With the Region 2-AAAAAA playoffs just a few weeks away, every game becomes more critical for playoff seeding.

The Rockdale boys' basketball team entered last week as the No. 1 seed but ran into struggles throughout.

After five straight wins, Rockdale fell to Luella on the road 77-72 on Jan. 18, just its second region loss of the year. Darius Mitchell and LaRonta Parks led the Bulldogs with 20 and 19 points, respectively. C.J. Wilson was held to 10 points but also had eight turnovers, as Rockdale gave it away to the Lions 15 times.

Luella picked up the victory after losing its first region game of the year, 60-51, to Alcovy on Jan. 15.

After traveling to Luella, Rockdale fell to Lovejoy 74-59 in a home game on Tuesday.
Mitchell led the way with 15 points and Parks 12 despite the loss.

The Bulldogs' only previous loss was to Luella 59-58 on Dec. 4.

Rockdale's two losses this week came against teams challenging for the No. 1 spot in Region 2-AAAAA, along with Morrow, which Rockdale defeat 76-62 on Jan. 15.

After Friday's matchup against Druid Hills, Rockdale has games at Newton and Alcovy, Feb. 1 and 5, respectively before facing two of the region's top four teams.

Rockdale's final home game comes against Morrow on Feb. 8 and at Lovejoy on Feb. 9.
The top seeded team heading into the Region 2-AAAAAA tournament will get a bye in the first round, automatically qualifying them for the state playoffs.

Rockdale lost in the Region 8-AAAA semifinals a year ago, before winning the third place game, and reaching the second round of the state playoffs with a 65-50 loss to Marist, which lost in the next round to state champion Miller Grove.