The Creekside Christian Cougars (20-9) capped off their 2023-24 season with a 75-49 victory over Cherokee Christian to win their second straight GAPPS state championship. This season Creekside Christian won the state title in Division 1-2A (the highest classification in GAPPS), while last season they won it in Division 1-3A (then the highest classification in GAPPS).
In the championship game, Bilal Osman led Creekside Christian with 22 points while Cedric Taylor and Joe Reddick tallied 10 points and Kelton Teasley finished with nine points.
“Unbelievable feeling to win it again this season and not many people get to experience this,” Creekside John Green said. “This was different because we lost six seniors from last seasons team and it was a rebuilding, character finding team and going through the ups and downs to get to the ultimate goal”
Creekside Christian Academy 2023-2024 GAPPS State Champions
Cedric Taylor (17ppg 10.8rpg 2.5apg 1.8bpg), Bilal Osman (13.7ppg 4rpg), Joseph Reddick (11ppg 6.2rpg 2.9apg), Kelton Teasley (8.8ppg 3.2rpg) led Creekside Christian this season.
Osman, Taylor and Reddick were name to the All-Region team and the All-State team.
Creekside Christian won their state tournament games by an average of 29 points per game. In the quarterfinals the Cougars defeated Lanier Christian Academy 84-51 and Rock Springs Christian Academy 77-49 in the semifinals.
Georgia Association of Private & Parochial Schools
Creekside Christian finished the season 20-9 overall, 9-0 vs GAPPS teams, 1-2 vs GIAA teams, 4-3 vs OOS teams, 4-4 in games decided by 5 points or less and complied a 7-3 record against GHSA teams which included a 5-2 record against GHSA state tournament teams.
The Cougars complied notable wins over GHSA state tournament teams Decatur (5A Second Round), St. Francis (1A-Div I First Round), Mt. Pisgah (1A- Div I Final Four), Salem (3A First Round) and Drew Charter (2A First Round). GIAA Furtah Prep (2A Semifinals). FHSAA state tournament teams Bell Creek (FL-3A State Region Quarterfinals) and Blanche Ely (FL-5A State Region Quarterfinals) and MSHSAA state tournament team Oxford (MS-7A First Round) this season.
The Cougars had notable losses to Wilson Academy (GA Independent), Heritage-Newnan (GIAA 3A Runner-Up), Victory Christian Center (NC-NCISAA 1A State Champions), Riverwood (GHSA 6A Finalist), Cedar Grove (GHSA 3A First Round), The Rock (FL-SIAA state champions), Florida State University High (FL-3A State Region Semifinals) and Cristo Rey Atlanta (GIAA 3A Semifinals).
“The schedule was to gain respect and notoriety for the kids. We feel we can go and compete with some of the best and see where we stand win or lose and find out where Creekside Christian stands in the basketball landscape,” Green said. “We going to continue to make sure we play a challenging schedule each year.”
The non-GHSA pinch post action was included in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA during the second half of the season as a featured segment. It took a look at the top non-GHSA schools in Georgia. Here is a look at some non-GHSA teams that have had solid seasons and have kept our attention the majority of the season and what is ahead for team in their respective association state tournaments, namely the GIAA and GAPPS associations.
GIAA:
GIAA 4A State Tournament Bracket
St. Anne-Pacelli (GIAA-4A): 24-6; 7-5 vs GHSA (6-4 vs GHSA state tournament teams), 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. St. Anne-Pacelli entered the GIAA 4A Boys State Basketball Tournament as the No.1 seed with a bye until the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, St. Anne-Pacelli defeated Brookstone 55-36 as Jalien Bush had 18 points while Jayddence Ford had 12 points to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals they defeated 5-seed Cristo Rey Atlanta 79-52. In the championship game, St. Anne-Pacelli defeated Loganville Christian Academy 44-31 to win the state championship. Jayddence Ford led St. Anne-Pacelli with 17 points, Azarel Juste tallied 10 points in th ewin over Loganville Christian. Notable wins over Douglas County (2x), Warner Robins, Valdosta, Dougherty, Greater Atlanta Christian and Heritage-Newnan (2x). Notable losses to Newton, Sandy Creek, Christian Heritage, Lee County. Every team St. Anne-Pacelli played during the regular season made the state tournament in their respective associations with the exception of St. Mary’s Academy. Jayddence Ford (17.8ppg 2.2rpg 3.3apg- ), TJ Smith (13.8ppg 5.3rpg 2.3spg- GIAA 4A All-State), Jalien Bush (7.2ppg 4.2rpg)
GIAA 3A State Tournament Bracket
Heritage-Newnan (GIAA-3A): 25-4, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 5-2 vs GHSA (4-2 vs GHSA state tournament teams). Heritage-Newnan entered the GIAA 3A Boys State Basketball Tournament as the No.1 seed with a bye until the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals Heritage-Newnan defeated Deerfield-Windsor 66-16 as Sam Mead had 15 points while Max Skidmore and Mason Bolinger each had 14 points, to advance to the semifinals where they will face the 5-seed Frederica Academy-who knocked off the 4-seed Brookwood School 64-48 in the quarterfinals. Notable wins over Ware County, North Cobb Christian, Jonesboro, Creekside Christian, Stratford Academy and St. Anne-Pacelli. Losses to Campbell, Carrollton and St. Anne-Pacelli (2x). Max Skidmore (16.2ppg 3rpg 2.7apg), Sam Meade (15.2ppg 7rpg) and Mason Robert-Bolinger (11.8ppg 5.5rpg 2.3apg) lead Heritage-Newnan. Of the teams that received a bye (4-Brookwood School, 2-St. Andrew’s and 3-Lakeview Academy) Heritage-Newnan did not play any of those teams in the regular season.
St. Andrew’s (GIAA-3A): 22-7; 9-6 vs GHSA schools (5-2 vs GHSA state tournament teams). St. Andrew’s is the two-time defending GIAA 3A State Champions. St. Andrew’s entered the GIAA 3A Boys State Basketball Tournament as the No.2 seed with a bye until the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals St. Andrew’s won their 15 straight game with a 64-63 win over Dominion Christian behind 30 points from Zayden Edwards to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals St. Andrew’s will take on Lakeview Academy on Wednesday February 28th. Notable wins over Hebron Christian Academy, Johnson-Savannah, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy and Savannah. Non-GHSA loss is to Furtah Prep, notable losses to Glynn Academy, Statesboro, Cedar Grove, King’s Ridge Christian. Zayden Edwards, Zyere Edwards, and Will Thompson lead St. Andrew’s. Of the teams that received a bye (1-Hertiage-Newnan, 3-Lakeview Academy and 4-Brookwood School), St. Andrew’s did not play any of those teams in the regular season.
GAPPS:
Creekside Christian 2024 D1-2A GAPPS State Champions
Creekside Christian (GAPPS-2A): 20-9, 7-3 vs GHSA (5-2 vs GHSA state tournament teams), 4-3 vs OOS, 4-4 in games decided by 5 points or less, 9-0 vs GAPPS teams and 1-2 vs GIAA schools. Creekside Christian is the defending GAPPS State Champion. Creekside Christian won their second straight GAPPS state title, this time in Division 1-2A (highest classification in GAPP this season), after defeating Cherokee Christian 75-49 in the championship game. Bilal Osman led Creekside Christian with 22 points while Cedric Taylor and Joseph Reddick each scored 10 points and Kelton Teasley put in nine points in the championship game. Creekside Christian during their state title run defeated Lanier Christian Academy 84-51 and Rock Springs Christian Academy 77-49. Creekside Christian complied notable wins over Decatur, St. Francis, Salem, Bell Creek (FL), Blanche Ely (FL), and Oxford (MS) this season. The Cougars has notable losses to Wilson Academy, Heritage-Newnan, Victory Christian (NC-1A NCISAA state champions), Riverwood, Cedar Grove, The Rock (FL-SIAA state champions), and FSU HS (FL). Cedric Taylor (17ppg 10.8rpg 2.5apg 1.8bpg), Bilal Osman (13.7ppg 4rpg), Joseph Reddick (11ppg 6.2rpg 2.9apg), Kelton Teasley (8.8ppg 3.2rpg) led Creekside Christian this season.
OTHERS:
Wilson Academy (Independent): 18-9, 4-3 vs GHSA (4-2 vs GHSA state tournament teams), 8-3 vs OOS, 4-4 in games decided by 5 points or less. Wilson Academy’s upcoming games include Sunrise Christian (KS) on February 29th and Link Academy (MO) on March 2nd. Notable wins over Creekside Christian, Paideia, Greater Atlanta Christian, Potter House-FL, Dutchtown, Word Of God (NC), Hargrave Military Academy (VA). Notable losses to Eagle’s Landing, La Lumiere (IN), Legacy Early College (SC), North Broward Prep (FL), Mt. Vernon, Archbishop Hoban (OH). Caleb Cameron, Isaiah Cameron and Jeremiah Stebbins are the team leaders.
Augusta Christian (SCISA 4A): 23-8, 4-2 vs GHSA (3-2 vs GHSA state tournament teams). Augusta Christian is located in Martinez, GA in the Augusta metro area and plays in the SCISA (South Carolina Independent School Association) in South Carolina. Augusta Christian is the two-time defending SCISA 4A state champion. Augusta Christian received a bye to the quarterfinals and, in the quarterfinals, defeated Wilson Hall 88-51. In the semifinals, they defeated Heathwood Hall 69-39 to advance to the finals against Cardinal Newman. In the finals Augusta Christian’s attempt for a three-peat fell short with a 71-61 loss to Cardinal Newman. Augusta Christian went 1-2 against Cardinal Newman this seasons as the two teams split their two previous regular season meetings. Augusta Christian had notable wins against New Hampstead, Greenbrier, Marietta, Cardinal Newman (SC), St. Patrick-St. Vincent (CA), Palo Alto (CA), Bethel (CA). They had notable losses to Houston County, Westside-Augusta, Quality Education Academy (NC) and Atlantic Collegiate Academy Armada (SC). Braylen Smith and Khaleel Pratt were the key players for Augusta Christian this season.
Be sure to check back for updates as these associations state tournaments progress for updates on how these teams did.
The Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools Division 1-AAA state championships were held over the weekend at Ace Academy in Macon, GA.
Creekside Christian (24-6) defeated Valor Christian (16-3) 64-57 in the state championship game. Jaylen Priester led all Creekside Christian scorers with 14 points. Cedric Taylor added 13 while Joseph Reddick and Jeremy Benard each finished with 10 points for the Cougars.
First-year head coach John Green, who was the associate head coach last season, leads Creekside Christian to their fourth basketball state championship in program history. Burton Uwarow was the head coach when Creekside Christian won state championships in the GICAA in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
2022-2023 GAPPS Division 1-AAA State Champions Creekside Christian Academy Cougars
The Cougars entered the GAPPS D1-3A state tournament as the D1-3A Region 3 champion and received a bye into the quarterfinals. Creekside Christian defeated The King’s Academy (17-10) 96-40 in the quarterfinals and New Creation Christian (23-8) Academy 58-48 in the semifinals to advance to the finals.
Creekside Christian ended the season on a 12-game winning streak and did not lose to a GAPPS opponent this season. The Cougars played an array of teams from across multiple states and associations to fill their non-GAPPS schedule with quality opponents.
Creekside Christian Academy spent time in the “Keeping Tabs On” teams in the Hillsman Heavy Top10GA this season.
Creekside Christian was 4-3 against GHSA schools this season and maybe the biggest win of the season was a 77-70 win over North Cobb Christian (1A- Division I). They also had wins over GHSA teams Dacula, Ola and Locust Grove. Brookwood, Cedar Grove and Osborne were their three losses to GHSA teams. Creekside defeated GIAA opponents Furtah Prep and St. Mary’s Academy and loss to The Heritage School. The Cougars also had two victories over Georgia independent school Arlington Christian and dropped a game to Georgia independent school Wilson Academy.
Playing against Florida schools they suffered a 46-44 loss to Oldsmar Christian (FL) of the SIAA and defeated Buchholz (FL) of the FHSAA 64-56 while playing in the Florida Get Down New Year’s.
Creekside Christian was a “Keeping Tabs On” team this season in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA poll.
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