HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 1/16/2024

The Georgia high school basketball season in hitting the middle of January and that can bring about a lot of things. Good basketball, region races and rescheduling. This is the month where weather can cause havoc on the basketball schedule and make rescheduling games-especially region games, interesting. One county is closed and cancels all afterschool activities, one county does digital learning day but allows afterschool activities etc. Hopefully we do not have to deal with too much of that but it is January, and soon to be February in Georgia so it is always likely.

Grayson stays on top, McEachern closes the gap, Kell storms to third and there is other movement. There are a handful of events and non-region games left on the regular season schedule so this is the time of year when region races slide to the forefront. How many teams will take advantage of their solid non-region, OOS schedules to prepare for region play and who will falter the deeper they get in region play? We will soon find out.

Here is the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA.

Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 1/9/2024 through Monday 1/15/2024.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 1/16/2024 through Monday 1/22/2024.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 1/23/2024.

Last Week 1/9/2024; 1-Grayson, 2-McEachern, 3-Berkmar, 4-Kell, 5-Sandy Creek, 6-Alexander, 7-Wheeler, 8-Holy Innocents, 9-Newton, 10-Pace Academy,

The Hillsman Heavy

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 1/16/2023 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: 15-2; Last Week:  defeated Archer, loss to Perry (AZ), defeated Bishop McNamara (DC) This Week: vs South Gwinnett Key Notes: Grayson routed region foe Archer before dropping a one-point game to Perry (AZ) and defeating Bishop McNamara (DC). Grayson has yet to lose to a Georgia team and is now 5-2 in OOS games this yearGrayson is 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Grayson still has the offensive threats in a loaded and balanced lineup with Gicarri Harris, CJ Hyland, Jacob Wilkins, Amir Taylor and Anthony Alston.

2- McEachern (2)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 13-5; Last Week: defeated Hillgrove, defeated Vashon (MO), loss to Paul VI (VA), defeated Edmond North (OK), loss to Harvard Westlake (CA) This Week: vs North Paulding, vs Milton Key Notes: McEachern had a productive showing in the Bass Pro Tournament going 2-1 with the loss coming to the top team in the country and in the WCAC Paul VI (VA)- Paul VI won the Bass Pro. McEachern defeated Edmond North (OK) before dropping and overtime game to Harvard Westlake (CA) in the Hoop Hall Classic. McEachern is 6-4 vs OOS and 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less and their only loss to a Georgia team was to Grayson. Ace Bailey continues to lead the charge for McEachern while Jaye Nash and Nnadozie Onyirimba have taken their play to another level. McEachern’s OOS slate is complete and they have only one non-region game remaining against Milton this Saturday.

3- Kell (4) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 14-3; Last Week: defeated Northview This Week: vs Greater Atlanta Christian, vs Centennial, vs Huntsville (AL) Key Notes: Kell has won 13 games in a row since dropping three in a row to current Hillsman Heavy teams (McEachern, Newton and Grayson). Kell is 7-0 vs OOS with a win over Jackson-Reed (DC)-who defeated Berkmar last week. Kell is rolling and looks to be in a position to continue to roll. There only remaining non-region/OOS game remaining is a tilt with Huntsville (AL) later this month. Kell looks to have the upper hand on the rest of class 5A and are now the favorites in 5A. Nobody, at least right now, is in the same gym with Kell in 5A. CJ Brown, Jaylen Colon and Cannon Richards are at the forefront with solid contributions coming from Chris McLavish and Zach Graves at times.

4-Sandy Creek (5) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 14-2; Last Week:  defeated Douglass-Atlanta, defeated St. Anne-Pacelli, defeated Flint Hill (MD) This Week: vs Carver-Atlanta, vs St. Pius X, vs Fayette County Key Notes: Sandy Creek swept their week and picked up an OOS win over Flint Hill (MD). Sandy Creek is now 3-1 vs OOS. Sandy Creek also picked up a region win over Douglass-Atlanta. Amari Brown, Micah Smith, PJ Green and Jared White continue their sound play and on any given night either or all of them can impact the game wherever needed. Sandy Creek still is the better team in their region but this region is small and so Cedar Grove and Douglass-Atlanta know they more you play the harder it gets to beat teams over and over which is the case for Sandy Creek down the stretch of the season. Pretty sure Sandy Creek will get those guys best shots the rest of the way. Sandy Creek has stayed the course and really are a very good basketball team, a team poised to make another deep run and defend their 3A state title.

5-Berkmar (3)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 14-3; Last Week: defeated Duluth, loss to Bullis (MD), loss Jackson-Reed (DC) This Week: vs Discovery, vs Peachtree Ridge   Key Notes:  Berkmar loss back-to-back games to noted DMV schools in nationally-ranked Bullis (MD) and Jackson-Reed (DC). Berkmar only has region games remaining and went 1-3 in OOS games and 4-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Berkmar slips a bit however could be ready to begin a deep state tournament run with Mekhi Ragland, Mike White, and David Culbreath-Martin at the forefront.

6- Alexander (6) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 15-2;  Last Week: defeated East Paulding, defeated Langston Hughes, defeated Dutchtown This Week: vs South Paulding, vs Paulding County Key Notes: Alexander swept their three-game week last week and had an emphatic win over Langston Hughes and a quality win over Dutchtown, so consider it a good bounce back for Alexander. Holy Innocents and McEachern are their only losses this season and they are 3-0 vs OOS. Alexander’s remaining games are all region contests and now look to gear up to make a deep state run and defend their 6A title. The pieces are there and the target on their back is there, how they respond to getting everyone’s best shot night after night is the key piece.

7- Wheeler (7)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 12-4; Last Week: defeated North Cobb, defeated Osborne  This Week: vs Walton, vs Kennesaw Mountain, vs Norcross  Key Notes: Wheeler sits with 4 losses, all in the month of December to three teams in the Hillsman Heavy and another to an OOS opponent. Walton twice, Osborne again in the region play is what is left the rest of the way, plus a final non-region game against an up and down Norcross. Josh Hill has solidified himself as the headline for Wheeler. Ricky McKenzie will have to be the other steady hand the rest of the way for Wheeler to go deep. The youthful backcourt has to show signs of growing up the remainder of the way. Wheeler despite the lack of a heavy OOS schedule are still right in the thick of it and still have a number of wins over quality Georgia teams (Dutchtown, Langston Hughes, Tri-Cities, Newton, Holy Innocents and Chapel Hill). Wheeler is 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and are 2-0 vs OOS.

8- Holy Innocents (8)- Head Coach: Mario Mays Current Record:11-5 Last Week: defeated Druid Hills, defeated Hapeville Charter This Week: vs Westminster vs Stone Mountain Key Notes: Holy Innocents has won 3 in a row and only has region games remaining. They are the region favorite. Holy Innocents went 0-2 vs OOS against at them time two nationally ranked teams, in addition to a very heavy non-region Georgia schedule. Of the five losses, two of those losses are to current Hillsman Heavy teams. Caleb Wilson (22.3ppg 13.8rpg 4.9apg 3.7bpg) is the headliner and gets good support from Devin Hutcherson (14.5ppg 5.9rpg) and Will Hopkins (13.1ppg 4.0rpg 2.1apg). Sophomores Jordan Mays and Grant Herrin have played well in their roles while senior Rhys Williams shows a steady hand engineering the offense in his role.

9- Pace Academy (10)- Head Coach: Sharman White Current Record: 14-2 Last Week: defeated Luella, defeated Riverwood, defeated Hiram This Week: vs McDonough, vs Pebblebrook Key Notes: Pace Academy has won 5 games in a row and has not loss to a Georgia opponent this season. Pace Academy , a 4A school, has wins over 7A schools Milton and Osborne to go with a win over 6A Langston Hughes. Their two losses are to nationally-respected Christ The King (NY) and Vashon (MO)- who has also loss to Alexander and McEachern. Pace Academy is 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and are 3-2 vs OOS. Eric Chatfield, Kyle Greene, Chandler Bing and LJ Moore powers this Pace Academy team that is the defending 4A state champion. Pace Academy’s schedule is lighter than some would expect however they have handled their business overall to this point. A pair of games with McDonough are upcoming in the regular season and from there, Pace Academy could be looking at not losing to a Georgia opponent all season while defending their 4A state title.

10-Greenforest (NR)- Head Coach: Rory Griffin Current Record: 14-4 Last Week: defeated W.D. Mohammad, defeated Baldwin, defeated Mt. Vernon; This Week: vs Christian Heritage, vs Hazel Green (AL) Key Notes: Current 8-game winning streak; Don’t have all the height they have been known for in the past but the overall work is showing. Quality wins over Langston Hughes, Eagle’s Landing, Newton, Baldwin, Mt. Vernon. Two of four losses to current Hillsman Heavy teams, 2-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Elijah Lewis, Mike Robinson, Caleb Kawela and Daniel Daramola are just a few of the names. Greenforest is an overall team where everyone can impact the game at any given time. It’s not flashy but hard work is not suppose to be. Greenforest is in for the first time all season.

OUT- Newton (9)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 13-3; Last  Week: defeated Brookwood, loss to Archer, defeated Chattahoochee This Week: vs Parkview  Key Notes:  Newton stumbled to an Archer team that was coming off a big loss to Grayson a few nights earlier. The region is deep and Newton still has a chance to be in a good spot in the region but they fall out this week with the loss to Archer. Newton only has region games remaining including two games vs Grayson and another against Archer at home.

The Hillsman Heavy Keeping Tabs On 12/26/2023

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order):

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 1/16/2023 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**

Well a lot of things happened with a lot of these teams over the last week. New teams are in bold. As we hit the middle of January it’s time to see who is trending up, buoying and trending down (in alphabetically order).

Trending UP: Archer (15-2; current 2-game winning streak; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less; wins over Newton, Osborne, Cedar Grove, Seckinger, Milton and Ware County),

Baldwin (14-2; have won 8 of last 9 games, loss was to Greenforest; team defense biggest strength; 1-0 vs OOS), Buford (15-3, 3-1 vs OOS, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, quality schedule),

Carver-Columbus (16-0; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 16-game winning streak; Tony Montgomery 22.7ppg 4.5rpg 2.2apg 2.8spg), Cedar Grove (13-5; current 5-game winning streak- longest streak of the season, 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less; Manny Green 18.8ppg this season), Creekside Christian (GAPPS;11-8, 4-game losing streak; 7-2 vs GHSA, 4-3 vs OOS, 1 GHSA opponent remaining),

Eagle’s Landing (12-6; 4-3 vs OOS; current 4-game winning streak; 2-3 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Hebron Christian (14-0; current 14-game winning streak 2-0 vs OOS, 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less; schedule has matched roster, only region games remaining, will be a tough out),

Heritage-Newnan (GIAA; 14-2, current 4-game win streak, 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 5-2 vs GHSA),

Mays (10-4; 2-game win streak, 0-2 in games decided by 5 points or less; Derron Lindsey (23ppg) is beginning to turn it on), McDonough (15-2; only region games remain, current 4-game winning streak; 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4-1 vs OOS Keenan Gray leading scorer),

North Oconee (15-3; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-3 vs OOS, current 5-game winning streak, Justin Payne, Justin Wise and Byrd Carter lead the charge),

Portal (14-1; 4-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4 seniors averaging 10+ppg, have won 35 of last 37 games dating back to last season, schedule is ok for roster, quality wins over Johnson-Savannah, Calhoun County; split with Vidalia),

Riverwood (14-5; 3 of 5 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, Karris Bilal and JR Leonard lead the team in scoring, have won 6 of last 7 games),

Spencer (12-1; current 4-game win streak, Keyshaun Sampton 14.4ppg 2.7apg Gary Gaither 13.9ppg 5.1rpg 3.0apg),  St. Anne-Pacelli (GIAA; 9-5; 5-5 vs GHSA, 3 games remaining vs GHSA teams; TJ Smith 19.8ppg 6.8rpg and Jaydence Ford 19.6ppg 2rpg 2apg lead the way), Shiloh (15-3, current 5-game winning streak since losing 2 in a row, Tylis Jordan (23.1ppg 10.2rpg) and Jullien Cole (20.1ppg 7.1rpg 3.8apg) power the Shiloh charge

Thomson (14-0; 2-0 vs OOS, 12-game win streak, 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, Jahkiaus Jones and Daquon Young lead the charge for Thomson, avg 80.2ppg), Tucker (14-4, current 10-game winning streak, 3-3 in games decided by 5 points or less, quality wins over Langston Hughes, Shiloh, Cedar Grove, Hillgrove, losses to Buford (OT), Holy Innocents, Decatur and Westlake)

Westside-Augusta (14-3, current 4-game winning streak since losing 2 in a row, only region games remaining including against Thomson and Butler, 1-1 vs Butler as one game was played in a showcase and does not count toward region standings),

Winder-Barrow (16-3, current 6-game winning streak, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, losses to Shiloh, Monroe Area and Jefferson, quality wins over Madison County, Mountain View and Oglethorpe County, in good position in region)

Buoying: Bradwell Institute (15-1; 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less), Butler (12-3; quality losses to Jones County, Cross Creek and Westside-Augusta, quality wins over Westside-Augusta, Grovetown, only region games remaining, 2 games vs Thomson and 1 left vs Westside-Augusta, 4 players averaging 12+ppg), Brookwood (11-6, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less; have loss 3 of last 4 games; 0-1 vs OOS)

Camden County (14-3; 5-2 vs OOS, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less; Elyiss Williams 14.0ppg 10.4rpg since joining team; senior-laden team has four seniors averaging 8+ppg), Campbell (9-10; have loss 3 of last 4 games, 2-4 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-1 vs OOS), Calhoun County (11-4; losses to Christian Heritage and Portal; 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less ), Carrollton (12-5; have lost 2 of last 3 games, Chapel Hill 11-5; 2-game winning streak; 1-4 in games decided by 5 points or less), Christian Heritage (15-3; losses to Macon County, Darlington and Mitchell County; 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less; wins over St. Anne-Pacelli, St. Francis; 1-0 vs OOS, region game vs Greenforest left), Columbia (17-1; 5-1 vs OOS; current 5-game winning streak), Collins Hill (12-6; 6-3 vs OOS), Cross Creek (10-7, 3-6 vs OOS, 3-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, lone Georgia loss to Westside-Augusta; current 2-game win streak),

Dacula (14-4, 2-1 vs OOS, have lost 2 of last 3 games, both in the region), Darlington (14-4, current 5-game winning streak, 2-3 vs OOS, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, Christian Heritage best win), Decatur (12-5; have loss 3 of last 5 games, 6-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), Dougherty (12-6, 2-0 vs OOS, have won 3 of last 4 games, 2-3 in games decided by 5 points or less, only region games left), Dutchtown (11-7; have won 3 of last 5 games; 0-1 vs OOS),

Etowah (13-4; undefeated in the region, 5-game win streak, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Fayette County (9-6; 3-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-1 vs OOS; have won 3 of last 4 since losing 4 straight),

Glynn Academy (15-3; have won 2 of last 3 games; 1-0 vs OOS, losses to Camden County, Bradwell Institute and Lakeside-Evans), Grovetown (10-7, current 6-game winning streak, 4-2 vs OOS, only region games remaining and Grovetown could be hitting a stride),

Hillgrove (12-6; 1-0 vs OOS,2-4 in games decided by 5 points or less quality scheduling),

Johnson-Savannah (10-6; 0-1 vs OOS, 2-3 in games decided by 5 points or less), Jones County (15-3; 4-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, took loss to Dutchtown in region but in overall good shape Jayden Stanley 15.7ppg 2.9apg; Kaden Douglas 14.7ppg),

Langston Hughes (10-5; have loss 4 of last 6 games, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4 of 5 losses to current Hillsman Heavy teams), Lee County (13-3; , Valdosta, Camden County and Hillgrove are the losses, Josiah Parker leads team in points and rebounds), Long County (11-4; current 3-game losing streak, 2-3 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Madison County (14-5; only region games remaining; 2-1 vs OOS, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Maynard Jackson (12-2; 3-0 in games decided by 5 or less points, strong region), Mt. Vernon (12-8; 4-2 vs OOS, have won 4 of last 5, 5 of 8 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), Mountain View (10-7; have they found consistency; current 2-game win streak, quality losses),

Oglethorpe County (9-6; have loss 3 of last 4 games; 0-1 vs OOS, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, solid schedule),

Paideia (7-11, have loss 4 of last 6 games, lacking consistency vs quality schedule,0-2 vs OOS), Peachtree Ridge (12-6; 2-1 vs OOS, current 3-game win streak), Pebblebrook (6-11, undefeated in region play, the schedule is not for the weak, Pace Academy is only non-region game left; region play could spark a run)

Savannah (12-6; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-2 vs OOS), Seckinger (13-5;, have won 5 of last 6 games, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 0-1 vs OOS), Sequoyah (11-7, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), Southwest-Macon (7-6, 0-2 vs OOS, 2 sophomores. Chase Dupree and Tobias Rice averaging in double figures scoring, undefeated in the region), St. Pius X (12-4; current 4-game win streak, 2-1 vs OOS, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, Sandy Creek upcoming), South Atlanta (14-4, current 6-game winning streak, 4-1 vs OOS, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, Saku Hurst, Isaac Benton, Dour Dour and Drew Clark are at the forefront for South Atlanta, schedule is light, best win is vs The Walker School), Swainsboro (4-7; current 3-game losing streak; 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Tri-Cities (10-6; have won 5 of last 6 games, 1-1 vs OOS, Freshmen Tre Keith and senior Malique Johnson lead charge, must sustain consistency),

The Walker School (12-6, current 2-game win streak, Moustapha Diop leads team in scoring, rebounding and block shots, only region games remain), Walton (14-3; current 2-game win streak, quality win over Dutchtown, Seckinger; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less; losses to Eagle’s Landing, St. Pius X and Lassiter; 2-1 vs Lassiter this season, one game vs Lassiter was a showcase game and not counted as a region game), Ware County (11-7;current 3-game win streak, still seeking big win, have quality losses, Jarvis Wright leads team in scoring), Warner Robins (9-5, have won 4 in a row, averaging 111.6 points last 3 games, all 5 losses are quality losses), Woodward Academy (14-4; current 2-game win streak; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, losses to Grayson, Jonesboro, Hillgrove and Douglass, quality wins over Holy Innocents, Pinson Valley (AL) and Seckinger), Wilson Academy (14-7, 4-2 vs GHSA, 6-1 vs OOS, 2-3 in games decided by 5 points or less, Caleb Cameron, Isaiah Cameron and Jeremiah Stebbin power Wilson Academy)

Valdosta (15-5, current 2-game win streak, 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 0-2 vs OOS, quality wins over Chapel Hill, Warner Robins, Lee County, quality losses to Cedar Grove, St. Anne-Pacelli, Camden County, North Broward Prep (FL),

Trending DOWN: Brunswick (6-10; current 6-game losing streak; 2-1 vs OOS; 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Cedar Shoals (8-8; 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-1 in OT games; upcoming region and non-region scheduling can swing season), Central Gwinnett (7-10; 3-game losing streak, looking for consistency, 1-4 in games decided by 5 points or less, struggling to win the close games), Clarke Central (7-10; 3-game losing streak),

Douglass-Atlanta (11-8; 3-4 vs OOS;3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Greenbrier (8-9; 2-1 vs OOS),

Milton (7-8; 2-4 vs OOS)

Norcross (8-10; 3-3 vs OOS, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less)

Osborne (4-11; one of toughest schedules in state)

Union Grove (10-7; 2-2 vs OOS, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4 of 7 losses in region games)

Walnut Grove (10-8; 3-2 in games decided by 5 points or less; have lost 4 in a row)

The Hillsman Heavy Notables 1/16/2024

NOTABLES

Camden County’s Elyiss Williams surpassed 1,000 career points. Williams is committed to the University of Georgia for football.

Providence Christian’s Samuel Thacker surpassed 1,000 career points and became the schools all-time three-point leader last week.

Greenforest’s Mike Robinson became the first player to win back-to-back game MVP honors in the Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic. Robinson scored 15 points (3-3PTM) against Dougherty in 2023 and 15 points (1-3PTM) against Baldwin in 2024 and led a balanced Greenforest attack in both victories.

M.L. King’s Kennedy Ruzvidzo Jr. set a school record for points in a game with 48 points in a triple-overtime win over Providence Christian Academy last week.

Etowah’s Dimitri Angelakos became the all-time leading scorer, and all-time three-pointers made leader in the Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic. In three games in the event Angelakos has scored 72 points and made 18 three-pointers. He also holds the record for three-pointers made in a game with 9 which he accomplished as a sophomore in the first year of the event in 2022. He is currently committed to Georgia Tech for baseball and has generated interest from some MLB baseball teams.

Joe Dix, on his second stint as head coach at East Hall, recorded his 400th career win with a victory over Johnson-Gainesville last week. Dix is in his 20th season as a head coach with stops at East Hall and Collins Hill for all 400 victories and won a state title in 2005 at East Hall. Dix also has two state titles as an assistant coach at East Hall.

Sharman White, head coach of Pace Academy, was named the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit Boy’s Basketball Head Coach by USA Basketball. McEachern’s Ace Bailey is the lone player from Georgia selected to the team.

Tarick Mabon, head coach of Mt. Vernon collected his 100th career win as a head coach in a victory over The Weber School last week. All of Mabon’s wins have come at Mt. Vernon.

Jerome Joab, head coach at Heritage-Newnan, collected his 100th career win as head coach in a victory last week over Creekside Christian.

Rick Rasmussen, head coach at North Oconee, collected his 400th career win as a head coach in a victory over Walnut Grove last week. He has been the head coach at Newton and North Oconee in his career. The 400th win also marked his 100th win as head coach at North Oconee. In 14 seasons as head coach at Newton, he collected 300 wins.

Hillsman Heavy Reminder

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.

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 1/9/2024

We are beginning to hit the stretch of the high school basketball season in Georgia. Grayson remains on top but will their overall defense hold up, Alexander falls and as they continue to live by the longball are they showing their biggest weakness? Is Berkmar now a better basketball team? Is Wheeler still a threat and has McEachern hit a gear many thought they would or is the engine still priming?

Kell could be the hottest team in Georgia right now overall, however are some in 5A laying in the weeds?

Are non-GHSA schools like St. Anne-Pacelli, Creekside Christian, Wilson Academy, Heritage-Newnan are they ready to make last minute pushes before their association state tournaments.

Is somebody in South Georgia ready to have something to say? Camden County, Lee County, Portal all have suffered losses but all still could have something to say. Is Columbia good or is it a glossy record? Is Thomson ready for the show? Is Carver-Columbus this big a threat, Spencer not shabby either.

It is just getting fun. There are teams working and sitting back hunting prey and those that are being hunted, can they be hunters themselves.

Here is the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA…take a good look, things could either get real wild or stay par for the course. A big week is ahead and the ball will surely be noted.

Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 1/2/2024 through Monday 1/8/2024.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 1/9/2024 through Monday 1/15/2024.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 1/16/2024.

Last Week 1/2/2024; 1-Grayson, 2-McEachern, 3-Berkmar, 4-Alexander, 5-Sandy Creek, 6-Kell, 7-Newton, 8-Wheeler, 9-Holy Innocents, 10-Pace Academy, OUT-Westside-Augusta, OUT-Shiloh

The Hillsman Heavy

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 1/9/2023 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: 14-1; Last Week:  defeated Brookwood, defeated North Broward Prep (FL) This Week: vs Archer, vs Perry (AZ), vs Bishop McNamara (DC) Key Notes: Grayson has bounced back with back-to-back victories after suffering it’s first loss. Grayson continues to show their overall balance offensively and will continue to shore up their defense.  Grayson is now 4-1 in OOS games this year and has a pair of OOS opponents on the schedule this week. Grayson is 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

2- McEachern (2)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 10-3; Last Week: defeated Alexander This Week: vs Hillgrove, vs TBD Bass Pro Key Notes: McEachern has won five in a row and continues to handle business in big time events behind Ace Bailey. 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 gears up for a trip to the Bass Pro event where they could meet WCAC, DMV power and the nations No.1 team in Paul VI (VA).

3-Berkmar (3)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 13-2; Last Week: defeated Meadowcreek, This Week:  vs Duluth, vs St. Andrews Episcopal (MD), vs Jackson-Reed (DC) Key Notes:  Berkmar bounced back from their loss to Sagemont (FL) with a win over Meadowcreek. Berkmar takes on two quality OOS opponents this week. 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.

4- Kell (6) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 12-3; Last Week: defeated North Springs, defeated Chattahoochee This Week: vs Northview Key Notes: Kell has won 11 games in a row since dropping three in a row to current Hillsman Heavy teams (McEachern, Newton and Grayson). Kell is 7-0 vs OOS with a win over Jackson-Reed (DC)-who plays Sandy Creek this week. Kell is rolling and looks to be in a position to continue to roll. There only remaining non-region/OOS game remaining is a tilt with Huntsville (AL) later this month. Kell looks to have the upper hand on the rest of class 5A and are now the favorites in 5A. Nobody, at least right now, is in the same gym with Kell in 5A.

5-Sandy Creek (5) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 11-2; Last Week:  defeated Westlake This Week: vs Douglass-Atlanta, vs St. Anne-Pacelli, vs Flint Hill (VA) Key Notes: Sandy Creek posted a 30-point win over Westlake with a balanced team attack overall. They enter region play this week and the region has quality opponents however Sandy Creek is the favorite. Non-region games against St. Anne-Pacelli and Flint Hill (VA) will be interesting. Sandy Creek 2-1 vs OOS and has quality losses to Grayson and St. Frances Academy (MD). Amari Brown, Micah Smith, PJ Green and Jared White are the keys for Sandy Creek. Sandy Creek has all the tools to now gear up for a region and state tournament run.

6- Alexander (4) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 12-2;  Last Week: loss to McEachern This Week: vs East Paulding, vs Langston Hughes, vs Dutchtown Key Notes: Alexander has dropped two of its last three games to Holy Innocents and McEachern. There are few non-region games remaining (vs Dutchtown this week) and Langston Hughes could provide a challenge in the region. How Alexander bounces back will be important as they gear up for the state tournament. Alexander has quality wins over Wheeler, Vashon (MO), Tri-Cities and Norcross. Braeden Lue and company will face another stiff test against McEachern this weekend.

7- Wheeler (8)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 10-4; Last Week: defeated Langston Hughes  This Week:   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.

8- Holy Innocents (9)- Head Coach: Mario Mays Current Record:10-5 Last Week: defeated Miller Grove, defeated Druid Hills This Week: 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.

9- Newton (7)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 11-2; Last  Week: defeated St. Anne-Pacelli, defeated South Gwinnett This Week:  Key Notes:  Newton is that fly at the picnic that just will not go away but they have not brought their friends yet. Newton continues to stay the course and as the schedule swings toward region play they still must be accounted for. Newton has to begin to show more consistent chemistry game over game. Newton defeated South Gwinnett in a war to improve to 3-0 in games decided by 5 points and were held under 50 points in the process for only the second time this season and are 1-1 when that occurs. Newton now hits the region portion of their schedule the rest of the way with the exception being a tilt with Chattahoochee. That region includes Grayson along with sneaky Archer, improving Brookwood, a Parkview team that likes crashing parties and an always chip-on-the-shoulder South Gwinnett.

10- Pace Academy (10)- 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.

The Hillsman Heavy Keeping Tabs On 12/26/2023

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order):

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 1/9/2023 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**

There are no new teams added but there are a handful of teams that could make the cut in the next week as well as some teams that will fall out of this group. As the majority of holiday events and showcases will be over for the vast number of teams in this group, there will still be region games and races to look at in the second part of January. Separation time is near. Although a lot of teams in this cluster do not schedule as well as maybe they should or could, they will still be able to show how good they are with consistent region play and deep or deeper than expected state tournament runs. There are teams in this cluster that do not have glossy records however are still a factor and there are teams not in this cluster with glossy records but…we’ll let the basketball separate itself, it always has a way of doing that. In a nutshell this group could look very different this time next week or it could not.

Archer (13-1; current 8-game winning streak; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less; wins over Cedar Grove, Seckinger, Milton and Ware County)

Baldwin (11-1; current 5-game, lone loss to Lee County; Isaiah Dennis 18ppg leads 5 players that average 9+ppg; 69.3ppg vs 51.8ppga), Brookwood (10-5, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less; have loss 3 of last 5 games; 0-1 vs OOS), Bradwell Institute (14-1; 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less; 14-game win streak snapped in loss to Liberty County; Tahshaun Frazier 14.9ppg 4.7apg), Brunswick (6-8; current 4-game losing streak; 2-1 vs OOS; 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Buford (12-3, 3-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, quality schedule)

Camden County (12-2; 5-1 vs OOS; Junior Elyiss Williams 16.2ppg 10.7rpg since joining team; senior-laden team has four seniors averaging 8+ppg), Campbell (8-9; 1-1 vs OOS; current 2-game winning streak), Calhoun County (10-3; losses to Christian Heritage and Portal; 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less ), Carver-Columbus (14-0; ; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 14-game winning streak; Tony Montgomery 22.7ppg 2.2apg), Carrollton (10-3; 4-game win streak; Non-region games vs Rome-2x, Chapel Hill and Mt. Pisgah left), Cedar Grove (10-5; Manny Green 19ppg this season; looking to hit a stride. non-region games vs Walnut Grove, Tri-Cities, Creekside Christian and Washington left), Cedar Shoals (7-6; 2-game win streak; non-region games vs Union Grove, Warner Robins, Greenforest and Clarke Central remaining; 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less), Central Gwinnett (7-7; have won 4 of last 5 games; looking for consistency, 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less; vs Etowah last non-region game), Chapel Hill (9-4; 4-game winning streak; 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less, 2 of last four wins over Shiloh and Maynard Jackson), Christian Heritage (13-2; 5-game win streak; losses to Macon County and Mitchell County; 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less; wins over St. Anne-Pacelli, St. Francis; 1-0 vs OOS, region game vs Greenforest left), Clarke Central (5-7; went 1-1 at Lemon Street Classic last week), Collins Hill (11-5, 6-3 vs OOS, 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, defeated Dacula, only region games left), Columbia (14-1; 5-1 vs OOS; Southwest Dekalb and Tucker remaining non-region opponents), Creekside Christian (GAPPS;11-5, 7-2 vs GHSA, 4-2 vs OOS, 1 GHSA opponent remaining), 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 (13-3, 2-1 vs OOS, have split last 4 games), Douglass-Atlanta (11-7; 3-4 vs OOS; only region games remain Sandy Creek 2x, Cedar Grove 2x), Decatur (11-4; have loss 2 of last 3 games, 6-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, Greater Atlanta Christian only non-region game remaining), Dougherty (9-2, 2-0 vs OOS, split with Westover), Dutchtown (10-5; have loss 3 of last 4 games, 49.4ppg in 5 losses; 63.7ppg in 8 wins; 0-1 vs OOS, 4 of 5 losses by double digits),

Eagle’s Landing (10-6; 4-3 vs OOS; 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less) , Etowah (10-4; undefeated in the region, 3-game win streak, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Fayette County (7-2; 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-1 vs OOS; non-region games left against Chapel Hill and Sandy Creek),

Glynn Academy (13-3; have won 5 of last 6 games; 1-0 vs OOS, losses to Camden County, Bradwell Institute and Lakeside-Evans), Greenbrier (7-8; 2-1 vs OOS, up and down so far this season), Greenforest (11-4; current 5-game winning streak; 2-2 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 2 of 4 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams-Kell and Berkmar; defeated Langston Hughes, Eagle’s Landing, Pebblebrook , Grovetown (7-7, current 3-game winning streak, 4-2 vs OOS),

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 (9-3; have loss2 of last 3 games, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Lee County (12-2; 4-game winning streak Josiah Parker leads team in points and rebounds), Long County (11-3; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Madison County (13-4; only region games remaining; 2-1 vs OOS, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Marist (9-5; current 4-game winning streak, 0-1 vs OOS, 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less), Maynard Jackson (10-1; 2-0 in games decided by 5 or less points, strong region; lone loss came in the region to Chapel Hill), Mays (8-4; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less; Derron Lindsey is beginning to turn it on), McDonough (14-2; 3-game winning streak; 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4-1 vs OOS Keenan Gray leading scorer), Milton (6-7; 2-4 vs OOS), Mt. Vernon (9-7; 2-2 vs OOS 4 of 7 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), Mountain View (8-7; up and down, still can be a threat with consistency),

Norcross (8-8; 3-3 vs OOS, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less), North Oconee (13-3; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-3 vs OOS),

Oglethorpe County (9-6; have loss 3 of last 4 games; 0-1 vs OOS, 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, solid schedule), Osborne (4-8; one of toughest schedules in state; )

Paideia (5-10, lacking consistency vs quality schedule,0-2 vs OOS, Peachtree Ridge (10-6; 2-1 vs OOS), Pebblebrook (5-11, the schedule is not for the weak) , Portal (11-1; 4-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4 seniors averaging 10+ppg, have won 34 of last 36 games dating back to last season, how good are they?, schedule is ok, quality wins over Johnson-Savannah, Calhoun County; loss to Vidalia, takes a hit),

Riverwood (12-4; 2 of 4 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, Karris Bilal and JR Leonard lead the team in scoring),

Savannah (10-5; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Seckinger (11-4; 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 0-1 vs OOS), Sequoyah (10-6) , Southwest-Macon (7-6, 0-2 vs OOS, 2 sophomores. Chase Dupree and Tobias Rice averaging in double figures scoring), Spencer (10-1; Gary Gaither 16ppg 6.6rpg 3.3apg), St. Anne-Pacelli (GIAA; 9-4; 5-4 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 (10-4; 2-1 vs OOS, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less) Swainsboro (4-7; current 3-game losing streak; 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Thomson (12-0; 2-0 vs OOS, 12-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 (8-5; 3-game win streak, 1-1 vs OOS, Freshmen Tre Keith and senior Malique Johnson could form a solid backcourt into January and February), The Walker School (10-6;, 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 (12-3; quality win over Dutchtown; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less; losses to Eagle’s Landing, St. Pius X and Lassiter; 2-1 vs Lassiter this season, one game vs Lassiter was a showcase game and not counted as a region game), 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 (8-5, have won 3 in a row, have scored 100+pts in last 2 games), Wilson Academy (12-6, 4-1 vs GHSA, 6-1 vs OOS; have played in Hoopfeast-FL, Sun Bash-FL and Beach Ball-SC; Caleb Cameron, Isaiah Cameron and Jeremiah Stebbin power Wilson Academy), Winder-Barrow (14-3, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, losses to Shiloh, Monroe Area and Jefferson), Woodward Academy (12-3; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less; current 4-game winning streak).

NOTABLES:

Chattahoochee’s Cameron James surpassed 1,000 career points in a game over Kell last week. James is averaging 18.8ppg 5.1rpg and 3.5apg this season.

Buford’s Chase James-Robinson surpassed 1,000 career points in a victory over Mountain View.

Madison County’s Mason Smith surpassed 1,000 career points by scoring 32 points in a victory over East Hall. Smith is committed to play at Piedmont University.

Grayson’s C.J. Hyland surpassed 1,000 career points with 8 points in a victory over Brookwood last week. Hyland is committed to Western Carolina.

Sandy Creek’s Micah Smith surpassed 1,000 career points with a 21-point effort in a victory over Westlake last week. Smith is committed to James Madison University.

NOTABLE EVENTS:

Georgia Interstate Hoops Classic at Cedar Shoals High School; 1/3/2024; Marantha Christian Academy/Notre Dame Academy, Paideia/Greenbrier, Etowah/Central Gwinnett, Walnut Grove/Cedar Grove, Creekside Christina/Victory Christian (NC), Greenforest/Baldwin, Union Grove/Cedar Shoals

MLK Classic at Holy Innocents Episcopal School; 1/15/2024; Lovett/KIPP Academy, Seckinger/Woodward Academy, Heritage-Newnan/Gainesville, Galloway/Walker, Hapeville Charter/Holy Innocents, Archer/Osborne, Chattahoochee/Newton

Dream Challenge at Maynard Jackson High School; 1/15/2023; Campbell/Maynard Jackson, Hiram/Pace Academy, Flint Hill 9VA)/Sandy Creek, Greenforest/Mt. Vernon, Denver East (CO)/Langston Hughes, Wilson Academy/Eagle’s Landing, Cedar Grove/Tri-Cities

Judge Clyde Reese Playing For A Change at Pace Academy; 1/13/2024; Chapel Hill/Fayette County, Tucker/Langston Hughes, Pacae Academy/Riverwood, Dutchtown/Alexander

Battle Of The Borders MLK Invitational Classic at Cross Creek; 1/15/2024; Hephzibah/Silver Bluff (SC), Laney/Jenkins, Johnson-Savannah/Hart County, Evans, New Hampstead, North Augusta (SC)/Groves, Lakeside-Evans/Baldwin

Hillsman Heavy Reminder

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.

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 12/26/2023

Well the final Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA of the calendar year of 2023 is here. The are a number of teams that are in action over the next few days this week to close the calendar year. There are a number of teams in the Keeping Tabs section that will make headway or lose steam after the course of this weeks games conclude. A number of showcase events and tournaments will be held across the southeast and country involving Georgia teams that we will be following this week as well.

Grayson again is on top and has a date in the Chick-Fil-A Classic in South Carolina this week. Alexander, who has moved into the national rankings, continues to hold down the No.2 spot and will be in action at the Tournament of Champions Holiday Classic this week in John’s Creek, GA. McEachern had a very positive showing at the City of Palms last week in Florida and hold firm at the No.3 spot.

The change this week comes again at the bottom of the Hillsman Heavy. Westside-Augusta suffered another loss-to a region foe- and go from tied at 10 to holding 10 alone in the Hillsman Heavy. Westside-Augusta should be out however nobody has done enough to knock them out fully, overall.

Pace Academy has more work to do, what is not on their schedule keeps them out, McDonough is using things for good, Westside-Augusta is still better than both pound for pound THIS WEEK.

Let’s take a look at this weeks Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA…

Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 12/19/2023 through Monday 12/25/2023.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 12/26/2023 through Monday 1/1/2024.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 1/2/2024.

Last Week 12/19/2023; 1-Grayson, 2-Alexander 3-McEachern, 4-Sandy Creek, 5-Newton, 6-Berkmar, 7-Kell, 8-Wheeler, T10-Westside-Augusta, T10-Shiloh

The Hillsman Heavy

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 12/19/2023 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: 10-0; Last Week:  Did Not Play This Week: vs Imani Christian Academy (PA), TBD at Chick-Fil-A Classic (SC) Key Notes: Grayson continues to play sound and balanced basketball. 1-0 vs OOS with multiple OOS games upcoming. Notable wins over McEacehrn, Kell, Sandy Creek, Dorman (SC).

2- Alexander (2) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 11-0;  Last Week: Did Not Play This Week: vs Holy Innocents, TBD at Tournament of Champions Holiday Classic Key Notes: Alexander runs their winning streak to 19 dating back to last season and are 11-0 so far this season entering an off week. Alexander is 3-0 vs. OOS, averaging 71.6ppg and 2-0 in games decided by five points or less. We hinted two weeks ago that Alexander was beginning to get national attention and last week they moved in the Top 25 in the national rankings. Notable wins over Vashon (MO), Wheeler and Norcross.

3- McEachern (3)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 8-3; Last Week: loss to Don Bosco Prep (NJ), defeated Westminster Academy (FL), defeated Cannon (NC), defeated North Mecklenburg (FL) This Week: vs Camden (NJ) Key Notes: McEachern posted a 3-1 record in the City Of Palms. Ace Bailey shined averaging 31.2ppg 15.2rpg 3.2apg 1.2spg and 4tpg. Jaye Nash had a solid showing as well including a 12-point, 14-assist game in a victory over Cannon School (NC). Nash averaged 10.7ppg and 7.5apg during the four games at City Of Palms. All three losses to nationally ranked teams (Grayson, Columbus (FL), Don Bosco Prep (NJ). Notable wins over Kell, Dutchtown, Holy Innocents, Westminster Academy (F), Cannon School (NC), North Mecklenburg (NC). 3-2 vs OOS with multiple OOS game remaining on schedule.

4-Sandy Creek (4) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 8-1; Last Week:  defeated Buford This Week: vs White Hall (AR), vs TBD King Cotton Invitational (AR) Key Notes: Sandy Creek continues to do it with defense and have won six in a row. The 60 points allowed to Buford snapped a five game streak of holding opponents to 49 points or less. Micah Smith scored a career-high 26 points in the victory over Buford, Amari Brown added 14 points. Sandy Creek now faces OOS competition for the first time this season in Arkansas. Sandy Creek is 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

5- Newton (5)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 8-1; Last  Week: Did Not Play This Week: vs Greenforest, vs TBD Tournament Of Champions Holiday Classic  Key Notes:  Newton has won seven in a row including a win over Kell. Newton is 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less.

6-Berkmar (6)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 11-1; Last Week: defeated Wesleyan, defeated The Academy (FL). This Week: vs Wheeler, vs TBD Tournament of Champions Holiday Classic Key Notes: Berkmar has won 4 in a row since the loss to Norcross and are 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Berkmar continues to balance the wealth with Mekhi Ragland, Eddie Cooke III, Mike White, and David Culbreath-Martin.

7- Kell (7) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 7-3; Last Week: defeated Carter (TX), defeated Hudson Catholic (NJ), defeated North Broward Prep (FL) This Week: vs Greeneville (TN), vs TBD Arby’s Classic (TN)  Key Notes: Kell is 3-0 vs OOS after winning their bracket at The Kruel Classic (FL) last week. Jaylen Colon led Kell is scoring over the event averaging 20.3ppg while CJ Brown (16.3ppg) and Cannon Richards (8ppg) were named to the All-Tournament team. Chris McLavish broke out for a 25-point effort knocking in five three-pointers in a victory over North Broward Prep (FL) in the bracket championship game. Kell has won six games in a row since dropping three straight earlier this season and are 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less.

8- Wheeler (8)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 8-2; Last Week:  Did Not Play. This Week: vs Berkmar, vs TBD Tournament of Champions Holiday Classic  Key Notes: After a week off Wheeler has Wheeler cleaned up some issues? Berkmar is up next. Wheeler is 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and are 2-0 vs OOS.

9- Shiloh (T10) Head Coach: Kim Rivers Current Record: 9-1; Last Week: defeated Carrollton This Week: vs Tucker, vs TBD Tournament of Champions Holiday Classic  Key Notes: Shiloh’s seven game winning streak was snapped by Berkmar last week. Tylis Jordan scored 28 points in the defeat while Julien Cole finished with 13 points, which is below his season average of 20.5ppg entering the contest. The Generals picked up their first OOS win, defeating Oxford (AL) behind 24 points from Jordan.

10- Westside-Augusta (T10)– Head Coach: Jerry Hunter Current Record: 10-2; Last Week: defeated White Knoll (SC), defeated Keenan (SC), loss to Butler (GA). This Week: vs Gray Collegiate (SC) Key Notes: Westside showed well defeating two more OOS opponents but suffered a loss to Butler. Both losses (Thomson and Butler) have come to area and region teams where rivalries are serious. Westside will get another shot at both Thomson and Butler but right now the margin of error is at zero. Westside is a very good basketball team, however, will have to take care of business in their region rival games where tension is high. Quality wins over Cross Creek and McDonough helped them out this week, plus their overall team chemistry. They stay in at No.10 alone this week but barely.

OUT-  None

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: Pace Academy, McDonough, Carver-Columbus, Portal, St. Anne Pacelli, Norcross, North Oconee, Columbia, Winder-Barrow, Madison County,

The Hillsman Heavy Keeping Tabs On 12/26/2023

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order):

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 12/26/2023 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**

There are a number of teams headed into important weeks with quality scheduling in front of them and will need to show well as we get closer to separation season. Teams in bold are teams in this section for the first time this season. All teams are GHSA unless otherwise noted.

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 (12-0; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 1-0 vs OOS; 10 of 12 wins by double digits, 61ppg vs 41.6ppga), 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 (7-2, both losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, quality schedule)

Camden County (10-1; split with Glynn Academy, current 10-game win streak; 4-0 vs OOS; Junior Elyiss Williams 15.3ppg 10.7rpg since joining team; senior-laden team has four seniors averaging 9+ppg), Campbell (5-7; 1-1 vs OOS; snapped 5-game losing streak with a win over John Milledge), 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 (10-0; 8 of 10 games have been decided by less than 10 points; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less; Tony Montgomery 24.2ppg 2.4apg), Carrollton (6-3; 4-game win streak snapped in loss to Shiloh), Cedar Grove (7-4; have won 2 in a row after alternating wins and losses previous 7 games; 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 (5-6; 3 bad losses, 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less), Chapel Hill (5-3; current 3-game winning streak) Christian Heritage (8-2; won 3 of last 4 games), Clarke Central (5-7; went 1-1 at Lemon Street Classic last week), Collins Hill (8-4, 4-2 vs OOS, have won 3 of last 4 games, chemistry still developing), Columbia (12-0; 5-0 vs OOS, more OOS games upcoming), Creekside Christian (GAPPS; 9-4, 7-1 vs GHSA, 2-2 vs OOS, have won 3 straight games including a pair of OOS games), Cross Creek (6-6, 3-5 vs OOS, have loss last 2 games, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less)

Dacula (11-1, 4-game winning streak, OOS event upcoming), Douglass-Atlanta (9-6; 1-4 vs OOS), Decatur (9-2; current 3-game winning streak; 4-2 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 (10-4; 3 of 4 losses by 5 points or less, 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; 10-1, 10-game winning streak, 5-1 vs GHSA), Holy Innocents (7-4; 2 of 4 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, 0-1 vs OOS, very strong scheduling, Caleb Wilson is averaging 21.9ppg 13.8rpg 5.4apg 3.8bpg)

Johnson-Savannah (5-5; 0-1 vs OOS, OOS games upcoming), Jones County (14-2; quietly have won 9 in a row, 4-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, Jayden Stanley 15.7ppg 2.9apg; Kaden Douglas 14.7ppg) Jonesboro (8-5; 2-2 vs OOS, already 5-0 in region play; Montrez Redding 16.2ppg 4.2rpg, Cortez Redding 9.8ppg 6.2apg, Izaiah Thurman11.4ppg 3.4rpg),

Langston Hughes (7-1; 7-game win streak since season opening loss to Pace Academy, 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, Brentis Schaeffer 19.6ppg 2.9apg), Lee County (7-1; have won 6 in a row, have 2 wins over both Monroe and Sumter County, Josiah Parker leads team in points and rebounds), Long County (9-1; 7-game win streak, have allowed only two opponent to score more than 50 or more points; 44.4ppga this season, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Madison County (10-2; 1-0 vs OOS, averaging 83.4ppg in wins; averaging 51.5ppg in losses; zero 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 (7-2; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), McDonough (10-1; 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, current 3-game winning streak, lone loss to Westside-Augusta [held to only 44 points, allowed 76]; 2-0 vs OSS, averaging 67.1ppg and 48.2ppga in wins, OOS schedule upcoming, Keenan Gray leading scorer), Milton (4-6; 0-3 vs OOS, 3-game losing streak-all to OOS teams), Mt. Vernon (8-5; 1-1 vs OOS 3 of 5 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, have win over Wilson Academy, 2-0 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 (3-7; have lost 4 in a row, one of toughest schedules in state; Akai Fleming has been out with injury, could return soon)

Pace Academy (9-2; 2-0 vs 7A, 3-2 vs OOS; split four games in Hawai’i at Iolani Classic; have not loss to a Georgia team, in losses averaging 70.5ppga vs 53ppga), Paideia (5-8, lacking consistency vs quality schedule, much needed break before OOS games), Peachtree Ridge (8-5; current 3-game win streak including 2 wins over OOS, 2-1 vs OOS), Pebblebrook (2-10, 1-4 in games decided by 5 points or less, 0-4 vs OOS, the schedule is not for the weak) , Portal (10-0; 4-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 4 seniors averaging 10+ppg, have won 33 of last 34 games dating back to last season, how good are they?, schedule is ok, quality wins over Johnson-Savannah, Calhoun County, only 3 non-region games remain ),

Riverwood (10-4; 2 of 3 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, Karris Bilal and JR Leonard can score) ,

Savannah (7-3), Seckinger (8-3;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;5-2; 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 (7-3; 7-game win streak snapped with loss to Mt. Bethel, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less) Swainsboro (2-4; still under construction),

Thomson (6-0;1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less-beat Westside-Augusta, Jahkiaus Jones and Daquon Young lead the charge for Thomson), Tri-Cities (5-3; 1-1 vs OOS, Freshmen Tre Keith and senior Malique Johnson could form a solid backcourt into January and February), The Walker School (9-3; have lost 2 of last 3 games, Moustapha Diop leads team in scoring, rebounding and block shots),

Union Grove (7-6; 0-2 vs OOS, 0-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, OOS upcoming, 3 of 6 losses in region games),

Walton (8-2; quality win over Dutchtown; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Walnut Grove (9-3; 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Ware County (8-5; have won 4 of last 5 games, 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 (12-3, , 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Woodward Academy (9-3; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less).

NOTABLE DIME DROPS:

Clarke Central’s Marcus Gillespie scored 34 points in a loss to Cedar Shoals to surpass 1,000 career points. Gillespie also set a new Lemon Street Classic record with 47 points in a victory over Therrell. Gillepsie averaged 39.5ppg over the two games in Lemon Street Classic.

Walnut Grove head coach William Witherspoon won his 100th game with a victory over Chestee last week. Witherapoon has won all 100 games at Walnut Grove.

McEachern’s Ace Bailey tallied his second 40-point game of the season with a 43-point 19-rebound effort in a McEachern win over Cannon School (NC) at City Of Palms.

Sandy Creek’s Micah Smith scored a career-high 26 points in a victory over Buford. Smith is committed to James Madison

Fayette County’s Keith Gillespie was named to the All-Tournament team in The City of Jasper (AL) Christmas Classic. Gillespie tallied XX in two games.

Thomson’s Daquon Young posted a triple-double in a victory over Monsignor Donovan Catholic (GIAA) last week. Young had 23 points 15 rebounds 6 assists 10 steals. Thomson is 6-0 this season and owns a win over Westside-Augusta.

Pace Academy’s Kyle Greene and Eric Chatfield were named to the All-Tournament team for the Iolani Classic this past week in Hawai’i

The Hillsman Heavy Notable Events 12/26/2023

NOTABLE EVENTS (notable games):

Arby’s Classic at Tennessee (TN) High School 12/26-12/30; Bracket Play; Kell (GA) in the field. Other notable teams in field : Jackson -Reed (DC), Dorman (SC), Imhotep Charter (PA), Mater Lakes Academy (FL), SOuth Shore (NY), Harlen County (KY).

McDonald’s Invitation at Tift High School; 12/27– Crisp County/Fitzgerald, Irwin County/Cook, Lanier County/Tift; 12/28 Fitzgerald/Lanier County, Cook/Crisp County, Tift Irwin County

Tournament Of Champions Holiday Classic at Chattahoochee High School; Bracket Play; 4 brackets per National and American Divisions; 12/27–12/28; National: Holy Innocents/Alexander, Mt. Vernon/Oak Ridge (FL), Wheeler/Berkmar, Tri-Cities/Sagemont (FL), Chattahoochee/Dutcthown, The Walker School/Peachtree Ridge, Shiloh/Tucker, Osborne/Chapel Hill. 12/27-12/28;American; Miller Grove/KIPP, Cross Creek/Meadowcreek, South Gwinnett/Ware County, Carrollton/Heritage-Newnan, Archer/Jonesboro, Hillgrove/Cedar Grove, Langston Hughes/Fayette County, Newton/Greenforest.

Florida Get Down New Years Showcase at St. Francis (FL) High School; 12/29; Fort White/Union Grove, Creekside Christian/Bell Creek, 12/30; Union Grove/Stranahan, Blanche Ely/Creekside Christian, Ft. Peirce Central/Johnson-Savannah

Lanierland Tournament at West Hall (1st Rd), at Lakeview Academy (Semifinals), at Johnson-Gainesville (Finals) High Schools; Bracket Play 12/27-12/29; Gainesville/East Hall, Flowery Branch/West Hall, Cherokee Bluff/Lakeview Academy, Chestatee/North Hall

Battle At The Border SC vs GA at Fox Creek (SC) High School; 1/1/2024; Richmond/Fox Creek, Greenbrier/Strom Thurmond, Orangburg-Wilkinson/Lakeside-Evans, South Florence/Cross Creek, Keenan/Grovetown, Gray Collegiate/Westside-Augusta  

Sunshine State Explosion at North Broward Prep (FL) and Coconut Creek (FL) High Schools 12/28-12/29; 12/28; Paideia (GA)/Coral Springs, Valdosta (GA)/North Broward Prep, 12/29; Paideia (GA)/Stranahan, Coral Springs/Valdosta (GA)

King Cotton Holiday Classic at Pine Bluff (AR) Convention Center 12/27-12/29 Sandy Creek (GA) and McDonough (GA) in the field: Other notables; Westminster Academy (FL), Gonzaga College (DC), St. Frances Academy (MD), Duncanville (TX), Archbishop Wood (PA)

Chick-Fil-A Classic at River Bluff (SC) High School; 12/27-12/30; Grayson (GA) in the field. Other notables: St. John’s College (DC), The Rock (FL) and John Marshall (VA).

Adairsville Tiger Christmas Clash at Adairsville High School 12/28-12/30: Bracket Play: Excel Christian/Calhoun, Peach County/Sonoraville, Long County/Sequoyah, Chattooga/Adairsville

Battle In The Bull Holiday Invitational at Falls Lakes Academy in Creedmoor (NC) 12/27-12/29; Grovetown (GA) in the field.

The Hillsman Heavy Reminder

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.

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 12/19/2023

School exams are finishing up, and school is about to be out, which means only one thing. There is about to be a ton of basketball over the next few weeks all over everywhere. The holiday tournaments and showcases will hit full throttle from now through the end of the year. Many of these events started today, so there is no time to waste. Let’s get right into it.

Grayson again anchors the top spot for the seventh straight week. The bottom has some shifting and moving and despute some losses tea.s hang by a thread for this week.

Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 12/12/2023 through Monday 12/18/2023.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 12/19/2023 through Monday 12/25/2023.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 12/26/2023.

Last Week 12/12/2023; 1-Grayson, 2-Alexander 3-McEachern, 4-Sandy Creek, 5-Newton, 6-Berkmar, 7-Kell, 8-Westside-Augusta, 9-Wheeler, 10-Shiloh

The Hillsman Heavy

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 12/19/2023 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: 10-0; Last Week:  defeated Parkview, defeated Dorman (SC) This Week: Does Not Play  Key Notes: Grayson continues to play sound and balanced basketball. They take the week off before a stretch of OOS games with a pair of region games littered in.

2- Alexander (2) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 9-0;  Last Week: defeated New Manchester, defeated Newan ; This Week: Does Not Play Key Notes: Alexander runs their winning streak to 19 dating back to last season and are 11-0 so far this season entering an off week. Alexander is 3-0 vs. OOS, averaging 71.6ppg and 2-0 in games decided by five points or less.

3- McEachern (3)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 5-2; Last Week: defeated Pebblebrook, defeated Marietta; This Week: vs Don Bosco Prep (NJ) Key Notes: Ace Bailey poured in a career-high 41 points and 26 rebounds in a victory over Pebblebrook last week. McEachern has won four straight since their loss to Columbus (FL) as they head to The City of Palms event next week to kick off a stretch of OOS games.

4-Sandy Creek (4) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 7-1; Last Week:  defeated Gainesville; This Week: at Lemon Street Classic  Key Notes: Sandy Creek continues to do it with defense. Since allowing a season-high 64 points to Grayson, Sandy Creek has won four straight ball games will allowing 48 points or less in each of those ball games.

5- Newton (5)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 8-1; Last  Week: defeated Hampton, defeated Eastside This Week: Does Not Play Key Notes:  Newton has won seven in a row including a win over Kell. The Rams will return to action next week against Greenforest in the Tournament of Champions.

6-Berkmar (6)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 9-1; Last Week: defeated Shiloh. This Week: vs Wesleyan, at Lemon Street Classic Key Notes: Berkmar bounced back from their first loss by handing Shlioh their first loss of the season. Berkmar continues to blance the wealth with Mekhi Ragland, Eddie Cooke III, Mike White, and David Culbreath-Martin.

7- Kell (7) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 5-3; Last Week: defeated Carter (TX), defeated Hudson Catholic (NJ) This Week: TBD-Kruel Classic (FL) Key Notes: 

8- Wheeler (9)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 8-2; Last Week:  defeated Lithonia. This Week: Does Not Play  Key Notes: Wheeler enters their break, having split their last four games.

T10- Westside-Augusta (8)– Head Coach: Jerry Hunter Current Record: 8-1; Last Week: defeated Josey, loss to Thomson, defeated McDonough This Week: vs White Knoll (NC), TBD Key Notes: Westside suffered their first lost of the season in a region rivalry game to a Thomson team that was only playing their fourth game of the season, Westside bounced back the next day with a 32-point win over McDonough. Westside stays in by a thread this week with no more margin for error.

T10- Shiloh (10) Head Coach: Kim Rivers Current Record: 8-1; Last Week: loss to Berkmar, defeated Oxford (AL); This Week: vs Carrollton Key Notes: Shiloh’s seven game winning streak was snapped by Berkmar last week. Tylis Jordan scored 28 points in the defeat while Jullien Cole finished with 13 points, which is below his season average of 20.5ppg entering the contest. The Gwnerals pucked up their first OOS win, defeating Oxford (AL) behind 24 points from Jordan.

OUT- None

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order):

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 12/19/2023 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**

There are a number of teams headed into important weeks with quality scheduling in front of them and will need to show well as we get closer to separation season. Teams in bold are teams in this section for the first time this season. All teams are GHSA unless otherwise noted.

Baldwin (6-0; averaging 79.3ppg, have only been held under 75 points once), Brookwood (8-3, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less) Brunswick (5-3; have split last 4 games; 2-1 vs OOS), Buford (7-1, lone loss to Hillsman Heavy team, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, quality schedule)

Camden County (9-1; split with Glynn Academy, current 9-game win streak; 4-0 vs OOS; Elyiss Williams 15.5ppg 10.5rpg since joining team), Campbell (4-5; 1-1 vs OOS; current 3-game losing streak), Calhoun County (7-1; lone loss to Dougherty; Christian Heritage and Portal upcoming on schedule), Carver-Columbus (7-0; no played games have been decided by less than 10 points), Carrollton (6-2; current 4-game win streak, Shiloh upcoming on schedule), Cedar Grove (5-4; up and down alternating wins and losses last 7 games; Manny Green 21ppg this season), Cedar Shoals (5-4; 3 of 4 losses by 5 points or less), Chapel Hill (4-3; have not played of late, quality schedule upcoming next 5 games) Christian Heritage (6-1; split last 2 games, both decided by 5 points or less), Clarke Central (4-6; went 1-2 in important week last week, favorable schedule remains in December), Collins Hill (6-3, 2-1 vs OOS, has been off of late), Columbia (11-0; 4-0 vs OOS, more OOS games upcoming), Creekside Christian (GAPPS; 9-4, 7-1 vs GHSA, 2-2 vs OOS, have won 3 straight games including a pair of OOS games), Cross Creek (5-4, 2-4 vs OOS, have loss last 2 games)

Dacula (10-1, 3-game winning streak, OOS event upcoming), Douglass-Atlanta (5-3; wins over Woodward Academy and Norcross), Decatur (7-2), Dougherty (6-2, 2-0 vs OOS, split with Westover), Dutchtown (7-3; have won 5 in a row since losing 2 straight; 2 losses to current Hillsman Heavy teams),

Eagle’s Landing (5-4; 1-1 vs OOS; have alternated wins and losses last 5 games) , Etowah (6-3; have won 5 of last 6 games),

Fayette County (5-1; OOS schedule this week),

Glynn Academy (6-1; opened season 5-0 before loss to Camden County; split with Camden County), Greenbrier (4-3; have loss 3 of last 4, enter important week vs area non-region foes), Greenforest (4-3; 2 of 3 losses to Hillsman Heavy Teams, OOS opponents next 3 games), Grovetown (3-6, 1-1 vs OOS, have lost 5 of last since since season opening Norcross win, OOS schedule upcoming),

Hillgrove (10-4; 3 of 4 losses by 5 points or less, 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; 7-1, 7-game winning streak, 4-1 vs GHSA), Holy Innocents (7-4; 2 of 4 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, 0-1 vs OOS, very strong scheduling, Caleb Wilson is averaging 21.9ppg 13.8rpg 5.4apg 3.8bpg)

Johnson-Savannah (5-5; 0-1 vs OOS, OOS games upcoming), Jones County (12-2; quietly have won 7 in a row, 4-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, Jayden Stanley 16.8ppg) Jonesboro (6-4; 0-1 vs OOS Montrez Redding 17.7ppg, Cortez Redding 10.8ppg 6.5apg),

Langston Hughes (7-1; 7-game win streak since season opening loss to Pace Academy, 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, Brentis Schaeffer 19.6ppg 2.9apg), Lee County (6-1; have won 5 in a row, have 2 wins over both Monroe and Sumter County, Josiah Parker 18ppg 10.5rpg, Braden Moore 7.8apg), Long County (7-1; have allowed only two opponent to score more than 50 or more points, 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Madison County (8-1; depth, shooting, held to season-low 49 points in loss to North Oconee-snapped 8-game win streak), Marist (4-4, have won 3 of last 4 games), Maynard Jackson (8-0; 2-0 in games decided by 5 or less points, strong region), Mays (7-2; 0-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), McDonough (7-1; solid schedule upcoming,7-game win streak snapped in loss to Westside-Augusta, Keenan Gray 21.2ppg), Milton (4-5; in the midst of heavy OOS schedule), Mt. Vernon (7-4; 3 of 4 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, have win over Wilson Academy), Mountain View (6-4; have loss 4 of last 5 games, 1-3 in games decided by 5 points or less),

Norcross (5-5; 2 of 5 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, has a win over a Hillsman Heavy team, 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),

Oglethorpe County (8-3; solid schedule upcoming), Osborne (3-7; have lost 4 in a row, one of toughest schedules in state; Akai Fleming out with injury)

Pace Academy (8-0; 2-0 vs 7A, 2-0 vs OOS; currently in Hawai’i playing in Iolani Classic), Paideia (5-8, lacking consistency vs quality schedule, much needed break before OOS games), Peachtree Ridge (6-5; playing OOS this week, 1-1 vs OOS), Pebblebrook (2-10, 1-4 in games decided by 5 points or less, 0-4 vs OOS, the schedule is not for the weak) , Portal (8-0; 4 seniors averaging 10+ppg, how good are they),

Riverwood (8-3; 2 of 3 losses to Hillsman Heavy teams, Karris Bilal and JR Leonard can score) ,

Savannah (7-3), Seckinger (7-3;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;4-1; 3-1 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 (7-3; 7-game win streak snapped with loss to Mt. Bethel, 2-2 in games decided by 5 points or less) Swainsboro (1-4),

Thomson (4-0; defeated Westside-Augusta in first of 2 regular season region meetings), Tri-Cities (5-3; Freshmen Tre Keith is having a stellar season, strong region, quality schedule), The Walker School (8-2; 7-game win streak snapped with loss to Lassiter, Moustapha Diop 15.8ppg 13.5rpg 3bpg),

Union Grove (6-6; 0-2 vs OOS, 0-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, OOS upcoming, 3 of 6 losses in region games),

Walton (6-1; 2-point loss to SPX), Walnut Grove (8-1; 4-0 in games decided by 5 points or less), Ware County (5-4; 2-4 since 3-0 start, Jarvis Wright leads team in scoring), Warner Robins (4-4, have lost 3 straight games-all region games), Westlake 5-4, have dropped 2 in a row since 4-game win streak, 1 loss to Hillsman Heavy team,in the middle of a 20-day layoff), Wilson Academy (10-2, 4-1 vs GHSA, 6-1 vs OOS) , Winder-Barrow (10-3, 5-game win streak snapped in loss to Jefferson, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less), Woodward Academy (9-3; 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less).

The Hillsman Heavy Notables

NOTABLE EVENTS (notable games):

Screamin’ Demon Basketball Christmas Invitational at Warner Robins; 12/22- Jenkins/Northeast Macon, Salem/Southwest Macon, Pebblebrook/South Paulding, Tift/Perry, St. Anne Pacelli/Warner Robins 12/23- South Paulding/Jenkins, Northeast Macon/Salem, Southwest Macon/Pebblebrook, Tift/St. Anne Pacelli, Perry/Warner Robins

Deep South Classic at Brookwood 12/20-12/22. Bracket play. Teams; Walnut Grove, Marist, Mountain View, T.L. Hanna (SC), New Manchester, Duluth, Stone Mountain, Brookwood.

Hoopin’ At The High Invitational at Brunswick 12/21; North Forsyth/Bradwell Institute, Glynn Acadmey/Stepenson, Brunswick/Ware County. 12/22; Bradwell Institute/Stephenson, Ware County/Glynn Academy, North Forsyth/Brunswick. 12/23; Ware County/Stephenson, Glynn Academy/North Forsyth, Bradwell Institute/Brunswick

Lemon Street Classic at Marietta 12/21-12/23; Bracket play. Teams; Riverwood, McDonough, Therrell, Etowah, Eagle’s Landing, Christ School (NC), Clarke Central, North Cobb, John Milledge, North Cobb Christian, Berkmar, North Gwinnett, Marietta (Lemon Street), Walker, South Paulding, Pope, Walton, Wesleyan, Russell County (AL), Blythewood (SC), Millbrook (NC), Chapel Hill, The Walker School, Sandy Creek, Augusta Christian

Hoop Atlanta Holiday Classic at Peachtree Ridge 12/23– Discovery/Furtah Prep, Mt. Pisgah/Washington, Midtown/Habersham Central, Wesleyan/Baldwin, Lovett/Peachtree Ridge

NOTABLE DIME DROPS:

Grayson’s Gicarri Harris scored 19 points in a victory over Mt. Vernon earlier this season to surpass 1,000 career points. Harris is committed to Purdue.

Alexander’s Braedan Lue surpassed 1,000 career points earlier this season in a victory over Wheeler. Lue, committed to Kennesaw State, is averaging 18.5ppg 8.5rpg 2.4apg 1.2spg 1.8bpg this season.

Lakeview Academy’s Benji Wood recorded his 500th career win overall as a head coach. Wood is in his 25th year as a head coach with stops at Madison County, Johnson-Gainesville (girls), North Hall, Gainesville, Cherokee Bluff, and Buford prior to Lakeview Academy.

Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA 12/5/2023

Things continue to heat up around the state. There have been a number of highly contested games in parts of the state where basketball is on the upswing. There are a few events this weekend, but next weeked the events really crank up, and we will get to see a lot of basketball in multiple places with the holiday tournaments.

Let’s jump into this weeks Hillsman Heavy.

Last week’s games are considered games that were be played from Tuesday 11/28/2023 through Monday 12/4/2023.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 12/5/2023 through Monday 12/11/2023.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 12/12/2023.

Last Week 11/28/2023; 1-Grayson, 2-Wheeler 3-McEachern, 4-Berkmar, 5-Alexander, 6-Sandy Creek, 7-Newton, 8-Westside-Augusta, 9-Dutchtown, 10-Kell

The Hillsman Heavy

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 12/5/2023 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: 7-0; Last Week:  defeated Osborne; This Week: vs Mt. Vernon  Key Notes: It’s just hard to see everybody having an off night for Grayson. They are so versatile that they can overcome “off nights” with wins. That was on display again in a 75-58 win over Osborne. Gicarri Harris (19pts 5reb 2ast), Jacob Wilkins (17pts 6reb 2ast), Amir Taylor (12pts 11 reb 2ast 2 blk),
CJ Hyland (9pts 5ast 4 stl), Ahmad Clark (8p 2reb 2ast). The balance and options are on full display.

2- Alexander (5) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 6-0;  Last Week: defeated Wheeler; This Week: vs South Paulding, vs Paulding County vs Norcross Key Notes: A week after sweeping a three-game OOS event against teams from three different states, Alexander defeated Wheeler at Wheeler. This could be classified as a signature win for Alexander and Alexander leaps to second because of it. Winning out of state against quality competition and then coming back and beating a serious in-state team is noted. Braedan Lue tallied another double-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Allen Stoddard continues his sound play with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Greg Dunston finished with 16 points and 4 assists. Alexander has won 14 games in a row dating back to last season.

3-Berkmar (4)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 6-0; Last Week: defeated Providence, defeated Peachtree Ridge, defeated Greenforest This Week: vs North Gwinnett, vs Norcross, vs Osborne Key Notes: Berkmar’s Mekhi Ragland, Eddie Cooke III and Mike White are beginning to hit a stride. A pair of region games plus a more than tested but weaker Osborne is up this week.

4- Wheeler (2)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 6-1; Last Week:  loss to Alexander This Week: vs Central Gwinnett, vs Kell  Key Notes: Wheeler’s six-game winning streak was snapped at home against Alexander. This goes as a quality loss for Wheeler. Wheeler is still a quality team and boosted Alexander because of it.

5- McEachern (3)- Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 2-2; Last Week: loss to Columbus (FL), defeated Dutchtown; This Week; vs TBD at Wheeler TOC Key Notes: Ace Bailey had a superb first half against the 7A Florida and nationally-loved Columbus. McEachern came up short yet jumped on Dutchtown early and won 63-47. They fall a few spots because that’s just how impressive Alexander’s win over Wheeler was. McEachern faces Alexander later in the season. The jury is still out on McEachern overall as a team, not on if Ace Bailey is the best player in the country. Usually the team with the best player wins however McEachern is still having to find their way and who is going to provide consistent help night in and night out for McEachern is the question.

6-Sandy Creek (6) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 4-1; Last Week:  defeated McIntosh, defeated Fayette County; This Week: vs Creekside, vs East Coweta; Key Notes: Sandy Creek swept the week and defeated Fayette County soundly on the road. The schedule this week will require continued focus. Sandy Creek is setting up for a very good season. They have a balanced enough schedule where, with consistent play, they will stay and be talked about more in the basketball conversations. The nucleus of Smith, Brown, Green and Rashied-Henry-not to mention Mr. White is rounding into form nicely. Fayette County is known for offense, Sandy Creek held them to 35 points. Sandy Creek’s defense had a lot to do with that. Sandy Creek has only allowed one opponent this season to score over 54 points (Grayson) and have held their last two opponents to 35 and under. If Sandy Creek continues defense like that, they become even tougher overall.

7- Newton (7)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 5-1; Last Week: defeated Buford; This Week: vs Mt. Pisgah; Key Notes: Newton has ripped off four in a row all while the schedule is laid out where practice time has been the focus with games spaced out. The four game win streak coincides with KJ White entering the starting lineup at the point guard spot. The tools are there for Newton, and this may be just the beginning of a very good December.

8- Westside-Augusta (8)– Head Coach: Jerry Hunter Current Record: 5-0; Last Week: defeated Cross Creek, defeated Midland Valley (SC);This Week: vs North Augusta (SC); Key Notes: Westside put up a pair of 90-plus point games in making short work of Augusta-area rival Cross Creek with a surprising wide margin 95-62 win. Westside busted the game open in the second quarter outscoring Cross Creek 29-13 and never looked back. They also hung 91 points on Midland Valley in a 91-31 rout. DaMarco Middleton, LaVonta Ivery , Dontrell Jackson (17.5ppg last week) and Jarious Adkinson (14ppg last week) are averaging in double figures for a Westside team that is averaging 88ppg so far this season.

9- Shiloh (NR) Head Coach: Kim Rivers Current Record: 6-0; Last Week: defeated Kimball (TX); This Week: vs Riverwood; Key Notes: Shiloh is out the gate with six straight wins over solid opponents. Tylis Jordan (23.8ppg 8.5rpg 1.5bpg) and Jullien Cole (20.5ppg 7rpg 3.3apg) have been the key to this start. Jordan posted a 26-point 10-rebound double-double while Cole tallied 32 points and 8 rebounds in the victory over Kimball (TX). A very good schedule is in front of the Generals as they go deeper into December.

10- Kell (10) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 1-3; Last Week: Did Not Play ; This Week: vs Centenntial Key Notes: Kell has lost three straight all to teams in the Hillsman Heavy. The Longhorns are back from a week off this week with a region game.

OUT- Dutchtown (9) Head Coach: Wallace Corker Current Record: 3-3; Last Week: : loss to Langston Hughes, defeated Eagle’s Landing; This Week: Key Notes: Dutchtowh has suffered losses to two teams in the Hillsman Heavy. The schedule does not get any easier as this week also features the first region game of the season against the defending region 2-5A champion Eagle’s Landing.

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order):

New additions for this week are in bold. So of these teams are off to really good starts and trending up for more attention. A few squads are under .500 by a game or so, but it’s still worth monitoring for now, and other teams just treading water and trying to get clicking. Overall, this crop has some solid basketball teams in it, and it will be no surprise if they get on a roll and get clicking

Baldwin, Brunswick, Camden County, Campbell, Calhoun County, Carver-Columbus, Carrollton, Cedar Grove, Cedar Shoals, Chapel Hill, Christian Heritage, Clarke Central, Collins Hill, Columbia, Creekside Christian, Cross Creek, Douglass-Atlanta, Decatur, Dougherty, Dutchtown, Eagle’s Landing, Etowah, Fayette County, Glynn Academy, Greenbrier, Greenforest, Grovetown, Hillgrove, Holy Innocents, Johnson-Savannah, Jones County Jonesboro, Langston Hughes, Lee County, Long County, Madison County, Marist, Maynard Jackson, Mays, McDonough, Milton, Mt. Vernon, Norcross, North Oconee, Oglethorpe County, Osborne, Pace Academy, Paideia, Peachtree Ridge, Pebblebrook, Portal, Riverwood, Savannah, Sequoyah, Southwest-Macon, Spencer, St. Pius X, Swainsboro, Thomson, Tri-Cities, The Walker School, Union Grove, Walton, Walnut Grove, Ware County, Warner Robins, Westlake, Wilson Academy, Winder-Barrow, Woodward Academy

The Hillsman Heavy Notables 12/5/2023

NOTABLE EVENTS (notable games):

Hawks Naismith Holiday Classic at Norcross 12/9/2023; Pace Academy/Milton, Mt. Vernon/Grayson, Alexander/Norcross

Battle In The Peach at Wheeler 12/8; Greenforest/Milton, 12/9/2023; St. Francis/Knoxville Catholic, West Forsyth/Wesleyan Grovetown/Greenforest, Shiloh/Riverwood, Osborne/Berkmar, Wheeler/Kell, North Mecklenburg (NC)/Holy Innocents, Carrollton/Woodland-Stockbridge, Mt. Pisgah/Newton, Ware County/Heritage-Newnan

Wood Elite Sewer Classic at Etowah 12/9/2023; Darlington/Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, Arlington Christian/Furtah Prep, St. Andrews/Kennesaw Mountain, Cherokee/Central Gwinnett, Sequoyah/Lanier, Etowah/Buford

NOTABLE DIME DROPS:

Columbia head coach Dr. Phil McCray picked up his 700th win earlier this season with a victory over over Oak Ridge (TN) in the Dale Burns Classic in the Bahamas. Columbia High School named the gym and court after Dr. Phil last week. McCrary, in his 32nd season at Columbia, over two stints, is the winningest coach in program history and has won 5 state titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012). As of the date of this post, his overall record is 701-240.

Wheeler head coach Larry Thompson recently won his 200th career game with a victory over Corner Canyon (UT) in Utah. Thompson has won 5 state titles, 3 at Wheeler and 2 at Greenforest.

Thomson head coach Michael Thomas Sr. collected his 700th win recently with a victory over Lumpkin County.

Sharman White of Pace Academy, who recently won his 500th game, was named the 2023 NFHS Georgia Coach of the Year.

Riverwood’s Karis Bilal scored 34 points in a win over Sprayberry earlier this season to surpass the 2,000-point mark. Bilal, who is the all-time leading scorer in school history, is the first player in school history to record 2,000 points.

Mason Lewis of Woodland-Stockbridge scored 27 points in a loss to McDonough earlier this season. Lewis became only the third player in school history to reach 1,000 points scored. Woodland opened in 2007.

Ricky McKenzie surpassed 1,000 career points in Wheeler’s victory over Rock Creek Christian (MD) with 14 points.

The Hillsman Heavy

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.

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 11/21/2023

It’s one of those weeks where you have to draw the line somewhere. Tournaments and showcases overlap and Tuesday’s are just our day. Overlap it will be so hey it’s basketball season and it’s November meaning school is out and tournaments are in. This past weekend feature the FIRST FULL WEEKEND of tournaments and showcases. A lot of quality ball/players/teams/coaches were spread out across the state. Hey that ‘s high school basketball in Georgia when the quality talent can be in multiple places on the same day at the same time. It’s a VERY good BASKETBALL problem to have.

Last week’s games are considered games that were be played from Tuesday 11/14/2023 through Monday 11/20/2023.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 11/21/2023 through Monday 11/27/2023.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 11/28/2023.

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.

Ok with the quick turnaround time and overlapping events, let’s get right to it.

The Hillsman Heavy 11/21/2023

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 11/21/2023 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: 3-0; Last Week: defeated Woodward Academy, defeated North Gwinnett This Week:  vs Peachtree Ridge, vs Kell, vs Sandy Creek  Key Notes: Grayson has a firm hold on the top spot after getting off to a 3-0 start and winning games they are suppose to win. The Rams have controlled all three games so far this season and have done it with a mix of balanced offense, team defense and with someone stepping up in a game for it to be their game. The bench was a question entering the season, however the depth has had plenty of early season game action to be able to improve that area of the team.

2- Wheeler (2)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 2-0; Last Week: defeated Newton This Week: vs Canyon Corner, vs Rock Creek Academy (MD), vs Holy Innocents, vs Chapel Hill Key Notes: Wheeler is showing it’s depth despite the youthful roster. The Wildcats had a very balanced attack in a win over Newton and played around early foul trouble from Josh Hill. Hill is key to them as is Ricky McKenzie however this team’s biggest strength maybe it’s balance. For example in the win over Newton they had multiple players in the 7-11 point range and all scored when Wheeler needed it. They used a 20-0 second quarter (shot 70% in the quarter) run to blow open the game against Newton behind Jacob Taylor, Ricky McKenzie and Josh Hill. Wheeler has a loaded week ahead of them with travel to and from the Mountain time zone with quality Georgia teams waiting on their return. Continued growth with balance will make Wheeler increasingly more dangerous as they go.

3- McEachern (3)- Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 1-1; Last Week: defeated Kell  This Week: vs Columbus (FL), vs Dutchtown Key Notes: Ace Bailey had another monster game in an 81-65 win over Kell. Bailey tallied 31 points and 14 rebounds.  Jayden Bynes (14 points 4/6 -3PT), Nnadozie Onyirimba (10 points 4 rebounds), and Jaye Nash (13 assists, 7 rebounds) showed signs of providing more help for Bailey. McEachern was one of the better shooting teams from beyond the arc this past weekend shooting the long ball at a 55% clip in the win over Kell, however McEachern will need to value the basketball more to cut down on the turnovers. More quality opponents await this week.

4-Berkmar (5)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 1-0; Last Week: defeated Central Gwinnett This Week: vs Parkview, vs Hiram Key Notes: Mekhi Ragland is what will make this team run. Ragland posted a 19-point 6-rebound effort in the season opening win over Central Gwinnett. Help was there as Kamal Green (12p), Mike White (11p 6r), and Eddie Cooke (10pts 6reb) chipped in. How Mike White continues to fit in, how Cooke expands his game with the added muscle are points to watch. Phillips knows how to navigate things of this nature, and Berkmar could be pretty good and control that with how they gel nightly as the team has multiple options on all levels to work with both offensively and defensively.

5- Alexander (7) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 2-0; Last Week: defeated Tri-Cities, defeated Mt. Vernon This Week: vs Maumelle (AR), vs Heritage Christian (CA), vs Vashon (MO)  Key Notes: Braedan Lue (Kennesaw State) posted a monster 21-point 15-rebound double-double while adding six assists in the win over Tri-Cities. Lue is averaging 20 points and 10.5 rebounds in the early going and looking all of the part of a big-time player for Alexander. More notable was the shooting of Allen Stoddard (20 points), who was a perfect 4/4 from beyond the arc against Tri-Cities. Greg Dunson is off to a solid start this season, averaging 16 points and 5.5 assists so far and had a notable night against Tri-Cities having to defend one of the top freshmen in the state.. The wins over Tri-Cities and Mt. Vernon are good out the gate as now Alexander hits the road to play some OOS competition before returning home to face Wheeler in early December.

6-Sandy Creek (7) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 1-0; Last Week: defeated Mt. Vernon This Week: vs Milton, vs Grayson Key Notes: Amari Brown (21 points) led the charge for Sandy Creek in a win over Mt. Vernon, yet their depth showed up big as Jared White sealed the win with a game-winning three-pointer in the closing seconds. Sandy Creek has good length and depth while showing signs of being a very tough defensive group. A meeting with No.1 Grayson is coming up kater this week.

7- Cedar Grove (8) Head Coach: Camden Terry Current Record: 2-0; Last Week: defeated Miller Grove This Week: vs Osborne, vs Grovetown, vs Mays Key Notes: Cedar Grove showed balance in their first few wins of the season behind the trio of Manny Green (21ppg 12rpg) , Jayden Scott (16ppg 6apg 2.5spg) and Dontavious Stringfield (8ppg 11rpg 5apg). Nathaniel Loyd is also off to a good start this season, averaging 10.5ppg 4rpg 2spg). Pulling out a win over an always tough Miller Grove showed Cedar Grove is preparing to be able to win in a variety of ways, even when it may not be their best night. Continued unselfish play, the grit and grind mentality, and dictating the game will be what Cedar Grove can stand on at this early point of the season. Everyone, including Cedar Grove, will learn a little more about them this week.

8- Dutchtown (10) Head Coach: Wallace Corker Current Record: 1-1; Last Week: defeated East Coweta This Week:  vs Osborne, vs McEachern Key Notes: Joah Chappelle continues to add to his resume with a sizzling 29-point effort in a win over East Coweta. Dutchtown already knows what is in their region, this is about state, regional, national, and next level stuff. Wallace Corker has plenty at his disposal up and down the roster with height, length, size, guard play, and scoring. Matthew Hinton, Gabriel Bradley, Austin Mosby-Weems, and xx Russell all will continue to be key for Dutchtown this season, who has one of the tougher overall schedules around.

9- Newton (4)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 1-2; Last Week: loss to Wheeler This Week: vs Kell, vs Westlake, vs Riverwood Key Notes: Newton allowed a 20-0 second quarter run to Wheeler and never recovered. KJ White was the steady hand, and Jabez Jenkins powered a late run in the fourth quarter however Newton does not yet seem connected. Newton’s tough early season schedule continues, which will provide solid benchmarks for Newton.

10- Kell (9) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 1-1; Last Week: loss to McEachern This Week: vs Grayson Key Notes: Is CJ Brown, Jaylen Colon and Cannon Richards enough for Kell? In stretches last season it showed to be a positive, this season it is more of a way of life, nightly. Being at the top of the scouting report is different. We do not know how deep enough Kell is, the experience is there however it is a different load for the Longhorns to carry. It’s just November so the defending 5A champs have time.

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order):

There is not much change to this crop of teams as it is still early in the season. As teams begin to separate themselves, we could begin to see teams added or removed.

Camden County, Campbell, Calhoun County, Carver-Columbus, Carrollton, Cedar Shoals, Chapel Hill, Christian Heritage, Clarke Central, Collins Hill, Columbia, Creekside Christian, Cross Creek, Douglas-Atlanta, Dougherty, Eagle’s Landing, Etowah, Fayette County, Gainesville, Greenbrier, Greenforest, Grovetown, Hillgrove, Holy Innocents, Johnson-Savannah, Jones County Jonesboro, Langston Hughes, Lee County, Lithonia, Long County, Madison County, Marist, Maynard Jackson, Mays, McDonough, Milton, Mt. Vernon, Norcross, North Gwinnett, North Oconee, Oglethorpe County, Osborne, Pace Academy, Paideia, Peachtree Ridge, Pebblebrook, Portal, Riverwood, Savannah, Sequoyah, Shiloh, Southwest-Macon, Spencer, St. Pius X, Swainsboro, Thomson, Tri-Cities, The Walker School, Union Grove, Walton, Walnut Grove, Ware County, Warner Robins, Westlake, Westside-Augusta, Wilson Academy, Woodward Academy

Notable Events 11/21/2023

NOTABLE EVENTS THIS WEEK (notable games):

Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic at North Gwinnett 11/21:Peachtree Ridge vs Lanier, Berkmar vs Parkview, Sandy Creek vs Milton, Mt. Vernon vs North Gwinnett.

On The Radar Thanksgiving Showcase at Central Gwinnett 11:/22 (Walnut Grove/Gainesville, Pebblebrook/Greenforest, Cedar Grove/Osborne, Kell/Newton, Peachtree Ridge/Grayson, Central Gwinnett/Tri-Cities)

Holiday Hoopsgiving at KIPP Collegiate 11/24: Berkmar/Hiram, Columbus (FL)/McEachern, Wheeler/Holy Innocents, Kell/Grayson. 11/25: Pace Academy/Osborne, Wheeler/Chapel Hill, Pebblebrook/Norcross

Hard In The Paint at Maynard Jackson 11/24: Maynard Jackson/Paideia, Decatur/Douglas-Atlanta, Cedar Grove/Grovetown, Newton/Westlake, Dutchtown/Osborne. 11/25: Maynard Jackson/Douglas-Atlanta, Cedar Grove/Mays, Westlake/Grovetown, Riverwood/Newton, Woodward Academy/Holy Innocents, Grayson/Sandy Creek, McEachern/Dutchtown.

Florida Get Down Holiday Showcase in Orlando,FL 11/24: Palm Bay (FL)/Campbell (GA), The Rock (FL)/Creekside Christian (GA), Florida State University High (FL)/Tri-Cities (GA). 11/25: Tri-Cities (GA)/Wekiva (FL), Florida State University High (FL)/Creekside Christian (GA), Campbell (GA)/Winter Haven (FL)

Hoopsgiving Invitational South Florida at Weston (FL) 11/24: Eagle’s Landing (GA)/Mater Lakes Academy (FL) 11/25: Sagemont Prep (FL)/Eagle’s Landing (GA)

Kevin Brown Tournament Of Champions Illinois in Washington, IL 11/22: Alexander/Maumelle (AR). 11/23: Alexander/Heritage Christian (CA). 11/24: Vashon (MO)

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 11/14/2023

The regular season is underway in Georgia. There were a number of things that stood out over the opening weekend of the season. From foul shooting, to team play, to end-of-game situations, to fan attendance, to college coaching staff attendance and to teams showing better out the gate than expected. We cannot wait for it to pick up as the season goes. This is the first regular season edition of the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA for the new 2023-2024 season.

Last week’s games are considered games that were be played from Friday 11/10/2023 through Saturday 11/11/2023.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 11/14/2023 through Saturday 11/18/2023.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 11/21/2023.

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.

Preseason 10/31/2023; 1-Grayson, 2-McEachern, 3-Wheeler, 4-Newton, 5-Norcross, 6-Berkmar, 7-Alexander, 8-Sandy Creek, 9-Dutchtown, 10-Cedar Grove

The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA 11/14/2023

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 11/14/2023 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**

Here is the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA with preseason ranking noted.

1- Grayson (1)- Head Coach: Geoffrey Pierce Current Record: 1-0; Last Week: defeated McEachern This Week:  vs Woodward Academy Key Notes: Grayson showed off a balanced offense attack, very good team chemistry both offensively and defensively and fought through some adversity when things looked to be going against them.

2- Wheeler (3)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 1-0; Last Week: defeated Dutchtown This Week: vs Newton Key Notes: Josh Hill and Ricky McKenzie started the season of carrying the scorer load for Wheeler. As with just about everyone as the season goes teams get stronger, this will be the case for Wheeler. However winning a gritty and tight game out the gate against a much better than some expected Dutchtown is a good sign for Wheeler.  

3- McEachern (2)- Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 0-1; Last Week: This Week:  Key Notes: As expected Ace Bailey is going to get his. McEachern will have to find who else will help carry the load on a consistent basis night in and night out. Jaye Nash, John McQueen, Devin Moise and Isaiah Dulaney each could be the guy or guys to do that.  

4- Newton (4)- Head Coach: Barry Browner Current Record: 0-0; Last Week: defeated Osborne This Week: vs Wheeler Key Notes: Browner picks up his first win as head coach of Newton. The Rams showed a no quit attitude in the second half to defeat Osborne  

5-Berkmar (6)- Head Coach: Greg Phillips Current Record: 0-0; Last Week: Did Not Play This Week: vs Central Gwinnett Key Notes: Mekhi Ragland, Eddie Cooke, David Culbreath, Mike White and Corey Gatlin II will be the important pieces for Berkmar this year. How the group gels overall will be worth watching and how dominate Ragland will be is paramount for Berkmar’s success.

6- Alexander (7) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 0-0; Last Week: Did Not Play This Week: vs Tri-Cities  Key Notes: Braedan Lue (Kennesaw State), Allen Stoddard and Greg Dunson will led the Alexander push this season. 

7-Sandy Creek (8) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 0-0; Last Week: Did Not Play This Week:  vs Mt. Vernon Key Notes: Micah Smith, PJ Green, Kani Rashied-Henry, Amari Brown and Jared White power the defending 3A state champions.

8- Cedar Grove (10) Head Coach: Camden Terry Current Record: 1-0; Last Week: defeated Eastside This Week: vs Miller Grove, vs Washington-Atlanta Key Notes: Cedar Grove started the season with an easy win over Eastside that showed a very balance scoring effort on offense and sound defense. Jayden Scott, Manny Green, Dontavius Stringfield and Nate Loyd provided the balance. The schedule is flooded with quality opponents especially in the region so Cedar Grove will have to earn it each night.

9- Kell (NR) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 1-0; Last Week: defeated Greenforest This Week: vs McEachern Key Notes: Kell jumps in this week after a strong showing to open the season. CJ Brown, Cannon Richards and Jaylen Colon are the forces that will push Kell.

10- Dutchtown (9) Head Coach: Wallace Corker Current Record: 0-1; Last Week: loss to Wheeler This Week: vs East Coweta Key Notes: Dutchtown showed in a loss to Wheeler that they are better than some expected. The had Wheeler on the ropes but did not finish the game. They remain in despite the loss because we know how good this team is top to bottom and once they get rolling they will be hard to stop. Joah Chappelle is showing he can be a big time player. Matthew Hinton and Gabe Bradley will be vital in the post for Dutchtown as the season moves along.

OUT- Norcross (5)

Keeping Tabs On 11/14/2023

Keeping Tabs On: In alphabetical order

Camden County, Campbell, Calhoun County, Carver-Columbus, Carrollton, Cedar Shoals, Chapel Hill, Christian Heritage, Clarke Central, Collins Hill, Columbia, Creekside Christian, Cross Creek, Douglass-Atlanta, Dougherty, Eagle’s Landing, Etowah, Fayette County, Gainesville, Greenbrier, Greenforest, Grovetown, Hillgrove, Holy Innocents, Johnson-Savannah, Jones County Jonesboro, Langston Hughes, Lee County, Lithonia, Long County, Madison County, Marist, Maynard Jackson, Mays, McDonough, Milton, Mt. Vernon, Norcross, North Gwinnett, North Oconee, Oglethorpe County, Osborne, Pace Academy, Paideia, Peachtree Ridge, Pebblebrook, Portal, Riverwood, Savannah, Sequoyah, Shiloh, Southwest-Macon, Spencer St. Pius X, Swainsboro,  Tri-Cities, The Walker School, Union Grove, Walton, Walnut Grove, Ware County, Warner Robins, Westlake, Westside-Augusta, Woodward Academy

Notable Events

NOTABLE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Notable Games

On The Radar Showcase at Norcross 11/18/2023: Pebblebrook vs Walnut Grove, Mt. Vernon vs Sandy Creek, Pace Academy vs Langston Hughes, Central Gwinnett vs Berkmar, Grayson vs Woodward Academy, Norcross vs Shiloh

Powder Springs Showcase at Hillgrove HS 11/18/2023; McDonough vs Etowah, Dutchtown vs East Coweta, Hillgrove vs Lee County, Alexander vs Tri-Cities,

Hawks-Naismith Tip-Off Classic at Holy Innocents 11/18/2023: St. Pius vs Fayette County, Tucker vs Holy Innocents, McEachern vs Kell, Wheeler vs Newton

Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic at North Gwinnett 11/18: Milton vs Archer, 11/20: Shiloh vs Etowah, Parkview vs Walnut Grove, Alexander vs Mt. Vernon, Grayson vs North Gwinnett and 11/21:Peachtree Ridge vs Lanier, Berkmar vs Parkview, Sandy Creek vs Milton, Mt. Vernon vs North Gwinnett

Titletown Tip-Off Classic at Valdosta High School 11/18/2023:Ware County vs Grove, Dougherty vs Johnson-Savannah, Valdosta vs Houston County

Peach State Explosion at Cedar Shoals 11/18: Clarke Central vs Paideia, Cedar Shoals vs Gainesville and 11/20: Valdosta vs Chapel Hill, Cedar Shoals vs Paideia

HILLSMAN HEAVY: 2023-2024 PRESEASON TOP 10 GEORGIA 10/31/2023

Hello Basketball! Whutz Up!!!

The 2023-2024 Georgia high school basketball season is here. The June Live period, summer leagues, fall leagues and 4-and-1s workouts are behind us. After a week of official practices the season is upon us with scrimmages and official games less than two weeks away. Everyone can feel the excitement in the air, fittingly so. This will be the final season of class seven classifications in Georgia. For the foreseeable future, at least the next two seasons, this will be the last year a 7A state champion will be crowned. Georgia will consolidate the classifications and class 6A will be the highest classification beginning with the 2024-2025 season. With that said, look for a wide open 7A to be as competitive as ever and other classifications will be highly competitive as well.

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, OOS, Head-to-Head and 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 and what scouting services saw over the past spring and summer is important, it 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 but the BASELINE IS HOW you perform in a structured schedule with practice , film , a stopped clocked and prep. Summer games are fun…what do you do when you are at the TOP of the scout sheet is what matters.

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. This is PRESEASON, it could look different later.

Speaking of Georgia and classifications, the playoff brackets are already set for this upcoming season and were set way back in late June. Here is a look at the playoff brackets.

Georgia GHSA 2023-2024 State Tournament Basketball Brackets

We, like most, are not fans of the pre-determined brackets. However, it is what it is in Georgia’s GHSA. The teams, of course, determine their regional seeding (Top 4 from each region, region tournament determines state seeding). You already know which regions will matchup in the first round. Yes, there are a litany of possibilities, but the door is ajar for all kinds of stuff come late January and early February. Yes, ANYTHING can happen yet, and still, most in the basketball world would like to see the pre-determined brackets go away and a power ranking system of sorts used.

There were some changes to the rules made not only by the GHSA but by the NFHS most notably is the foul count rule. In Georgia the old foul count rule was; On non-shooting fouls teams would shoot the one-one- bonus on the 6th team foul and two shots (double bonus) on the 8th team foul of the quarter and fouls reset after each quarter. In many other states teams would shoot the one-and-one bonus on the 7th foul of the half and two shots (double bonus) on the 10th foul of the half and the fouls did not reset after each quarter. The new rule across all of high school basketball is on non-shooting fouls, teams shoot two free free throws (the bonus) on the 5th team foul of the quarter and the the fouls reset after each quarter. To keep it simple, the new high school foul count/free throw rule is exactly like the NBA and FIBA on the 5th foul teams shoot two free throws the rest of the quarter on all fouls.

Some Georgia high school coaches had this to say about the new foul count rules.

“I like it, it’s going to help the better free throw shooting team salt games meaning it rewards the teams that can make free throws, it will punish the undisciplined teams. Good for us we have been talking and working on it in practice. We have been working and focusing more on hitting our defensive keys without fouling. Offensively we are intentionally working more on shooting and making free throws knowing we have a chance to more free throw attempts than in years past.”  – Darren Douglas (Grovetown)

“I like the new fouls rules, it cleans up the game and gets the excessive fouling out the way. It may or may not slow the game up but don’t foul, don’t foul after five fouls and you must play better defense without fouling.”- Jamaal Garman (Warner Robins)

“It’s good it’s for high school basketball because it puts a premium on team defense, you have to guard you yard and do so without fouling or committing unnecessary fouls.”- Rory Griffin (Greenforest)

“I hate losing the 1-and-1. That was a huge part of the game and added suspense. It also rewarded the teams that could handle pressure and shoot down the stretch. So I like the move to 5 fouls in a quarter just hate losing the 1-and-1.” -Jason Dasinger (Etowah)

“It’s the pro game, I love it, We have a number of guards who we are going to play downhill and be aggressive. Play aggressive shoot free throws. I have no issue with the new foul rule, it’s not new to the game of basketball ” -Larry Thompson (Wheeler)

“Hillsman why are you calling me and asking me about this, its a pro rule. We have to coach better, lead better, and develop better as men. It’s going to make our game better I like the rule.” -L’Dreco Thomas (Cedar Shoals).

“I think it’s going to be good for teams known for shooting and making free throws. It will be tough for teams that struggle shooting and making free throws. I like the rule and I do not think it will change anything in the flow of the game, but teams could be more strategic in the game depending on the score and whether they are good or bad free throw shooting team.”- Lawrence Kelly (Cross Creek)

All in all we love it. It mirrors the professional and international games, provides for a better flow to the game and places more emphasis on defending without fouling because the penalty for doing so is much more costly over time in a ball game. No team wants to have a team shooting free throws for a long portion of a quarter due to racking up fouls and without the one-and-one it takes being “bailed out” out of the equation.

The Hillsman Heavy Preseason Top 10 GA

Now let’s get into the steak and potatoes of the Hillsman Heavy Preseason Top 10 Georgia

1. Grayson (24-6; 7A Semifinalist) Head Coach: Geoffrey Pierce: Key Players: Gicarris Harris, Christian Jaden “CJ” Hyland, Jacob Wilkins, Amir Taylor. Notable Scheduling: McEachern, Woodward Academy, Kell, Sandy Creek, Osborne, Mt. Vernon, Dorman (SC), Chick-Fil-a Classic (Columbia, SC), North Broward Prep (FL), Hoop Hall Classic (Springfield, MA) Perry (AZ), Durant MLK Classic (Washington, DC), Newton (2x)
2. McEachern (23-7; 7A Elite Eight) Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Key Players: Ace Bailey, John McQueen, Jaye Nash. Notable Scheduling: Grayson, Kell, Dutchtown, Pebblebrook, Harvard-Westlake (CA), City Of Palms (FL), New Years Classic at Grayson, Camden (NJ), Holiday Hoopsgiving (GA), Hard In The Paint (GA)
3. Wheeler (27-7; 7A Champion) Head Coach: Larry Thompson Key Players: Kota Suttle Jr, Josh Hill, Julian Ormond, Ricky McKenzie, Amare James, Lamarrion Lewis, David Clark Notable Scheduling: Dutchtown, Newton, Rock Creek (MD), Holiday Hoopsgiving (GA), Alexander, Central Gwinnett, Lithonia, Berkmar, Norcross, Walton (2x), New Years Classic at Grayson, Osborne (2x)
4. Newton (19-11; 7A Elite Eight) Head Coach: Barry Browner Key Players: Jabez Jenkins, Kevin “KJ” White III, Davin Neal, Tim Prather, Christian Ingram Notable Scheduling: Sandy Creek, Osborne, Wheeler, Kell, Riverwood, Grayson (2x), Miller Grove, St. Anne Pacelli, Westlake, Mt. Pisgah
5. Norcross (26-5; 7A Semifinalist) Head Coach: Jesse McMillian Key Players: Michael Pace, Jaron Saulsberry, Toby Ojukwu Notable Scheduling: Berkmar (2x), Peachtree Ridge (2x), Grovetown, Douglass-Atlanta, Shiloh, Alexander, Myers Park (NC), Lexington (SC), Central (AL), Wheeler
6. –Berkmar (14-16; 7A 2nd Rd ) Head Coach: Greg Phillips Key Players: Mekhi Ragland, Eddie Cooke, David Culbreath, Mike White Notable Scheduling: Norcross (2x), Central Gwinnett, Greenforest, Shiloh, Wheeler
7. –Alexander (28-5; 6A Champion) Head Coach: Jason Slate Key Players: Braedan Lue, Allen Stoddard, Greg Dunson, Ethan Miller Notable Scheduling: Tri-Cites, Mt. Vernon, Tournament of Champions Illinois (Maumelle, Christian California, Vashon, Norcross, Holy Innocents, McEachern, Dutchtown, Langston Hughes (2X)
8. –Sandy Creek (26-6; 3A Champion) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Key Players: Micah Smith, PJ Green, Kani Rashied-Henry, Jared White Notable Scheduling: Cedar Grove (2x), Douglas-Atlanta (2x), Mt. Vernon, Grayson, Milton, Fayette County, Gainesville, Westlake, St. Anne Pacelli
9. –Dutchtown (23-9;5A Elite Eight) Head Coach: Wallace Corker Key Players: Gabriel Bradley, Matthew Hinton, Joah Chappelle, Austin Mosby-Weems. Notable Scheduling: McEachern, Wheeler, Osborne, Langston Hughes, Greenforest, Alexander, Battle At The Border (AL), Union Grove (2x), Eagles Landing (2x), Jones County (2x), Alexander
10. –Cedar Grove (20-10; 3A Finalist) Head Coach: Camden Terry Key Players: Emanual Green, Jayden Scott, Dontavius Stringfield, Nathaniel Lloyd. Notable Scheduling: Osborne, McDonough, Tri-Cities, Sandy Creek (2x), Douglas-Atlanta (2x), Tucker, Creekside Christian, Mays, Grovetown, St. Andrews

Keeping Tabs On: Fayette County, Greenforest, Mt. Vernon, Lee County, Pace Academy, Westside-Augusta, Chapel Hill, Kell, Spencer, Eagle’s Landing, Etowah, Madison County, Pebblebrook, Columbia, Paideia, Cross Creek, Riverwood, Tri-Cities, Grovetown, St. Pius X, Milton, Holy Innocents, Carrollton, Jonesboro, Sequoyah, Jackson-Atlanta, Woodward Academy, Campbell, Cedar Grove, Portal, Osborne, The Walker School, North Oconee, Langston Hughes, Collins Hill, North Gwinnett, Marist, Union Grove, Jones County, Douglass-Atlanta, Clarke Central, McDonough, Cedar Shoals, Long County, Southwest-Macon, Calhoun County, Lithonia, Warner Robins, Greenbrier, Gainesville, Shiloh, Mays, Savannah, Peachtree Ridge, Johnson-Savannah, Dougherty, Christian Heritage, Walton, Oglethorpe County, Swainsboro, Ware County, Camden County, Carver-Columbus, Westlake.

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS NOTABLES:

The GHSA is the biggest, oldest and richest association for high school athletics in the state, however there are other organizations where you will see and hear about their teams throughout the season, especially when playing GHSA schools whether in home-and-home games, showcases or tournaments out out-of-state events.

GAPPS: Creekside Christian is the defending GAPPS D1 3A champion.

GIAA: St. Andrews is the back-to-back defending GIAA 3A champion.

#SeeYouInTheGym

FINAL HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 3/15/2022

The 19th Hillsman Heavy of the season reflects all semifinals and finals games played from Friday 3/4/2022 through Saturday 3/12/2022. This is the FINAL Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA of the 2021-22 season. Congratulations to every team in the state and to the eight state champions. This is NOT A RANKING of the eight state champions and then two other teams.

As a reminder teams from the GHSA, GISA and GICAA/GAPPS are considered however they are not ranked by association or classification within an association, it is one ranking.

The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA ranks using the following criteria for ranking; OVERALL performance, Team Chemistry, Coaching, Schedule (quality OOS/Head-to-Head/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).

While player recruiting status is not a heavy focus and determining factor, it is considered when looking at a team’s overall performance.

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 2021-2022 season.

Final Four Edition 3/1/2022: 1-Pebblebrook, 2-Greenforest, 3-Berkmar, 4-Newton, 5-Norcross, 6-Wheeler, 7-Milton, 8-Grayson, 9-North Gwinnett, 10- Eagle’s Landing

The Final Hillsman Heavy 3/15/2022

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 3/15/2022

1-Greenforest – Head Coach: Rory Griffin; 28-4; Since 3/3/2022: defeated Heritage-Newnan (1A Private Semifinals), defeated King’s Ridge (1A Private Finals) Key Notes: 1A Private State Champions (4th state title in program history), Region 2-1A Private Champions. 3-4 vs 7A teams, 2-0 vs 2021 GA state champion teams, 1-0 vs 2022 GA State champion teams: Key Wins: McEachern, Berkmar, Grayson (split), Cross Creek, Pace Academy, Hueytown (AL). Losses: Pebblebrook, Newton, Grayson (split), North Gwinnett, all four losses to 7A Elite Eight teams; 24-1 with Jaylen Peterson; 4-3 without Jaylen Peterson (lost first game with him back to Newton, won 24 straight after that loss). Why No.1: Overall body of work, exceeded expectations, 7A scheduling and overall performance against 7A teams, Length, depth and coaching. Key Players: Jaylen Peterson, Gai Chol, DK Manyiel, Jalen Forrest

2-Norcross – Head Coach: Jesse McMillian; 26-6; Since 3/3/2022: defeated Newton (7A Semifinals), defeated Berkmar (7A Finals): Key Notes: 7A State Champions (6th state title in program history), 23-5 vs Georgia opponents, 3-1 vs OOS opponents. 3-4 vs 7A common opponents with Greenforest. 1-3 vs Berkmar, 1-1 vs Newton, 1-0 vs North Gwinnett ; Key Wins: Fayette County, Effingham County, Woodward Academy, Newton (split), Pace Academy, Archer (3x), Mt. Vernon, Tampa Catholic (FL), North Gwinnett, Berkmar (1-3). Losses: Berkmar (3x), Westlake, Newton (split), Brentwood Academy (TN). Key Players: Samarion Bond, Jerry Deng, London Johnson

3- Berkmar – Head Coach Greg Phillips; 26-5; Since 3/3/2022: defeated Pebblebrook (7A semifinals), loss to Norcross (7A Finals)  Key Notes: 7A Runner Up, Region 7-7A Champions, 20-2 vs Georgia opponents-only losses to Georgia opponent were to Greenforest and Norcross. 2-0 without Malique Ewin Key Wins: Norcross (3x), Archer (2x), Milton, Dorman (SC), Etowah, Grayson, Pebblebrook. Losses: Greenforest, Norcross (3-1), Montverde Academy (FL), Long Island Lutheran (NY), St. Stephens & St. Agnes (VA). Key Players: Malique Ewin, Jameel Rideout, Jahmari Hill, Bryce Blaine

4-Pebblebrook– Head Coach: George Washington; 28-3; Since 3/3/2022: lost to Berkmar (7A Semifinals) Key Notes: Region 2-7A Champions. 22-1 vs Georgia opponents; only Georgia loss to Berkmar, 6-2 vs OOS opponents; Key Wins: Greenforest, North Gwinnett, Real Salt Lake (UT), Milton (2x), Oak Ridge (FL), Greenhill (TX), West Ranch (CA), Pinson Valley (AL), Windsor Forest, McEachern (2x), East Coweta (3x), Newton. Losses: Wasatch Academy (UT), Durango (NV) and Berkmar. Key Players: Kami Young, Jordan Brown, Jaiun Simon, Andre Young

5-Newton – Head Coach: Charlemagne Gibbons: 24-6; Since 3/3/2022: loss to Norcross (7A semifinals)  Key Notes:  Region 4-7A Runner Up, 18-5 vs Georgia opponents, 6-1 vs OOS opponents. Key Wins: Norcross, Westlake, McEachern (2x), Archer, Greenforest, Pinson Valley (AL), Westminster Academy (FL), John Curtis (LA), St. Mary’s (AZ), Grayson (2-1). Losses: Wheeler, Norcross, Prolific Prep (CA), Cumberland Christian Academy (GA), Pebblebrook, Grayson (2-1). Key Players: Stephon Castle, Marquavious Brown, Jakai Newton, Marcus Whitlock

6-Milton  – Head Coach: Allen Whitehart; 22-8; Since 3/3/2022: Season Completed.  Key Notes: Region 5-7A Champions, 15-3 vs Georgia opponents, Georgia losses are to Pebblebrook (2x) and Berkmar, 7-5 vs OOS opponents. Key Wins: Etowah (2x), Calvary Christian Academy (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Whitney Young (IL), St. Mary’s (AZ), Alexander. Losses: Pebblebrook (2x), Berkmar, Montverde Academy (FL), IMG Academy (FL), St.Paul VI (VA), Camden (NJ), Bishop O’Connell (VA). Key Players: Bruce Thornton, Kanaan Carlyle, Seth Fitzgerald, Chase Cromier, LT Overton

7- Grayson – Head Coach Geoffrey Pierce; 20-9; Since 3/3/2022: Season Completed. Key Notes: Region 4-7A Champions. 16-6 vs Georgia opponents, did not lose a game by more than 9 points, did not lose to a Georgia opponent by more than 5 points: Key Wins: Newton (1-2), Etowah, Greenforest (split), Drew Charter, Eagle’s Landing, Carmel Christian (NC), Windsor Forest, Sparkman (AL). Losses: Greenforest (split), Sidwell Friends (DC), Archbishop Carroll (DC), Archbishop Stepinac (NY), Wheeler, McEachern, Newton (1-2), Berkmar. Key Players: Tyrese Elliott, Chauncey Wiggins, Gicarri Harris, Chad Moodie

8-Grovetown (NEW)- Head Coach Darren Douglass; 29-3: Since 3/3/2022: defeated Langston Hughes (6A semifinals), defeated Buford (6A Finals). Key Notes: 6A State Champions (1st state title in school history), Region 3-6A Champions. Key Wins: Veterans, Butler, Thomson, West Forsyth, Lithonia, Alexander, Wheeler, Langston Hughes (split), Rockdale County (2x), Augusta Christian. Losses: Cumberland Christian, Sequoyah, Langston Hughes (split). Key Players: Frankquon Sherman, V Ferguson, Markell Freeman, Darrion Reid

9-Wheeler– Head Coach: Larry Thompson; 25-5; Since 3/3/2022: Season Completed. Key Notes: Region 6-6A champions; 24-2 vs Georgia opponents, 1-3 vs OOS opponents Key Wins: Grayson, Fayette County, Buford, Kell (3x), St. Ignatius (OH), Osborne (2x), Westlake. Losses: Duncanville (TX), Montverde Academy (FL), McEachern, John Marshall (VA), Grovetown. Key Players: Isaiah Collier, Juvon Gumory, Arrinten Page, Kyle Burns

10-Tri- Cities (NEW)- Head Coach Omari Forts; 23-5; Since 3/3/2022: defeated Calhoun (5A semifinals), defeated Eag;e’s Landing (5A Finals). Key Notes: 5A State Champions (2nd state title in school history and 2nd in last 3 four seasons), Region 3-5A Champions, 1-1 vs OOS opponents. Key Wins: Westlake, Jones (FL), Tucker, Jonesboro (2-1), Lithonia, Chapel Hill, Calhoun, Eagle’s Landing. Losses: Dr. Phillips (FL), Etowah, Jonesboro (2-1), McDonough, Woodward Academy Key Players: Simeon Cottle, Kory Mincey, Noricco Danner

OUT-North Gwinnett– Head Coach Matt Garner; 26-4; Since 3/3/2022: Season Completed Key Notes: Region 8-7A Champions 24-3 vs Georgia opponents. Losses: Pebblebrook, McEachern, Blazer (KY) and Norcross. Key Players: RJ Godfrey, Dylan Gary, Thomas Allard

OUT- Eagle’s Landing – Head Coach: Elliott Montgomery; 27-4; Since 3/3/2022: defeated Jonesboro (5A semifinals), loss to Tri-Cities (5A Finals)  Key Notes: Region 4-5A Champions, 1-2 vs 7A teams, 23-4 vs Georgia opponents, 4-0 vs OOS opponents Losses: Grayson, Pace Academy, North Gwinnett and Tri-Cities. Key Players: AJ Barnes, David Thomas, Jordan Fordyce, Kenny Brayboy

Others To Watch (alphabetical order) (record)

Buford (24-6; 5A State Runner Up), Butler (21-6; 2A State Runner Up), Cross Creek (23-6; 4A State Champions/Back-to-back state champions), NEW- Drew Charter (31-1; 1A Public Champions), Jonesboro (21-8; 5A Semifinalist), Langston Hughes (19-12; 6A semifinalist), NEW- Marist 21-10; 4A Semifinalist), McDonough (26-3; 4A Semifinalist), Sequoyah (25-6; 6A Semifinalist), NEW- Social Circle (30-1; 1A Public Semifinalist), Spencer (29-2; 4A State Champions), Thomson (23-3; 3A Semifinalist), Westside-Augusta (21-5; 2A State Champions), Westover (24-3; 4A State Runner Up), Windsor Forest (21-5; 3A State Runner Up)

The Triangle Offense 3/15/2022

THE TRIANGLE OFFENSE 3/15/2022:

Well no doubt there is a lot to digest in this final triangle offense of the season. Let’s get right into the meat and potatoes of it.

WHY THEM AND NOT THEM AT NO.1

Make no mistake it was very hard to determine who the best team was overall in the Final Hillsman Heavy between Greenforest and Norcross, after all it is an inexact science. We looked at it from more angles than there will be cameras at the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Finals, Super Bowl and World Series combined and every angle showed something different. It still came down to basketball.

Greenforest had high expectations and sustained them throughout the season. Norcross was a dark horse out of 7A, got hot and won, yes that 7A. Norcross was in the Hillsman Heavy for the majority of the season, even with a tie at one point. However have you seen Greenforest and their schedule or them play outside of the 1A Private title game? Have you seen the list of their college players? Have you seen their impact on basketball or their scheduling even when they were not winning? They basically played everybody they could play in 7A this year and none of them were at home. They did not play the national schedule they have been known for the past two seasons for obvious reasons (Covid).

Norcross has the name and the cache and six titles, Greenforest has four and won their first the last time Norcross won one prior to this year (2013). Yes this is the second time both Norcross and Greenforest have won titles in the same season so let’s not act like winning basketball is not a way of life at Greenforest because it is.

We don’t know why the 1A Private and 7A semifinals and finals were paired together on the same days and locations. We’ll allow you to draw your own conclusions on that with the understanding you may have never thought about that until just now.

Norcross and Greenforest did not play this year after playing the previous two seasons. This is the year we would have loved to see them play,- hell we WANT to see them play as it is the missing game from this season as the season has ended- we can get a gym and let them play-just saying. Norcross defeated Greenforest by three on a neutral floor in 2019-2020 and Greenforest defeated Norcross at home by four in 2020-2021. Yes Greenforest has a home gym, yes Norcross went to the “Sweat Box” and lost. What other 7A team has gone to Greenforest?

Norcross won 7A, they won it beating Berkmar for the first time in four games this season, Greenforest beat Berkmar in one try, in a national event and when Berkmar was very highly ranked by multiple national outlets. Yep you are right it was November but that mattered, especially to Greenforest. November and December scheduling is vital for Greenforest because as you know and will all point out, they play in 1A-Private and they don’t have a strong region so they were suppose to win. McDonough was suppose to win 4A too. See playing with and winning with HIGH expectations is a different brand of basketball and throughout the four losses (including a split with Grayson), 1A Private gamesmanship (7A is not the only place where gamesmanship occurs), Greenforest was suppose to win and did. When does winning 7A automatically make you No.1 when another school just as rich in winning basketball tradition, played more 7A teams in non-region games than any other team in the state NOT in 7A? 7A is made up of many of the same counties and school district lines as 1A Private when it comes to basketball schools on championship levels. It’s safe to say the state in all eight classifications at the top all have high quality basketball programs.

Matchups are a big part of basketball and when you look at the matchups, length and depth, Greenforest has the advantage. Greenforest played 10-plus guys all season, and in the finals played eight. Norcross played six on their stretch run. Greenforest has size with Chol and Manyiel, sound guard play with Jalen Forest, sound wing play with Jaylen Peterson and Florian Tenebay and a lot of depth developing on the bench that understood role identification. Norcross has sound guard play in London Johnson, scoring in Jerry Deng and fabulous defense in Samarion Bond, Hezekiah Flagg and Meir Panoam. How does Norcross address the height, how does Greenforest shooting weakness affect the game, how do the in-game adjustments play out and a lot of other variables between two championship programs?

Norcross stayed the course after losing two high quality bigs and a wing. Greenforest stayed the course after losing their shooting threat prior to the season and an expierenced guard midseason. Both just kept playing basketball, both won state titles, both we’ll take anywhere.

In a one game deal anything could happen, but the nod goes to Greenforest. In a best-of-seven series, it goes seven games, nod still to Greenforest. 7A is tough but the best team overall played in 1A-Private and showed it can play at a 7A level as well, Greenforest.

NOT IN FINAL OTHERS TO WATCH, BUT STAY TUNED:

The Others To Watch group was loaded with quality teams all season, some that went deep and some that did not. Here are the squads that had good seasons and did not land in the Final Heavy or the Final Others To Watch or are in a good position moving into next season that you need to keep eyes on them throughout the summer, fall and into next season. Who will sustain their momentum, who will continue to build on a quality season and continue to be a better program.

In no order Pace Academy, Columbia, Salem, Thomasville, Dublin, Archer, Fayette County, Doughtery, Carrollton, Osborne, River Ridge, Madison County, Kell, Tucker, Sumter County, Groves, Sandy Creek, Westlake, St. Francis, Lambert, Oconee County, Mountain View, Galloway, East Coweta, Shiloh, Brunswick, Bainbridge, Monroe-Albany, Monroe Area, Veterans, Collins Hill, Hillgrove, Woodward Academy, Stockbridge, Peach County, West Forsyth, Northeast-Macon, Etowah, Vidalia, Beach, Walnut Grove, South Gwinnett, Cedar Shoals, Lithonia, Pope, Lithia Springs, Griffin, Woodville-Tompkins, Model, Mays, Therrell, Burke County, Chapel Hill, St. Pius X , Statesboro, Greenbrier, Crisp County, , Calhoun, Lovett, Jefferson, King’s Ridge, Johnson-Savannah, Loganville, Warner Robins, East Forsyth, Union Grove, Jones County, Dacula, Towns County, Hiram, Woodland-Stockbridge, Warren County, Morgan County, Central-Carrollton, Rabun County, Paideia, Clarke Central. The offseason work starts now. What you do in the spring, summer and fall shows in the winter. Good Georgia depth lies ahead

THATS IT FOR 2021-2022:

What a season. Another quality season and overall as a state Georgia continues to show very good basketball is played throughout the state. No there were no GIECO teams or teams that had a shot at GIECO or that got very high in the national rankings, but the level of basketball continues to rise. As a state it can only go up from here.

Scheduling, recruiting, player matchups, coaching, fanbases, streaming coverage, determination and hard work all will equal everyone raising their game and as that happens the state will continue to rise. You have to recruit Georgia, you have to see high school basketball in this state, if you are not then your not serious about basketball and the future of basketball. When you talk about high school basketball nationally, yes you must talk about Georgia.

Keep grinding, keep pounding the sky is the limit. Have a great “offseason”, support your players whenever you can throughout their travel ball seasons. Players continue to hone your craft. Parents/Fans/Travel Ball programs/Trainers continue to support your young men and those they know and play with while being mindful of not doing anything to hurt their growth, development, recruiting and keeping expectations realistic.

#SEEYOUINTHEGYM

Final Four Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA

The Final Four matchups are set after an exciting and sometimes controversial Elite Eight across Georgia. The 18th Hillsman Heavy of the season reflects all quarterfinal games played from  Tuesday 3/1/2022 through Wednesday 3/2/2022. This will be the last Hillsman Heavy until AFTER the state championships. There WILL NOT be a Hillsman Heavy prior to the state championship games. The next Hillsman Heavy will be released on Tuesday March 15.

Semifinal locations vary depending on the classification. 7A/1A-Private: Buford City Arena, 6A: West Georgia University, 5A/4A: Fort Valley State University, 3A/2A: Georgia College & State University, 1A-Public: Valdosta State University. All semifinal games will be played on March 4th and 5th. The state finals will be played in Macon, GA at the Macon Coliseum from March 9th through March 12th. The 19th Hillsman Heavy of the season will be released on Tuesday March 15.

As a reminder teams from the GHSA, GISA and GICAA/GAPPS are considered however they are not ranked by association or classification within an association, it is one ranking. The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA ranks using the following criteria for ranking; OVERALL performance, Team Chemistry, Coaching, Schedule (quality OOS/Head-to-Head/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). While player recruiting status is not a heavy focus and determining factor, it is considered when looking at a team’s overall performance. 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 that week.

This Week 3/1/2022: 1-Pebblebrook, 2-Wheeler, 3-Greenforest, 4-Milton, 5-North Gwinnett, 6-Berkmar, 7-Grayson, 8-Newton, 9-Eagle’s Landing, 10- Norcross, OUT- Pace Academy

The Hillsman Heavy 3/3/2022

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 3/3/2022

1-Pebblebrook– Head Coach: George Washington; 26-2; This Week: 7A State Tournament Elite Eight: defeated Milton, 7A State Tournament Final Four vs Berkmar Key Notes: Region 2-7A Champs. 22-0 vs Georgia opponents

2-Greenforest – Head Coach: Rory Griffin; 25-4; This Week: 1A Private State Tournament Elite Eight: defeated Galloway, 1A Private Final Four; vs Heritage-Newnan Key Notes: Region 2-1A Private Champions. 3-4 vs 7A teams, 2-0 vs 2021 GA state champion teams.

3- Berkmar (UP 3) – Head Coach Greg Phillips; 25-5; This Week: 7A State Tournament Elite Eight: defeated Grayson, 7A State Tournament Final Four; vs Pebblebrook  Key Notes: Region 7-7A Champions, 20-1 vs Georgia opponents-only loss to Georgia opponent was to Greenforest.

4-Newton (UP 4)– Head Coach: Charlamagne Gibbons: 23-5; This Week: 7A State Tournament Elite Eight: defeated Archer, 7A State Tournament Final Four: vs Norcross  Key Notes: 20-3 vs Georgia opponents. GHSA losses are to Pebblebrook and Wheeler. Defeated Norcross 83-67 earlier this season

5-Norcross (UP 5)- Head Coach: Jesse McMillian; 24-6; This Week: 7A State Tournament Elite Eight: defeated North Gwinnett, 7A State Tournament Final Four: vs Newton Key Notes: 21-5 vs Georgia opponents. Loss 83-67 to Newton in November

6-Wheeler– Head Coach: Larry Thompson; 24-5; This Week: 6A State Tournament Elite Eight; loss to Grovetown. Season Complete  Key Notes: Region 6-6A champions; 23-2 vs Georgia opponents

7-Milton (DOWN 3) – Head Coach: Allen Whitehart; 22-8; This Week: 7A State Tournament Elite Eight: loss to Pebblebrook. Season Complete  Key Notes: Region 5-7A Champions, 17-3 vs Georgia opponents, Georgia losses are to Pebblebrook (2x) and Berkmar.

8- Grayson (UP 1) – Head Coach Geoffrey Pierce; 20-9; This Week: 7A State Tournament Elite Eight: loss to Berkmar. Season Complete  Key Notes: Region 4-7A Champions. 16-6 vs Georgia opponents, did not lose a game by more than 10 points, did not lose to a Georgia opponent by more than five points

9-North Gwinnett (DOWN 4)– Head Coach Matt Garner; 26-4; This Week: 7A State Tournament Elite Eight: loss to Norcross. Season Complete Key Notes: Region 8-7A Champions 24-3 vs Georgia opponents, Georgia losses are to Pebblebrook, McEachern and Norcross.

10- Eagle’s Landing (DOWN 1)– Head Coach: Elliott Montgomery; 26-3; This Week: 5A State Tournament Elite Eight: defeated Hiram, 5A State Tournament Final Four: vs Jonesboro  Key Notes: Region 4-5A Champions, 1-2 vs 7A teams, 20-3 vs Georgia opponents, Georgia losses to Grayson, Pace Academy and North Gwinnett.

Others To Watch (alphabetical order) (record)

Buford (24-6; 5A Semifinalist), Butler (21-6; 2A Semifinalist), Cross Creek (23-6; 4A Semifinalist), Grovetown (27-3; 6A Semifinalist), Jonesboro (21-8; 5A Semifinalist), Langston Hughes (19-12; 6A semifinalist), McDonough (26-2; 4A Semifinalist), Sequoyah (25-6; 6A Semifinalist), Spencer (29-2; 4A Semifinalist), Thomson (23-3; 3A Semifinalist), Tri-Cities (21-5; 5A Semifinalist), Westside-Augusta (21-5; 2A semifinalist), Westover (24-3; 4A Semifinalist), Windsor Forest (21-5; 3A Semifinalist)

Langston Hughes and Sequoyah return, they are no other new teams.

The Triangle Offense 3/3/2022

THE TRIANGLE OFFENSE 3/3/2022

SHUFFLING: Six of the Hillsman Heavy teams from Tuesday 3/1/2022 advanced to the semifinals in their respective classifications. Four teams lost and their season is complete. Of the four that lost, three lost to teams in the Hillsman Heavy on 3/1/2022 and all remain. Wheeler is the only team to lose to a non-Hillsman Heavy team when they lost to Grovetown. Grovetown has been in the “Others to watch” group for multiple weeks now. North Gwinnett lost to Norcross, Grayson lost to Berkmar and Milton lost to Pebblebrook. All teams from 3/1/2022 remain but there was some shuffling ahead of the Final Four. Grovetown, Langston Hughes, McDonough, Sequoyah, Spencer, Tri-Cities and Westover in alphabetical order have the greatest chance to crack into the Final Hillsman Heavy when it is released on 3/15/2022 while Drew Charter and Social Circle have outside chances despite not being in the “Others To Watch”. Well it just depends on how the season ends for everyone on who makes the Final Hillsman Heavy.

OTHERS TO WATCH FROM 3/1/2022 THAT LOST IN ELITE EIGHT (SEASON COMPLETE):

Archer (20-10), Chapel Hill (24-5), Druid Hills (25-5), Dublin (28-2), Monroe-Albany (24-4), Sumter County (26-3), Washington County (22-5)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SEMIFINALS AND FINALS:

We cannot get too far ahead of ourselves as there is a ton of basketball left to be played over the next eight days, however there are some things you should be looking for as you attend semifinal and finals games over this time. Any media members making predictions and then doing broadcast is not good. Take for example the popular national college football show, if one on the panel is calling a game where they are doing predictions that one does not make a prediction. The same should apply across all of sports regardless of level. If one is announcing a game you should not predict that game, it openly inserts bias into the broadcast regardless of what is said during the actual game. Journalistic integrity should be maintained at all times. Many of these are common basketball things but with so much involved as the stakes raise, we want to do our part to help you see the game of basketball fully.

–GAMESMANSHIP: Remember when Chris Paul (while with OKC Thunder in the 2019-20 season) was able to win a game by getting a second delay of game called on his opponent for checking into the game with an untucked jersey resulting in a technical foul? That is a prime example of gamesmanship. By definition via Merriam-Webster, gamesmanship is 1 : the art or practice of winning games by questionable expedients without actually violating the rules. 2 : the use of ethically dubious methods to gain an objective. You will know gamesmanship when you see it and there are plenty of examples we could give however we will not, you will know it when you see it. Most gamesmanship is subtle in nature and if coaches, players, officials, fans and/or game administration are not paying attention it can be missed OR if caught can be explained in a way where it was not a violation of a rule and therefore “worked”.

–CLOCK MANAGEMENT: This will be the final semifinals and finals played without a shot clock in Georgia. So prepare yourselves for the last two or three minutes in a multiple possession game (4-6 points or greater) which could result in the soon-to-be outdated “Stall/Holding” the ball tactic.

–TIME/SCORE/SITUATION/EARLY FOULS: Again something small but major when it comes to high stakes basketball games and winning championships. This will show team and coaching preparation and execution for these types of moments. End of quarters and halves is a prime example. Early fouls and foul trouble is everyone’s worst nightmare when the stakes are as large as they will be. I mean EVERYONE from fans, coaches and players hate early foul trouble. Early foul trouble can swing a game quicker than you may realize because it may cause a team and coach to adjust their prepared game plan, rotation patterns and/or in-game strategy. Early foul trouble most greatly affects teams that use a small rotation of for example- eight players, therefore it may mean a ninth or tenth player may be used more than they normally have in the state tournament. This is where development of the full team/roster, playing experience and coaching come in. This can also lead to more offense-for-defense (and vice versa) substitutions at various parts of a game and sometimes earlier than the normal late game situations, again comes back to coaching.

-MATCHUPS: There will be and could be several excellent coaching and player matchups throughout the semifinals and finals. Basketball is a game of runs, personnel and MATCHUPS. How will this team/player MATCHUP against that team/player. Will the size, speed and strength of one team/player provide a better matchup even if for just a few possessions. Will the players that are highly-ranked or talked about in recruiting circles go up against each other for more than a possession, how will those players respond to changing defenses or in-game coaching adjustments? Things of that nature are key and you should watch for them. We believe in EQUAL and BETTER competition therefore how will these players perform in high stake games against maybe some of the best competition they may or may not have seen. Who will have a solid performance and make a “name” for themselves heading into travel ball season and the next high school season for underclassmen (2023 and lower)? People talk all the time about how they are tired of hearing about the same teams and players, but never stop to think, why? It’s usually because they are some of the top teams and players and sometimes they may not “be that good” but time only tells that and now is the time. It’s still a team game and yes we know there will be some breakout performances in the semifinals and finals and college coaches will have a pulse on these players and performances.

-HILLSMAN HEAVY STATE CHAMPION PREDICTIONS: NONE! There will be eight state champions crowned and eight runner-ups. We will not be predicting or “hedge” the outcomes of any semifinals or finals games. We will be in multiple gyms throughout the semifinals and in Macon for the finals. All of the semifinals and finals will have some form of intrigue so all of them will be interesting games.

-OFFICIALS: There will be some bang-bang calls, there will be some questionable calls and yes there will be some bad calls. We cannot play the games without officials. Yes everyone with a rooting interest of a team will see calls differently, it’s the nature of sports. However we all can agree that all we ask for is consistency. If it is called on one end, it should be called on the other end. Officials are human and they have a hard job and yes there are some really bad officials in Georgia, yet there are some really good officials in Georgia. Let’s all just hope that the really good officials are assigned to these games and do there best to allow the players to determine the outcome of the game.