Happy 2024!
Well as we saw last week, an warned about, the tournaments and showcase events that pit good teams against other good teams makes for great unknown basketball. We do not have to give examples, we can provide the data.
Of the 10 teams in last week’s Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA, eight of them lost a game, McEachern and Kell did not. Grayson loss, Alexander loss, Sandy Creek loss, Newton loss, Berkmar loss, Wheeler loss and Shiloh loss. Of those losses only Wheeler loss to a Hillsman Heavy team (Berkmar) that was different from just five days previously. When scheduling is the focus, losses are going to occur especially when playing in big-time events, as every team that loss this week, played in a big-time and notable event.
So where do we go with the first Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA of the calendar year of 2024? There are a lot of places we can go. Let’s jump into it.
Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 12/26/2023 through Monday 1/1/2024. This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 1/2/2024 through Monday 1/8/2024. The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 1/9/2024.
Last Week 12/26/2023; 1-Grayson, 2-Alexander 3-McEachern, 4-Sandy Creek, 5-Newton, 6-Berkmar, 7-Kell, 8-Wheeler, 9-Shiloh, 10-Westside-Augusta
**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 1/2/2023 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**
Here is the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA with last week’s ranking noted.
1- Grayson (1)- Head Coach: Geoffrey Pierce Current Record: 12-1; Last Week:  defeated Imani Christian Academy (PA), defeated St. John’s College (DC), loss to Ridge View (SC) This Week: vs Brookwood, vs North Highland Prep (FL) Key Notes: Grayson had it’s 12-game winning streak snapped in a loss to host Ridge View (SC) in the American Division championship game of the Chick-Fil-A Classic. Despite the OOS loss Grayson remains in the top spot and will still be ranked nationally.  Grayson is now 3-1 in OOS games this year and has three more OOS games remaining, all within the next 2 weeks. Grayson is 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Grayson’s overall depth and balance still make it a very tough team. Grayson will need to sure up the rebounding as they were out rebounded and their key guys were unable to get to the free throw line in their loss to Ridge View.
2- McEachern (3)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 9-3; Last Week: defeated Camden (NJ)This Week: vs Alexander Key Notes: McEachern has won four in a row and continues to handle business in big time events behind Ace Bailey. Bailey-a Rutgers commit- posted his third 40-point game of the season in a victory over Camden (NJ) with 40 points and 21 rebounds. McEachern is 4-2 vs OOS and 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less. Their lone loss to a Georgia team came against Grayson. McEachern still has OOS games remaining in addition to a non-regions game against in-state Alexander and Milton. Bailey continues to carry the load which still leaves the question of who else will be able to step up to help as region play and the state tournament near. Until then containing Bailey is still a tall task for any opponent.
3-Berkmar (6)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 12-2; Last Week: defeated Wheeler, lost to Sagemont (FL)This Week: vs Meadowcreek Key Notes: Berkmar lost key player Eddie Cooke III to an OOS transfer and proceeded to defeat Wheeler in their first game without him. Berkmar’s losses are to Norcross and Florida 2A power Sagemont. Berkmar is 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Berkmar will continue to balance the wealth with Mekhi Ragland, Mike White, and David Culbreath-Martin each now needing to do a little more to replace the loss of Cooke III. Berkmar with a loss still slides up to the third spot as there is no shame in losing to Sagemont (FL) while retooling on the fly. It’s not like Cooke III is out with an injury, he is gone from the team all together.
4- Alexander (2) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 12-1; Last Week: loss to Holy Innocents, defeated Mt. Vernon This Week: vs McEachern Key Notes: Alexander’s 19-game winning streak was snapped in a loss to Holy Innocents. A night later they defeated Mt. Vernon for the second time this season. The loss to Holy Innocents hurts but Alexander still has quality wins over Wheeler, Vashon (MO), Tri-Cities and Norcross. Braeden Lue and company will face another stiff test against McEachern this weekend.
5-Sandy Creek (4) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 10-2; Last Week: defeated White Hall (AR), loss to St. Frances Academy (MD), defeated Pinson Valley (AL) This Week: vs Westlake  Key Notes: Sandy Creek dropped its second game of the season to St. Frances Academy (MD) while at the King Cotton Classic last week. Sandy Creek went 2-1 in the event and are 2-1 vs OOS. Amari Brown over the three games averaged 16ppg 3.7rpg. Jared White and PJ Green each played solid in the three games for Sandy Creek.
6- Kell (7) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 11-3; Last Week: defeated Greeneville (TN), Harlan County (KY), Mentor (OH) and Jackson Reed (DC) This Week: vs North Springs, vs Chattahoochee Key Notes: Kell has won 10 games in a row since dropping three in a row to current Hillsman Heavy teams (McEachern, Newton and Grayson). Kell, a week after winning the Kruel Classic in Florida, won the Arby’s Classic in Tennessee last week and improved to 7-0 vs OOS. Wins over Jackson Reed (DC), Wheeler, North Broward Prep (FL), Hudson Catholic (NJ) and Greenforest stand out on the schedule. CJ Brown, Jalen Colon and Cannon Richards continue to led this Kell team that seems to be hitting it’s stride and are the defending 5A state champions. Outside of an OOS game against Huntsville (AL) later this month, the remaining portion of the schedule is region games, a region where Kell has rarely been tested in the past few seasons.
7- Newton (5)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 9-2; Last Week: lost to Greenforest, defeated Fayette County This Week: vs St. Anne-Pacelli, vs South Gwinnett Key Notes: Newton lost a slugfest to Greenforest and bounced back with a victory over Fayette County. Newton is still finding their way and doing enough to continue to stay in the conversation, yet slip a spot this week. Newton is 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less.
8- Wheeler (8)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 9-4; Last Week: lost to Central Florida Academy, lost to Berkmar, defeated Tri-Cities. This Week: vs Langston Hughes Key Notes: Wheeler went 3-4 in the month of December and have loss three of its last five games. Josh Hill is toting the mail for Wheeler, however the youth in the backcourt is beginning to show. How will Wheeler rebound with only one more scheduled game against a non-region opponent before finishing the regular season with a region slate where those teams in the region will be coming hard at them. Three of the four losses are to current Hillsman Heavy teams so Wheeler stays in this week because they are still better than anyone else right now knocking on the door, yet the margin for error is smaller now. Wheeler is 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and are 2-0 vs OOS.
9- Holy Innocents (NR)- Head Coach: Mario Mays Current Record: 8-5 Last Week: defeated Alexander, lost to Oak Ridge (FL) This Week: Vs Miller Grove, vs Druid Hills Key Notes: Holy Innocents pick up their biggest win of the season by handing Alexander it’s first loss of the season. They did drop the next game to nationally-ranked Oak Ridge (FL) and are now 0-2 vs OOS with no more OOS games scheduled. Five losses is a lot however two of those losses are to current Hillsman Heavy teams and both OOS losses are to nationally-ranked teams. Caleb Wilson is the name to know. Wilson is averaging over 21+ppg 13+rpg 5+apg 3+bpg. Devin Hutcherson is proving he is capable of stepping up and has increased his averaging to over 14+ppg 6+rpg and 2+apg for Holy Innocents.
10- Pace Academy (NR)- Head Coach: Sharman White Current Record: 9-2 Last Week: Did Not Play This Week: vs Woodland-Stockbridge, vs Lovett Key Notes: Pace Academy finally cracks the Top 10. Pace Academy has not loss to a Georgia opponent this season and the 4A school has wins over 7A schools Milton and Osborne to go with a win over 6A Langston Hughes. One of their two losses is to nationally-ranked Christ The King (NY) with the only loss coming to Vashon (MO) who also fell to Alexander. Pace Academy is 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and are 3-2 vs OOS. Eric Chatfield, Kyle Greene (Central Florida commit), Chandler Bing and LJ Moore (University of Chicago commit) powers this Pace Academy team that is the defending 4A state champion. Pace’s schedule is lighter than some would expect however they have handled their business overall well enough to crack in.
OUT- Shiloh (9) Head Coach: Kim Rivers Current Record: 9-3; Last Week: lost to Tucker, lost to Chapel Hill This Week: Key Notes: Shiloh is now on a 2-game losing streak after falling twice at the Tournament Of Champions last week and have lost three of their last five games.
OUT- Westside-Augusta (10)– Head Coach: Jerry Hunter Current Record: 10-3; Last Week: lost to Gray Collegiate (SC) This Week: vs Gray Collegiate (SC) Key Notes: Westside dropped their lone game last week to Gray Collegiate, have loss two in a row and fall from the Top 10 after hanging on the last few weeks. Westside is 4-1vs OOS and are 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. 2 of their 3 losses are to region opponents Thomson and Butler who will see at least one more time during the regular season.
KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order):
**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 1/2/2023 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**
Teams added this week are listed in bold.
Archer (12-1; current 7-game winning streak; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less; wins over Cedar Grove, Seckinger, Milton and Ware County)
Baldwin (8-1; 6 game win streak snapped in loss to Lee County; have won 2 straight since; 71.5ppg vs 54.6ppga), Brookwood (8-3, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), Bradwell Institute (14-0; 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less), Brunswick (6-5; have lost 3 of last 4 games; 2-1 vs OOS; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less), Buford (11-3, 3-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, quality schedule)
Camden County (11-2; 4-1 vs OOS; Junior Elyiss Williams 16.8ppg 10.8rpg since joining team; senior-laden team has four seniors averaging 8+ppg), Campbell (8-7; 1-1 vs OOS; current 4-game winning streak), Calhoun County (8-3; two straight losses to Christian Heritage and Portal which were highlighted games last week.; 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), Carver-Columbus (12-0; 10 of 12 games have been decided by less than 10 points; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 12-game winning streak; Tony Montgomery 23.4ppg 2.3apg), Carrollton (8-3; 2-game win streak), Cedar Grove (8-5; Manny Green 19ppg this season), Cedar Shoals (5-5; 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less. have lost 2 of last 3 games), Central Gwinnett (6-6; 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less), Chapel Hill (6-4; have won 4 of last 5 games) Christian Heritage (11-2; won 5 of last 6 games), Clarke Central (5-7; went 1-1 at Lemon Street Classic last week), Collins Hill (10-5, 6-3 vs OOS, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Columbia (12-1; 5-1 vs OOS, 12-game win streak snapped with loss to Central (AL), Creekside Christian (GAPPS;11-4, 7-1 vs GHSA, 4-2 vs OOS, have won 5 straight games including four OOS games), Cross Creek (8-7, 3-6 vs OOS, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, lone Georgia loss to Westside-Augusta)
Dacula (13-2, 2-1 vs OOS), Douglass-Atlanta (11-7; 3-4 vs OOS; only region games remain Sandy Creek 2x, Cedar Grove 2x), Decatur (11-3; 6-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Dougherty (9-2, 2-0 vs OOS, split with Westover), Dutchtown (8-5; 49.4ppg in 5 losses; 63.7ppg in 8 wins; 0-1 vs OOS, 4 of 5 losses by double digits),
Eagle’s Landing (7-5; 2-2 vs OOS; 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less) , Etowah (7-4; averaging 49.5ppg in four losses; averaging 64.5ppg in seven wins),
Fayette County (7-2; 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-1 vs OOS),
Glynn Academy (12-2; current 4-game win streak; 1-0 vs OOS, losses to Camden County and Bradwell Institute), Greenbrier (6-7; 0-2 vs OOS, up and down so far this season), Greenforest (6-4; 2-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 2 of 4 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams), Grovetown (3-6, 1-1 vs OOS, have lost 5 of last since since season opening Norcross win, OOS schedule upcoming),
Hillgrove (11-5; 1-0 vs OOS, quality scheduling), Hebron Christian (10-0; 2-0 vs OOS, 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less), Heritage-Newnan (GIAA; 11-2, 10-game winning streak snapped in a loss to Carrollton, 5-2 vs GHSA),
Johnson-Savannah (6-5; 0-1 vs OOS), Jones County (15-2; quietly have won 10 in a row, 4-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, Jayden Stanley 15.7ppg 2.9apg; Kaden Douglas 14.7ppg) Jonesboro (8-7; 2-2 vs OOS, already 5-0 in region play; up and down team right now),
Langston Hughes (8-2; 7-game win streak snapped with loss to Greenforest,2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, Brentis Schaeffer 19.6ppg 2.9apg), Lee County (10-2; 7-game win streak snapped with loss to Camden County, Josiah Parker leads team in points and rebounds), Long County (11-2; 9-game win streak snapped with loss to Sonoraville, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less),
Madison County (11-4; 2-1 vs OOS, have lost 3 of last 4 games, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Marist (5-5 0-1 vs OOS, 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less), Maynard Jackson (9-0; 2-0 in games decided by 5 or less points, strong region; have scored 80+points in last 2 games), Mays (8-2; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), McDonough (12-2; 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4-1 vs OOS Keenan Gray leading scorer), Milton (4-6; 0-3 vs OOS, 3-game losing streak-all to OOS teams), Mt. Vernon (8-7; have loss 4 of last 6 games, 1-2 vs OOS 4 of 7 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), Mountain View (8-5; current 2-game win streak, 4 of 5 losses decided by 5 points or less, 0-1 vs OOS, 3-4 in games decided by 5 points or less),
Norcross (6-6; 2-1 vs OOS, have not won more than 2 in a row this season,2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, in the midst of heavy OOS schedule), North Oconee (10-1; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, OOS schedule coming up, strong region, current 4-game win streak),
Oglethorpe County (8-5; have lost 2 straight, 0-1 vs OOS, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, solid schedule upcoming), Osborne (4-8; one of toughest schedules in state; )
Paideia (5-10, lacking consistency vs quality schedule,0-2 vs OOS, Peachtree Ridge (9-6; 4-game win streak snapped with a loss to Dutchtown, 2-1 vs OOS), Pebblebrook (4-10, 1-4 in games decided by 5 points or less, 0-4 vs OOS, the schedule is not for the weak) , Portal (11-0; 4-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4 seniors averaging 10+ppg, have won 34 of last 35 games dating back to last season, how good are they?, schedule is ok, quality wins over Johnson-Savannah, Calhoun County),
Riverwood (10-4; 2 of 3 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, Karris Bilal and JR Leonard can score) ,
Savannah (9-4; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Seckinger (10-4; 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 0-1 vs OOS), Sequoyah (7-4) , Southwest-Macon (5-4, 0-2 vs OOS, 2 sophomores. Chase Dupree and Tobias Rice averaging in double figures scoring), Spencer (6-0; Gary Gaither 16ppg 6.6rpg 3.3apg), St. Anne-Pacelli (GIAA; 7-3; 3-2 vs GHSA, schedule filled with a number of GHSA teams; TJ Smith 19.8ppg 6.8rpg and Jaydence Ford 19.6ppg 2rpg 2apg lead the way) St. Pius X (9-4; 2-1 vs OOS, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less) Swainsboro (4-4; current 3-game win streak; 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less),
Thomson (10-0; 2-0 vs OOS, 10-game win streak, 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, Jahkiaus Jones and Daquon Young lead the charge for Thomson), Tri-Cities (5-5; 1-1 vs OOS, Freshmen Tre Keith and senior Malique Johnson could form a solid backcourt into January and February), The Walker School (9-5; have lost 4 of last 5 games, Moustapha Diop leads team in scoring, rebounding and block shots),
Union Grove (9-6; 2-2 vs OOS, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, 3 of 6 losses in region games),
Walton (11-2; quality win over Dutchtown; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less; current 4-game win streak), Walnut Grove (9-3; 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Ware County (8-7; Jarvis Wright leads team in scoring), Warner Robins (6-5, have lost 4 of last 5 games), Westlake 5-4, have dropped 2 in a row since 4-game win streak, 1 loss to Hillsman Heavy team), Wilson Academy (10-2, 4-1 vs GHSA, 6-1 vs OOS), Winder-Barrow (13-3, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Woodward Academy (11-3; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less).
NOTABLES:
Grayson’s Gicarri Harris was named American Division Most Outstanding Player while Amir Taylor was named to the All-Tournament team at the Chick-Fil-A Classic.
Kell’s C.J. Brown was named 2023 Arby’s Classic MVP while teammates Cannon Richards and Chris McLavish were named to the All-Tournament team.
Kell’s Jaylen Colon won the Arby’s Classic Three-Point contest while teammate Zack Graves finished in second place.
Creekside Christian’s Bilal Osman and Cedric Taylor were names Players Of the Game in each of Creekside Christian’s wins at The Florida Get Down New Years Showcase.
Union Grove’s Nile King and Chris Wray were named Players Of the Game in each of Union Grove’s wins at the Florida Get Down New Years Showcase.
NOTABLE EVENTS:
Grayson New Year’s Classic at Grayson High School 1/6/2023; South Gwinnett/North Gwinnett, Greenforest/Mountain View, Walnut Grove/Central Gwinnett, Wilson Academy/Dutchtown, Wheeler/Langston Hughes, Grayson/North Broward Prep (FL), McEachern/Alexander
Florida Get Down and Illinois Get Down announces all showcase games beginning with the 2024-25 season will be played with a shot clock. The Florida Get Down since it’s inception has always hosted Georgia teams, who over the past four seasons have played with a shot clock. No Georgia teams have played in the Illinois Get Down however there has been interest from some Georgia teams about future participation in the Illinois event. ”Since its inception the Florida Get Down has hosted teams from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and New York and believes that playing with a shot clock will prepare high school players and teams for the collegiate level,” stated Founder and Owner Dan Cross. “The shot clock adds another level of IQ to the game. It speeds up the game and makes it relevant to the college coaches that are recruiting players that are interested in pursuing academic and athletic achievements for the opportunity to receive scholarships. No more stalling and holding the ball in our showcase events, the game must be played at all times,” Cross continued.
Kell became the seventh team from Georgia to win the Arby’s Classic in Tennessee and first since 2013 (Greater Atlanta Christian). Kell also became the second team from Cobb County to win the event (Wheeler in 1997 and 2002).
Creekside Christian and Union Grove became the first Georgia teams to sweep the Florida Get Down New Years Showcase. Both teams went 2-0, defeating Florida teams in the event.
As a reminder The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia considers all basketball playing schools in the state from the GHSA, GISA/GIAA and GICAA/GAPPS associations. The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia IS NOT ranked by association or classification within an association. It is one all-inclusive ranking.
The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia is in its sixth season, fourth of public publication, and ranks using the following criteria; OVERALL performance, Team Chemistry, Coaching, Schedule (quality In-State, Out-Of-State [OOS], Head-to-Head opponents, Common Opponents are all heavily considered) and Scheduling For Roster Talent (meaning is the team very talented but stacking up wins against lesser talented teams but struggling against teams equal or greater in roster talent and vice versa; yes a team with more losses can be better than a team with fewer losses because of scheduling and the other criteria previously mentioned.
While player recruiting status is not a heavy focus and determining factor, it is considered when looking at a team’s overall performance, especially against equal or greater competition.
When we load and unload the bus and plane with these 10 teams these are the teams that we can take anywhere as they are the best 10 in Georgia for the 2023-2024 season for each week of the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia.
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