Day one of the Habersham News March Madness Challenge delivered exactly what fans live for this time of year—high drama, near upsets and just enough chaos to keep every bracket on edge.
This year’s competition drew 37 participants, each hoping to outlast the field and claim bragging rights—and maybe a little prize money along the way.
The biggest moment of the day came when Siena pushed the Duke Blue Devils to the brink. For a stretch, it looked like the Saints might pull off one of the most shocking upsets of the tournament. Had Siena completed the upset, it would have busted just about every bracket in the Habersham News challenge—and likely across the country.
Instead, Duke survived, and with it, most brackets lived to see another day. But the close call was an early reminder that nothing is safe in March.
That tension carried throughout the day as games swung back and forth, favorites were tested and participants watched their picks with a mix of hope and anxiety. It’s the kind of start that makes this contest so much fun—and so unpredictable.
Current Leaderboard
- 1st Place: Hayden Gailey — 140 points
- T-2nd Place: Robert Oaks — 130 points
- T-2nd Place: Randall Canup — 130 points
- T-2nd Place: Mark Ausburn — 130 points
With so many brackets still alive and plenty of basketball left to play, the standings remain wide open. But if day one proved anything, it’s that it only takes one game—one near miss like Siena vs. Duke—to completely reshape the leaderboard.
That’s the beauty of March Madness. The drama starts immediately, and nobody’s bracket feels safe for long.
