Best First Round Matchup
Chattahoochee vs. Hiram
These two programs are no strangers to postseason success, and if you like guards this one is for you. Hiram is led by senior guards Ryan Williams & Duke football commit Chase Tyler, anchored by USC football commit Walter Matthews in the middle. The Hooch has a very good group of guards with Jaylen Edgerton, Cam James, and Yuta Yamamoto. This one should be highly contested.
Tucker vs. Ware County
Tucker's 17-game win streak came to an end with a region championship loss to Decatur, but the Tigers still have the pieces to make a run in 5A led by senior forward Josiah Lawson and senior guard Khayri Dunn. They cannot count out a Ware County team making the long trip up to Atlanta, however. The Gators play extremely hard, and their junior guard Jarvis Wright is one of the best shotmakers in the Peach.
Best Player Matchup
Marcus Gillespie (Clarke Central) vs. Cassius Watkins (Jackson)
A clash of styles between these two productive guards should be a lot of fun. Gillespie has been one of the best scorers in the Peach all season long and is always a threat to go for a 30-ball or even a 40-ball. Watkins is a very sound playmaker with great vision and should be a big factor in this game as well.
Pace Academy Backcourt vs. Walnut Grove Backcourt
Two teams with great guards go at it in the first round. Pace Academy is led by UCF commit KJ Greene and junior Eric Chatfield. They are both very well-rounded and play off of each other very well. They will go up against Walnut Grove's junior PG Marcus Smith Jr. and senior Tyler Jewell, who have paced this team all season and will need to have a big night to try and come out of Buckhead with a win.
Not To Look Forward But...
A northside battle between Pace Academy and Holy Innocents is very glaring in the second round. Both teams are loaded with talent across the board. Holy Innocents five-star forward Caleb Wilson has had a tremendous season alongside Devin Hutcherson and Will Hopkins. Pace is led by their backcourt mentioned above as well as Chandler Bing, LJ Moore, and MJ Madison.
Biggest Storyline
5A: Can Anyone Dethrone Kell? The Longhorns have a tough road ahead of them, but they have been really good after a slow start to the season, wining 22 straight games after a 1-3 start. USF commit CJ Brown is one of the toughest players to stop in the state and with players like Cannon Richards, Jaylen Colon, and Chris McLavish they will be the favorites to repeat. However, there are plenty of teams that can spoil the party.
4A: There are so many teams that can win state. You can argue that 4A is one of, if not the, deepest classification in the state. McDonough, North Oconee, Holy Innocents, Pace Academy, Fayette County, and Baldwin all have the talent to get to Macon, and you never know what surprises are ahead.
Sleeper That Could Make Noise
GAC
They say that guards win in the postseason, and the Spartans have a very good group of upperclass guards led by seniors Rich Rojas and Noah Harry as well as junior Mikey Carpenter. They are a very dangerous three seed coming out of one of the best regions in 5A.
Winder Barrow
The Bulldoggs were on top of their region all year, but fell in the region championship to Clarke Central. They play hard, they play fast, and they have a ton of talent and versatility. Sophomore wing Jerrin Samuel is one to watch for them as a do-it-all type of presence.
Hi My Name Is...
Tre Keith, Tri-Cities
The freshman has been a big reason for Tri-Cities success this season. He's a very well-rounded point guard who can score and make plays off the bounce and also make an impact playing off the ball as well, finishing the season averaging over 20 points per game. He's getting his first taste of postseason basketball, but he will be a factor if the Bulldogs make a run.
Khaven Cochran, Central Carroll
Cochran has helped lead Central to a very good season in west Georgia, going 23-4. We've seen him put up big numbers on our stage and he's had a good season this year to solidify that. He can shoot the ball very well from the perimeter as well as attack closeouts and score off the dribble. Him and Central will be ones to watch out for this week.
Justin Wise, North Oconee
Wise is another one of the notable freshmen in the Peach, and he makes his impact felt on both sides of the ball. He can be a scorer and playmaker while playing both on and off the ball and he can make his presence felt on the defensive side as well with his size in the backcourt and athleticism. Don't be surprised if the Titans make a run and you see his name.