With non-region games and holiday tournaments growing more distant in the rearview mirror, area basketball teams are ready to make a run down the stretch and hopefully continue into the postseason. Last season saw four area teams — the boys from Statesboro, Portal, and Jenkins County, as well as the Bulloch Academy girls — reach the Final Four of the state playoffs. This time around, there is no shortage of teams looking like they’re ready to hit their stride at the right time.Statesboro Zaquavian Smith and O’Aaron Ware knew that they would have heavy expectations resting on their shoulders as returning starters from last season.