Prep Zone

By Keith Ivy

January 23, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

St.Francis boys are 14-6 after beating another of your top ten(providence)They are definitely being overlooked in single A rankings.They also beat calvary day last weekend(ranked #4)

By golden gladiator

January 23, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

WACO has many convincing victories(including wins over Glenn Hills and Thomson) and somehow stays stagnant in the poll, not breaking the top 10. Interesting.

By Mario

January 23, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

My name is mario and I think that we (washington County Golden Hawks) should be in the top ten rankings in Class AAA.

By Proud titan

January 23, 2007 07:30 PM | Link to this

FINALLY!!!! i’m sooo proud of ya’ll finally opening up your eyes and seeing the amazing talent of those Lady Titans from Towers high school!!

About time!

16-4 over all record, 8-0 in the region!!

By Warriors Crying

January 24, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Lithia Springs 64-Cherokee 62. Lithia is a great team

By bbfan

January 24, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Cherokee/Lithia - WOW!!What a game.2 OT.Great defense on both sides. You almost hated for either team to lose. But everyone needs to watch out for this Lithia team, they are for real.

By chadbloody

January 24, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

I cant understand why Madison County cant crack the top ten? The have one of the best players in the state (Coutney Freeman) and are dominating 8-AAAA!

By K.A.T

January 24, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

I think that the Mundy’s Mill girls from Clayton County are very UNDERATED!They have alot of talent on their team and should be recognized from time to time.So everybody watch out for the “Lady Tigers”!!

By WRDemonette

January 24, 2007 01:04 PM | Link to this

I’m actually shocked that my Demonettes did not fall in the poll. After the loss last week to HoCo I just knew we’d fall and they’d take a spot. Glad to see it didnt happen though. Keep it up ladies AND Coaches.

By senoia33

January 24, 2007 02:23 PM | Link to this

AAAA Girls-

Jonesboro should be included in the rankings. Westside-Macon is #8 and Jonesboro has already beaten Westside and is 17-4 overall. There only losses are to Salem, North Clayton, South Cobb, and Morrow (very good teams). Do the writers actually look at the schedules?

By Take Notice

January 24, 2007 06:23 PM | Link to this

do they play basketball in south georgia? please note the three boy teams at the top AAAAA basketball rankings are from gwinnett county. 4 out of the top 6 girl teams are from gwinnett county. guess it’s easy to see who rules.

By some dude

January 24, 2007 06:28 PM | Link to this

I like to see the Sequoyah Lady Chiefs getting deserving credit!

*15-5 overall 4A *10-1 region 5-AAAA (#1 subregion A) *9 game win streak *10-1 versus 4A teams *3-3 versus 5A teams *2-1 at KSA Holiday Tournament (2nd)

Last game: def. Alexander (#1 subregion B) 53-51 Next game: Friday 1/26 at Hillgrove (13-6)

By Kym Spencer

January 24, 2007 07:16 PM | Link to this

Ok..Nobody wants to talk about Cross Keys High, but that’s ok, if you look at our schedule, every game we have lost we have lost only by 2 and 3 points, Buford was the only team that down right beat us, way to go Indians we are proud of you. I do want to give a shout out to Pebblebrook, you guys are doing your thing….way to go Falcons…Keep your head up Cross Keys…..

By Kym Spencer

January 24, 2007 07:21 PM | Link to this

Ok..Nobody cares about them Cross Keys Boys…Guys keep your head up, every game you have lost has only been by 2 and 3 points, you can and will get better. Also, I wanted to give a shout out to those Pebblebrook Falcons you guys are doing your thing…Good Job Coach Gibbs….Good Luck Cross Keys Indians..Keep Fighting!!!! We always have love for you! Go #5, #24, #15, #12, and #10..07 Seniors!

By Kym Spencer

January 24, 2007 07:32 PM | Link to this

Way to go Pebblebrook Falcons…Congrats Coach Gibbs on your ranking…Keep fighting Cross Keys..We love you…go #5, #15, #12, #10, and #32..Keep Fighting!

By knight

January 24, 2007 07:55 PM | Link to this

CENTENNIAL IS 16-4 AND HAS ONLY LOST ONE GAME IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO WHEELER( 4TH IN STATE ). COME ON GIVE THE KNIGHTS SOME CREDIT.

By Gumby

January 24, 2007 09:08 PM | Link to this

So let me get this straight, Social Circle’s Lady Redskins beat both Towns and Hebron, have won 6 of 8 in the region, and aren’t getting any votes, while Hebron and Towns both still sit in the top ten? Interesting.

By Laydee

January 25, 2007 09:22 AM | Link to this

St. Francis Lady Knights need to crack the Top 10 in Single A. They are undefeated in 2007. They are being overlooked.

By Phat Daddy

January 25, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Well take notice, I have noticed that the teams in North Ga are getting all the press! The south to this day does not get any press from ajc or any one for that matter. So while you are on your high horse remember that polls are a guidline not a perfect example look at the Florida Gators ranked as low as 8th in the polls and no chance to when the championship but ended up SPANKING Ohio. So remember that the best teams are not always at the top. but the could very well be in the south, and they get no attention from the press not sleepers but just good teams overlooked again!!!!! Roger Phat Daddy Whitehouse

By Dear Phat Daddy

January 25, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this

for your reading enjoyment…again i say, do they play basketball in south georgia? please note the three boy teams at the top AAAAA basketball rankings are from gwinnett county. 4 out of the top 6 girl teams are from gwinnett county. guess it’s easy to see again who rules…..and what the @#$%^& is a phat daddy? speak English. is that phonetic spelling for fat daddy.

By Ernest

January 25, 2007 02:36 PM | Link to this

Let’s see, the Marist girls are in 5th place in ‘this’ state poll though they are in 4th place in their subregion (6B-AAAA)with 4 losses. Southwest DeKalb girls are in first place and undefeated in their subregion (6B-AAAA)with one of their wins coming against Marist. ‘This’ poll does not see fit to rank the Lady Panthers in the top ten even though they’ve only lost one game all season to an AAAA opponent (during a Holiday tournament).

We’ve either got to eliminate the Marist graduates from participating this poll or serve the same kind of ‘home cooking’ to get some respect. Can some other teams get some love?????

By The One

January 25, 2007 03:59 PM | Link to this

Are u serious about SWD girls? They are the only team in their sub region that is above .500 and you call that a tuff schedule…lets be real they haven’t played anybody yet

By Ernest

January 25, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

The One, you bring up a good point! What you must realize though is that they play each time in their subregion twice while playing every team in the other subregion once. At the end of the day, they would have played every team in the region.

I will give you this, SWD girls have not played Mays or St. Pius yet. After those games are played, we will know the true ‘queens’ of region 6 AAAA.

By coach

January 26, 2007 08:12 AM | Link to this

It’s about time the Journal posts the top 25 in each level, they do it for the colleges, if not the top 25 then the top 20. there is so much talent in Georgia that there are teams that are not even recognized.

By Phat Daddy

January 26, 2007 09:26 AM | Link to this

Well , Well it looks like I struck a nerve there Take Notice. It seems to me that you had no response to what I posted all you could do was to re-post your message and then you had to curse me. I just want a piecefull conversation and it does not appear that you can have one. Does this mean you really do not know much about the state of basketball in GA. Again this shows the closed vision that the people in north ga have about south Ga Basketball. For the name, if you had a dictionary I would use it this may help you out in your every day life as well. Roger Phat Daddy Whitehouse

By 1234get that ogre off the floor

January 26, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

hahaha p’ridge number 2 thats crazy they thought they could beat us (norcross) every one knows no one in the state can beat us OAK HILL barely beat us

eat it p’ridge

By 1234 to fat daddy

January 26, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

hey “phat” do you realize that the only team from the south that got lucky and beat wheeler last year in the final four is beach but then the next day they got killed in the final to NORCROSS. Gwinnett dominates GA basketball

By Volpirate

January 26, 2007 02:14 PM | Link to this

If you can win in Gwinnett you can win anywhere. Mill Creek, # 4, has lost to St Pius and Collins Hill (almost beat them,, lost by 2 after leading by 22) and the girls program is loaded. Our freshman girls just lost for the first time, now 10-1,, the JV has lost only once, 11-1 and both are loaded. The big problem is what does the coach do as Mill Creek only loses 3 kids from the varsity this year. There are kids starting on other high school varsity teams that have played with my daughter on AAU teams who are not any better but because of #’s she is only able and plays on the freshman team. To show you what the girls program is doing, against Collins Hill, the freshman girls ended up having almost 1000 fans there as Mill Creek won. Last week though Collins Hill returned the favor beating the Mill Creek Freshman girls which is the first loss this group of girls have experinced in 2 years. They as a group have only lost 2 games in over three years. What I’m trying to say is beware of Mill Creek especially in the next three years after this year as we are loaded,,,too much so as some good kids are gonna be pushed by the side,,kids that could play anywhere else and play well

By Phat Daddy

January 26, 2007 02:33 PM | Link to this

Well, finally some one that can talk senseable about basketball. I understand that last year there were several teams from the Gwinnett area that went to the playoffs and did very well. The problem that I have; I believe people are judged by the season that there in and not by the past, exspecially half way through the season you should be looking at that season, for example your team maybe a one hit wonder and there are not getting any respect more than half way through the season (even though it is only one year). Now I thought the press was suppose to be fare and balanced. Hehehehehe just want for the press and the polls to be fair with all the high schools not just that area. They want us to buy and read there paper down here but they wont to put us in it, go figure. Thanks for your time hope to have several more of you to respond.

By Volpirate

January 26, 2007 03:09 PM | Link to this

Daddy no disrespect to South Ga but Gwinnett has over 800,000 people, there are 12 5A schools, 3 2A, and a couple 1A schools here. I almost wish I wasn’t here but the school system is excellent athletics is great. Last year in girls sports the county won Basketball, Track, Softball, Cross Country, Swimming, and I think Tennis, all state championships. I do not mean to down play the programs where you are at just that it is super competitive here. And the boys programs are even stronger. I am afraid that in time people will get tired of hearing about the sports programs here in Gwinnett because of its strenght. The real oddity is it isn’t a strong single race community, if I may address that card without making others mad. Areas like Collins Hill, Peachtree Ridge, and Mill Creek are mostly middle to upper class people that are involved deeply in their kids. The same with Parkview and Brookwood. You expect to see some good teams rise out of the more disadvantaged areas in Metro Atlanta but the guard has changed

By Volpirate

January 26, 2007 03:18 PM | Link to this

By the way Daddy, let me brag a second, My daughter is a 5’10” freshman guard/small forward that has had several people talk to me about moving to other counties where it isn’t so competitive to play sports. She plays Volleyball, Basketball, and track while keeping an ‘A’ average so far in honors classes. Being a single dad raising 2 daughters alone, I am blessed but they both loved sports as did I (played both football at UT a couple years and Basketball at ETSU) Key in what I’m saying is by participating in sports keeps them in a good peer group and busy,,,thanks for listening to me

By RLH

January 26, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

It’s funny someone mentioned the Mundy’s Mill girls when Morrow beat them, in fact, Morrow girls are undefeated and still unranked!! They have been beating everyone by 20 - 50 points and still can’t make the rankings!! There are other teams besides Gwinnett county schools that are good in basketball.

By Falcons Crying

January 26, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Lithia Springs is a pretty good just defeated the 10th rated team in Class AAAA Lithia 75 Peeblebrook 73

By Falcons Crying

January 26, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

What do you think about about Lithia Springs now JACK

By kspencer

January 26, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

ok…give lithia springs their props..way to go sharod…but you will see pebblebrook in the state….payback is a terrible thing! go falcons!!!!!

By bbfan

January 27, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Lithia Springs beating the 10th ranked team is pretty good but beating the 2nd ranked team on Tuesday was even better. If this team was in Gwinnett or Dekalb county, they would be talked about more. We’re over here on the lonely poor westside so no one seems to notice.

By MR. BEACH HIGH

January 27, 2007 05:42 PM | Link to this

I THINK TEAMS IN SOUTH GA DONT GET THE RESPECT THAT WE DESERVE. SO WE ARE GOING HAVE TO BREAK SOME HEARTS IN THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR. BEACH HIGH WILL WIN THE STATE TITLE THIS YEAR WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEELER WAS EASY THEY GOT KNOCKED OFF THEIR HIGH HORSE. WE GOT CHEATED IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST NORCROSS. ALL JOEDY MEEKS FORGOT WAS HIS LUGGAGE TO GO WITH ALL THAT TRAVELING. WE HAVE THE SAME TEAM COMING BACK AND WE ARE EVEN BETTER. ITS NOT RIGHT FOR TEAMS FROM FAR DIFFERENT AREAS HAVE TO COME UP TO GWINNETT TO PLAY. ITS LIKE AN HOME GAME BECAUSE ALL THE STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE THERE AND THE REFS DOESN’T MAKE IT ANY BETTER. LOOK OUT FOR BEACH HIGH THIS YEAR IN THE PLAYOFFS. WHEELER,NORCROSS,AND THE WHOLE GWINNETT BETTER GET READY. THE STATE TITLE IS COMING BACK TO SOUTH GA.

By ajc sports writers are DUMB

January 27, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

ajc sports writers are dumb. who does these rankings? maybe im the one being biased, but if the CENTENNIAL KNIGHTS are sitting at number 2 in region 6B, after beating milton and chattahoochee, how can they NOT be ranked and milton and chattahoochee still be ranked??????

mann.look at how many people complain about the rankings…tsk tsk tsk.

By Derrick Mahone

January 28, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

The polls are released each Monday evening. The new one will definitely have some shake-up to reflect the games played starting on Jan. 23. This is not an AJC poll, but the Georgia Sportswriters Association poll. We only have one vote in the poll. Every Wednesday and Sunday, e-mails are exchanged between pollsters to update each other on the results on the teams in the areas they cover. The makeup of the pollsters is from all corners of the state including Athens, metro Atlanta (2 voters), Albany, Augusta, Tifton, Columbus, Savannah, Rome and Macon.

By Ernest

January 28, 2007 09:18 PM | Link to this

Derrick:

Thnanks for responding to the comments regarding the poll. In fairness, do many of these posters actually get to see many of the teams/games? I’ve questioned the ‘lofty’ consideration given to the Marist girls team. They are ranked 4th in their subregion yet 5th in the state. Would someone from Savannah or Tifton know that? This is partly why I feel the coaches poll at gasports.com is ‘closer’ to reality. Again, there are probably fallacies with that poll also.

By Derrick Mahone

January 29, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Ernest:

Meant to respond earlier, but have been tied up. As stated above we share information on the teams in our area and comment on how we feel about the teams. I have notice that you are a SWD fan and they do have a good team. I did give them some votes earlier, but as someone stated before SWD is on the weaker side of the subregion. We will know much more about them when they play Mays and St. Pius in the next few weeks. You say “I feel the coaches poll at gasports.com is ‘closer’ to reality”. The gasports.com poll has Marist at No. 3 and Mays at No. 4. Mays sweep Marist during the season. There are some differences and a lot of similarities in both polls, which you get in any poll. A lot of fans when they don’t see their team in the Top 10 in the GSWA poll will quickly dismiss the poll in favor of the gasports.com poll if their team is in that. SWD is receiving votes, but they have not received enough to crack the top 10 yet. The Region 6-AAAA tournament is going to be a good one with St. Pius, Marist, SWD, Mays and Tucker all battling. Mays and St. Pius meet tomorrow (Tuesday) in a big region battle. Again, thanks for your post.

By Phat Daddy

January 29, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Well I am glad that we are finally having a conversation about polls Now if you look at where the pollsters are from then and you tell me if anyyone south of macon has a chance for the polls and for respect. With that said there is going to be a good old BARN BURNER in south on Tue @ 7:30 pm any one want to see how the south is going to win this year you can see the best two southern teams and maybe the two best two teams in the state. Beach will take on Camden in Camden. Now befor you say that is to far away remember if you dont see it then you cant complain after. Roger Phat Daddy Whitehouse

By Derrick Mahone

January 29, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Phat Daddy,

Both Camden County teams are receiving votes. In last week’s poll, the boys team was tied at No. 8 with Milton. The girls received votes but were not in the top 10. The Beach-Camden game should be a good one. Saw Beach a couple weeks ago against Meadowcreek. After the loss, that is when Beach dropped from No. 2. The Region 3-AAAAA tournament should be good as usual.

By luv the game

January 29, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

OK now that Fayette County H.S. Boys have beaten the teams that were # 1 in the 2-AAAA region ie: Westlake & Creekside, can we now get the respect that we deserve. They have a solid team but everyone seems to write them off……what’s the deal.

By Derrick Mahone

January 29, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

I was actually at the Westlake at Fayette Co. game. Both the boys and girls games were great. I think the Fayette County team can make some noise come the postseason. They played well with Cheddar Johnson out, and now with him back, they are even more impressive. They are receiving votes from the earlier ballots that I have gotten so far. They definitely got a high vote from me.

By Who cares

January 29, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Actually on the contrary,Morrow only beat Mundy’s Mill by 1 point in OVERTIME after Mundy’s Mill had a horrible first half. So to “RLH” they didnt blow Mundy’s Mill out by 20-50 points SO ACTUALLY IT IS QUITE FUNNY ISN’T IT???????SO MAYBE THIS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION!!!

By Eddie Hood

January 29, 2007 01:27 PM | Link to this

The Newton Rams out of region 2-AAAAA are 18-4 and ranked 10th in the GAsports.com coaches poll, but don’t no one in Atlanta or with the ACJ have noticed. Newton won 11 straight and the defended their title at the Century Bank Holiday Hoopfest Tournament Championship during Christmas. They went to the Final Four in 2005, where they lost to Wheeler in the semis. They are led by three great senior college prospects. McDonald’s All-American Nominee wing Troy Jones, ATC Mid-Season All-Metro Team forward Rashad Gill and Holiday Hoopfest MVP PG Mark Thomas. Newton has won 6 out of 7 and beat 17-5 Stephenson 74-50 recently. Look for them coming out of the south in the playoffs.

By Derrick Mahone

January 29, 2007 01:47 PM | Link to this

Eddie Hood,

I had my eye on Newton earlier with their great start, but they hit a bump earlier in the new year. Their overall record is great, but they are in fourth place in the region. Will keep an eye on them as the final poll approaches in a few weeks. During the Rams tailspin, some other teams emerged.

By Ernest

January 30, 2007 07:38 AM | Link to this

Derrick:

Again, thanks for responding! You are correct, regardless of where pollsters rank teams, there will always be ‘discussion’ about the rankings. IMO, that’s what makes these blogs interesting.

It’s good to know you are reading what folks are posting. It should reinforce to many that you guys are interested in what the bloggers are saying. Again, I feel DeKalb County has the potential to win 3-4 state basketball championships this year.

Go SWD Lady Panthers!

By brent scott

January 30, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

What has happened to the Jeff Davis Lady Yellow Jackets of Hazlehurst? Once a AA power, they have fallen off the radar. It would be nice to see Coach Hugh McBride’s girls back in the spotlight.

By antoine bolden

January 30, 2007 04:20 PM | Link to this

Meadowcreek will win the state this year like or not they are 20-2 10-0 a lot of the teams wish they had that record to go with the talent