AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNo. 1 Norcross to rout No. 2 Peachtree Ridge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On paper, No. 2 Peachtree Ridge has the athletes to match up with No. 1 Norcross in tonight’s Region 7 showdown at the Blue Devils’ gym. Burn that paper — Blue Devils are going to roll.
Norcross was impressive in Saturday’s TV performance, running past and jumping over undermanned Arlington Country Day of Jacksonville, 88-69.
Certainly, Peachtree Ridge will put up a better fight, but will it be enough? Not if Gani Lawal uses his quickness to get Ridge big man Cameron Heyward in foul trouble. Not if Al-Faouq Aminu has another monster game like he did against Country Day (23 points, 21 rebounds). And not if Norcross continues to shoot the ball well from beyond the 3-point arch. Sophomore Tarriq Mohammad hit eight 3’s against Duluth last week.
The Lions’ best chance appears to be sitting back in a zone and hoping the Blue Devils’ recent hot shooting subsides. The zone also should help prevent Heyward from getting in foul trouble.
Prediction: Norcross 91, Peachtree Ridge 73
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By KSShake
January 22, 2007 03:45 PM | Link to this
In the words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend!” I’ll admit Norcross has got a good team and they had their way with Peachtree Ridge earlier this year, but, with Cameron Heyward, Zach Graham, and the wide receiver, all starters who were still playing football. This is going to be a much closer game and there aare other teams out there that are good that coul hang with Norcross’ Transferring Blue Devils. They may not be 5A, but Columbia, Dunwoody, (these two especially), Meadowcreek, Riverdale, North Clayton, Tri-Cities, Tucker, Westlake, and Miller Grove all have teams that are good. And for the record Columbia’s got the best team in the state. Once again just like football season, yall are riding Gwinnett jock and not giving any one else respect. Dekalb is EXTREMELY deep and talented as is Clayton with North Clayton, Riverdale, Mundy’s Mill, and Lovejoy. And Tri-Cities. But, schools from those areas don’t EVER get recognition. I’m rooting hard for Meadowcreek in Gwinnett. It’s the one school in Gwinnett that gets dissed and gets a hard time being called “Ghettocreek” by the other kids in the county, because it has the most minorities, and they get dogged every football season. It’d be beautiful if they or Tri-Cities (another hard luck school) won 5A basketball.
You guys got what you wanted during football season, Yall were pulling for North Gwinnett, Roswell, Norcross, and Peachtree Ridge so bad in football. Coverage of high school football became ridiculous. Now it’s Norcross, Milton, and Wheeler in basketball.
By David P.
January 22, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this
KS … Haven’t had a chance to see many of the teams you mentioned.
Does Columbia have the size to match-up with Norcross?
By Blue Devil Fever
January 22, 2007 06:14 PM | Link to this
Norcross has proven both in state and especially out of state that they are a force to be reckon with this year in HS basketball. Few people know that last weekend Norcross beat the number 7th team in the country at the hall of fame tounament In Mass. and came home this weekend to play a top fifty team from FL to beat them 88 to 69.
Peachtree Ridge has one of the best team from GA but has not played any nationally rank schools. This should be be one of the top high school games of the season and we will see if traveling to play top rated teams is a benefit. Both teams figure to play a big role in this year’s state championship barring any unforsee upsets.
I am perdicting that one or both of these two teams will be in this year’s state championship and I hope neither team lets me down.
Go Gwinnett County Basketball!
By Derrick Mahone
January 22, 2007 06:38 PM | Link to this
The Norcross-Peachtree Ridge matchup should be a good one. I know both teams will be up for this. I think the key will be which team settle down first and forget about the crowd noise and atmosphere. I hope it is a game that the officials let the player bang some and not call it tight. Peachtree Ridge was able to develop a bench during the early part of the season when its football players were out. For the game, that might be the key. Against Arlington Country Day Saturday, Norcross did not play that many players even when the game was out of hand.
As far as best teams in the state. I would agree that Columbia has all the pieces with a big front line and solid guards. They had some trouble Saturday against Leflore’s pressure, but did not crack. Leflore coach was very impressed with Columbia and they have played a national schedule the last two years.
Another team I was impressed with was Beach. I knew they would be good with coach Russell Ellington and four starters back. They have been a bit inconsistent at times, but they will definitely be a team to watch come tournament time.
By devils 97
January 23, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
Dave, you finally got one right and quit hating on Norcross.
I read and heard a lot about how Peachtree Ridge could beat Norcross because of their “atheletes”. Anyone who was at the game tonight could easily tell how much more atheletic Norcross is than P’tree Ridge.
One thing I’ve not heard mentioned or read about is how dominate Norcross is at home. Norcross has not lost a home game to my knowledge in more than 3 and 1/2 seasons…I expect it to not change with the rest of the home schedule this year.
BTW- Cameron Heyward was never the same after Neysmith posterized him with the one hand jam in the first half…and Zack Graham is overrrrrrrrated. He’s still a good player, with a big upside though. He’d be the 4th or 5th best player on Norcross, though.
By BBaller
January 24, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this
Holy smokes…Talk about much ado about nothing. The Ridge couldn’t carry Norcross’ jock straps. Men playing with boys.