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DEL.ICIO.USMetro Atlanta dominating on the court
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Almost yearly, there is a great debate that expands the entire state: which part of Georgia plays the best football?
The folks from middle and south Georgia make compelling arguments for their regions. Metro Atlanta does likewise. In the end, there hardly is a confirmed answer.
But there is a definitive answer on the same question about basketball. It’s the Atlanta area by a landslide.
Of the 10 combined classifications between boys and girls, a team from these parts holds the No. 1 spot in seven. And in the three polls a team from Atlanta does not hold the top position, there are three in the top 10.
Of course, this is not to say there are not talented players and teams all over Georgia. That’s the beauty of prep hoops; a team like Beach can come up here in the state tournament and show itself to be full of talented athletes led by good coaches.
Remember the recent run Randolph-Clay had of a mind-boggling state-record 90 straight wins before Javaris Crittenton and Southwest Atlanta Christian stopped it in the state semifinals last year?
So, the talent is spread throughout Georgia. But unlike football, there is no debate about where the strength of the sport lies — in metro Atlanta.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By Big Man
January 30, 2007 01:36 PM | Link to this
Yes there are good teams in the metro area, but there is an obvious bias in the rankings. There are some very good teams across the state that do not get any pub because of their locations. I have no bias in this as I was born and raised in the metro area, but the facts are facts. I’m pretty sure that people in Savannah think that Beach is the best team in the state.
By Derrick Mahone
January 30, 2007 02:08 PM | Link to this
Big Man:
There are only two pollsters from metro Atlanta that vote on the GSWA poll. The rest of the voters are from Rome, Athens, Savannah, Tifton, Macon, Columbus amd Albany.
By Big Man
January 30, 2007 04:08 PM | Link to this
I’m sure all the basketball in the state is played in the metro area and these 7 cities.
By Derrick Mahone
January 30, 2007 05:56 PM | Link to this
No, not all the basketball. Most of these cities cover a large territory of teams. If you look at the coaches’ poll, the top teams are the same. There is talent throughout the state and Curtis writes that in fifth paragraph. I grew up in metro area, and remember when Macon with Southwest-Macon and Northeast-Macon were the basketball hotbeds. For a long time Albany with Dougherty and Westover was a hotbed. Savannah has always produced some good teams and players. Right now, you have talent throughout metro Atlanta. During the summer, so of those elite players from also the area come here to join summer league teams for the competition and exposure. Just think, you can come into several gyms in the metro area in Atlanta play with and against some of the top former and current pro and college players. As you know, playing against good competition only makes you better. Senario Hillman of Wilkinson County spends weeks at a time playing in Atlanta during the summer; and you see how that has benefitted him. I talk to several college coaches, and all want to get in Atlanta for players.
By devils97
January 30, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
There’s no doubt that metro Atlanta is the best area in the state for best teams and talent. Its a numbers game that other parts of the state can’t compete with. Its called “population density” or “urban center”.
However, Savannah is undoubtedly the 2nd best area in the state for talent and good teams.
There’s a big drop off after Atlanta and Savannah, comparatively speaking.
By NORCOSS GRAD
January 31, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
Big Man until Beach beats Norcross head to head they cant be the best team in the state. Dont you remember the whoopin the Blue Devils put on them in the Championship game? I mean they arent ranked #9 in the nation for nothing.
By MR. BEACH HIGH
January 31, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Last year in the championship game beach got cheated. We have to come all the way to Norcross to play ball. Its like a home game for them which i don’t think is fair. The refs didn’t make the game no better. Joedy Meeks was walking the whole game and never got called for it. Thats just going to make it even sweeter when we win state in Gwinnett Co. Beach also beat Meadowcreek by 13 earlier this year. Everyone seems to forget that L for Meadowcreek. Beach isn’t the only good team out Savannah. Savannah High has won plenty of state titles. Last Year wasn’t the only year Beach has showed up deep in the playoffs. Just most recent 2004 four point final four lost to South Gwinnett. Also in 2005 a Huge region upset that caused Beach to miss the playoffs. Beach still finished the year with an record of (17-3). Last year everybody know that Beach knocked #7 in the nation wildcats out in the Final Four. So Norcross bet not get so relaxed this year cause we will be back.