FINAL HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 3/12/2024

The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia concludes its sixth season-fourth of public publication- extends a gracious thank you to YOU, the readers, listeners, viewers, players, coaches, athletic directors, principals, basketball fans, scorekeepers, basketball consultants, basketball media and parents for your time, support and readership. The sixth season of the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA-which is under Total Sports Coverage – completed a record-setting year for readership and visitors. THANK YOU!

The 2023-2024 high school basketball season is complete in Georgia. It is now time for the FINAL Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA for the 2023-2024 season.

The Hillsman Heavy

As a reminder The Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia considers all basketball playing schools in the state from the GHSA, GIAA and 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 ranks using the following criteria; OVERALL performance, Team Chemistry, Coaching, Scheduling (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 the Final Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia.

2024 Final Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA

Entering the State Tournament on 2/20/2024 here is what the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA was;

1-Grayson, 2-McEachern, 3-Kell, 4-Alexander, 5-Sandy Creek, 6-Greenforest, 7-Wheeler, 8-Eagle’s Landing, 9- Westside-Augusta, 10-McDonough.

In the state tournament, nine teams advanced to the semifinals, eight teams advanced to the Finals, five won state titles, three lost in the Finals and two teams lost to non-Hillsman Heavy teams. The state tournament produced three All-Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA matchups, one in the semifinals and two in the finals.  In the 7A semifinals, No.2 McEachern eliminated No.7 Wheeler. In the 7A Finals, No.1 Grayson eliminated No.2 McEachern and No.3 Kell eliminated No.8 Eagle’s Landing in the 5A Finals.

The Final Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA 3/12/2024

Here is the FINAL Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA for the 2023-2024 season.

For the second straight season the team that was No.1 in the preseason Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA went wire-to-wire at the No.1 spot. This season it was Grayson, in 2023 it was Wheeler.

1- Grayson (1)- Head Coach: Geoffrey Pierce Final Record: 30-2; Key Notes: Grayson is the Georgia 7A State Champion and Region 4-7A Champion. Grayson won its first basketball boys state title in school history and closed the season on a 15-game winning streak.

The overall depth and versatile nature of Grayson was on display throughout the season and during their state tournament run. The headliners were  Gicarri Harris (14.8ppg 6.2rpg 5.3apg 1.7spg 52% FG 41.4% 3PT), CJ Hyland (10.1ppg 4.1rpg 4.5apg 48% FG 44% 3PT), Jacob Wilkins (13.8ppg 8.2rpg 1.8apg 1.7bpg 56% FG ), Amir Taylor (13.1ppg 8.3ppg 2.3apg 60% FG), and Anthony Alston (10.4ppg 3rpg 1.5apg 1.2spg 45% FG 76% FT) in state). Laz Mason (5.4ppg 42% 3PT 75% FT) and Ahmad Clark (5.5ppg 4.8rpg 54% FG) were vital for Grayson this season and in the postseason.

Grayson went 5-2 vs OOS and 1-2 in games, decided by 5 points or less. Grayson did not lose to a Georgia team this season, and their OOS losses were to Ridge View (SC-4A State Champion) and Perry (AZ-AIA Open Division State Champion). Grayson had notable wins over McEachern (2x), Newton (3x), Woodward Academy, Peachtree Ridge (2x), Kell (5A State Champion), Sandy Creek (3A State Champion), Mt. Vernon (1ADI State Champion), Carrollton, Dorman (SC-5A State Quarterfinalist), St. John’s (DC- DCSAA 2A Runner Up), Bishop McNamara (MD- MPSAA MD Private School 2ndRd), North Broward Prep (FL-4A State Semifinalist), Imani Christian Academy (PA- PIAA 2nd Rd-still playing) and Milton.

Grayson averaged 72.1ppg against 53ppga this season. Grayson was the undisputed No.1 team in the preseason, is the undisputed No.1 team at the seasons completion, and remained in the No.1 spot the entire season. They are the second team in as many years to go wire-to-wire at No.1 (Wheeler 2023).

2- McEachern (2)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Final Record: 26-6; Key Notes: McEachern is the Georgia 7A Runner Up, and Region 3-7A Champion. McEachern’s only loss to a Georgia team was to Grayson (2x) in the season opener and the 7A state finals. McEachern finished the season 6-4 vs OOS and were 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

Ace Bailey (31.7ppg 15.1rpg 3.4apg 2.2bpg 51% FG), THE best player in the United States of America for the class of 2024, led the charge for McEachern while Nnadozie Onyirimba (10.7ppg 9.7rpg 68% FG)and Jaye Nash (10.1ppg 6.7apg) played key roles. McEachern’s OOS losses were to Christopher Columbus (FL-7A State Champion), Don Bosco Prep (NJ- NJSIAA North Jersey Non-Public A State Champion), Paul VI (VA-WCAC Champion; VISAA D1 State Champion) and Harvard-Westlake (CA- CA Open Division State Champion).

McEachern had notable wins against Kell, Dutchtown, Holy Innocents, Pebblebrook, Westminster Academy (FL- 3A State Regional Finalist), Cannon (NC-NCSIAA 4A Semifinalist), North Mecklenburg (NC- 4A Semifinalist-still playing), Camden (NJ- NJSIAA Group 2 State Champion), Alexander, Vashon (MO-MSHSAA 4A Semifinalist-still playing), Edmond North (OK-OSSAA 6A Runner Up), Milton, Newton, Norcross and Wheeler. McEachern averaged 72.5ppg against 59.3ppga this season.

3- Kell (3) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Final Record: 28-3; Key Notes: Kell is the Georgia 5A State Champion, Region 6-5A Champion and ended the season on a 27-game win streak. Kell wins its second straight state title.

Kell finished 7-0 vs OOS and 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less. Kell’s three losses this season were to McEachern, Newton and Grayson (7A State Champion).

Kell had quality wins over Greenforest (1ADI State Champion) , Wheeler, Jackson-Reed (DC- DCSAA 2A Semifinalist), North Broward Prep (FL-4A State Semifinalist), Greeneville (TN), Carter (TX-UIL 4A Regional Finalist), Hudson Catholic (NJ-NJSIAA North Jersey Non-Public A Semifinalist), Chapel Hill, Dutchtown, Winder-Barrow and Harlan County (KY- Advanced to KHSAA Sweet Sixteen-still playing).

CJ Brown (20.5ppg 4.4rpg 3.4apg 2.5spg), Jaylen Colon (13.4ppg 3.9rpg 7.2apg 1.9spg; 40% 3PT) and Cannon Richards (10ppg 8.9rpg) carried the weight with solid contributions coming from Connor Staphylaris, Chris McLavish (11.5ppg 3.6ppg 2.1spg; 40% 3PT) and Zach Graves. Kell had 14 games where the scored 80 or points and averaged 77.6ppg against 54.1ppga.

4-Sandy Creek (5) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Final Record: 27-3;   Key Notes: Sandy Creek is the Georgia 3A State Champion and Region 5-3A Champion. Sandy Creek won back-to-back 3A state titles under head coach Jon Nickerson.

Sandy Creek had notable wins over Mt. Vernon (1ADI State Champion), Milton, Cedar Grove, Fayette County (2x), Osborne, Buford, Pinson Valley (AL- 6A Sub-Regionalist), St. Anne-Pacelli (GIAA 4A State Champion), St. Pius X, Grovetown, Johnson-Savannah (3A Runner Up), and Flint Hill (VA-VISAA DI 1st Rd). Sandy Creek’s two losses to Georgia teams are to Grayson and Etowah, and their OOS loss was to St. Frances Academy (MD- MIAA 1A 1st Rd).

Sandy Creek finished 3-1 vs OOS and 2-3 in games decided by 5 points or less. Sandy Creek averaged 69.8ppg against 45.3ppga (fewest allowed by any Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA team) this season and was powered by a smothering defense.

Sandy Creek had an array of tools in the tool box in Amari Brown (17ppg 5rpg 3apg 51% FG), Micah Smith (16ppg 8rpg 5apg 3bpg 55% FG), PJ Green (6ppg 5rpg 3apg), Jacobi Robinson (10ppg 3rpg 3apg 45% FG) and Jared White (10ppg 4rpg 3apg 44%-3PT).

5-Greenforest (6)- Head Coach: Rory Griffin Final Record: 27-4 Key Notes: Greenforest is the Georgia 1ADII State Champion and Region 7-1ADII Champion. Greenforest won their second championship in three seasons under head coach Rory Griffin and finished the season on a 21-game win streak.

Greenforest’s quality wins include Langston Hughes, Eagle’s Landing, Newton, Baldwin, Mt. Vernon (1ADI State Champion), Manchester and Christian Heritage (2x). Greenforest’s losses this season were to Kell (5A State Champion), Berkmar, Milton, and Williston (FL- 1A State Champion). The Kell loss was the only loss of more than six points. Greenforest is 2-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

The staple of the Greenforest program is it’s hard work and despite the lack of “highly-recruited names”, Greenforest was carried by hard work players with multiple years of big game and state tournament experience. Elijah Lewis (19.5ppg 3.6apg), Mike Robinson (15.8ppg 7apg 4.3spg), Caleb Kawela (13.4ppg 12rpg) and Daniel Daramola (11ppg 9rpg). Russ White (9.2ppg 6rpg 6apg) and Orion Wilson (6.4ppg 6rpg) played key roles as well. Greenforest averaged 71.1ppg against 46.5ppga this season.

6-Westside-Augusta (9)– Head Coach: Jerry Hunter Final Record: 28-4 Key Notes: Westside-Augusta is the 2A State Champion, Region 4-2A Champion and have won three straight state titles.

Three  of Westside-Augusta’s four losses this season were to region rivals Butler (2x), who they also defeated twice this season, and to Thomson – who they defeated twice also this season. The fourth loss was to Gray Collegiate (SC- 2A State Champion).

Westside-Augusta had notable wins over McDonough, Butler (2x), Cross Creek, Greenbrier, Thomson (2x), North Augusta (SC), Columbia and Toombs County. Westside-Augusta went 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, and were 4-1 vs OOS this season. Westside-Augusta averaged 76.2ppg, allowed 47.7ppga, scored 80 or more points 14 times, including 5 games with 100 or more points this season.

Westside-Augusta was a very deep team that was led by Jarious Adkinson (10ppg 3rpg 2apg) , Lavonta Ivery (11.2ppg 4.3rpg 3.3apg), and Demarco Middleton (13.6ppg 3.6rpg 4aps 2spg). Javan Webb, Dontrell Jackson, Bobby Blackwell and Xavier Goss where all in on the act as well.

7- Wheeler (7)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Final Record: 25-6; Key Notes: Wheeler was a Georgia 7A semifinalist and the Region 5-7A Champions. Josh Hill (18ppg 8.5rpg 54.7%eFG) and Ricky McKenzie (13.7ppg 4.2rpg 48.7%eFG) carried the load for Wheeler while Kevin Savage (7ppg 2.5apg), Amare James (7ppg 3.5rpg) Kota Suttle (9ppg 7rpg 4apg), Lamarrion Lewis and Jacob Taylor played key roles.

Wheeler was 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and were 2-0 vs OOS, defeating Canyon Corner (UT- UHSAA 6A Quarterfinalist) and Rock Creek Christian (MD-MPSAA MD Private School Quarterfinalist).

Wheeler had quality wins over Dutchtown, Newton, Holy Innocents, Chapel Hill, Tri-Cities, Berkmar, Langston Hughes, region foes Osborne (2x), and Walton (2x). Wheeler quality losses were to McEachern, Alexander, Kell (5A State Champion), Walton and Berkmar. Wheeler averaged 67.3ppg while allowing 56.1ppga against this season.

8- Eagle’s Landing (8)- Head Coach: Elliott Montgomery Final Record: 23-8  Key Notes: Eagle’s Landing is the Georgia 5A Runner Up and Region 2-5A champion. Eagle’s Landing went 4-3 vs OOS this season. Those three OOS losses were to Rivera Prep (FL-3A State Champion), Millbrook (NC- 4A Sweet Sixteen/3rd Round) and Mater Lakes Academy (FL- 4A State Regional Finalist).

Three of their fives losses to Georgia teams were to region opponents (Jones County, Warner Robins and Dutchtown-all advanced to at least the second round of the state tournament) and Eagle’s Landing avenged all three losses including finishing 2-1 against Dutchtown in games that were decided by 6,4 and 4 points respectively. Their other Georgia losses were to Greenforest (1ADII State Champion) by one point and against Kell in the 5A finals.

Eagle’s Landing went 4-4 in games decided by less than 5 points. Eagle’s Landing has notable wins over Sagemont (FL-2A State Champion), Wilson Academy (GA), Walton, Dutchtown (2x), Warner Robins (2x), Jones County, Christ School (NC-NCSIAA 4A State Champion), Tampa Catholic (FL- 3A State Regional Semifinalist), Tri-Cities, Maynard Jackson and Jonesboro.

Chris Morris II (14.4ppg 5.4rpg in state), Clark Mastin (8ppg 4rpg 4.6apg 3.2spg in state), Bobby Buggs (9.4ppg 2rpg in state), and Dwight Brown (12.2ppg 6rpg in state) led Eagle’s Landing. Maddox Melancon had soli production on both ends and the addition of John McQueen were key pieces for Eagle’s Landing throughout the season and into the state tournament. Eagle’s Landing averaged 64.3ppg against 49.9ppga this season.

9- Alexander (4) Head Coach: Jason Slate Final  Record: 29-3; Key Notes: Alexander is the Georgia 6A State Runner Up and  Region 5-6A Champion. Alexander had their 16-game winning streak snapped in the 6A finals, losing to Riverwood 67-63. Alexander’s other two losses are to state runner-ups Holy Innocents and McEachern.

Alexander went 3-0 vs OOS and were 4-2 in games decided by 5 points. Alexander had notable wins over Tri-Cities, Mt. Vernon (2x), Wheeler, Vashon (MO-MSHSAA 4A Semifinalist-still playing), Heritage Christian (CA- CIF Open Division II Regional Finalist/Final Four), Maumelle (AR- AHSAA 5A 2ndRd), Norcross, Douglass County (2x), Langston Hughes (2x), and South Paulding (2x). 

Braedan Lue (18.9ppg 9.1rpg 2apg 2spg 2bpg), Greg Dunston (14.1ppg 5apg), Allen Stoddard (10.7ppg 6.1rpg) and Jermaine Freeman (11ppg 3.1rpg 2apg 2.2spg) carried the load for Alexander this season. Alexander averaged 69ppg against 52.7ppga this season. Alexander’s overall body of work stood up enough despite losing in the Finals to a non-Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA team to remain in.

10-Mount Vernon (NR) Head Coach: Tarrick Mabon Final Record: 23-9; Key Notes: Mt. Vernon is the 1ADI State Champion and Region 6-1ADI Champion. Mt. Vernon won their first state championship in school history. Six of their nine losses were to Georgia teams that played in the Finals in Grayson (7 A State Champions), Sandy Creek (3A State Champions), Alexander (6A Runner Up) twice, Greenforest (1ADII State Champions) and Paideia (1ADI Runner Up).

Mt Vernon was 3-3 vs OOS opponents with losses to Oak Ridge (FL 7A Runner Up), Mainland (FL 5A State Semifinalist) and Calvary Christian (FL 4A State Regional Semifinalist). Mt Vernon had notable wins over Pebblebrook, Paideia (2x), Wilson Academy, Mt. Pisgah (2x), St. Francis, North Gwinnett, Flint Hill (VA-VISAA DI 1st Rd) and The First Academy (FL 3A State Regional Quarterfinalist).

KJ Garris (18.5ppg 5.4rpg 2.3apg), Xavier Shegog (13.1ppg 8.8rpg 2apg 1.2bpg), Sha’Yah Goba (14.7ppg 6.1rpg) and Dennis Scott II (10.3ppg 6rpg 1.4apg) powered Mt Vernon. Pace Bottoms and Gabe Alterman played key roles throughout the regular and postseason as well. Mt. Vernon was 5-7 in games decided by 5 points or less, ended the season on a 10-game win streak an averaged 69ppg against 52.5ppga this season. Mount Vernon head coach Tarrik Mabon, in his seventh season as head coach, surpassed 100 wins and Mt. Vernon was not in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA at any point this season until now.

OUT- McDonough (10) 26-4

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order): Here are the end results for those teams that were mentioned in the Keeping Tabs On entering the state tournament.

Archer (eliminated in 7A 2ndRd), Baldwin (eliminated in 4A Final Four), Berkmar (eliminated in 7A 2ndRd), Buford (eliminated in 7A 2ndRd), Butler (eliminated in 2A Final Four),

Calhoun County (eliminated in 1ADII Elite Eight), Camden County (eliminated in 7A 1stRd), Chapel Hill (eliminated in 5A 2ndRd), Christian Heritage (eliminated in 1ADII 2ndRd), Columbia (eliminated in 2A Final Four), Cross Creek (eliminated in 3A 2ndRd), Dougherty (eliminated in 3A Final Four),Douglass-Atlanta (eliminated in 3A Elite Eight), Dutchtown (eliminated in 5A Elite Eight),

Etowah (eliminated in 6A 1stRd), Fayette County (eliminated in 4A 1stRd), Glynn Academy (eliminated in 5A 1stRd), Grovetown (eliminated in 6A Elite Eight), Hebron Christian (eliminated in 3A Elite Eight), Holy Innocents (4A Runner Up),

Jones County (eliminated in 5A 2ndRd), Jonesboro (eliminated in 6A Final Four), Langston Hughes (eliminated in 6A Elite Eight), Lee County (eliminated in 6A 1st Rd), Madison County (did not make state), Maynard Jackson (eliminated in 5A Final Four), Mays (eliminated in 5A 1stRd), Mitchell County (eliminated in 1ADII 2nd Rd), Monroe-Albany (eliminated in 3A Elite Eight), Mt. Vernon (1ADI State Champions),

Newton (eliminated in 7A 2ndRd), Norcross (eliminated in 7A Elite Eight), North Oconee (4A State Champion),

Paideia (1ADI Runner Up), Peachtree Ridge (eliminated in 7A Elite Eight), Portal (eliminated in 1ADII Elite Eight), Riverwood (6A State Champs),

Salem (eliminated in 1st Rd), Savannah (eliminated in 1ADI Final Four), Shiloh (eliminated in 6A 1st Rd), Spencer (eliminated in 2A 2ndRd), St. Pius X (eliminated 6A 2ndRd), South Atlanta (eliminated in 2A Elite Eight),

Thomson (eliminated in 2A 2ndRd), Tri-Cities (eliminated in 5A Elite Eight), Tucker (eliminated in 5A Elite Eight), Valdosta (eliminated in 7A 2ndRd), Walker School (eliminated in 2A 2ndRd), Ware County (eliminated in 5A 1st Rd), Warner Robins (eliminated in 5A Elite Eight), Winder Barrow (eliminated in 5A Final Four), Woodward Academy (eliminated in 6A Final Four)

2024 GHSA State Champions

2024 GEORGIA STATE CHAMPIONS:

GHSA STATE CHAMPIONS

7A: Grayson (1st in school history) 6A: Riverwood (1st in school history) 5A: Kell (2nd straight) 4A: North Oconee (1st in school history) 3A: Sandy Creek (2nd straight) 2A: Westside-Augusta (3rd straight) 1ADII: Greenforest (5th in school history) 1ADI: Mt. Vernon (1st in school history)

Four of the eight GHSA champions were first time champions and four were repeat winners.

2024 GIAA State Champions

GIAA STATE CHAMPIONS

4A: St. Anne-Pacelli (1st in school history) 3A: Lakeview Academy (1st in school history) 2A: Furtah Prep (5th in school history) 1A: Monsignor Donovan (1st in school history).

2024 GAPPS State Champions

GAPPS STATE CHAMPIONS

D1-2A: Creekside Christian (2nd straight) D1-1A: Unity Christian

That’s it for the 2023-2024 season. The high school offseason will yield plenty of player development, player improvement, roster movement, coaching movement and scheduling for next season. The June Live Period will be here before you know it and we will get an early glimpse into the 2024-2025 season. What you do in the spring and summer shows up in the winter.

#TheRealSeeYouInTheGym

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY WINS 3A GIAA STATE TITLE

Lakeview Academy (26-5) made a playoff run for the ages and capped it with a 53-44 overtime win over Heritage-Newnan to claim the GIAA 3A state title, the first title in school basketball history. Lakeview Academy was led by Mekhi Barber with 24 points and Tayden Ware’s 10 points in the victory.

“We were 3-of-18 on three’s and 10-of-23 from the free throw line and you do not win games like that against really good teams unless you are tough,” Lakeview Academy head coach Benji Wood said. “We defended our tails off and held a great Heritage team to 44 points including OT,” Wood added.

Wood also had plenty of emotions about winning his first state championship as a head coach.

“There have been a wide variety of emotions, but I think mostly I’m grateful. Having come close so many times, I truly appreciate this at this point in my career,” Wood said about winning the title.

In the state tournament Lakeview Academy entered as the No.3 seed and received a bye until the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals they defeated John Milledge Academy 52-34, and two-time defending GIAA 3A champion St. Andrew’s 56-54 in the semifinals to advance to the finals.

For the season Lakeview Academy was powered by Mekhi Barber (14ppg 4spg), Tayden Ware (12ppg 8rpg) and Justyce Sadler (12ppg 8rpg).

Lakeview Academy GIAA 3A State Champions

Lakeview Academy also posted a 4-2 record against GHSA state tournament teams with wins over Rabun County (2x- GHSA 1AD1 Second Round), Oglethorpe County (GHSA 1ADI Second Round), and Athens Christian (GHSA D1DI Second Round). The losses were to Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (GHSA 2A Second Round), and Athens Christian.

Lakeview Academy also had key wins over GIAA teams Loganville Christian Academy (GIAA 4A Runner Up) twice out of three games and Monsignor Donovan Catholic (GIAA 1A State Champ).

“Trust and toughness! Our guys bought into the process and we preached toughness all season,” Wood added. “We feel like the future is very bright here and we eight guys who played in the state championship returning because none of them are seniors,” Wood elated.

One would have to think that the future is bright at Lakeview Academy and winning a state championship only makes being apart of the program for those returning gives them an opportunity to build on their mark at Lakeview Academy.

UPDATES: Hillsman Heavy “Inside The GHSA State Tournament” Finals Preview

The Georgia GHSA State finals are upon us and the action begins in Macon, GA on Wednesday March 6th and concludes on Saturday March 9th.

Lets take a look at the matchup beginning in dated order of play.

GHSA Championship Hardware

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6TH 3PM;

1ADII: Manchester (21-8) vs Greenforest (26-4)

Greenforest enters the Finals riding a 20-game winning streak behind an overall balanced effort up and down the roster from Elijah Lewis, Caleb Kawela and Daniel Daramola most notably. Greenforest is going for their second title in three seasons and their only losses to Georgia opponents were to Kell, Milton and Berkmar. Greenforest is No.6 in the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA entering the state tournament.

Manchester enters the Finals on a 5-game winning streak. Manchester is led by Daryus Bryant (13.2ppg 9.2rpg), Jaedyn Terry (9ppg 7rpg) and Dre McGhee (9ppg 4rpg). The Blue Devils are in the finals for the first time since 2012 under first-year head coach Demonta Prather. Manchester is 3-0 in games decided by five points or less including their Final Four win over Warren County 62-60 with a defensive stand to seal the game.

Expect a hard nosed effort from both teams especially on the defensive ends.

RESULT: Greenforest wins it’s fifth state title in school history, second in the last three years in a XX-XX win over Manchester. Greenforest used an 11-2 run over the end of the first quarter and into the second quarter and a 22-7 third quarter to blow it open for the 68-39 win. Elijah Lewis finished with 18p while Caleb Kawela posted an 11-point 11-rebound double-double for Greenforest.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6TH 7PM;

4A: North Oconee (29-3) vs Holy Innocents (26-6)

North Oconee is in the Finals for the first time in history and first under head coach Rick Rasmussen in his fifth season. North Oconee enters on an 18-game winning streak and is powered by Khamari Brooks (16.3ppg in state), Justin Payne (14.3ppg in state) and Justin Wise (15ppg in state). Evan Montgomery and Byrd Carter (14.5ppg in state) play key roles for a balanced Titans team. Brooks and Montgomery have commanded the glass during the postseason for the Titans while Payne has engineered the offense while leading the team in assists. North Oconee’s only loss to a Georgia team this season was to region foe Seckinger and they are 3-2 in games decided by 5 points or less.

North Oconee’s Justin Wise

Holy Innocents is in the Finals for the second time in three seasons under head coach Mario Mays. Holy Innocents enters on a 15-game winning streak and is headlined by Caleb Wilson. Wilson is a box score stuffer and is averaging 18.5ppg 16rpg 4.7apg 5.7bpg in the state tournament. Devin Hutcherson (17.7ppg 8.3rpg in state) and Will Hopkins (12.7ppg in state) have also been key for Holy Innocents, who also gets timely outside shooting from Jordan Mays while Rhys Williams is the x-factor. Holy Innocents is 4-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and for of their six losses are to Georgia teams Wheeler, McEachern, Woodward Academy and region foe Westminster.

There are some very nice matchups across the board in this contest however the Brooks vs Wilson matchup will stand out the most between these two gifted players.

RESULT: North Oconee used a huge effort from Justin Wise and Byrd Carter to win their first state title in school basketball history over Holy Innocents 65-60 Wise finished with 19p while Carter finished with 20p 6r for North Oconee.

The March To Macon

THURSDAY MARCH 7TH 3PM:

2A: Toombs County (29-2) vs Westside-Augusta (27-4)

Toombs County enters the Finals riding a 20-game winning streak. Toombs was thought of around the basketball community as a sleeper and they have proven that to be correct and we missed it. Toombs County’s only loss to a Georgia team was to Veterans in the second game of the season and they are 3-2 in games decided by 5 points or less. Senior Dominic Eason (20ppg 6.3rpg 2.3apg) leads the charge for Toombs County. Eason has help from seniors Jesus Quintero (13.9ppg 3.4rpg 2.5spg), Demetrius Cutler (7.7ppg 7.7rpg) and sophomore Parker Stanley (7.1ppg 5.6rpg).

Westside-Augusta enters the Finals seeking their third straight state championship and are riding an 8-game winning streak. Balance and depth is what makes this team very dangerous led by seniors DeMarco Middleton (13.9ppg 3.6rpg 4apg 2.5spg) and Lavonta Ivery (11.3ppg 5.2rpg 3.5apg). Jarious Adkinson, Javan Webb, Dontrell Jackson, Bobby Blackwell, Aldrion Jones and Xavier Goss are key players as well. Put it this way, of the 15 players on Westside-Augusta roster, 13 have played in 29 or more games and role identification is understood. Two of their four losses this season were to Butler-who Toombs County defeated in the semifinals. Westside-Augusta is 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less, has scored 80 or more points 15 times this season and are winning by an average of 37.2 points in the state tournament. Westside-Augusta is No.9 in the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA entering the state tournament.

This should be a very fun basketball game. How Westside-Augusta is able to contain Eason and how Toombs County will be able to handle Westside-Augusta’s depth could be the deciding factors.

RESULT: Westside-Augusta raced out a 10-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game and never looked back in a 64-29 win over Toombs County to win the 2A State title and their third straight title. 11 players scored for Westside-Augusta led by Lavonta Ivery (14p 4r 3a) and Jarious Adkinson (11p).

THURDAY MARCH 7TH 7PM:

5A:

Eagle’s Landing (23-7) vs Kell (27-3)

This will be one of two All-Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA Finals matchups and a rematch of the 5A title game from a season ago, won by Kell.

Eagle’s Landing is in the Finals for the four straight season and enters on an 11-game winning streak. Eagle’s Landing has gotten stronger as the season has gone and are playing some of their best basketball now. Eagle’s Landing features balance and depth with Dwight Brown (13.3ppg in state), Chris Morris II (13.7ppg 5.3r in state) Bobby Buggs (10.5ppg in state), Clark Mastin (8.5ppg 4.7rpg 4.7apg 3.5spg in state) and John McQueen (9ppg 3.7rpg in state). Maddox Melancon, Hannibal Smith and Tyson Moore are also playing key roles. Eagle’s Landing is 4-4 in games decided by 5 points or less. Three of Eagle’s Landing losses were to OOS teams and their four losses to Georgia teams were to region foes Warner Robins, Dutchtown, Jones County and non-region foe Greenforest. Eagle’s Landing is No. 8 in the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA entering the state tournament.

Kell’s Cannon Richards

Kell is in the Finals for the second straight season, are the defending champions and enter on a 26-game winning streak. Kell has multiple weapons led by CJ Brown (20.7ppg in state), Jaylen Colon (14.5ppg in state) and Cannon Richards (10.7ppg in state). Chris McLavish, Conner Staphylaris and Brayden Rouse have been solid throughout the season and during the state tournament run. Kell’s three losses are to McEachern, Newton and Grayson. They are 1-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, have scored 80 or more points 14 times this season. Kell is No.3 in the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA entering the state tournament.

This should be another fun ballgame between these two teams. We may see them get up and down the floor or we could see it be a slow grind it out half-court game. Either way the team that scores the most points off of live ball turnovers will have the advantage.

RESULT: Kell led wire-to-wire in a 62-51 win over Eagle’s Landing to secure their second straight state title. CJ Brown (21p 9r 3a), Jaylen Colon (14p 6r 2a) lead the way for Kell who also got timely shooting from Connor Staphylaris (9p- 3-3PTM). Eagle’s Landing used a 9-2 run to tie the game at 35-35 with 2:30 left in the third quarter. From that point Kell responded with a 10-2 run and never looked back. Kell ends the season on a 27-game winning streak.

FRIDAY MARCH 8TH 3PM:

3A: Sandy Creek (26-3) vs Johnson-Savannah (20-11)

Sandy Creek is in the Finals for the second straight season and are the defending champions. Sandy Creek enters on a 6-game winning streak and is led by Amari Brown (18.2ppg in state), Micah Smith (17.7ppg in state), and Jacobi Robinson (15.2ppg in state). Jared White, Kani Rashied-Henry and PJ Green are also key for Sandy Creek. Two of Sandy Creek’s three losses are to Georgia teams Grayson and Etowah and both loses were by one point. Sandy Creek can score in multiple ways and defend in multiple ways and usually if one thing is taken away they always have a counter for it. Sandy Creek is No.5 in the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA entering the state tournament.

Johnson-Savannah is in the Finals for the first time under fourth-year head coach Derrick Campbell. Johnson-Savannah is led by Favion Kirkwood (20.5ppg 5rpg 2apg in state), Joshua Quarterman (15ppg 4.3rpg 3.3apg in state) and Comari Jones (13.5ppg 6.8apg in state). Kadin Davis, Jahdon Polite and Quintin James are also keys for the Atomsmashers. Johsnon-Savanah is 6-5 in games decided by 5 points or less and 2-0 in the state tournament in such games. Johnson-Savannah’s defense has taken it to a different notch as the state tournament has progressed and the offense continues to thrive with Kirkwood leading the way.

This will be an interesting game from the aspect of defensive adjustments and offensive counters. It could become a grind-it-out game which Johnson-Savannah is familiar with and Sandy Creek is known to be able to score in multiple ways regardless of pace. The pace will be important from both sides.

RESULT: Sandy Creek closed the first quarter on a 9-0 run and led 20-11, they never looked back as they won their second straight state title 74-49 over Johnson-Savannah. Jacobi Robinson finished with 18p 3r 2a, Micah Smith tallied 15p 13 4a while Jared White had 14p 4r for Sandy Creek.

FRIDAY MARCH 8TH 7:30PM:

6A: Alexander (29-2) vs Riverwood (24-7)

Alexander is in the Finals for the second straight season, are the defending champions and enter on a 16-game winning streak. Alexander is led by Braeden Lue (18.5ppg 9rpg 2.3apg in state), Jermaine Freeman (12ppg 2.3rpg in state), Gregory Dunston (13ppg 4rpg in state) and have overcame the void left by Alex Stoddard’s injury. Chris Hutchinson (14.6ppg 6rpg last 3 state games), Torian Greene and Malyke Mays have key as well. Alexander’s two losses are to McEachern and Holy Innocents-two teams in the Finals. Dunston is the engineer of the Alexander offense while Lue does the other heavy lifting. The overall balance for Alexander must be noted because it could be a different group that carries them each night overall. Alexander is 4-1 in games decided by 5 points or less and is averaging 73.5 points and has only allowed one opponent to score more than 55 points in a game during the state tournament. Alexander is No.4 in the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA entering the state tournament.

Alexander’s Braedan Lue

Riverwood is in the Finals for the first time ever and under head coach Buck Jenkins. Riverwood is the only 4-seed in the Finals in all classifications and enter on a 4-game winning streak. Riverwood is powered by Karris Bilal (25.6ppg 5.4rpg 2.3spg) and JR Reynolds (24.4ppg 5.6rpg 2apg). Jesse Graves, Jackson Davis, Calvin Lindsey and Kaleb Bilal are also key for Riverwood. Riverwood is 4-4 in games decided by 5 points or less and are averaging 82.3ppg in the state tournament.

This will be an interesting matchup across the board. Can Bilal and Reynolds score enough and defend enough to slow Lue and Dunston. Defensive adjustments will be fun to watch especially later in the game if it is a high-paced and high-scoring contest.

RESULT: Riverwood upset Alexander 67-63 in overtime to win their first boys basketball state title in school history. JR Leonard finished with 31p (19/23 FT) 5r, Karris Bilal tallied 17p 12r 4a while Calvin Lindsay scrapped his was to 6p 9r 3s 3b for Riverwood. Braedan Lue led Alexander with 26p 12r 3b while Chris Hutchinson tallied 15p 9r.

SATURDAY MARCH 9TH 1PM;

1ADI:

Paideia (17-12) vs Mt. Vernon (22-9)

This will be the only Finals game featuring teams from the same region as both teams play out of region 6-1ADI. This will be the third matchup this season between these two teams. Paideia won in the regular season 61-58 while Mt. Vernon won in the region championship game 66-48.

Paideia is in the Finals for the first time since 1998 and first time under fourth-year head coach Eddie Johnson. Paideia enters on a 4-game winning streak and their 12 losses are the most by any team in the Finals. The sophomore-laden team is led by CJ Harper (11.5ppg in state), Frank Jackson (18.3ppg in state), David Oglesby-Smith to go with senior Shariff Kemp and freshman Tristian Mitchell (12.5ppg in state). Niko Carpenter, Jayden Clay, and Reggie Moorman will also be key for Paideia. Paideia is 5-3 in games decided by 5 points or less including the win over Mt. Vernon. Mitchell has shown his poise at the point guard spot while Jackson and Harper can explode scoring-wise at any time. Overall team defense and protecting the basketball will be key for Paideia against a team they know very well.

Paideia’s Frank Jackson (2) and CJ Harper (11)

Mt. Vernon is in the Finals for the first-ever and under head coach Tarik Mabon. Mt. Vernon enters the Finals on a 9-game winning streak. Their Georgia losses are to Alexander (2x), Grayson, Greenforest, Paideia and Sandy Creek-all teams in the Finals. Mt. Vernon is led by KJ Garris (16.3ppg 6.3rpg 2.7apg in state), Sha’Yah Goba (21.7ppg 7.3rpg in state), Xavier Shegog (12.5ppg 12.5rpg in state) and Dennis Scott III (11.5ppg in state). Pace Bottoms and Gabe Alderman will be key for Mt. Vernon as well. Mt. Vernon is 5-7 in games decided by 5 points or less. In the state tournament Mt. Vernon is averaging 85.7ppg while allowing only 51ppg and has not allowed a state opponent to score more than 61 points in a game.

This will be an interesting game because of the two coaches and how they will in-game adjust. As mentioned previously these teams know each other very well. The pace will also be vital especially for Mt. Vernon who will want to get out and run and Paideia who can run at times but not for long stretches. Second chance points could be a big deciding factor.

RESULT: Mt. Vernon used a 17-4 third quarter to take the lead and hold on for a 48-40 win over Paideia. Mt Vernon wins its first state title in school history. Xavier Shegog led Mt. Vernon with 18p (17 in the second half) while KJ Garris and Sha’Yay Goba each finished with 10p. Tristian Mitchell led Paidiea with 16 points.

SATURDAY MARCH 9TH 7:30PM;

7A: McEachern vs Grayson

This will be one of two All-Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA matchups and will feature No.1 vs No.2. This will be the second meeting of the season for these two teams as they will bookend the season. Grayson won in the season opener at McEachern 79-62.

McEachern is in the Finals for the first time since 2019 and first time under third-year head coach Tremayne Anchrum. McEacehrn enters the Finals on a 13-game winning streak and their only loss this season to a Georgia team is to Grayson. Ace Bailey (32.5ppg 15.5rpg 3.7apg 2.5bpg in state) leads the charge for the Indians. Jaye Nash and Nnadozie Onyirimba are vital for McEachern. Jayden Bynes and Isaiah Dulaney also are keys for McEachern. McEachern is 4-1 in games decided 5 points or less.

Grayson’s CJ Hyland

Grayson is in the Finals for the second time under 12th-year head coach Geoffrey Pierce and first time since 2020. Grayson is well balanced and loaded team up and down the roster. Gicarri Harris (16ppg 6.5rpg 5.8apg in state), CJ Hyland (10.6ppg 3apg last 3 games in state), Amir Taylor (10.5ppg 7rpg 4a in state), Anthony Alston (10.7ppg2.8rpg in state) and Jacob Wilkins (11.7ppg 5rpg1bpg in state) lead the charge. Ahmad Clark and Laz Mason are key also. Grayson has not lost to a Georgia team this season and are riding a 14-game winning streak. Grayson is 1-2 in game decided by 5 points or less. In theo state tournament the Rams are averaging 72.3ppg and have only allowed one opponent to score more than 44 points in a game.

McEachern’s Ace Bailey

Ace Bailey is going to be Ace Bailey. Grayson and their versality and balance is going to be their versality and balance. Grayson defensively must not allow others to hurt them. McEachern must get more help from other places. Ace cannot get in foul trouble and Grayson has enough to matchup differently defensively throughout the game. Buckle Up it will be good.

RESULT: Grayson used a 6-0 run to close the second quarter to take a 28-22 lead at the half and never trailed again in their 51-41 win over McEachern. It is the first state title in boys’ basketball school history. Grayson was led by Jacob Wilkins 14p 12r, Gicarri Harris 9p 5r, and CJ Hyland 8p 9r 3a. Ace Bailey led McEachern with 18p 6r.

CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN REPEATS AS GAPPS CHAMPIONS

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.”

ST. ANNE-PACELLI WINS 4A GIAA STATE TITLE

St. Anne-Pacelli (24-6) capped their 2023-2024 season by winning the GIAA 4A state championship with a 44-31 win over Loganville Christian Academy last weekend. It is the first state championship in the schools 66-year history in any association. Jayddence Ford led St. Anne-Pacelli with 17 points, Azarel Juste tallied 10 points while notable player TJ Smith finished with 7 points for the Vikings in the championship game.

“It feels really good to bring a state title to St. Anne-Pacelli,” Athletic Director and Head Coach Corry Black said. “I’m fired up for our program and school for what is to come in the future.”

Georgia Independent Athletic Assoiciation

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 as Jayddence Ford led St. Anne-Pacelli with 18 points, Matthew Melvin added 16 points, TJ Smith tallied 15 points, and Azarel Juste added 12 points in the victory.

2024 GIAA 4A State Champions St. Anne-Pacelli Vikings

St. Anne-Pacelli challenged itself all season with competition outside of the GIAA. 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 (GIAA).

The Vikings went 7-5 vs GHSA teams overall and 6-4 vs GHSA state tournament teams.

Notable wins over GHSA state tournament teams included Douglas County (2x-6A Elite Eight), Warner Robins (5A Elite Eight), Valdosta (7A Second Round), Dougherty (GHSA 4A Final Four) and Greater Atlanta Christian (GHSA 5A Second Round). They also defeated FHSAA Ocoee (FL) who was a class 7A state regional semifinalist in Florida this past season.

Notable losses to GHSA teams included Newton (7A Second Round), Sandy Creek (3A Finalist), Tift (GHSA Second Round), Christian Heritage (GHSA 1A-DII Second Round), and Lee County (GHSA 6A First Round).

St. Anne-Pacelli’s only loss to the GIAA school was to Heritage-Newnan in the regular season. The Viking defeated Heritage-Newnan (GIAA 3A Runner-Up) later in the regular season and n the district tournament.

“I wanted to put together the toughest schedule so we could be prepared for anything in the postseason,” Black said about this seasons scheduling. “We have guys that want to play at the next level and playing against top competition helps them so when coaches see that we play everyone it will not hurt their recruitment,” he added.

Black was named GIAA 4A Coach Of The Year, and Jayddence Ford was named Player Of the Year.

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), Michael Rowe, Matthew Melvin, and Mikehi Williams were key players for St. Anne-Pacelli and look to move on to the next level. Azarel Juste (7ppg 4.2rpg-GIAA 4A All-State) will move onto the next level as a Division-I football recruit.

UPDATES: INSIDE THE 2024 GHSA STATE TOURNAMENT

The Georgia state tournaments have started and we will keep you updated on the notable action around the GHSA state tournament. Here is a look at which teams, players and games to look for in this years state tournament.

The FINAL HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA will be released on TUESDAY MARCH 12TH, after the championships have been decided.

The latest notable news from the GHSA State Tournament

In addition to those teams in the latest Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA, here are those teams that we will continue to keep tabs on throughout the state tournament.

Archer (eliminated in 2ndRd), Baldwin (eliminated in Final Four), Berkmar (eliminated in 2ndRd), Buford (eliminated in 2ndRd), Butler (eliminated in Final Four),

Calhoun County (eliminated in Elite Eight), Camden County (eliminated in 1stRd), Chapel Hill (eliminated in 2ndRd), Christian Heritage (eliminated in 2ndRd), Columbia (eliminates in Final Four), Cross Creek (eliminated in 2ndRd), Dougherty (advanced to Final Four),Douglass-Atlanta (eliminated in Elite Eight), Dutchtown (eliminated in Elite Eight),

Etowah (eliminated in 1stRd), Fayette County (eliminated in 1stRd), Glynn Academy (eliminated in 1stRd), Grovetown (eliminated in Elite Eight), Hebron Christian (eliminated in Elite Eight), Holy Innocents (4A Runner Up),

Jones County (eliminated in 2ndRd), Jonesboro (eliminated in Final Four), Langston Hughes (eliminated in Elite Eight), Lee County (eliminated in 1st Rd), Madison County (did not make state), Maynard Jackson (eliminated in Final Four), Mays (eliminated in 1stRd), Mitchell County (eliminated in 2nd Rd), Monroe-Albany (eliminated in Elite Eight), Mt. Vernon (1A DI State Champs),

Newton (eliminated in 2ndRd), Norcross (eliminated in Elite Eight), North Oconee (4A Champs),

Paideia (1A DI Runner Up), Peachtree Ridge (eliminated in Elite Eight), Portal (eliminated in Elite Eight), Riverwood (6A State Champs),

Salem (eliminated in 1st Rd), Savannah (eliminated in Final Four), Shiloh (eliminated in 1st Rd), Spencer (eliminated in 2ndRd), St. Pius X (eliminated 2ndRd), South Atlanta (eliminated in Elite Eight),

Thomson (eliminated in 2ndRd), Tri-Cities (eliminated in Elite Eight), Tucker (eliminated in Elite Eight), Valdosta (eliminated in 2ndRd), Walker School (eliminated in 2ndRd), Ware County (eliminated in 1st Rd), Warner Robins (eliminated in Elite Eight), Westside-Augusta (advanced to Finals), Winder Barrow (eliminated in Final Four), Woodward Academy (eliminated in Final Four)

ELITE EIGHT TEAMS WE MISSED: These are teams that made it to the Elite Eight that we didn’t keep tabs on or as close a tab on as maybe we should have and they were not included in our “Keeping Tabs On” entering the state tournament.

7A: Woodstock, Milton, Pebblebrook; 6A: Douglass County (4-seed); 5A: None; 4A: Westminster, New Hampstead (was a sleeper pick), Seckinger, Benedictine, Whitewater (4-seed); 3A: Johnson-Savannah, Hart County; 2A: Carver-Columbus, Toombs County, Athens Academy, Model, Southwest Macon; 1ADI: Pelham, Darlington, Mt. Pisgah (4-seed), Bleckley County, East Laurens (was a sleeper pick); 1ADII: Manchester, Warren County, McIntosh County Academy, and Clinch County.

Lets Go INSIDE The GHSA State Tournament

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

FINALS:

Elijah Lewis 18p in a Greenforest win over Manchester. Caleb Kawela 11p 11r 2a in a Greenforest win over Manchester. Justin Wise 19p (5/10 3PT) in a North Oconee win over Holy Innocents. Byrd Carter 20p 6r in a North Oconee win over Holy Innocents. CJ Brown 21p 6r 3a in a Kell win over Eagle’s Landing. Micah Smith 15p 13 4a in a Sandy Creek win over Johnson-Savannah. Jacobi Robinson 18p 3r 2a in a Sandy Creek win over Johnson-Savannah. JR Leonard 31p (19/23 FT) 5r in a Riverwood win over Alexander. Karris Bilal 17p 12r 4a in a Riverwood win over Alexander. Xavier Shegog 18p 7r 3b in a Mt. Vernon win over Paideia. Jacob Wilkins 14p 12r in a Grayson win over McEachern.

FINAL FOUR:

Ace Bailey 32p 15r in a McEachern win over Wheeler. Khamari Brooks 28p in a North Oconee win over Baldwin. Mike Robinson 22p (6-3PTM) in a Greenforest win over Macon County; Sha’yah Goba 23p 8r 4b in a Mt. Vernon win over Mt. Pisgah. Caleb Wilson 18p 20r 8b 3a in a Holy Innocents’ win over Benedictine.

ELITE EIGHT:

Ace Bailey 32p 16r in a McEachern win over Norcross; CJ Brown 26p 8r 3a in a Kell win over Dutchtown; Frank Jackson 29p in a Paideia win over Pelham; Caleb Wilson 18p 12r 4a 7b in a Holy Innocents’ win over Whitewater; Favion Kirkwood 27p 7r in a Johnson-Savannah win over Hebron Christian; Gicarri Harris 23p 8r 4a 2s in a Grayson win over Peachtree Ridge; Anthony Gause 24p 6r 9a 4s in a Milton win over Pebblebrook; Montez Redding 24p 7r in a Jonesboro win over Langston Hughes; KJ Garris 30p 5r 3a in Mt. Vernon win over East Laurens.

SECOND ROUND:

JR Leonard 51p 8r 3a in a Riverwood win over Evans; Ace Bailey 33p 14r 3a in a McEachern win over Newton; Devin Hutcherson 27p 8r in a Holy Innocents win over Pace Academy; Caleb Wilson 19p 21r 7a 5b in a Holy Innocents win over Pace Academy; CJ Brown 29p 4r 3a 4s in a Kell win over Chapel Hill; Sha’Yah Goba 27p 7r in a Mt. Vernon win over Oglethorpe County; Blake Wilson 28p 7r 4b in a Hebron Christian win over Gilmer.

FIRST ROUND:

Karris Bilal 47 points in a Riverwood overtime win over at Lee County; Ace Bailey 32p 17r 6a 4s 4b in a McEachern win over Westlake; Tre Keith 33p 8r in a Tri-Cities win over Heritage-Conyers; Toland Daughtry 29 points in a New Hampstead win over Westside-Macon. Kamiron Jones 28p in a Whitewater win over Bainbridge. Jaylen Colon 26p in a Kell win over Dalton. Braedan Lue 25p 8r in an Alexander win over Gainesville.

CENTURY MARK SCORING: McEachern (105), Mt. Vernon (104), Greenforest (103) and Eagle’s Landing (100) all scored 100 or more points in their first round games.

NINETY-PLUS POINTS: Westside-Augusta (98), Sandy Creek (97), Dougherty (96), Calhoun County (95) and Kell (90) all scored 90 or more points in their first round games.

Riverwood (95), Winder-Barrow (94), Sandy Creek (92), and North Oconee (91) all scored 90 or more points in their second round games.

Sandy Creek is the only team to score 90 or more points in each of its first two state tournament games.

No teams scored in the 90s in the Elite Eight round.

Alexander (93) is the only team to score 90 or more points in the Final Four semifinals.

FOURTEEN: 4-seeds defeated 1-seeds in all classifications combined in the first round. (Archer, Riverwood, Douglass County, Jones County, Maynard Jackson, North Springs, Westover, Whitewater, Calvary Day, Dawson County, Screven County, Mt. Pisgah, Towns County, and Randolph-Clay). Class 2A was the only classification where a 4-seed did not beat a 1-seed.

ELITE EIGHT 4-SEEDS: Of the 14 4-seeds that advanced to the second round, 5 have advanced to the Elite Eight. Riverwood, Douglass County, Maynard Jackson, Whitewater, and Mt. Pisgah advanced to the Elite Eight. Riverwood and Douglas County are both in class 6A and the only class to have more than one 4-seed in the Elite Eight.

FINAL FOUR 4-SEEDS: Of the 5 4-seeds that advanced to the Elite Eight, three have advanced to the Final Four. Riverwood, Maynard Jackson and Mt. Pisgah.

FINALS 4-SEEDS: Riverwood was the only 4-seed to advance to the finals and they won defeating Alexander 67-63. Riverwood is the only 4-seed to win a state championship this season across all classifications.

FIVE POINTS OR LESS GAMES: Through the first two rounds of the state tournament, 37 games have been decided by 5 points or less. 22 games in the first round and 15 games in the second round, total across all classifications. Class 5A has the most with 7 games. Class 7A and 1ADII each have the least with 3 games. Class 4A had the most in the first round with 5 games. Class 5A, 3A, and 1A DII each had 3 games in the second round.

In the Elite Eight there were a total of five games decided by 5 points or less. Classes 7A, 6A, 4A and 3A did not have any in the Elite Eight. Through the first three rounds the overall total is 41.

In the Final Four so far there have been three games decided by 5 points or less.

FIRST ROUND REGION SWEEPS:

Only four regions in all classifications had first round sweeps. Region 4 (St. Pius X, Marist, North Atlanta, Riverwood) and Region 5 (Alexander, Langston Hughes, South Paulding Douglas County) in class 6A, Region 2 (Eagle’s Landing, Dutchtown, Warner Robins, Jones County) in class 5A (Region 2 has swept the first round the last two seasons with different teams) and Region 1 (Mitchell County, Calhoun County, Early County and Randolph-Clay) in class 1A-DII.

SECOND ROUND REGION SWEEPS:

Of the three regions that swept the first round, none swept the second round. Region 5-6A has three teams in the Elite Eight (Alexander, Langston Hughes and Douglas County). Region 2-5A has three teams in the Elite Eight (Eagle’s Landing, Ducthtown and Warner Robins). Riverwood is the only team from Region 4-6A to advance to the Elite Eight.

Region 6-1ADI is the only other region to have three teams in the Elite Eight (Mt. Vernon, Paideia and Mt. Pisgah). All three of these teams advanced to the Final Four as well. This is the only region to have three teams in the Final Four across all classifications.

All Roads Lead To Macon

CLASSIFICATION BRACKETS:

7A: Valdosta defeated Brookwood 59-50; Campbell defeated Marietta 69-36; Berkmar defeated Lambert 70-35 behind 12p and 8r from Mekhi Ragland and 17 points from Kamal Green; Wheeler defeated Collins Hill 84-48.

Campbell defeated Valdosta 75-49; Wheeler defeated Berkmar 63-51 behind 20p from Josh Hill.

Wheeler defeated Campbell 62-56 behind 18p from Josh Hill;

Newton defeated Lowndes 74-40; McEachern defeated Westlake 105-72 behind 32p 17r 6a from Ace Bailey; Norcross defeated West Forysth 74-49 behind 24p and 7r from Jaron Saulsberry and 17p 11r from Casey Williams; Buford came from down six in the final two minutes to fend off a pesky Osborne to win 52-49.

McEachern defeated Newton 67-64 behind 33p 14r 3a from Ace Bailey; Norcross defeated Buford 54-48

McEachern defeated Norcross 72-57 behind 33p 16r from Ace Bailey.

McEachern defeated Wheeler 63-56 behind 32p from Ace Bailey.

Mountain View used 19 points from Jah’Mel Bruce, all in the second half, to defeat Cherokee 78-46; Peachtree Ridge defeated South Forsyth 67-46; Carrollton defeated Hillgrove 71-58; Grayson defeated Colquitt County 88-44

Peachtree Ridge defeated Mountain View 50-41;Grayson defeated Carrollton 57-44 behind 16p from Gicarri Harris.

Grayson defeated Peachtree Ridge 87-59 behind 23p 8r 4a 2s from Gicarri Harris.

Walton held off pesky Dacula 43-40 behind 17p from Kaeden Gilstrap; Milton defeated North Gwinnett 67-54 behind 20p from Braxton Giesler and 16p 13r from Daniel Ogunyemi; Pebblebrook defeated Harrison 75-49; Archer knocked off Camden County 53-46 behind 18p from Darrian Joseph.

Milton defeated Walton 57-49; Pebblebrook defeated Archer 72-53.

Milton defeated Pebblebrook 79-65 behind 24p 9a from Anthony Gause and 19p from Josh Dixon.

Grayson eliminates Milton 57-40 behind a balances team effprt pf 13p from Amir Taylor and 12p from Gicarri Harris;

Grayson defeated McEachern 51-41 behind 14p 12r from Jacob Wilkins, 9p 5r from Gicarri Harris, 8p 9r 3a from CJ Hyland, and 8p 6r 2a from Ahmad Clark. Ace Bailey had 18p 6r while Dozie Onyirimba had 10p 6r for McEachern. Grayson wins their first state championship in school history.

6A: North Atlanta used 24p 5r 4a from Josh Griffith to defeat Houston County 58-44; Grovetown defeated Rockdale County 55-43; Alpharetta defeated Etowah 56-50; Alexander defeated Gainesville 70-47 behind 25p 8r from Braedan Lue

Warren County defeated Portal 76-74 in overtime on a Cosa Pender game-winning field goal.

Grovetown defeated North Atlanta 59-36; Alexander defeated Alpharetta 68-53

Alexander defeated Grovetown 62-47 behind 15p from Chris Hutchinson and 14p 13r from Braeden Lue.

Marist defeated Tift in a defensive battle 36-31;Woodward Academy defeated Brunswick 80-47 behind 19p from Brandon Peters (5-3PTM) and 15p from Zac Foster; Pope defeated Sequoyah 70-52 behind 24p from Zach Bleshoy; Douglas County upset Shiloh 54-41

Woodward Academy defeated Marist 54-39; Douglas County defeated Pope 53-50 in overtime

Woodward Academy defeated Douglas County 51-42 behind 15p from Deke Cooper and 12p 8r 3a from Zac Foster.

Alexander defeated Woodward Academy 93-64.

Langston Hughes defeated Habersham Central 52-44; Sprayberry defeated Allatoona 58-56; Jonesboro defeated Glynn Academy 61-52 behind 22p 13r from Montez Redding and 19p 8r from Chris Jones; St. Pius X defeated Veterans 79-65 behind 16p 4a from Aiden Portee and 16p from Tobias Brinkley.

Langston Hughes defeated Sprayberry 58-51; Jonesboro defeated St. Pius X 54-55 behind 24p and 8r from Montez Redding and 14p 8a from Cortez Redding 14pts and 8 assists.

Jonesboro defeated Langston Hughes 62-51 behind 24p 7r from Montez Redding and 15p 7r 6a from Cortez Redding.

South Paulding defeated Lanier 79-45; Woodstock defeated Blessed Trinity 49-42; Evans defeated Mundy’s Mill 81-65; Riverwood upset Lee County 87-84 in overtime behind 47 points from Karris Bilal.

Woodstock defeated South Paulding 65-54; Riverwood defeated Evans 95-71 behind 51p 8r 3a from JR Leonard.

Riverwood defeated Woodstock 70-64.

Riverwood defeated Jonesboro 79-63.

Riverwood defeated Alexander 67-63 in overtime behind 31p 5r from JR Leonard, 17p 12r 4a from Karris Bilal and 6p 9r 3a 3s from Calvin Lindsay to win their first state title in school history. Braedan Lue led Alexander with 26p 13r. Riverwood is the only 4-seed to win a state championship in this years state tournament across all classifications.

5A: Bradwell Institute held off Lithonia 42-41 as Tashaun Frasier split a pair of free throws with 3.9 left.; Eagle’s Landing defeated Northside-Columbus 100-39; Hiram defeated Chattahoochee 72-68; Tri-Cities defeated Heritage Conyers behind 33p from Tre Keith

Eagle’s Landing defeated Bradwell Institute 52-51 behind 16p from Chris Morris II; Tri-Cities defeated Hiram 45-41 behind Tre Keith’s go-ahead basket with 41 seconds remaining, and 12p 13r from Ja’Shun London.

Eagle’s Landing defeated Tri-Cities 66-51;

Tucker defeated Ware County 79-55; Jones County defeated McIntosh 57-49; Greater Atlanta Christian defeated Calhoun; Maynard Jackson defeated Clarke Central 77-60.

Tucker defeated Jones County 71-40; Maynard Jackson defeated Greater Atlanta Christian 67-64.

Maynard Jackson defeated Tucker 77-69 behind 18p from Yusef Bowyer Jr.

Eagle’s Landing defeated Maynard Jackson 69-51; Eagle’s Landing advabces to the Finals for the fourth straight season.

Winder-Barrow defeated Mays 74-60; North Springs shocked Cartersville 78-48; Warner Robins defeated Northgate 85-63; Decatur defeated Greenbrier 60-42 behind 16p from John Carreker.

Winder-Barrow defeated North Springs 94-78 behind 20p from Brian Arnold and 17p 7r from Jerrin Samuel; Warner Robins defeated Decatur 76-69 behind 23p from Jay Johnson and 13p from Cam Perkins.

Winder-Barrow defeated Warner Robins 66-64 on a game-winning field goal by JD Estime. Winder-Barrow was led by Jerrin Samuel‘s 15p and advances to the Final Foul for the first time in the 68-year history of the school.

Chapel Hill held off Eastside 48-44; Kell defeated Dalton 90-41 behind 26p from Jaylen Colon; Dutchtown defeated Harris County 78-16; Statesboro defeated M.L. King 56-37

Kell defeated Chapel Hill behind 29p from CJ Brown; Dutchtown defeated Statesboro 56-42.

Kell defeated Dutchtown 60-46 behind 26p from CJ Brown.

Kell defeated Winder-Barrow 66-34 behind 14p from Cannon Richards and 13p 9r from CJ Brown; Kell advances to the Finals for the second straight season.

Kell defeated Eagle’s Landing in the finals for the second straight season, 62-51 to repeat as 5A state champions behind 21p 6r 3a from CJ Brown and 14p 6r 2a from Jaylen Colon while Connor Staphylaris tallied 9p on three three-pointers. Kell ends the season on a 27-game winning streak.

Hillsman Heavy State Tournament Updates

4A: Riverdale defeated Hardaway 45-43; Baldwin got 27 points from Isaiah Dennis in 59-54 win over Southeast Bulloch; Westminster defeated Heritage-Catoosa 64-32 behind 17p from Kyle Coleman; McDonough Zion Greene (25p) led McDonough 84-53 win over North Hall.

Baldwin defeated Riverdale 66-46 behind 20p from Isaiah Dennis; Westminster defeated McDonough 58-50.

Baldwin defeated Westminster 68-58 behind 20p from Isaiah Dennis and 17p from Omari Woodard.

Cairo defeated Troup County 78-71; New Hampstead defeated Westside-Macon 84-55 behind 29 points from Toland Daughtry; Central-Carrollton defeated Southwest Dekalb 56-45; North Oconee defeated Lovett 71-49 behind 19p from Justin Wise and 17p 14r from Evan Montgomery.

New Hampstead defeated Cario 66-46 behind 16p from Ja’Cari Glover and 15p from AJ Williams; North Oconee defeated Central-Carrollton 91-66 behind 21p 7a from Justin Payne and 19p from Justin Wise.

North Oconee defeated New Hampstead 78-58 and used a 31-point fourth quarter to blow open a one point game. Byrd Carter had 20p while Khamari Brooks added 17p.

North Oconee defeated Baldwin 65-64 behind 28p from Khamari Brooks and the game-winning field goal.

Seckinger defeated Woodland Stockbridge 59-50 ; Sonoraville defeated Hapeville Charter 78-61; Benedictine held off Griffin 53-51; Westover held off Fayette County 63-60 for the upset win.

Seckinger defeated Sonoraville 62-49; Benedictine defeated Westover 66-52 behind 26p from Caleb Jones.

Benedictine defeated Seckinger 65-58 in overtime.

Pace Academy defeated Walnut Grove 69-52; Holy Innocents defeated Cedartown 84-37 behind 18p from Will Hopkins and 15p 11r from Caleb Wilson; Spalding defeated Burke County 69-62; Whitewater upset Bainbridge 61-60 as Ashtain Preston hit the go-ahead basket with 38 seconds remaining.

Holy Innocents defeats Lace Academy behind 27p 8r from Devin Hutcherson and 19p 21r 7a 5b from Caleb Wilson; Whitewater defeats Spalding 73-61 behind 23p from Kamiron Jones and 20p from Ashtain Preston.

Holy Innocents defeated Whitewater63-49 behind 18p 12r 4a 7b from Caleb Wilson and 18p 12r from Devin Hutcherson.

Holy Innocents defeats Benedictine 52-45 behind 18p 20r 8b from Caleb Wilson ;

North Oconee defeated Holy Innocents 65-60 and win their first state title in school basketball history. Justin Wise powered the effort with 19p on 5-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Byrd Carter tallied 20p 6r while Khamari Brooks played through foul trouble to finish with 14p 6r. Caleb Wilson led Holy Innocents with 26p 18r 3a while Devin Huctherson finished with 23p 13r for Holy Innocents.

3A: Monroe-Albany defeated Harlem 47-39; Calvary Day defeated Peach County 54-53; Lumpkin County defeated Ridgeland 57-37; Sandy Creek defeated Stephens County 97-42 behind 21p from Amari Brown and 18p from Micah Smith

Monroe-Albany defeated Calvary Day 61-41; Sandy Creek defeated Lumpkin County 92-22 behind 21p from Amari Brown and 15p from Micah Smith.

Sandy Creek defeated Monroe-Albany 75-44 behind 21p from Amari Brown and 21p from Jacobi Robinson and 19p from Micah Smith.

Carver-Columbus defeated Richmond Academy 66-54; Savannah Country Day defeated Mary Persons 58-45; Pickens defeated Coahulla Creek 67-53; Hart County defeated Carver-Atlanta 81-45

Carver-Columbus defeated Savannah Country Day 52-47; Hart County defeated Pickens 64-62

Carver-Columbus defeated Hart County 76-53.

Sandy Creek defeated Carver-Columbus 66-32.

Hebron Christian defeated Cedar Grove 55-49; Gilmer defeated Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe 70-44; Johnson-Savannah defeated Jackson 76-50; Cross Creek defeated Columbus 63-37

Hebron Christian defeated Gilmer 63-59 behind 28p 7r 4b from Blake Wilson; Johnson-Savannah defeated Cross Creek 61-56 behind 15p 5r 3a from Favion Kirkwood and 12p 6r 2b from Josh Quarterman.

Johnson-Savannah defeated Hebron Christian 57-50;

Douglass-Atlanta used a 12-1 run to start the second half to open it up against Monroe Area in a 67-44 win; Dawson County defeated Adairsville 56-48; Upson Lee defeated Long County 53-49 ; Dougherty defeated Salem 96-81.

Douglass-Atlanta jumped out 17-4 and never trailed defeating Dawson County 79-42 behind 19p from Noah Treadwell; Dougherty defeated Upson Lee 73-57.

Dougherty defeated Douglass-Atlanta 71-64 behind 16p from Jaion Burns.

Johnson-Savannah defeated Dougherty 55-51.

Sandy Creek defeated Johnson-Savannah 74-49 behind 18p from Jacobi Robinson and 15p 13r 4a from Micah Smith to win their second straight state title.

2A: Butler got by Dodge County 49-45; Spencer defeated Windsor Forest 71-61; South Atlanta defeated Fannin County 66-50; East Callaway defeated East Jackson 68-57

Butler defeated Spencer 58-49; South Atlanta defeated Callaway 47-43.

Butler defeated South Atlanta 51-47.

Thomson defeated Fitzgerald 88-65 behind Jakaius Jones (25p) and Markevion Jones (19p); Toombs County defeated Central-Macon 79-35; The Walker School defeated Rockmart 64-52 behind Mustapha Diop’s 18p 13r 5b; Athens Academy defeated Towers 67-60

Toombs County defeated Thomson 53-44; Athens Academy defeated The Walker School 65-51.

Toombs County defeated Athens Academy 67-41.

Toombs County defeated Butler 47-42

Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy defeated Union County 66-60; Model defeated Drew Charter 49-43; Vidalia defeated Rutland 71-32; Westside-Augusta raced out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back in 98-28 win over Cook.

Model defeated Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy 63-40; Westside-Augusta held Vidalia to six points in the first quarter and four points in the fourth quarter in a 67-37 win.

Westside-Augusta defeated Model78-40 behind 20p from Javan Webb

Columbia defeated Providence Christian 77-49; North Cobb Christian defeated North Murray 77-56; Southwest Macon defeated Brantley County 78-58; Sumter County defeated Laney 50-47.

Columbia defeated North Cobb Christian 62-58; Southwest Macon defeated Sumter County 46-40.

Columbia defeated Southwest Macon 55-37

Westside-Augusta defeated Columbia 70-59

Westside-Augusta defeated Toombs County 64-29, wins 2A State Title and win third straight state title behind 14p from Lavonta Ivery and 11p from Jarious Adkinson.

Championship Hardware

1ADI:Pelham defeated Lamar County 65-53 ; Screven County defeated Swainsboro 62-49; Paideia defeated Chattooga 65-41 behind 17p from Frank Jackson; Jasper County defeated Tallulah Falls 73-35 behind 16p from JaMarkus Thomas.

Pelham defeated Screven County 50-47; Paideia defeated Jasper County 56-47.

Paideia defeated Pelham 69-54 behind 29p from Frank Jackson;

Heard County defeated Brooks County 78-58; Savannah defeated Dublin 66-44; Darlington defeated St. Francis 61-52 ; Athens Christian defeated Social Circle 66-14.

Savannah defeated Heard County 75-61 behind 24p from Maki Joyner; Darlington defeated Athens Christian 64-54 behind 25p 6r from Brent Bell.

Savannah defeated Darlington 53-49

Paideia defeats Savannah 56-39 behind 17p from CJ Harper including nine points in the fourter quarter.Paideia is in the Finals for the first time under fourth-year head coach Eddie Johnson and for the second time in school history.

Rabun County defeated Prince Avenue Christian 81-57 behind 26p 9a from Huey Blalock and 20p 6a from Cooper Welch; Mt. Pisgah defeated Trion 61-48 behind 15p from Jackson Williams ; Bleckley County defeated Woodville-Tompkins 46-44; Temple defeated Bacon County 58-51;

Mt. Pisgah defeated Rabun County 71-54 behind 16p from Jackson Williams; Bleckley County defeated Temple 68-48.

Mt. Pisgah defeated Bleckley County behind 21p from Jackson Williams and 19p from O’Neill Connolly.

Oglethorpe County defeated Elbert County 62-57; Mt. Vernon defeated Coosa 104-47 behind 20p 11r from Sha’Yah Goba; East Laurens defeated Bryan County 67-62; Irwin County defeated Crawford County 61-57.

Mt. Vernon defeated Oglethorpe County 89-61 behind 27p 7r from Sha’Yah Goba and 16p 10r from Dennis Scott III; East Laurens defeated Irwin County 68-60.

Mt. Vernon defeated East Laurens 73-57 behind 30p from KJ Garris.

Mt. Vernon defeated Mt. Pisgah 77-39 behind 23p from Sha’yah Goba.

Mt. Vernon defeated Paideia 48-40 to win its first state title in school history behind 18p 7r from Xavier Shegog and 10p each from KJ Garris and Sha’Yah Goba.

1ADII: Calhoun County defeated Wheeler County 95-49; Lanier County defeated Montgomery County 58-36; Manchester defeated Mt. Zion-Carrollton 68-45; Towns County defeated Twiggs County 54-48.

Calhoun County defeated Lanier County 72-61; Manchester defeated Towns County 72-58.

Manchester defeated Calhoun County 61-46.

Early County defeated Wilcox County 57-46; Portal defeated Charlton County 85-41; Christian Heritage defeated Taylor County 71-51; Warren County defeated Wilkinson County 67-44.

Portal defeated Early County 54-50 behind 24p from Elijah Coleman and 17p from Joseph Thomas; Warren County defeated Christian Heritage 64-56.

Manchester defeated Warren County 62-60 behind 24p from Jayden Terry.

Greene County defeated Johnson County 75-41; Greenforest defeated Chattahoochee County 103-33; McIntosh County Academy defeated Tuner County 53-40; Randolph-Clay defeated Treutlen 68-48.

Greenforest defeated Greene County 73-32; McIntosh County Academy defeated Randolph-Clay 43-42 on a MJ Quarterman game-winning offensive rebound and putback.

Greenforest defeated McIntosh County Academy 87-62 behind 21p from Elijah Lewis

Hancock Central defeated Lincoln County 85-53; Macon County defeated Atlanta Classical Academy 74-61; Clinch County defeated Jenkins County 60-54; Mitchell County sealed their victory over Dooly County 75-67 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

Macon County defeated Hancock Central 79-59; Clinch County defeated Mitchell County 55-50.

Macon County defeated Clinch County 69-53.

Greenforest defeated Macon County 68-44 behind 22p from Mike Robinson.

Greenforest defeated Manchester 68-39 to win the 1ADII state title behind 18p from Elijah Lewis and 11p 11r from Caleb Kawela.

 

HILLSMAN HEAVY: GIAA AND GAPPS PINCH POST

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.

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 2/20/2024

The state tournament is here. Here is a look at the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA entering the state tournament. For a full preview of the GHSA State Basketball Tournament click here.

Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 2/13/2024 through Saturday 2/17/2024.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be The Final Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA for the 2023-2024 season and will be released on Tuesday 3/12/2024 after all state championships have been crowned.

Last Week 2/13/2024; 1-Grayson, 2-McEachern, 3-Kell, 4-Alexander, 5-Sandy Creek, 6-Greenforest, 7-Wheeler, 8-Pace Academy, 9- Walton, 10-Eagle’s Landing

The Hillsman Heavy 2/20/2024

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 2/20/2024 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**

Here is the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA with last week’s ranking noted.

1- Grayson (1)- Head Coach: Geoffrey Pierce Current Record: 25-2; Key Notes: Grayson is the Region 4-7A Champion, No.1 seed and are in the top right bracket. Grayson enters the state tournament on a 10-game winning streak. The overall depth and versatile nature of Grayson still is the headline behind Gicarri Harris, CJ Hyland, Jacob Wilkins, Amir Taylor and Anthony Alston. Grayson went 5-2 vs OOS. Grayson is 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

2- McEachern (2)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 22-5; Key Notes: McEachern is the Region 3-7A Champion, No.1 seed and are in the bottom left bracket.  McEachern enters the state tournament on a 9-game winning streak. McEachern’s only loss to a Georgia team remains to Grayson in the season opener. McEachern finishes the season 6-4 vs OOS, improved to 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Ace Bailey continues to lead the charge for McEachern while Jaye Nash and Nnadozie Onyirimba continue to play vital roles.

3- Kell (3) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 23-3; Key Notes: Kell is the Region 6-5A Champion, No.1 seed, defending 5A State Champion and are in the bottom right bracket.  Kell enters the state tournament on 22-game winning streak. Kell finished 7-0 vs OOS this season which includes wins over Jackson-Reed (DC) which is their signature win of the season. Kell’s three losses this season are to McEachern, Newton and Grayson. CJ Brown, Jaylen Colon and Cannon Richards are at the forefront with solid contributions coming from Chris McLavish and Zach Graves at times.

4- Alexander (4) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record:25-2; Key Notes: Alexander is the Region-6A Champion, No.1 seed, defending 6A State Champion and are in the top left bracket. Alexander enters the state tournament on a 12-game winning streak. Alexander’s only losses are to Holy Innocents and McEachern. They went 3-0 vs OOS this season. Braedan Lue (18.9ppg 8.6rpg), Greg Dunston (13.4ppg 4.,5apg), Allen Stoddard (10.7ppg 5.9rpg) and Jermaine Freeman (10.2ppg 3.1rpg 2.5spg) are averaging in double-figures scoring.

5-Sandy Creek (5) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 22-3;   Key Notes: Sandy Creek is the Region 5-3A Champion, No.1 seed, defending 3A State Champion and are in the top left bracket. Sandy Creek has notable wins over Mt. Vernon, Milton, Cedar Grove, Fayette County (2x), Osborne, Buford, Pinson Valley (AL), St. Anne-Pacelli, St. Pius X and Flint Hill (MD). Sandy Creek’s two losses to Georgia teams are to Grayson and Etowah and their OOS loss was to St. Frances Academy (MD). Sandy Creek finished 3-1 vs OOS. Sandy Creek has continued to display the tools in the tool box in Amari Brown (17ppg 5rpg 3apg 51% FG), Micah Smith (16ppg 8rpg 5apg 3bpg 55% FG), PJ Green (6ppg 5rpg 3apg), Jacobi Robinson (10ppg 3rpg 3apg 45% FG) and Jared White (10ppg 4rpg 3apg 44%-3PT).

6-Greenforest (6)- Head Coach: Rory Griffin Current Record: 22-4 Key Notes: Greenforest is the Region 7-1AD2 Champion, the No.1 seed, enters the state tournament on a 16-game winning streak and are in the top right bracket; Greenforest quality wins include Langston Hughes, Eagle’s Landing, Newton, Baldwin, Mt. Vernon and Christian Heritage (2x). Greenforest’s losses this season are to Kell, Berkmar, Milton and Williston (FL). The Kell loss is the only loss of more than six points. Greenforest is 2-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 11-4 in neutral floor games and have 9 wins against Georgia teams in higher classifications. The staple of the Greenforest program is it’s hard work and despite the lack of “highly-recruited names”, Greenforest is loaded top to bottom with hard work players with state tournament experience. Elijah Lewis, Mike Robinson, Caleb Kawela and Daniel Daramola.

7- Wheeler (7)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 22-5; Key Notes: Wheeler is the Region 5-7A Champions, No.1 seed, defending 7A State Champion and are in the top left bracket. Wheeler enters the state tournament on a 10-game winning streak. Wheeler will continue to rely on Josh Hill and Ricky McKenzie to carry the bulk oft he load for an otherwise youthful team, especially in the backcourt. Wheeler’s bench play could be big in the state tournament. Wheeler is 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less and are 2-0 vs OOS.

8- Eagle’s Landing (10)- Head Coach: Elliott Montgomery Current Record: 19-7  Key Notes: Eagle’s Landing is the Region 2-5A champion, No.1 seed and are in the top left bracket. Eagle’s Landing enters the state tournament on a 7-game winning streak. Eagle’s Landing went 4-3 vs OOS this season, 3 of their 4 losses to Georgia teams were to region opponents (Jones County, Warner Robins and Dutchtown) who all made the state tournament and Eagle’s Landing avenged all three losses including finishing 2-1 against Dutchtown in games that were decided by 6,4 and 4 points respectively. Their other Georgia loss was at Greenforest by one point. Eagle’s Landing is 4-4 in games decided by less than 5 points. Eagle’s Landing has notable wins over Sagemont (FL), Wilson Academy (GA), Walton, Dutchtown (2x), Warner Robins (2x), Jones County, Christ School (NC), Tampa Catholic (FL) and Jonesboro. Chris Morris II, Clark Mastin, Bobby Buggs, Dwight Brown, Maddox Melancon and the addition of John McQueen are the key clogs for Eagle’s Landing headed into the state tournament.

9-Westside-Augusta (NR)– Head Coach: Jerry Hunter Current Record: 21-4 Key Notes: Westside-Augusta is the Region 4-2A Champion, No.1 seed, two-defending 2A State Champion and are in the top right bracket. Two of Westside-Augusta’s four losses this season were to Butler, who they also defeated twice this season. Thomson and Gray Collegiate (SC) are the other two losses. Westside-Augusta has notable wins over McDonough, Butler (2x), Cross Creek, Greenbrier, Thomson (2x), North Augusta (SC). Westside-Augusta went 1-2 in games decided by 5 points or less and were 4-1 vs OOS this season. Westside-Augusta enters the state tournament averaging 76.1ppg and scored 80 or more points 14 times including 5 games with 100 or more points this season.

10- McDonough (NR)- Head Coach: BJ Thomas Current Record: 25-3 Key Notes: McDonough is the Region 5-4A Champion, No.1 seed and are in the left bracket. McDonough enters the state tournament on a five game winning streak. McDonough’s three losses these season were to Westside-Augusta, Pace Academy and Little Rock Christian Academy (AR). McDonough has notable wins over Pace Academy (2x), Etowah, Cedar Grove, Blythewood (SC) and Houston County. Keenan Gray, Nigel Thomas, Zion Greene led the charge for McDonough. McDonough is 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less and 4-1 vs OOS this season.

OUT- Pace Academy (8)- OUT- Walton (9)-

Keeping Tabs On 2/20/2024

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order): Here are a few notes on these teams we have been Keeping Tabs On throughout the season and now into the state tournament.

Archer, Baldwin, Berkmar, Buford, Butler, Calhoun County, Camden County, Chapel Hill, Christian Heritage, Columbia, Cross Creek, Dougherty, Dutchtown, Etowah, Fayette County, Glynn Academy, Grovetown, Hebron Christian, Holy Innocents, Jones County, Jonesboro, Langston Hughes, Lee County, Madison County, (did not make state) Maynard Jackson, Mays, Monroe-Albany, Mt. Vernon, Newton, Norcross, North Oconee, Paideia, Peachtree Ridge, Portal, Riverwood, Salem, Savannah, Shiloh, Spencer, St. Pius X, South Atlanta, Thomson, Tri-Cities, Tucker, Valdosta, Walker School, Ware County, Warner Robins Westside-Augusta, Winder Barrow, Woodward Academy

Hillsman Heavy Notables 2/20/2023

NOTABLES:

Mount Vernon’s Dennis “Trey” Scott III surpassed 1,000 points last week in a victory over Whitefield Academy. Scott is committed to Georgia State.

Fayette County won their fourth straight region title.

St. Pius X won their eighth straight region title.

North Oconee won its first region title in school history.

Baldwin won its first region title in head coach Ben Smith’s first season at the school

Greenforest won their fourth straight region title.

McDonough won its first region title in school history.

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.

INSIDE THE GHSA STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

The state tournament is here. The seeding is set, and it is now WIN OR GO HOME in Georgia. First to five wins will be the champs in each of the classifications in GHSA Georgia high school basketball. Keep in mind that this will be the final year for the foreseeable future of the 7A class. 6A will be the highest classification in Georgia beginning next season 2024-2025. This will also be the last season the GHSA will have predetermined playoff brackets.

GHSA State Basketball Trophy

All of the tough morning workouts, all of the tough non-region scheduling, all of the 2-3-4 hour bus rides/flights during the regular season, all of the OOS games, all of the closely contested region games, all of the thrilling region tournament outcomes, all of the non-basketball stuff that really effects basketball stuff, all of the communication-or lack of with college coaches, all of the different things in practice because of film work, ALL of that comes down comes down to this, the state tournament.

Are you ready for the state tournament? Lets go Inside The GHSA State Basketball Tournament.

Inside The GHSA State Tournament Brackets

INSIDE THE GHSA STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKET

7A: The defending champion Wheeler is in the top left bracket and most likely will draw Berkmar in a big second round matchup. Berkmar defeated Wheeler in the regular season in its first game after a roster change. Berkmar is powered by Mekhi Ragland, Mike White and Corey Gatlin II while Wheeler is led by Josh Hill and Ricky McKenzie. The rest of the top left is wide open, with Campbell (Fe’Royre High and Rhys Cotton) being a surprise 1-seed and Brookwood going to Valdosta will be interesting.

In the bottom right bracket is where McEachern (Ace Bailey and Jaye Nash) resides. A second round McEachern/Newton matchup lies ahead, while on the bottom of this bracket, Buford (Jackson Houston, Kyle Carpenter, Brennan Wansley, Asa Williams and Chase Robinson) is ready to make a run while the always playoff savvy Norcross (Toby Ojukwu and Jared Saulsberry) could be waiting.

In the top right is where Grayson resides. Grayson, powered by Gicarri Harris, Jacob Wilkins, CJ Hyland, Amir Taylor and Anthony Alston, is head and shoulders above everyone in the bracket, however, this bracket could feature some pretty good games, namely a Peachtree Ridge/Mountain View second round tilt. Should Peachtree Ridge (Conner Teasley and Derwin Hodge) and Grayson meet in the quarterfinals it will be a rematch from the regular season in which Grayson outlasted Peachtree Ridge.

The bottom right bracket could deliver some fun. Camden County (Elyiss Williams and Antwann Brown), is laying in the weeds, Walton (Luke Flynn, JP Wells, Caesar Burrows and Kaeden Gilstrap) seems ready, and Milton is known to find a stride come state tournament time. Archer (Kahmare Holmes and Darrien Joseph) has put together a quality season, but going to Camden County in the first round will be a test. Harrison and Pebblebrook are intriguing as well.

6A: The defending champion Alexander is in the top left bracket. A potential state tournament rematch with Etowah could be ahead in the second round. Alexander is led by Braedan Lue, Alex Stoddard, Greg Dunston and Jermaine Freeman. Grovetown (Kevin Curtis, Rob Johnson, Laithen Mitchell and Zay Howard)resides in this bracket and could be peaking at the right time. North Atlanta and Houston County is one of the more interesting games to watch with Josh Griffith (North Atlanta) and Malik Gillespie (Houston County) leading the charge for their teams.

In the bottom left bracket, anything could happen. All four first round games could be interesting. This portion of the bracket is wide open with Shiloh (Tylis Jordan and Jullien Cole) and Woodward Academy (Brandon Peters, Deke Cooper, Jarvis Hayes Jr.) in the mix but others could get hot (Sequoyah, Marist, Pope or Tift).

The top right bracket has interesting variables as well. St. Pius X (Aiden Portee, Tobais Brinkley II and D’Marley Elliott), Jonesboro (Montez Redding) and Langston Hughes (Brentis Schaeffer) all live here and St. Pius X and Jonesboro could set up for another state tournament rematch in the second round. If Langston Hughes can say consistent, they could make a run.

The bottom right bracket is highlighted by Riverwood (Karis Bilal and JR Leonard) at Lee County (Josiah Parker and Braden Moore) in the first round. Lee County has a good draw, all things considered, and both Lanier and Woodstock could surprise with a deep run.

5A: The defending champion Kell is in the bottom right bracket. A potential pair of state tournament rematches could be ahead for Kell (CJ Brown, Cannon Richards, Jalen Colon) in the second round against Chapel Hill and in the quarterfinals against Dutchtown.

The top left bracket points to a big quarterfinal between Eagle’s Landing (John McQueen, Clark Mastin, Bobby Buggs) and Tri-Cities (Tre Keith and Malique Johnson). Bradwell Institute and/or Chattahoochee could have other plans.

The bottom left bracket has some intrigue with Ware County (Jarvis Wright) at Tucker (Josiah Lawson and Jakobe Williams) in the first round, and Jones County at McIntosh. If Tucker and Jones County win, it sets up a state tournament rematch between the two again at Tucker. Clarke Central has a dynamic scorer in Marcus Gillespie but also draw a Maynard Jackson (Yusef Bowyer Jr and Cassius Watkins) team that slipped late in the season in the first round, and Greater Atlanta Christian (Rich Rojas, Mikey Carpenter and Noah Harry) has to like their chances.

In the top right bracket, everything is up for grabs. Mays (Derron Lindsey, Ja’Qorian Wiggles, Germani Wilson, DJ Cox) and Winder Barrow (Jaden Baskin, Brian Arnold, Jordan Samuel), face off in the first round, Decatur(John Carreker, Luke Brooks, Bryce Howson) could be ready to make a run while Warner Robins has to like their chances as well.

4A: The defending state champion Pace Academy (Eric Chatfield, Kyle Greene, LJ Moore, Chandler Bing) is in the bottom right bracket. A second round matchup looms against Holy Innocents (Caleb Wilson, Devin Hutcherson, Will Hopkins, Jordan Mays). The winner is going to the semifinals.

In the top left bracket McDonough (Keenan Gray, Nigel Thomas and Zion Greene) and Baldwin (Tre Lawrence, Isaiah Dennis, Karez Demory) are on a collision course to meet in the quarterfinals which will be an absolute awesome basketball game. Westminster (Kent Perkins, Owen Cohn and Nico Searl) is the only other team that could make some noise and would see McDonough in the second round and overall, McDonough will land in the quarterfinals.

The bottom left bracket is wide open. North Oconee (Justin Payne, Justin Wise, Bryd Carter) and New Hampstead (Jeffery Williams, Rashawn Truell and Kentavious Woodberry) should be projected to meet in the quarterfinals however, do not be surprised if a youthful Southwest Dekalb (Thomas Glanton III, Jackson Ushery and Aaron Burks) makes some noise.

The top right bracket is where you will find Fayette County (Keith Gillespie and Christian McAllister). Woodland-Stockbridge (Mason Lewis, Ty Redmond) and Seckinger (KJ Banks and Braxton Miller) will be an interesting first round game. Look for Fayette County to come out of this bracket after a first round tussle with Westover.

3A: The defending champion Sandy Creek is in the top left bracket. Three of four teams from Region 5 made the Final Four last season (Sandy Creek, Cedar Grove, and Douglass-Atlanta), it setup an all-region state final (Sandy Creek defeated Cedar Grove). It could happen again this season as this is one of the tougher regions in the state. Cedar Grove and Douglass-Atlanta are on the same side of the bracket, opposite Sandy Creek, and could meet in the semifinals. Sandy Creek, led by Micah Smith, Amari Brown, PJ Green and Jared White, is in the top left bracket along with Monroe-Albany.

The bottom left bracket is wide open with a number of teams, including Hart County, Carver-Columbus (Tony Montgomery at the point guard spot), Richmond Academy, or Savannah Country Day (Rudy Anderson and Robert Spaulding IV), looking to peak and make a run.

The top right bracket features an interesting first round game with Cedar Grove, led by Manny Green, at Hebron Christian, led by Blake Wilson and Mataj Glover. Cross Creek, led by Jaden Priester and Kylen Clark, sits on the bottom of that bracket and could get tested by Johnson-Savannah in the second round.

The bottom right bracket features a pair of 3 vs 2 seeds in Monroe Area at Douglass-Atlanta (Noah Treadwell, Josh Mickell, RJ Winegarner, Jacob Mickell) and Long County (Zion Thomas, Keshawn Smith and Khalil Anderson) at Upson Lee which will be games worth keeping an eye on. Dougherty (Kaleke Singletary-Jinks, Jaion Burns and Jawuan Jinks Jr) gets a pesky Salem team that slipped late in the season. Douglass-Atlanta still should win the bracket, but this bracket is more wide open than what meets the eye.

2A: Does anybody really want to play someone from Region 4? Region 4 may be the strongest region in the classification. The two-time defending champion is Westside-Augusta (Lavonta Ivery, Demarco Middleton, Jarious Adkinson and Javan Webb) is in the top right bracket.

In the top left bracket is Butler (Roosevelt Brown, Kwamane Bridges, Jayden Bell and Marcus Scurry Jr) and things could get interesting in this bracket with a possible second round matchup against Spencer (Gary Gaither, Izael Brownlee and Keyshaun Sampton) . Callaway made a surprise run and snatched the 1-seed on the bottom of the bracket and South Atlanta (Saka Hurst, Duor Duor, Isaac Benton and Bol Deng) made a run as well to snatch the 2-seed meaning this portion of the bracket could go a lot of different ways.

The bottom left bracket features a Thomson (Daquon Young, Jahkiaus Jones and Markevion Jones) team that has tools. Athens Academy (Kymel Williams and Justin Goudelock) and The Walker School (Mustapha Diop) could meet in the second round and the winner most likely will get Thomson in the quarterfinals.

The bottom right bracket is where Columbia (Trevian Callaway, Quay Wallace and Jamarcus Hatcher) resides and the path to the semifinals is laid out for Columbia provided they don’t trip themselves up.

1A-D1: There will be a new champion in this classification as the champion from last season, King’s Ridge, is not in the tournament. 18 of the 32 teams have losing records.  In the top left bracket, only Jasper County (Dereon Pennamon and Randy Williams) and Paideia (CJ Harper, Frank Jackson, David Oglesby-Smith and Sharif Kemp) have winning records and will meet in the second round. The winner should make the semifinals.

The bottom left bracket has four teams with winning records in Savannah (Maki Joyner Jermaine Edwards and Jermontae Brown), St. Francis Greg Howard, Reynolds Escher and Javon Holt), Darlington (Grant Hutton, Trustin Mercer, and Brent Bell) and Athens Christian (Hampton Ford and Harper Ford). The interesting first round game is between St. Francis and Darlington. The winner of that game will most likely get Athens Christian. Savannah should be waiting in the quarterfinals to face one of those three teams.

In the top right bracket, a couple of interesting first round games are Mt. Pisgah/Trion and Bleckley County/Woodville-Tompkins. Add in Temple, and this bracket could have any of these five teams advance to the semifinals.

The bottom right bracket features an Oglethorpe County (Javaun Pittard) team on the rise and gets an Elbert County team they defeated by 28 points during the regular season. Mt. Vernon (KJ Garris, Xavier Shegog, Sha’Yah Goba and Dennis Scott III) will be waiting for them in the second round. The Bryan County/East Laurens game could be interesting, but look for East Laurens (Rashaun Washington) to meet Mt. Vernon in the quarterfinals and Mt. Vernon to get to the semifinals.

1A-D2: The defending champion Wilkinson County is in the bottom left bracket and is a 4-seed. The bottom left bracket is loaded with Portal (Joseph Thomas, Marion Tremble, Elijah Coleman and Amir Jackson) , Christian Heritage (Jax Abernathy), Warren County (Torossie Leslie, Cosa Pender and Raquavian Jones). Christian Heritage and Warren County should meet in the second round, and the winner most likely see Portal in the quarterfinals.

The top left bracket features a dangerous Calhoun County (Jasiyah Suber, Dallas George, Zechariah Canidate) team who could meet a Lanier County (James Clarkston, MJ McGriff) team that put together a quality season. Towns County lands in this bracket as a 4-seed after slipping up in the region tournament and will get a first round test with Twiggs County and potentially a second round tussle with Manchester. This bracket is interesting.

The top right bracket is where Greenforest (Elijah Lewis, Caleb Kawela, Mike Robinson and Daniel Daramola)resides and could face an improving Greene County (Laryous Burt, Kamari Smith, and RJ Monford) team in the second round. Turner County/McIntosh County Academy and Treutlen/Randolph-Clay games could be interesting. Greenforest will be waiting for either in the quarterfinals. Look for Greenforest to come out of this bracket.

The bottom right bracket is where the dangerous Mitchell County (David Campbell, Landen Quimbley is. A fun matchups in this bracket feature Jenkins County/Clinch County with the winner most likely to see Mitchell County in the second round. Lincoln County and Hancock Central could be a good first round tussle game with the winner moist likely to see Macon County (Frankie Raines Jr and Dontavious Collier) in the second round. Macon County and Mitchell County are on a collision course to meet in an exciting quarterfinal game. Look for either of these teams to get out of this bracket and into the semifinals.

Classifications Contenders

CLASSIFICATION CONTENDERS: These are teams-whether ranked in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA or not, that are contenders for the state championship in their respective classes at the start of the state tournament. We also list a sleeper, and a champion.

7A: Grayson, McEachern, Wheeler, Walton, Newton. SLEEPER: Camden County. CHAMPION: Grayson

6A: Alexander, Lee County, Langston Hughes, Shiloh, St. Pius X., Woodward Academy SLEEPER: Etowah CHAMPION: Alexander

5A: Kell, Eagle’s Landing, Dutchtown, Tri-Cities, Tucker, Chapel Hill, SLEEPER: Decatur CHAMPION: Kell

4A: Pace Academy, Baldwin, McDonough, Holy Innocents, Fayette County. SLEEPER: New Hampstead CHAMPION: Pace Academy

3A: Sandy Creek, Cedar Grove, Douglass-Atlanta, Cross Creek, Monroe-Albany, Dougherty, Hebron Christian. SLEEPER: Long County CHAMPION: Sandy Creek

2A: Westside-Augusta, Thomson, Butler, Columbia, The Walker School. SLEEPER: Spencer CHAMPION: Westside-Augusta

1A D1: Mt. Vernon, Paideia, Savannah, Darlington, St. Francis. SLEEPER: East Laurens CHAMPION: Mt. Vernon

1A D2: Greenforest, Portal, Christian Heritage, Calhoun County, Mitchell County, Macon County SLEEPER: Towns County CHAMPION: Greenforest

Teams that missed the state tournament

STUBBED THEIR TOE: These are teams that missed the state tournament that were seeded fourth or higher in their region tournament and only needed one win in their region tournament to make the state tournament.

Banks County (loss to East Jackson), Cherokee Bluff (loss to Walnut Grove), Commerce (loss to Tallulah Falls), Dade County (loss to Chattooga), Drew (loss to Harris County), Druid Hills (loss to Southwest Dekalb), Dunwoody (loss to North Atlanta), Effingham County (loss to Brunswick), Franklin County (loss to Stephens County), Forsyth Central (loss to South Forsyth), Jefferson (loss to Heritage-Conyers), Landmark Christian (loss to Callaway), LaFayette (loss to Ridgeland), LaGrange (loss to Whitewater), Lakeside-Evans (loss to Evans), Lassiter (loss to Blessed Trinity), Liberty County (loss to Calvary Day), Madison County (loss to North Hall), Morrow (loss Rockdale County), Mt. Bethel (loss to Mt. Pisgah), New Manchester (loss to Douglas County), North Forsyth (loss to Lanier), Northwest Whitfield (loss to Cedartown), Putnam County (loss to Laney), Richmond Hill (loss to Colquitt County), Ringgold (loss to Lakeview-Oglethorpe), Seminole County (loss to Randolph-Clay), Shaw (loss to Hardaway), Terrell County (loss to Early County), Thomas County Central (loss to Tift), Wesleyan (loss to Dawson County), Worth County (loss to Cook).

We are all set. See everyone in the gym throughout the GHSA State Basketball Championships.

HILLSMAN HEAVY TOP 10 GA 2/13/2024

The regular season is complete across the entire state and postseason basketball is here. All this week it is region tournament action to decide the seeding for the state tournament.

Once a team makes it to the semifinals of their region tournament they qualify for the state tournament. The semifinals, consolation games and finals determine the seeding for the state tournament.

Some region tournaments either began late last week with play-in/first round action and some started earlier this week. At any rate this is a week filled with region tournaments. Region have to report their region champions and seeding to the GHSA by the end of the day on Saturday February 17th. The first round of the state tournament begins on Tuesday February 20th.

Last week’s games are considered games that were played from Tuesday 2/6/2024 through Monday 2/12/2024.  This week’s games will be considered games played from Tuesday 2/13/2024 through Saturday 2/17/2024.  The next Hillsman Heavy Top 10 Georgia will be on Tuesday 2/20/2024 prior to the first round of the state tournament beginning.

Last Week 2/6/2024; 1-Grayson, 2-McEachern, 3-Kell, 4-Alexander, 5-Sandy Creek, 6-Greenforest, 7-Wheeler, 8-Pace Academy, 9- Westside-Augusta, 10-Walton

Here is a look at this week’s Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA.

The Hillsman Heavy 2/13/2024

**PLEASE NOTE ALL RECORDS ARE AS OF TUESDAY 2/13/2024 PRIOR TO ANY GAMES PLAYED ON THAT DAY**

Here is the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA with last week’s ranking noted.

1- Grayson (1)- Head Coach: Geoffrey Pierce Current Record: 24-2; Last Week:  defeated South Gwinnett, defeated Newton, defeated Brookwood This Week: Region 4-7A Finals  Key Notes: Grayson remains undefeated against Georgia teams. Grayson has won nine games in a row. Grayson is the No.1 seed in the region tournament, clinched a state tournament berth. The overall depth and versatile nature of Grayson still is the headline behind Gicarri Harris, CJ Hyland, Jacob Wilkins, Amir Taylor and Anthony Alston. Grayson went 5-2 vs OOS. Grayson is 1-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

2- McEachern (2)– Head Coach: Tremayne Anchrum Current Record: 20-5; Last Week: defeated North Paulding, defeated Harrison  This Week: Region 3-7A Semifinals and Final Key Notes: McEachern’s current winning streak is seven games. McEachern clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and a state playoff berth. McEachern’s only loss to a Georgia team remains to Grayson in the season opener. McEachern finishes the season 6-4 vs OOS, improved to 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. Ace Bailey continues to lead the charge for McEachern while Jaye Nash and Nnadozie Onyirimba have proven to be vital pieces.

3- Kell (3) Head Coach: Jermaine Sellers Current Record: 21-3; Last Week: defeated Greater Atlanta Christian This Week: Region 6-5A Tournament Semifinals and Finals Key Notes: Kell continues to roll along with 20 straight wins. Kell clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth.  Kell finished 7-0 vs OOS this season, which includes wins over Jackson-Reed (DC), which is their signature win of the season. Kell’s three losses this season are to McEachern, Newton, and Grayson. CJ Brown, Jaylen Colon, and Cannon Richards are at the forefront, with solid contributions coming from Chris McLavish and Zach Graves at times.

4- Alexander (4) Head Coach: Jason Slate Current Record: 23-2;  Last Week: defeated Langston Hughes, defeated South Paulding This Week: Region 5-6A Tournament Semifinals and Finals  Key Notes: Alexander clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Alexander’s only losses are to Holy Innocents and McEachern and enter postseason play on a 10-game winning streak. They finished the season 3-0 vs OOS. Braedan Lue (18.2ppg 8.4rpg), Greg Dunston (13.7ppg 4.5apg), Allen Stoddard (9.7ppg 6rpg) and Jermaine Freeman (10.4ppg 3.0rpg 2.5spg) are the vital pieces for Alexander during their state tournament run.

5-Sandy Creek (5) Head Coach: Jon Nickerson Current Record: 22-3; Last Week:  defeated Carver-Atlanta, defeated Cedar Grove This Week: Region-3A Tournament Semifinals and Finals  Key Notes: Sandy Creek clinched the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Sandy Creek has notable wins over Mt. Vernon, Milton, Cedar Grove (2x), Fayette County (2x), Osborne, Buford, Pinson Valley (AL), St. Anne-Pacelli, St. Pius X and Flint Hill (MD). Sandy Creek’s two losses to Georgia teams are to Grayson and Etowah, and their OOS loss was to St. Frances Academy (MD). Sandy Creek finished 3-1 vs OOS. Sandy Creek has continued to display the tools in the tool box in Amari Brown (17ppg 5rpg 3apg 51% FG), Micah Smith (16ppg 8rpg 5apg 3bpg 55% FG), PJ Green (6ppg 5rpg 3apg), Jacobi Robinson (10ppg 3rpg 3apg 45% FG) and Jared White (10ppg 4rpg 3apg 44%-3PT).

6-Greenforest (6)- Head Coach: Rory Griffin Current Record: 20-4 Last Week: defeated Mt. Zion-Carroll  This Week: Region 7-1A DII Region Finals vs Christian Heritage Key Notes: Greenforest is the No.1 seed in their region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Greenforest is currently on a 15-game winning streak; Greenforest packs quality wins over Langston Hughes, Eagle’s Landing, Newton, Baldwin, Mt. Vernon and Christian Heritage. Greenforest’s losses this season are to Kell, Berkmar, Milton, and Williston (FL). The Kell loss is the only loss of more than six points. Greenforest is 2-1 vs OOS, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, 10-4 in neutral floor games, and have 9 wins against Georgia teams in higher classifications. Elijah Lewis, Mike Robinson, Caleb Kawela, and Daniel Daramola are just a few of the names that can be a factor on any given night.

7- Wheeler (7)- Head Coach: Larry Thompson; Current Record: 20-5; Last Week: defeated Kennesaw Mountain, defeated Cherokee This Week: Region 5-7A Tournament Key Notes: Wheeler closed the regular season on an eight game winning streak. Wheeler is the No.2 seed in the region tournament by virtue of the coin flip tie breaker, and clinched a state tournament berth. Wheeler will continue to rely on Josh Hill and Ricky McKenzie as the overall youthful team continue to mature, especially in the backcourt. Wheeler is 2-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, and are 2-0 vs OOS.

8- Pace Academy (8)- Head Coach: Sharman White Current Record: 22-3 Last Week: defeated Luella This Week: Region 5-4A Tournament Key Notes: Pace Academy has won eight straight games since it’s loss to McDonough which includes a victory over McDonough on the road. Pace Academy is the No.1 seed in the region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Pace Academy is 17-1 against Georgia teams, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, and are 3-2 vs OOS. Eric Chatfield (15ppg 4apg 3spg), Kyle Greene (10ppg 6apg 3spg), Chandler Bing (13ppg 6rpg), and LJ Moore (9ppg 7rpg 2apg) are the headliners.

9- Walton (10)- Head Coach: Bo Abney; Current Record: 21-4  Last Week: defeated North Cobb, defeated Osborne This Week: Region 5-7A Tournament Semifinals and Finals Key Notes: Walton is the No.1 seed in the region tournament and clinched a state tournament berth. Luke Flynn, JP Wells, Kaedan Gilstrap power this senior-laden Walton team. Their losses have came to St. Pius X, Eagle’s Landing, Lassiter and Wheeler. They are 2-1 vs Lassiter this season and the lone loss came when Flynn, Wells and Gilstrap were out. Quality wins over Dutchtown, Seckinger, Wheeler and North Gwinnett; 0-3 in games decided by 5 points or less; Walton did not play any OOS opponents this season and overall the schedule could have been better for the talent of the team. Walton continues to peak as the season goes and is pretty good team that can be dangerous come state tournament time because of their overall team chemistry.

10- Eagle’s Landing (NR)- Head Coach: Elliott Montgomery Current Record: 19-7 Last Week: defeated Ola, defeated Warner Robins, defeated Dutchtown This Week: Does Not Play Key Notes: Eagle’s Landing is the Region 2-5A champion, is the No.1 seed headed into the state tournament and have won seven straight. Eagle’s Landing is in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA for the first time this season and is the team with the most losses in this week’s Hillsman Heavy. Eagle’s Landing went 4-3 vs OOS this season, 3 of their 4 losses to Georgia teams were to region opponents (Jones County, Warner Robins and Dutchtown) who all made the state tournament and Eagle’s Landing avenged all three losses including finishing 2-1 against Dutchtown in games that were decided by 6,4 and 4 points respectively. Their other Georgia loss was at Greenforest. Eagle’s Landing is 4-4 in games decided by less than 5 points. Eagle’s Landing has notable wins over Sagemont (FL), Wilson Academy (GA), Walton, Dutchtown (2x), Warner Robins (2x), Jones County, Christ School (NC), Tampa Catholic (FL) and Jonesboro. Chris Morris II, Clark Mastin, Bobby Buggs, Dwight Brown, Maddox Melancon and the addition of John McQueen are the key clogs for Eagle’s Landing headed into the state tournament.

OUT- Westside-Augusta (9)- Head Coach: Jerry Hunter: Current Record 21-4 Last Week: lost to Butler, defeated Laney This Week: Region 4-2A Tournament Key Notes: Westside-Augusta and rivalry games are their trip up. Westside-Augusta lost to Butler for the second time this season in a game played in the 50s. Two of their four losses are to Butler and they could possibly meet for a fourth time in the region tournament later this week. Westside-Augusta is still a dangerous team come the state tournament but the rivalry hump knocks them out this week for the second time this season.

Keeping Tabs On 2/13/2024

KEEPING TABS ON (alphabetical order): Keeping Tabs On returns this week. It will be a hectic week for teams playing in region tournaments for state tournament seeding. All region tournaments must be concluded by Saturday February 17th, so just think what this section could look like for next week’s Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA. Here are the teams we will watch closely this week to see how they set themselves up for the state tournament.

Archer, Baldwin, Berkmar, Buford, Butler, Calhoun County, Camden County, Chapel Hill, Christian Heritage, Columbia, Cross Creek, Dougherty, Dutchtown, Etowah, Fayette County, Glynn Academy, Grovetown, Hebron Christian, Holy Innocents, Jones County, Jonesboro, Langston Hughes, Lee County, Madison County, Maynard Jackson, Mays, McDonough, Monroe-Albany, Mt. Vernon, Newton, Norcross, North Oconee, Paideia, Peachtree Ridge, Portal, Riverwood, Salem, Savannah, Shiloh, Spencer, St. Pius X, South Atlanta, Thomson, Tri-Cities, Tucker, Valdosta, Walker School, Ware County, Warner Robins Westside-Augusta, Winder Barrow, Woodward Academy

Hillsman Heavy Notables 2/13/2024

NOTABLES: This time of year there are plenty of all-region information. Congrats to all of the coaches and players that received all-region recognition from their respective regions.

Hillgrove head coach Greg Moultrie picked up his 250th career win in a victory over Marietta last week.

St. Pius X head coach Aaron Parr picked up his 300th career win in a victory over South Cobb last week

Norcross is in the state tournament for the 24th consecutive season.

Tift is in the state tournament for the 30th consecutive season.

Pope’s Zach Bleshoy surpassed 1,000 career points, with 30 points in a victory over Blessed Trinity last week.

The Hillsman Heavy Non-GHSA Pinch Post 2/13/2024

NON-GHSA PINCH POST (alphabetical order); The pinch post action returns for a fourth straight week looking at the top non-GHSA schools in Georgia. All non-GHSA teams can be included in the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA if warranted, however, none have ever made it in in the six year history of the Hillsman Heavy Top 10 GA. Just because it is not seen often does not mean it is not effective, good basketball and doesn’t get attention from those at the next level(s) of basketball. Here is a look at some non-GHSA teams that have had solid seasons and have kept our attention the majority of the season. No new teams were added but here is an update on the current teams included. All of these teams have qualified for postseason play in their respective associations.

Creekside Christian (GAPPS): 17-9, 7-3 vs GHSA, 4-3 vs OOS. 4-4 in games decided by 5 points or less. Creekside Christian was the No.1 seed in their region tournament and won the Division1-2A Region 3 title. Creekside Christian has a bye into the quarterfinals of the Division1-2A state tournament. Notable wins over Decatur, Bell Creek-FL, Blanche Ely-FL, Oxford-AL. Notable losses to Wilson Academy, Heritage-Newnan, Victory Christian-NC, Riverwood, The Rock-FL, FSU HS-FL. Cedric Taylor 17ppg 10.8rpg 2.5apg 1.8bpg, Bilal Osman 13.7ppg 4rpg, Joseph Reddick 11ppg 6.2rpg 2.9apg, Kelton Teasley 8.8ppg 3.2rpg lead Creekside Christian. Creekside Christian is the defending GAPPS State Champion.

Heritage-Newnan (GIAA): 23-3, 3-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, 5-2 vs GHSA. Heritage- Newnan is the No.2 seed in the GIAA 4A District 5 Tournament. Heritage-Newnan will play in the 3A state tournament. Notable wins over Ware County, North Cobb Christian, Jonesboro, Creekside Christian and St. Anne-Pacelli. Losses to Campbell and Carrollton. Heritage-Newnan is in the same District with St. Anne-Pacelli and split with them during the regular season. Max Skidmore 16.2ppg 3rpg 2.7apg, Sam Meade 15.2ppg 7rpg and Mason Robert-Bolinger 11.8ppg 5.5rpg 2.3apg lead Heritage-Newnan.

St. Andrew’s (GIAA): 19-7; current 12-game winning streak, 9-6 vs GHSA, 3-1 in games decided by 5 points or less (all vs GHSA teams). St. Andrew’s is the No.1 seed in the GIAA 4A/3A District 2 Tournament. St. Andrew’s will play in the 3A state tournament. Notable wins over Hebron Christian Academy, Johnson-Savannah, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy and Savannah. Non-GHSA loss is to Furtah Prep, notable losses to Glynn Academy, Statesboro, Cedar Grove, King’s Ridge Christian. Zayden Edwards, Zyere Edwards and Will Thompson lead St. Andrew’s. St. Andrew’s is the two-time defending GIAA State Champions.

St. Anne-Pacelli (GIAA): 19-6; 7-5 vs GHSA, 2-1 in games decided by 5 points or less. St. Anne-Pacelli is the No.1 seed in the GIAA 4A District 5 Tournament. St. Anne-Pacelli will play in the 4A state tournament. Notable wins over Douglas County (2x), Warner Robins, Valdosta, Dougherty and Greater Atlanta Christian. Notable losses to Newton, Sandy Creek, Christian Heritage, Lee County. Split two district meetings with Heritage-Newnan this regular season. TJ Smith 19ppg 6rpg Jaydence Ford 19ppg 2rpg 2apg

Wilson Academy (Independent): 18-9, 4-3 vs GHSA, 8-3 vs OOS, 5-3 in games decided by 5 points or less. Last two regular scheduled games are against Sunrise Christian (KS) and Link Academy (MO) at the end of February and early March. Notable wins over Creekside Christian, Paideia, Greater Atlanta Christian, Potter House-FL, Dutchtown, Word Of God (NC), Hargrave Military Academy (VA). Notable losses to Eagle’s Landing, La Lumiere (IN), Legacy Early College-SC, North Broward Prep (FL), Mt. Vernon, Archbishop Hoban (OH). Caleb Cameron, Isaiah Cameron and Jeremiah Stebbins are the team leaders.

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.