Quindarrious Russell, who will lead Eastside into this week’s Region 8-AAAA playoffs, leads the league in scoring and almost led the league in its post-season awards Saturday.

The senior, committed to Aiken Tech, finished as runner-up for the Region Player of the Year by a few votes to Johnson’s 6-foot-7 Montrell McKenzie.

Russell’s teammate Travon Francis barely missed receiving first team All-Region honors, and was placed on the second team. Eastside’s Treyvon Francis and Anthony Henderson received honorable mention recognition.

Jazzmine Cook was the only Lady Eagle to receive All-Region status as both Eastside teams prepare for the upcoming region playoffs, held at Johnson High in Gainesville.

The Lady Eagles start things off first, as the No.5 seed beginning the tournament at 4 p.m. against the No. 4 seed.

The Eagles then begin their push toward the state playoffs on Tuesday, as the No. 3 seed. The Eagles will face Monroe Area at 5:30 p.m.

"Our goal has been one game at a time," Eastside coach Greg Freeman said. "We’re going to come out and play hard to get into the state playoffs, then we’ll look at the next game."

Eastside defeated the Hurricanes in both previous matchups this season, winning 66-59 Dec. 8, and 77-45 on Jan. 8.

"We’re going to come out and do what we have to do," Freeman said. "Defensive pressure doesn’t go away regardless of who you’re playing. We’re going to get after them."