Preview: Georgia Highlands at South Georgia State

DOUGLAS, Ga. (Interstat) — A quick rematch with playoff implications is set for Saturday when the South Georgia State Hawks host the Georgia Highlands Chargers in a men’s junior college basketball matchup.

The Hawks (12-8) will look to avenge a 62-58 road loss to the Chargers (8-10) from just under three weeks ago on Feb. 9 and solidify their standing in the region. South Georgia State enters on a five-game winning streak, most recently an 82-64 victory at Albany Tech on Wednesday. Chandler Thomas led the way in that win with 24 points and six rebounds.

Thomas, a key player for the Hawks, will be central to the team’s efforts. He was held to just two points in the last meeting with Georgia Highlands but has been in strong form since, scoring in double figures in five of his last six outings.

Georgia Highlands, meanwhile, has won three of its last four, including a 68-59 win at Albany Tech on Monday. The Chargers are paced by Justen Goudelock, who is coming off a 19-point, nine-rebound performance in that victory. Goudelock has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 19.1 points over his last seven games. His 26-point, 10-rebound double-double powered an overtime win against Andrew on Feb. 14.

While the Hawks boast the better overall record, the recent head-to-head result provides a confidence boost for the visiting Chargers. South Georgia State’s recent surge has been fueled by defense, holding opponents to an average of 66.8 points during their win streak. Containing Goudelock will be a primary focus.

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at the Hawks’ home court. Both teams have limited games remaining to improve their seeding for the upcoming region tournament, adding urgency to this contest.