The regular season is complete across the entire state and postseason basketball is here. All this week it is region tournament action to decide the seeding for the state tournament.
Once a team makes it to the semifinals of their region tournament they qualify for the state tournament. The semifinals, consolation games and finals determine the seeding for the state tournament.
Some region tournaments either began late last week with play-in/first round action and some started earlier this week. At any rate this is a week filled with region tournaments. Region have to report their region champions and seeding to the GHSA by the end of the day on Saturday February 17th. The first round of the state tournament begins on Tuesday February 20th.
Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 2/6/2024 through Monday 2/12/2024. This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 2/13/2024 through Saturday 2/17/2024. The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 2/20/2024 prior to the first round of the state tournament beginning.
Last Week 2/6/2024; 1-Grayson, 2-McEachern, 3-Kell, 4-Alexander, 5-Sandy Creek, 6-Greenforest, 7-Wheeler, 8-Pace Academy, 9- Westside-Augusta, 10-Walton
Here is a look at this week’s Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA.
**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 2/13/2024 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: 24-2; Last Week: defeated South Gwinnett, defeated Newton, defeated Brookwood This Week: Region 4-7A Finals Key Notes: Grayson remains undefeated against Georgia teams. Grayson has won nine games in a row. Grayson is the No.1 seed in the region tournament, clinched a state tournament berth. The overall depth and versatile nature of Grayson still is the headline behind Gicarri Harris, CJ Hyland, Jacob Wilkins, Amir Taylor and Anthony Alston. Grayson went 5-2 vs OOS. Grayson is 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.
2- McEachern (2)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 20-5; Last Week: defeated North Paulding, defeated Harrison This Week: Region 3-7A Semifinals and Final Key Notes: McEachern’s current winning streak is seven games. McEachern clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and a state playoff berth. McEachern’s only loss to a Georgia team remains to Grayson in the season opener. McEachern finishes the season 6-4 vs OOS, improved to 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Ace Bailey continues to lead the charge for McEachern while Jaye Nash and Nnadozie Onyirimba have proven to be vital pieces.
3- Kell (3) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 21-3; Last Week: defeated Greater Atlanta Christian This Week: Region 6-5A Tournament Semifinals and Finals Key Notes: Kell continues to roll along with 20 straight wins. Kell clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Kell finished 7-0 vs OOS this season, which includes wins over Jackson-Reed (DC), which is their signature win of the season. Kell’s three losses this season are to McEachern, Newton, and Grayson. CJ Brown, Jaylen Colon, and Cannon Richards are at the forefront, with solid contributions coming from Chris McLavish and Zach Graves at times.
4- Alexander (4) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 23-2; Last Week: defeated Langston Hughes, defeated South Paulding This Week: Region 5-6A Tournament Semifinals and Finals Key Notes: Alexander clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Alexander’s only losses are to Holy Innocents and McEachern and enter postseason play on a 10-game winning streak. They finished the season 3-0 vs OOS. Braedan Lue (18.2ppg 8.4rpg), Greg Dunston (13.7ppg 4.5apg), Allen Stoddard (9.7ppg 6rpg) and Jermaine Freeman (10.4ppg 3.0rpg 2.5spg) are the vital pieces for Alexander during their state tournament run.
5-Sandy Creek (5) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 22-3; Last Week: defeated Carver-Atlanta, defeated Cedar Grove This Week: Region-3A Tournament Semifinals and Finals Key Notes: Sandy Creek clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Sandy Creek has notable wins over Mt. Vernon, Milton, Cedar Grove (2x), Fayette County (2x), Osborne, Buford, Pinson Valley (AL), St. Anne-Pacelli, St. Pius X and Flint Hill (MD). Sandy Creek’s two losses to Georgia teams are to Grayson and Etowah, and their OOS loss was to St. Frances Academy (MD). Sandy Creek finished 3-1 vs OOS. Sandy Creek has continued to display the tools in the tool box in Amari Brown (17ppg 5rpg 3apg 51% FG), Micah Smith (16ppg 8rpg 5apg 3bpg 55% FG), PJ Green (6ppg 5rpg 3apg), Jacobi Robinson (10ppg 3rpg 3apg 45% FG) and Jared White (10ppg 4rpg 3apg 44%-3PT).
6-Greenforest (6)- Head Coach: Rory Griffin Current Record: 20-4 Last Week: defeated Mt. Zion-Carroll This Week: Region 7-1A DII Region Finals vs Christian Heritage Key Notes: Greenforest is the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Greenforest is currently on a 15-game winning streak; Greenforest packs quality wins over Langston Hughes, Eagle’s Landing, Newton, Baldwin, Mt. Vernon and Christian Heritage. Greenforest’s losses this season are to Kell, Berkmar, Milton, and Williston (FL). The Kell loss is the only loss of more than six points. Greenforest is 2-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 10-4 in neutral floor games, and have 9 wins against Georgia teams in higher classifications. Elijah Lewis, Mike Robinson, Caleb Kawela, and Daniel Daramola are just a few of the names that can be a factor on any given night.
7- Wheeler (7)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 20-5; Last Week: defeated Kennesaw Mountain, defeated Cherokee This Week: Region 5-7A Tournament Key Notes: Wheeler closed the regular season on an eight game winning streak. Wheeler is the No.2 seed in the region tournament by virtue of the coin flip tie breaker, and clinched a state tournament berth. Wheeler will continue to rely on Josh Hill and Ricky McKenzie as the overall youthful team continue to mature, especially in the backcourt. Wheeler is 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, and are 2-0 vs OOS.
8- Pace Academy (8)- Head Coach: Sharman White Current Record: 22-3 Last Week: defeated Luella This Week: Region 5-4A Tournament Key Notes: Pace Academy has won eight straight games since it’s loss to McDonough which includes a victory over McDonough on the road. Pace Academy is the No.1 seed in the region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Pace Academy is 17-1 against Georgia teams, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, and are 3-2 vs OOS. Eric Chatfield (15ppg 4apg 3spg), Kyle Greene (10ppg 6apg 3spg), Chandler Bing (13ppg 6rpg), and LJ Moore (9ppg 7rpg 2apg) are the headliners.
9- Walton (10)- Head Coach: Bo Abney; Current Record: 21-4 Last Week: defeated North Cobb, defeated Osborne This Week: Region 5-7A Tournament Semifinals and Finals Key Notes: Walton is the No.1 seed in the region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Luke Flynn, JP Wells, Kaedan Gilstrap power this senior-laden Walton team. Their losses have came to St. Pius X, Eagle’s Landing, Lassiter and Wheeler. They are 2-1 vs Lassiter this season and the lone loss came when Flynn, Wells and Gilstrap were out. Quality wins over Dutchtown, Seckinger, Wheeler and North Gwinnett; 0-3 in games decided by 5 points or less; Walton did not play any OOS opponents this season and overall the schedule could have been better for the talent of the team. Walton continues to peak as the season goes and is pretty good team that can be dangerous come state tournament time because of their overall team chemistry.
10- Eagle’s Landing (NR)- Head Coach: Elliott Montgomery Current Record: 19-7 Last Week: defeated Ola, defeated Warner Robins, defeated Dutchtown This Week: Does Not Play Key Notes: Eagle’s Landing is the Region 2-5A champion, is the No.1 seed headed into the state tournament and have won seven straight. Eagle’s Landing is in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA for the first time this season and is the team with the most losses in this week’s Hillsman Heavy. Eagle’s Landing went 4-3 vs OOS this season, 3 of their 4 losses to Georgia teams were to region opponents (Jones County, Warner Robins and Dutchtown) who all made the state tournament and Eagle’s Landing avenged all three losses including finishing 2-1 against Dutchtown in games that were decided by 6,4 and 4 points respectively. Their other Georgia loss was at Greenforest. Eagle’s Landing is 4-4 in games decided by less than 5 points. Eagle’s Landing has notable wins over Sagemont (FL), Wilson Academy (GA), Walton, Dutchtown (2x), Warner Robins (2x), Jones County, Christ School (NC), Tampa Catholic (FL) and Jonesboro. Chris Morris II, Clark Mastin, Bobby Buggs, Dwight Brown, Maddox Melancon and the addition of John McQueen are the key clogs for Eagle’s Landing headed into the state tournament.
OUT- Westside-Augusta (9)- Head Coach: Jerry Hunter: Current Record 21-4 Last Week: lost to Butler, defeated Laney This Week: Region 4-2A Tournament Key Notes: Westside-Augusta and rivalry games are their trip up. Westside-Augusta lost to Butler for the second time this season in a game played in the 50s. Two of their four losses are to Butler and they could possibly meet for a fourth time in the region tournament later this week. Westside-Augusta is still a dangerous team come the state tournament but the rivalry hump knocks them out this week for the second time this season.
KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order): Keeping Tabs On returns this week. It will be a hectic week for teams playing in region tournaments for state tournament seeding. All region tournaments must be concluded by Saturday February 17th, so just think what this section could look like for next week’s Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA. Here are the teams we will watch closely this week to see how they set themselves up for the state tournament.
Archer, Baldwin, Berkmar, Buford, Butler, Calhoun County, Camden County, Chapel Hill, Christian Heritage, Columbia, Cross Creek, Dougherty, Dutchtown, Etowah, Fayette County, Glynn Academy, Grovetown, Hebron Christian, Holy Innocents, Jones County, Jonesboro, Langston Hughes, Lee County, Madison County, Maynard Jackson, Mays, McDonough, Monroe-Albany, Mt. Vernon, Newton, Norcross, North Oconee, Paideia, Peachtree Ridge, Portal, Riverwood, Salem, Savannah, Shiloh, Spencer, St. Pius X, South Atlanta, Thomson, Tri-Cities, Tucker, Valdosta, Walker School, Ware County, Warner Robins Westside-Augusta, Winder Barrow, Woodward Academy
NOTABLES: This time of year there are plenty of all-region information. Congrats to all of the coaches and players that received all-region recognition from their respective regions.
Hillgrove head coach Greg Moultrie picked up his 250th career win in a victory over Marietta last week.
St. Pius X head coach Aaron Parr picked up his 300th career win in a victory over South Cobb last week
Norcross is in the state tournament for the 24th consecutive season.
Tift is in the state tournament for the 30th consecutive season.
Pope’s Zach Bleshoy surpassed 1,000 career points, with 30 points in a victory over Blessed Trinity last week.
NON-GHSA PINCH POST (alphabetical order); The pinch post action returns for a fourth straight week looking at the top non-GHSA schools in Georgia. All non-GHSA teams can be included in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA if warranted, however, none have ever made it in in the six year history of the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA. Just because it is not seen often does not mean it is not effective, good basketball and doesn’t get attention from those at the next level(s) of basketball. Here is a look at some non-GHSA teams that have had solid seasons and have kept our attention the majority of the season. No new teams were added but here is an update on the current teams included. All of these teams have qualified for postseason play in their respective associations.
Creekside Christian (GAPPS): 17-9, 7-3 vs GHSA, 4-3 vs OOS. 4-4 in games decided by 5 points or less. Creekside Christian was the No.1 seed in their region tournament and won the Division1-2A Region 3 title. Creekside Christian has a bye into the quarterfinals of the Division1-2A state tournament. Notable wins over Decatur, Bell Creek-FL, Blanche Ely-FL, Oxford-AL. Notable losses to Wilson Academy, Heritage-Newnan, Victory Christian-NC, Riverwood, The Rock-FL, FSU HS-FL. Cedric Taylor 17ppg 10.8rpg 2.5apg 1.8bpg, Bilal Osman 13.7ppg 4rpg, Joseph Reddick 11ppg 6.2rpg 2.9apg, Kelton Teasley 8.8ppg 3.2rpg lead Creekside Christian. Creekside Christian is the defending GAPPS State Champion.
Heritage-Newnan (GIAA): 23-3, 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 5-2 vs GHSA. Heritage- Newnan is the No.2 seed in the GIAA 4A District 5 Tournament. Heritage-Newnan will play in the 3A state tournament. Notable wins over Ware County, North Cobb Christian, Jonesboro, Creekside Christian and St. Anne-Pacelli. Losses to Campbell and Carrollton. Heritage-Newnan is in the same District with St. Anne-Pacelli and split with them during the regular season. Max Skidmore 16.2ppg 3rpg 2.7apg, Sam Meade 15.2ppg 7rpg and Mason Robert-Bolinger 11.8ppg 5.5rpg 2.3apg lead Heritage-Newnan.
St. Andrew’s (GIAA): 19-7; current 12-game winning streak, 9-6 vs GHSA, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less (all vs GHSA teams). St. Andrew’s is the No.1 seed in the GIAA 4A/3A District 2 Tournament. St. Andrew’s will play in the 3A state tournament. Notable wins over Hebron Christian Academy, Johnson-Savannah, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy and Savannah. Non-GHSA loss is to Furtah Prep, notable losses to Glynn Academy, Statesboro, Cedar Grove, King’s Ridge Christian. Zayden Edwards, Zyere Edwards and Will Thompson lead St. Andrew’s. St. Andrew’s is the two-time defending GIAA State Champions.
St. Anne-Pacelli (GIAA): 19-6; 7-5 vs GHSA, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. St. Anne-Pacelli is the No.1 seed in the GIAA 4A District 5 Tournament. St. Anne-Pacelli will play in the 4A state tournament. Notable wins over Douglas County (2x), Warner Robins, Valdosta, Dougherty and Greater Atlanta Christian. Notable losses to Newton, Sandy Creek, Christian Heritage, Lee County. Split two district meetings with Heritage-Newnan this regular season. TJ Smith 19ppg 6rpg Jaydence Ford 19ppg 2rpg 2apg
Wilson Academy (Independent): 18-9, 4-3 vs GHSA, 8-3 vs OOS, 5-3 in games decided by 5 points or less. Last two regular scheduled games are against Sunrise Christian (KS) and Link Academy (MO) at the end of February and early March. Notable wins over Creekside Christian, Paideia, Greater Atlanta Christian, Potter House-FL, Dutchtown, Word Of God (NC), Hargrave Military Academy (VA). Notable losses to Eagle’s Landing, La Lumiere (IN), Legacy Early College-SC, North Broward Prep (FL), Mt. Vernon, Archbishop Hoban (OH). Caleb Cameron, Isaiah Cameron and Jeremiah Stebbins are the team leaders.
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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