The field is set, and we are so excited to see how this one plays out. Georgia's second highest classification is very high level basketball with a number of teams that can win it all and a number of players that can make their mark. Here are some playoff superlatives:
Best First Round Game: Osborne vs. Shiloh
Each of these teams went a majority of the season with an unblemished record, staying unbeaten for a long time before receiving their first loss. The backcourts of both of these teams are very strong, with Osborne being led by Appalachian State signee Zocko Littleton as well as senior Kyle Hanson while Shiloh is led by Limestone commit Trevon Payton and seniors DJ Leak & Seryl Slater. The key matchup, however, could be in the frontcourt with Osborne senior forward Cris Carroll, who is having a tremendous year, and Shiloh senior Isaiah Bertie.
Four Seed to Watch: Centennial
After a terrific season, Centennial suffered a disappointing region tournament in one of 6A's best and deepest regions. Junior guard Mansir Williamson does a great job of making plays for the Knights and can really stuff a stat sheet across the board. The Knights also have a frontcourt with good size and versatility that causes some matchup problems with seniors Wade Kahl & Abdulh Diaby.
Best Potential Matchup: Top-Right Quad
The top-right quadrant of this bracket will be a tough one to get through with some of the classifications best teams all bunched in there. A second round matchup of Alexander and Grovetown would be a great, fast-paced matchup between two teams that can really get after it. The winner of that game would likely get defending champions Wheeler in another game that would be very fun.
Sleeper Team to Make A Run: River Ridge
It's hard to call a team that went unbeaten in their region for a majority of the season a sleeper team, but this team is still flying under the radar. They have elite level size with seniors Braden Pierce and Jared Russo along with solid guard play behind Grant Portera, who is an athletic playmaker. They have a tough road, starting with Rome in a tough game and potentially a trip to Valdosta in the second round.
Player You May Not Know Yet: Frankquon Sherman
Sometimes, we get caught up in the players and teams in the metro that we can forget about some of the other areas of the state. Grovetown junior wing Frankquon Sherman is one of the better, more versatile wings in the 2023 class in Georgia. At 6-foot-6, he does a little bit of everything and can make some electrifying plays above the rim. He's been a major reason for Grovetown's success this season.
Prediction: Wheeler Wins Another One
This isn't exactly sticking my neck out on this one. However, Wheeler has the best player in the bracket in five-star junior PG Isaiah Collier, who has been the best player in Georgia this season in my book. Add in guys like Jalani Reynolds, Arriten Page, Kyle Burns, and Juvon Gamory, and I think this team has the size, skill level, and athleticism to get past anything this bracket potentially throws at them.
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