AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWith preseason poll out, questions loom
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thousands of fans will pack stadiums this weekend to view the first round of the football playoffs. But a good number of people will escape from the cold to watch some basketball action.
The first Georgia Sportswriters Association preseason basketball poll has been released, and this looks like another interesting year.
Two-time defending state champion Norcross edged powerhouse Wheeler for the top spot in Class AAAAA. Both teams will test their prowess against some tough national competition to prepare for the playoffs.
Now that Maya Moore is miles away at UConn, the large-school girls class seems to be up for grabs. Stephenson has reloaded, and Taylor Turnbow has moved over from Tucker to give the Jags a much-needed inside game.
Douglass returns four starters from its first Final Four team and will battle Stephenson and Redan in a tough Region 2-AAAAA.
Etowah, Mill Creek and Marietta will have a say in the AAAAA crown.
As far as AAAA, will someone other than a team from Region 6-AAAA win the title? With Charenee Stephens in the middle, this might be the year for Southwest DeKalb to break out of the shadows of Marist and St. Pius.
On the boys side, Columbia has appeared to reload. However, Westlake, Fayette County and Miller Grove will be nipping at their heels.
Georgia Sportswriters Associations Preseason Poll
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
Girls
Class AAAAA
- Stephenson (2); 2. Douglass (2) and Marietta (tie); 4. Mill Creek (1); 5. Collins Hill; 6. Sprayberry; 7. Houston County and Berkmar (tie); 9. Camden County; 10. Redan and Beach (tie). Others receiving votes: North Cobb, Warner Robins.
Class AAAA
- Southwest DeKalb (2); 2. Marist; 3. St. Pius (1) and Northside-Warner Robins (2) (tie); 5. Westside-Macon; 6. Cherokee; 7. Fayette County; 8. Mays; 9. Dalton; 10. Westlake. Others receiving votes: Hillgrove and Cedar Shoals.
Class AAA
- Southwest Macon (1); 2. Carrollton (3); 3. East Hall; 4. Kendrick (1); 5. Northeast Macon; 6. Hardaway; 7. Franklin County; 8. Dunwoody; 9. Hephizbah and Hart County (tie). Others receiving votes: Mary Persons, Westminster, Glenn Hills.
Class AA
- Wesleyan (5); 2. Randolph-Clay; 3. Buford; 4. Laney; 5. Greater Atlanta Christian; 6. Macon County; 7. Putnam County; 8. McIntosh County Academy; 9. Fitzgerald; 10. Rutland. Others receiving votes: Avondale, Screven County.
Class A
- Southwest Atlanta Christian (5); 2. Hancock Central; 3. Hawkinsville and Truetlen (tie); 5. Calhoun County and Landmark Christian (tie); 7. Gordon Lee; 8. Savannah Country Day; 9. Calvary Day; 10. Taylor County and Terrell County (tie). Others receiving votes: Hebron Christian
Boys
Class AAAAA
- Norcross (3); 2. Wheeler (2); 3. Centennial; 4. Marietta; 5. McEachern; 6. Meadowcreek
- Stephenson and Beach (tie); 9. Mundy’s Mill; 10. Parkview. Others receiving votes: M.L. King, Warner Robins, Tift County.
Class AAAA
- Columbia (5); 2. Tucker and North Clayton (tie); 4. Westlake; 5. Fayette County; 6. Miller Grove and Rome (tie); 8. Riverdale; 9. Griffin; 10. Pebblebrook and Lithia Springs (tie). Others receiving votes: Stockbridge, Richmond Academy.
Class AAA
- Jordan (4); 2. South Atlanta; 3. Dunwoody (1); 4. East Hall; 5. West Laurens and Central Macon (tie); 7. Hart County; 8. Chamblee; 9. Carver Columbus; 10. Northside Columbus. Others receiving votes: Washington County, Westover, Thomson, Blessed Trinity.
Class AA
- Randolph-Clay (1); 2. Manchester (1); 3. Wesleyan (3); 4. Lovett; 5. Rutland; 6. Swainsboro; 7. East Laurens; 8. Dodge County and Buford (tie); 10. Thomasville. Others receiving votes: Greater Atlanta Christian, Decatur.
Class A
- Whitefield Academy (4); 2. Turner County (1); 3. Southwest Atlanta Christian; 4. Hawkinsville; 5. Hancock Central; 6. Terrell County; 7. Wilkinson County; 8. Portal; 9. Taylor County; 10. Wilcox County. Others receiving votes: Miller County, Jefferson.
Post up: The sportswriters in the state have made their choices. Are these teams you think are the best in the state? Who did we miss? Have any suggestions?
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Fastbreak
Comments
By Maurice Gullatt
November 15, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
On Class A Finals when you have Charlie and Collins Reddick you have a one two punch,if the coach know how to use them,he has had Charlie and Collins for maybe 2yrs and he still has not won the title if the coach don’t win it yhis year he should be fire him..By the way Whitefield Academy should have won it last year,butit was a point guard that coach would not take out and he had t.o after t.o that why the los it last year…again fire the coach if he do not win it all this.Coach don’t worry about Charlie and Collins you just coach them and let Trevor and Donna handle the thing that you cannot control.
By NorcrossMom
November 15, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
Under the tutelage of Coach Angie Hembree, the Lady Blue Devils are not to be counted out! If not this year than within 2-3 years the Lady Devils WILL be in the finals for AAAAA!
By black
November 15, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this
the teams that recruit are always in top three. It should be called top three teams. Columbia, Dunwoody, and Norcross. Check it out for yourself.
By Sports Junkie
November 16, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this
Sports writers, journalists and opposing fans-nobody gave Centennial HS props last year and we’re getting slapped again in this pre-season. We won’t be able to sneak up on anyone this year. Norcross is still shaking in their gym shoes from the AAAAAA Championship Game last year. The CHS Knigkts…we still believe. Strap on your jocks and hold on tight.
By Ernest
November 16, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Derrick, I for one am glad to see football season winding up so we can focus on hoops action. I asked for love last year for the SWD Lady Panthers and see that prayers have been answered. It’s now up to them to show on the court that they deserve that ranking and can keep it throughout the year. I’m confident they will! Watch out, our boys team may surprise a few folks also.
Along the same lines, it’s amazing the talent that exists in 6AAAA. On the girls side, the top 3 teams and 4 of the top 10 come from this region. On the boys side, the top 2 and 3 of the top 10 come from this region. Last year, teams from this region played in the championship, both on the boys and girls side. Despite losing many talented young student athletes, many more are coming in and filling their shoes. When consider the talent that exists in other schools in DeKalb County, you can see we may have multiple champions again this year.
Derrick, if you want to get a ‘sneak peek’ of DeKalb Schools, come to the Thanksgiving Tournament next week. It will be held at Miller Grove HS and Lithonia HS beginning on Tuesday. We can finally let the games begin….
By jon
November 16, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Are you serious Hillgrove and Cherokee? You know Singleton left right? Those two arent even top teams in their own region. East Paulding is going to be tough with a new super soph move in from Florida.
By jon
November 16, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
Scratch my last comment. I was looking at girls. Still Pbrook and Lithia Springs in top 10? wow
By crossboi
November 17, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Norcross still shaking from the State Championship game?
The only thing “shaking” was Centennials ankles this summer when Norcross beat them THREE times by 20+.
Get a real coach and we’ll talk.
By bob smith
November 17, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Mundy mills high school will make some noise this year!
By devil lover
November 17, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
The devils will have a different game this year without Gani Lawa. This year will be finesse instead of power. Look for Norcross to be competing with Centennial and Wheeler for the state championship. In region 7 maybe North Gwinnett will be our competition but P’ridge is in a rebuilding year.
By Wildcat1fan
November 17, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Wow, I cant believe Duluth Lady Cats havent been mentioned at all! Keep your eyes on these young ladies. They are no pushovers! With Mykala W. , Daphane A., Alex S. and PG Ravven B. these young ladies are going to surprise alot of basketball fans!
By Mactown
November 17, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Yall check out all the schools form MACON 4 of girls are ranked and 2 of boys pretty good to me.
By Mactown
November 17, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Look out for the boys and girl form Beach they will make some noise this year, espically the boys with James Field and Shannon Smith starting at the guard position
By Mactown
November 17, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Rutland is from macon ranked 10th 2A girls
By ballcoach
November 17, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Watch out for Jonesboro - AAAA girls. I don’t want to say I told you so.
By Knowitall
November 18, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this
Watch for the milton lady eagles,led by Candice Ivy.They look even better than the sweet sixteen team from last year.
By Devil
November 19, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget about Druidhills!!!!!!!!!!
By Jacket
November 20, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Thomas County Central is a football school, but this year they will be ballin in baketball, too! Watch out or the yellow jackets boys basketball team!!!!
By Knowitall
November 20, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
I hate to say I told you so,Milton beat Collins hill pretty easy.Now will you put Milton in those rankings?
By Sports Mom
November 21, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Collins Hill Boys..watch out! young team…. Next four years will be interesting….
Move over BLUE DEVILS Here comes the EAGLES…
By Sports Mom
November 21, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Knowtail.. Milton lost to Collins Hill! CHILL is 2-0
GO EAGLES!
By Bystander
November 21, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Collins Hill Boys —State Champs in 2-3 years. Watch it undfold
By Bystander
November 21, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Collins Hill Boys —State Champs in 2-3 years. Watch it unfold
By Knowitall
November 21, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Sportsmom-I was speaking of the varsity girls which got crushed by Milton lastnight.(SMILE)
By AAAAReg6Fan
November 22, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
To all in the state take notice, region 6 (4A) girls b-ball is where it’s at, along with Stephenson and Redan in 5A…Derrick, Tucker boys (Defending 4A Champs), played N. Clayton and won by 6…that should break the tie.
Region 6 and DeKalb on deck…
By uptown
November 22, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
Well the time has come, lady BBall is here.Does collins hill have enough to get to the chip?or who will take over?
By BBallaMama
November 23, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Take a look at Region 8-AAAA. Madison County Girls basketball team is back on the scene! Region Champs last season…2nd round of state…looking to take it further this year. And our boys will turn it around this year! Staying focused….stay tuned!
By redfox
November 24, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Could usually over-looked Woodland HS, with all-star AAU/YBOA champion Sophmore Alexis Katt leading the LadyCats, throw a wrench into Cherokee, East Paulding and Hillgrove’s dreams and be the spoiler this year???
By leonard
November 25, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
In Class A, Watch Out For Those Mighty Bulldogs Of Hancock Central. In The Past 3 Years The Are The Only School In The State That Have Had Both Girls And Boys Competing For The Titles. If Not For Wilkinson Co. And Southwest Atl. Christian They Probably Would Be Three Time Champions. If The Coaches Let Them Play, Then, It’s All Over. Watch And See.
By william
November 26, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
No one has mentioned Latia Williams and the North Clayton Lady Eagles who won the Morrow Tournament this past week which fayette county, (#7), was in. She was most valuable player averaging 30 points and 10 rebounds per game. Lets not forget she was all state last year.
By Sports Mom
November 27, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
Knowitall :-) have a good day!
By Will
November 27, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Region 2AAAAA there will be a surprise this year on the boys side. The Astros could be back to their old form.
By berkmar
November 27, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
berkmar girls will be going to state this year with 4 11 graders that was on the team last year and with a freshman. the boys will too with help from south cobb high. some players transfered and there coach came to berkmar hits such a good fit.
By berkmar
November 27, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
berkmar girls will be going to state this year with 4 11 graders that was on the team last year and with a freshman. the boys will too with help from south cobb high. some players transfered and there coach came to berkmar hits such a good fit.
By tiger7
November 27, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
The Swainsboro Tigers should definitely be ranked higher than #6 in the Boys AA Poll.
By Titan fan
November 28, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Blessed Trinity Titans have defeated both Marietta and Dunwoody in their houses! Go Titans, lets see these young men get the respect they have earned.
By Titan fan
November 28, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Blessed Trinity Titans have defeated both Marietta and Dunwoody in their houses! Go Titans, lets see these young men get the respect they have earned.
By andre
November 28, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
turner county boy’s basketball team rank#2 in class a.we are returning 4 of 5 starters and will be back in macon this march for the finals.team plays 10 deep,good rotation.watch class a teams.
By christian
November 29, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
NOEL JOHNSON. WOW!! this kid amazes me at only 16 years old. probably the best in the state in his class. Watch out for the tigers boys AND girls, which are lead by tessah holt.
By Coach S.
November 29, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Luella Boys Basketball,great team just need to find the way to win. Have a very talented player 6ft6can play any position average 22 points a game with 4 blocks ,10reb is a beasts what they are saying from his incrediable leaping ability and is only a Sophmore.