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Monday, March 5, 2007
Which No. 1 team is most vulnerable?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Which No. 1 team has the best chance of getting knocked off: Greater Atlanta Christian girls, Collins Hill girls or Norcross boys?
Norcross has cruised into the semifinals with little resistance. Seeing Peachtree Ridge, the last team to beat the top-ranked Blue Devils, fall in the quarterfinals has to be somewhat of a relief for the defending champs. If Eddie Martin’s well-assembled team gets past Tift County, they’ll face the winner of unranked M.L. King and No. 7 Centennial, which was impressive in its quarterfinal victory over No. 4 Peachtree Ridge.
Greater Atlanta Christian, which starts five seniors, is 30-1 and has won 19 straight, thanks to a suffocating defense and solid bench play. A finals showdown with three-time defending champion Wesleyan might be tougher than their three previous meetings this season, all GAC victories.
Collins Hill has the toughest road, with Thursday’s game with No. 2 Stephenson, followed by a possible title-game rematch with No. 3 South Gwinnett. Stephenson is responsible for the only playoff loss of Maya Moore’s illustrious career.
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Can Region 6-AAAA be beat?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the last three years, boys teams that make up Region 6-AAAA have claimed the state title. The last non-Region 6-AAAA winner was Griffin.
Again, two teams from Region 6-AAAA are in the Final Four with Tucker and defending champion Columbia.
Region 4-AAAA, of which Griffin is a member, also has two teams playing this week at the Gwinnett Arena in Riverdale and North Clayton.
All four of these teams have at least one state basketball championship to their credit. Last December, the football championship was settled between the rival regions, as well. Region 4-AAAA member Northside-Warner Robins defeated Region 6-AAAA member Marist for the gridiron title.
Wednesday, we could know which league has the best basketball. And if it’s still a little murky, it will definitely be settled Friday night.
It is a similar situation on the girls’ side as last season’s finalists, St. Pius (champion) and Marist advanced out of Region 6-AAAA. Their opponents — Westside-Macon and Northside-Warner Robins — are from Region 4-AAAA.
Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, Region 6-AAAA teams have a combined record of 19-4 with only one of those losses coming to a team outside of the region. The combined record for Region 4-AAAA teams is 18-4 with two losses coming from outside the region.
The battle lines have been drawn. Which region is the best?
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