The field is set, and we are so excited to see how this one plays out. Georgia's remaining classes have very high level basketball with a number of teams and players that can make their mark. Here are some playoff superlatives:
Best First Round Game: A-Private - Mt. Vernon vs. Christian Heritage
Two of A-Private's more solid squads go at it as Mount Vernon makes the trip to Northwest Georgia to take on Christian Heritage. Both of these teams get it done in different ways, with Mount Vernon giving teams issues with their size behind junior forward Keith Williams and sophomore forward Dennis Scott III. Christian Heritage has a strong backcourt led by sophomore Jax Abernathy, who has had some huge games this season.
Player Matchup to Watch: 5A - Spencer Elliott vs. Brigham Rogers
Two guys who were teammates during last year's travel season go head to head at St. Pius forward Spencer Elliott will match up with Blessed Trinity big man Brigham Rogers, two of Georgia's best frontcourt players in 2023. Both of these guys have the size and skill level that will make them very attractive college prospects over the course of the next few months, and seeing them go at it should be fun.
Four Seed to Watch: A-Private - Walker School
Not many four seeds have a duo quite like Walker School's sophomore backcourt duo CJ Brown and Ricky McKenzie. Both of these guys have the ability to put up big numbers and cause a couple of upsets. They both have great physical tools with McKenzie's size and Brown's ability to get off the floor and they have combined to have some eye opening scoring games this season.
Best Potential Matchup: 3A - LaFayette vs. Cross Creek
LaFayette has been one of the best teams in 3A all season long, and they could potentially match up against defending state champions Cross Creek in the second round. The atmosphere in this one would undoubtedly be a lot of fun. This one would also feature a great matchup between two veratile hybrid forwards in LaFayette senior and Ohio signee Aidan Hadaway and Cross Creek junior Antoine Lorick.
Sleeper to Make a Run: 5A - Calhoun
The road will not be easy for the Yellow Jackets, but they have the size and skill across the board to give teams problems. Freed Hardeman commit Peyton Law is one of the more versatile players in the bracket, who can score the ball inside-out in a variety of ways. Add in junior forward Dylan Faulkner, one of Georgia's best forwards in 2023, and you have a team with great pieces that can make some noise.
Player You May Not Know Yet: 2A - Eren Banks, Putnam County
To people in Middle Georgia, Banks is not a player that they do not know. However, the Atlanta community will likely soon know who the junior scoring guard is. He currently has offers from Georgia Southern, Mercer, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State and is one of Georgia's best pure scorers. His Putnam County squad will travel to Savannah for a tough game against Woodville Tompkins.