawford County's 6-5 William Jarrell, to name a few.

Stratford at Wilkinson County boys (7:30 p.m., Tuesday): It's No. 8 in Class A public (GHSA power ratings) hosting No. 9 in Class A private in what has become quite a rivalry in a short time. The Warriors won 57-54 earlier this month.

West Laurens at Veterans girls (6 p.m., Friday): The Raiders enter the week No. 7 in Class AAAA, two spots behind the Warhawks, who suffered the oh-so-rare loss at home Saturday to Class AAAAA Warner Robins by a point.

Stratford at FPD girls (6:30 p.m., Friday): FPD handed Stratford one of its two losses this season when they met Jan. 5 at The Grady. Stratford was trying to piece together a new rotation following an injury, a rotation it solidified three days later in a win over previously unbeaten Tattnall Square.

Southwest at Westside boys (7:30 p.m., Friday): Both teams gave Central, the first-place team in Region 2-AAA, all it could handle last week. The winner claims the inside track for the No. 2 seed for the region tournament.

Perry at Upson-Lee boys (8 p.m. Friday): The Panthers are undefeated in Region 2-AAAA, and the Knights are ranked ninth in Class AAAA and are on a nine-game winning streak. The Panthers won 68-63 in early December at home, Upson-Lee's last loss.

Northside at Warner Robins (1 p.m. girls, 2:30 p.m., boys Saturday): Folks will be shoulder to shoulder early in the stands as Northside goes for the upset in both games. The Eagles girls team has a tougher task, losing 69-48 less than two weeks ago. Northside's boys came close in the 65-58 loss. With only one game during the week for one team (Northside's girls visit Worth County on Monday), there's a week to get ready.

North Cobb Christian at Stratford boys (4:30 p.m., Saturday): Third-ranked North Cobb Christian visits ninth-ranked Stratford in a Class A private school showdown.

Mount Paran Christian at Tattnall Square girls (6 p.m., Saturday): Fifth-ranked Tattnall hosts eighth-ranked Mount Paran in a Class A private school battle.

This story was originally published January 17, 2016 at 8:33 PM with the headline "A look at this week's top Middle Georgia basketball games ."