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DEL.ICIO.USHoops rankings: Repeat champs popular picks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eight of the 10 defending high school basketball champions have been picked to defend their titles, according to the first Georgia Sports Writers Association poll.
The Wheeler boys and Collins Hill girls, last year’s Class AAAAA winners, were unanimous choices by the selectors.
Also picked to defend their boys titles are Dunwoody (Class AAA), East Hall (Class AA) and Randolph-Clay (Class A). Girls predicted to defend their championships are Etowah (Class AAAA), Hephzibah (Class AAA) and Wesleyan (Class AA).
Pollsters thought a pair of runners-up would get a measure of revenge. They selected the Tucker boys, last year’s runner-up in AAA, ahead of defending champion Mays. Voters chose the Calhoun County girls, runner-up last season in Class A, ahead of defending champion Terrell County.
The rankings are based on votes tabulated from writers throughout the state, including the AJC’s Derrick Mahone.
Boys
Class AAAAA
Wheeler (13) — 130 points
Norcross — 117
Stephenson — 74
South Gwinnett — 73
Tift County — 60
Savannah — 51
South Cobb — 50
Newton — 34
Peachtree Ridge — 32
Tri—Cities – 19
Others receiving votes: Riverdale, Centennial, Douglass, Kennesaw Mountain, Houston County, Pope, Beach, Lowndes, Johnson
Class AAAA
Tucker (3) — 119
Columbia (2) — 95
Mays (8) — 92
Griffin — 73
Baldwin — 55
Chapel Hill — 51
Stone Mountain — 44
Sandy Creek — 30
Lee County — 28
Carver, Columbus – 18
Others receiving votes: Rome, Lithia Springs, St. Pius, Chamblee, Etowah, Bainbridge, Douglas County, Statesboro, South Atlanta, Clarke Central, North Clayton, Wayne County, Southwest DeKalb, Woodland.
Class AAA
Dunwoody (10) — 121
Westlake (3) — 104
Dougherty — 92
Peach County — 72
M.L. King — 59
Troup — 52
Butler — 46
Monroe, Albany — 35
Banneker — 32
Crisp County — 23
Others receiving votes: Perry, Oconee County, Johnson of Gainesville, Chestatee, Spencer.
Class AA
East Hall (12) — 129
Greenville — 110
Dublin (1) — 107
Buford — 90
Josey — 55
Wesleyan — 51
East Laurens — 32
Coosa — 31
Tri-County — 27
Greater Atlanta Christian – 23
Others receiving votes: Greene County; Manchester, Albany, Calhoun, Fitzerald, Brantley County, Pierce County, Cook, Lovett, Thomasville, Metter.
Class A
Randolph-Clay (12) — 129
Southwest Atlanta Christ. (1) — 113
Whitefield Academy — 75
Hancock Central — 68
Jefferson — 65
Wilkinson County — 56
Terrell County — 48
Calvary Day — 45
St. Francis – 38
Athens Academy – 13
Others receiving votes: Bremen, Seminole County, Clinch County, Turner County, Washington—Wilkes.
Girls
Class AAAAA
Collins Hill (12) — 120
Redan — 106
Stephenson — 94
Campbell — 71
Beach – 61
Marietta — 50
McEachern — 43
South Gwinnett — 42
Brookwood — 20
Tift County — 19
Others receiving votes: Riverdale, Morrow, Sequoyah, Central Gwinnett, Lowndes, Houston County.
Class AAAA
Etowah (9) — 122
Jones County (1) — 79
St. Pius (2) — 78
Stone Mountain — 63
Mays — 54
Northside, Warner Robins — 54
Westside-Macon — 53
Greenbrier — 41
Jonesboro — 34
Marist – 26
Others receiving votes: Dalton, Thomas County Central, Warner Robins, Rome, Salem, Lakeside—DeKalb, Stockbridge, SW DeKalb.
Class AAA
Hephzibah (10) — 118
Kendrick (2) — 110
Johnson, Gainesville — 81
Avondale — 80
Westminster — 71
Gainesville — 52
Cross Creek — 20
Carrollton — 19
Worth County — 17
(tie) Columbus — 17
Others receiving votes: Dunwoody, Liberty County, Franklin County, Westover, Fannin County, Flowery Branch, Cairo, Towers.
Class AA
Wesleyan (12) — 129
Dade County (1) — 111
Dodge County — 91
Greater Atlanta Christian — 64
Dublin — 60
Josey — 51
Laney — 36
East Hall — 34
Buford — 33
Early County — 25
Others receiving votes: Calhoun, Pace Academy, Appling County, Greene County, Fitzgerald, Brantley County, Macon County, Screven County, Holy Innocents, Jackson.
Class A
Calhoun County (7) — 123
Terrell County (6) — 116
Hebron Christian — 98
Jefferson — 72
Randolph-Clay — 58
Lakeview Academy — 39
Atkinson County — 34
Wilkinson County — 31
Gordon Lee — 28
Bowdon — 25
(tie) W.D. Mohammed – 25
Others receiving votes: Hancock Central, SW Atlanta Christian, Bryan County, Savannah Country Day, Washington-Wilkes, St. Francis, Clinch County, Montgomery County.
Permalink | Comments (34) | Categories: Basketball rankings
Comments
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By Supaman
November 11, 2005 06:56 AM | Link to this
Both Stephenson teams in the Top 3 in the State in Boys and Girls…Along with the No.4 Football team….and a killer Band…What cant they do??
By jeff
November 11, 2005 01:20 PM | Link to this
well when they actually win a state championship with all the talent they have every year i’ll be impressed
By Waylon Jones
November 11, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this
Why isn’t Cross Keys in the top ten this year in the boys divsion? They are the region champs!!!!!!!
By Coach Roberts
November 11, 2005 02:52 PM | Link to this
Southwest Atlanta Christian Girls should be ranked in the top four in Single A.
By BA
November 11, 2005 03:48 PM | Link to this
Greenforest Girls should be ranked in the top 10 due to the fact that they beat 3 of the top teams in your rankings for Class A on last season.
By Justice
November 11, 2005 04:39 PM | Link to this
You heard it here first. Southwest Atlanta Christian will be the first private school in the city to win both the girls and boys state title. GET READY!
By Jasmine Sharp
November 11, 2005 04:43 PM | Link to this
I think eyes should also be on Union Grove’s varsity girls basketball team. They are going to have a great team so keep a look out.
By Daron Scott
November 11, 2005 11:00 PM | Link to this
Why is the Thomasville boys basketball team not ranked in the top ten. The home team returned with no graduates from last year, and why is L. Hall of Thomasville not one ranked in the state with the numbers he put up as a sophmore last year.
By Supaman
November 12, 2005 10:29 AM | Link to this
Jeff..Actually Stephenson has a Boys and Girls State Championship and Girls Basketball Championship…not bad for a school thats still isnt 10 years old.
By PeterBread
November 12, 2005 02:30 PM | Link to this
Calhoun County High School Girls basketball team will definetly will return back to the championship game. They only loss one real good player. They have gotten a 6’2 sophmore from California and a another 6’2 junior from across the county border. Nobody will be able to compete Calhoun this year.
By Jennifer Coates
November 12, 2005 02:55 PM | Link to this
Lithonia High School Varsity Girls and Boys basketball team will show up and show out this year…..last year was just a learning process for us…..We have all of last years starters returning….Any team we play needs to come prepared!
By Eagles
November 13, 2005 12:04 AM | Link to this
Collins Hill girls basketball is ranked #4 in the country! Simply amazing.. with 3 returning starters and 2 new transfers.. they won’t be stopped.
By spartans
November 13, 2005 08:46 AM | Link to this
Lady spartans from Campbell High School are going to be very special this year. They should win the region without too much problem. Look to see them in the state finals or semi-finals with collins hill.
By southgaboy
November 14, 2005 03:15 AM | Link to this
what cant they do is win something that matters or come up big “ANY” time that it matters on a state level, that football team if it somehow manages to get past parkview will be destroyed by lowndes in the dome and i am saying that as a person from camden county, the team that beat the strongest football team you guys ever had with reggie ball, kregg lumpkin, route, gartrell, etc.!
By swatguy
November 14, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this
Mays girls should win the State. Westlake boys will battle Dunwoody. SACA, it is still class A.
By mneal
November 14, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this
Their new coach won’t miss a beat either.
By Corissa
November 14, 2005 10:45 AM | Link to this
For everybody who slept on lithonia’s girls basketball team last year expect to see us in the state tournament this year with the same folks. We are a very young team looking for respect. So be ready stephenson and redan we are waiting for yall this year!
By Lady Mustang
November 14, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this
Please don’t sleep on the Lady Mustangs @ Morrow High…..
By malcolm
November 14, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this
Riverwood is one of the team to look at for basketball we play westlake Dunwoody and mlk so come look at malcolm banks avg 20 a game and yes dunks SWATS allday
By groneveldt
November 14, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this
The “06 season got on the way this past week with exibition games throughout the metro area. NOTE: AAA Banneker HS boys basketball team has made it to the sweet 16 (03); final 4 (04); elite 8 (05) and this year should be no different. What makes them stand out? They have no go to, blue chipper like in the past. Just a solid core of six returning seniors who have experience and a junior that can score. They have already beat AAAA ranked Sandy Creek on Thursday, Nov. 10 with a balanced attack let by the all around play of point guard Keith Owens. Keith Filled up the stat sheet with 14 pts, 6 steals, 5 reb, 3 assts. All while running a steady offense. He’s a sleeper! Colleges are just getting wind of him now and has received an offer or 2 thus far. Prediction? Banneker to the AAA final for with a vengence!!!!!
By groneveldt
November 14, 2005 03:29 PM | Link to this
‘06 Basketball state champ predictions !!!
5A - Norcross 4A - Tucker 3A - Westlake 2A - East Hall 1A - Southwest Atlanta Christian
Good Luck to all the teams and may the AJC cover all the teams objectively not to mention , “in more depth” !!!
By Robert
November 14, 2005 03:32 PM | Link to this
WATCH OUT FOR THE MEADOWCREEK MUSTANGS THEY HAVE SOME HIDDEN TALENT. MARK MY WORDS MEADOWCREKK WILL MAKE IT PAST THE FIRST ROUND OF THE STATE PLAYOFFS AND MAYBE THE WHOLE THING?!?!
By Robert Swafford
November 14, 2005 03:34 PM | Link to this
WATCH OUT FOR THE MEADOWCREEK MUSTANGS!! LAST YEARS FIRST STATE PLAYOFF APPERANCE WAS JUST A STEPPING STONE.THIS YEAR THEY HAVE SOME HIDDEN TALENT THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO SEE FOR YOURSELF. MARK MY WORDS!! MEADOWCREEK WILL MAKE IT PAST THE FIRST ROUND OF STATE THIS SEASON AND MAYBE WIN THE WHOLE THING?!?!?!
By Luke Carter
November 14, 2005 03:50 PM | Link to this
The Seminole County Indian boys have been a dominant region force (winning region 3 of the past 4 years finishing as high as the final 4 and a couple of Sweet 16’s. This year they feature a team that brings all there starters back in an explosive offense anchored by a 6’7” Senior Center-David Williams. Coach (David Ward) is a Seasoned Veteran who boast never a losing season in any sport in over 20 years. Watch the Nole’s!!!!
By Luke Johnson
November 14, 2005 04:32 PM | Link to this
SPencer have an awesome team this year. They have there leader Kareem Carter who is 6’8” and have one of the best mid-range in the state. They also have a center name Benard Toombs who is 6’11” and one of the best defensive big man in the state of Georgia. If you have those two with 3 other decent people they can run or even win state this 2005-06 season. Actions speak louder than words, they first game is Nov.18 against there rival Carver high school at 6:00.
By Mike Carter
November 14, 2005 05:37 PM | Link to this
Did any one see the Banneker vs Sandy Creek Boys basketball game on Thursday Nov. 10? (4A) 8th ranked Sandy Creek was upset in a thriller by (3A) 9th ranked Banneker 74 to 71. Banneker looks like they are again on there way deep into the state tournament. They boost the return of 4 senior starters who have been together since freshman year and a junior who stared half of last seasons games. #2 on Banneker is exciting to watch, great court vision, pin point passes and excellent defense. Excellent free throw shooting team. It should be standing room only when they play 3A rival Westlake on Nov. 22… Get there early folks
By Abu _W.D.M.
November 14, 2005 07:47 PM | Link to this
Watch out for W.D. Mohammed Varsity Boys and Girls. We coming for State!!!!!!!
By K. Russell
November 14, 2005 09:23 PM | Link to this
Don’t sleep on NO.7 ranked south cobb boys…lost one key starter and return 6 to 7 seniors such as 6’4WESLEY MATTHEW 6’5GARRISON JOHNSON,6’5 TERRENCE CAMPBELL, 6’7GIFF BLAKELEYAND RETURNING FROM A YEAR OFF 6’5 GUARD KENNY RUSSELL AND HE WILL PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN SOUTH COBB success this year.NOT TO MENTION RETURNING JUNIORS 6’4 AUSTIN KELLY 6’0 AMIKO IGRUBIA AND 5’10 ADAM CALLOWAY THE REPLACEMENT FOR BIG TIME PLAYER DRE ADAMS. LOOK FOR SOUTH COBB TO GO FOR IN STATE AND DONT BE SURPRISED IF THE WIN THE WHOLE THING
By GEORGE BB
November 14, 2005 09:24 PM | Link to this
Don’t sleep on NO.7 ranked south cobb boys…lost one key starter and return 6 to 7 seniors such as 6’4WESLEY MATTHEW 6’5GARRISON JOHNSON,6’5 TERRENCE CAMPBELL, 6’7GIFF BLAKELEYAND RETURNING FROM A YEAR OFF 6’5 GUARD KENNY RUSSELL AND HE WILL PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN SOUTH COBB success this year.NOT TO MENTION RETURNING JUNIORS 6’4 AUSTIN KELLY 6’0 AMIKO IGRUBIA AND 5’10 ADAM CALLOWAY THE REPLACEMENT FOR BIG TIME PLAYER DRE ADAMS. LOOK FOR SOUTH COBB TO GO FOR IN STATE AND DONT BE SURPRISED IF THE WIN THE WHOLE THING
By chris clayton
November 15, 2005 09:22 AM | Link to this
Teams like centenial and South gwinnet arent that good they lost people off both teams and south gwinnet was beat in summer by a good collins hill team. Yall are underestimating that team there gonna give there region a run for their money
By groneveldt
November 15, 2005 04:51 PM | Link to this
that’s right!!!!!!!!!!!! Collins Hill can win the state. I saw that game this summer against So. Gwinnet at Ga. State Univ. In fact, Banneker beat them as well. Delano and Avery have signed and really have nothing to play for. They already won state titles as sophs. Look elsewhere for a 5A champ this year.
By Big D
November 15, 2005 06:14 PM | Link to this
Norcross will win state in 5A boys.. If the brackets allow it will be another re-match from last year.. (Norcross vs. Wheeler)
Collins Hill will win state in 5A girls.. Once again with the brackets allowing it could be a re-match (Redan vs. Collins Hill) or Stephenson will see CHHS in the state finals
By Big Cat
November 15, 2005 06:25 PM | Link to this
Heloo!!!!!!! Wheeler is gonna win it all the way….. can i hear a 4th championship in 5 years…wow….and with james florence and j.t. tiller and oh yeah B.j. corely ,,,, i know were going to be #1 and undefeated
By RA
November 15, 2005 11:31 PM | Link to this
Check out the USA Todays Super 25 girls rankings. Collins Hill girls are nationally ranked #2 and Stephenson girls are ranked #9. Congratulations to both teams - Go girls!!!