Prep Zone

By Will

December 20, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Happy Holidays Derrick, As I mentioned in an earlier blog, the Astros of old may be back. Both boys and girls are undefeated and have knocked off ranked teams.(Stephenson on the girls side and MLK on the boys side). These wins have resulted in top 5 state rankings for both teams. APS and Peach State Tourney’s should give us a clearer picture of how we will do in the post season. Region 2AAAAA will be in for a surprise this season.

By THEM DOGS

December 20, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

GET READY FOR THOSE BULLDOGS FROM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL

By Shamrock Shooter

December 20, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

I like them Hornets of South Atlanta!

By Whoobie

December 20, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

How can you have a city championship in December?

By Derrick Mahone

December 20, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

If Douglass and South Atlanta get by their next two opponents, they will meet for the APS Holiday Championship. Douglass host Carver tonight while Southside host Therrell. The winners meet tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at Southside.

By Will

December 20, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

During the Christmas Holiday break is the only time to schedule the Championship. After Christmas the core of region games begin followed by the Region Championship, which qualifies teams for the State Playoffs.

By Coach

December 20, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Happy Holidays to all! I remember 3 years ago I took Derrick Favors and one of his friends with me to watch Louis Williams play at the civic center. That night after we left Derrick said to me “Coach I will have the gym full like this one day!” I do not think that there is any doubt that this kid will be Mr. Georgia the next two years. If anyone has any doubt come out and watch the young man play this week. He is a very humble young man.

By devil lover

December 20, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

The Blue Devils are starting to gel. After losing three D-1 seniors last yr, Norcross has been developing a new team model that has a lot more speed and more outside shoting. Currently the devils are 6-0 and just won their first game 81-44 in the Amare Stoudemire Invitational Classic in Orlando. The devils have avg winning this yr by 35-40 pts. The devils are rated nationally between 6 and 8 on most polls. On Jan 10th Norcross will be on ESPN playing Hellen Cox from Louisiana who is rated 29th nationally. We are looking for a good season and think that our state competition will come from Wheeler, Centennial, Savannah and maybe Marietta.

By GT Football

December 20, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Every year I see Lithia Springs in the top 10 in AAAA, who is this team, they are perennial, do they have any D-1 prospects, are they a powerhouse and where are they located

By Andre

December 20, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

Good Luck Astros!!! I wish I could be there, but I gotta work.

By ktmoney20

December 20, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

tift co. is looking impressive down in 1AAAAA they have a sleeper by the name of JONAS BROWN who is the truth nobody really expected much of anything from them last yr. and they made it to the final four all i’m saying is watch out!!!!!!!!!!!!

By devil lover

December 20, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

Georgia especially Metro Atlanta is becoming one of the hottest areas for basketball talent in the country.

This year 15 or 10% of this years top 150 recruiting prospects nationally are from Georgia. More importantly, there is not another state (not New York, not California, not Texas or not Florida) who has 15 or more recruiting prospects in the top 150.

Georgia probably has four or five teams rated in the top fifty teams this year. This number will only increase each year as more schools decide that they want to have a top tier program. Having four or top teams that attract good players I believe is a good thing for all players because scouts will spend a lot of time in our state which is good for all aspiring basketball players.

By screaming eagle

December 21, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Do not sleep on Collins Hill Boys. They have a nice bench!

By F.I.L.A

December 21, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

TRI-CITIES BULLDOGS! Don’t forget about them boys in East Point!

By most humorous 96'

December 21, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

i have to say the best high school teams and program in georgia since 97: WESTLAKE LIONS #1

By N.O.

December 21, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

How about DruidHills RedDevils defending region 5B-AAA champs

By N.O.

December 21, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

How about DruidHills RedDevils defending region 5B-AAA champs

By Steve Barton

December 21, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Yo, N.O., Druid Hills Red Devils look very good and are certainly a part of why the man wrote that the best ball is in 5-AAA. Steve Barton Dunwoody, Georgia

By Mr. Williams

December 21, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

SACA all the way. Young and talented…

By devil lover

December 21, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Norcross is playing Westlake Lions today in the ASIC tournament in Orlando. Both teams are 1 and 1 so far.

By Bill

December 22, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

Douglass looks good in Region 2-AAAAA, but they only beat Stephenson and Redan by 3 points a piece. MLKing is down this year, as is evidenced by their 22 point loss to Douglass. Newton, who only lost to Douglass by 4 in their first meeting, is 8-1 as well, and right behind Douglass at the top of the Region. If Douglass is ranked 5th, then were are the teams they only beat by 3 or 4 ranked. The competition is stiff in that region as usual. Too bad in the end they can’t compete with the recruited illegals like Norcross and Wheeler, who take other team’s best players every year instead of having to actual coach like the rest of the state. Can I get an amen?

By Bill

December 22, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this

Bill amended: Douglass looks good in Region 2-AAAAA, but they only beat Stephenson and Redan by 3 points a piece. MLKing is down this year, as is evidenced by their 22 point loss to Douglass. Newton, who only lost to Douglass by 4 in their first meeting, is 8-1 as well, and right behind Douglass at the top of the Region. If Douglass is ranked 5th, then where are the teams they only beat by 3 or 4 ranked. Wouldn’t they be at least ranked 7th or 8th? The competition is stiff in that region as usual, and at least 1 team from there will go to the Final Four again. Too bad in the end they can’t compete with the recruited illegals like Norcross and Wheeler, who take other team’s best players every year instead of having to actually coach like the rest of the state. 3 Div 1 majors one 1 team, but you only win a state title by 1 point. Can I get an amen?

By Will

December 22, 2007 6:16 AM | Link to this

Amen Brother, Don’t know how they come up with those rankings anyway, but should be interesting in the state playoffs. You never know what may happen like last years hiccup by Wheeler in the playoffs. Several good teams out there. And don’t sleep on Centennial either. Lo Brown can lead them back to the title game. Has anyone seen Beach play this year. They are ranked pretty high behind Norcross and Wheeler.

By devil lover

December 22, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

Norcross Beat Westlake 62-57 in the ASIC tournament in Orlando

By Todd F Colbert

December 22, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

what’s about Towers High School in Decatur,GO TITANS!!!

By Bizzy B

December 22, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

East Hall is the best team in the state and has been for the last couple of years.

By jake

December 23, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

South Atlanta ran away with Douglas in the APS championship by twenty. Doug started out on top but as south atlanta guards and the main prospect D favors started to heat up the started to play there game and ended up winning in an easy victory. Doug is a good basketball team watch out….. But South Atlanta is looking like the best team in Georgia regardless off class.

By jake

December 23, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

South Atlanta ran away with Douglas in the APS championship by twenty. Doug started out on top but as south atlanta guards and the main prospect D favors started to heat up the started to play there game and ended up winning in an easy victory. Doug is a good basketball team watch out….. But South Atlanta is looking like the best team in Georgia regardless off class.

By BBallWatcher

December 23, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

I agree.. South Atlanta is looking like the best in the State. The kid Derrick Favors is outstanding and the guard Nick Watkins, may be the quickest guard in the state. I’d love to see them play Norcross or Wheeler, We need a “tournament of champions” in Ga.

By devil lover

December 23, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

The buzz this summer was that Derrick Favors and Tony Woods were both transferring to Norcross. That would have created the best team in High school ball and would have guaranteed Norcross’ third consecutive championship.

By Christopher Grammer

December 24, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to hear about South Atlanta. They have played absolutely no one!!!!! Their schedule has been very weak so far. Jordan is still the team to beat. Jordan has played a far tougher schedule in a much better region. Jordan is 10-0 and will have a lot to say about this years state title race. Jordan is going back to back with the big three.

By E

December 24, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

plz dont sleep on Dunwoody, South Atlanta is good but they cant beat the Wildcats.

By PHAT

December 24, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

HI GUYS I JUST WANT TO CONGRAUDULATE SOUTH COBB FOR A GREAT GAME ON SAT. AGAINST WHEELER. WE PLAYED A GREAT GAME AGAINST A GREAT TEAM. I’M VERY PROUD OF YOU GUYS! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. LOVE YOU GUYS, MRS.JORDAN

By SACA FAN

December 25, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

Looks like the 4th nba prospect is emerging at Southwest Atlanta Christian- Kendricks Fans will get a good look at him with the possible Westlake Match up this week at the Peach State !!!

By Dekalb's Sports Guy

December 25, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

First and foremost,Happy Holidays to all. I want to start by talking about the Region 2-AAAAA. Douglass is peaking, but a team to lookout for if they can get consistency from thier guards will be Redan (two big 6-7/6-9, post players).. Well coached team that thrives off defense. ML King, definately is down this season. Although ML King made it to the Final Four last season, the team caught lightning in a bottle and will struggle to make it into the postseaosn again. Stephenson is another talented team, but I dnt know if they have the best coaching in the Region, to outlast a Doug or Redan.. Region 6-AAAA Why is nobody talking about Columbia.. They are the top-team in Class AAAA. Although the team lost three starters, they have reloaded, because they had an array of talent coming off the bench last season. My team to watch, however, is Miller Grove. The Wolverines have arguably, the best point guard in the state-Mfon Udofia-who is also one of the top juniors in the country.. It depends on how well his supporting cast does. Region 5-AAAA is tough, but I believe Dunwoody, when they develope the chemistry, will come out on top in the end (state championship).. South Atlanta-led by a good coach Reddick-will be a Final Four team this season. Favors, in addition, is putting up numbers like Dwight Howard. If the Hornets plan on going far, he must stay healthy. In the end, I think S. Atlanta’s year will be 2009.. Best of luck to everyone’s team..

By uptown

December 25, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

In order for the lady astros to win the state, coach has to have confidence in her bench.

By JoCo

December 26, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

The Marietta Blue Devils are by far the strongest school with both teams considered, the girls led by junior Telia McCall and senior Christie Leverette should be considered the favorites to take home the Class AAAAA hardware. The boys were inconsistent ant the start of the season do to the fact that junior point guard Chris Tanzy and senior shooting guard Stanley Jennings were waiting for their eligibilty to play because of the football playoffs. The starting five of Tanzy, Jennings, senior JC Ward, senior DeAndre Cannon and junior Barrington Ferguson is extremely strong, and deadly from outside the arc. With Ward’s 13 boards a night, Cannon’s rim-bending dunks, and Jennings’ sweet stroke from 3-land, this team will be very, very, hard to beat come tourney time.

By doug fan

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

do you have infomation on teams, times, etc for the Peach State Classic? Is Douglass in there and where can tickets be bought?

Jeff

By Richard Lowe

December 26, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

You are talking about a lot of teams but I would pay special attention to the West Lake boys and girls teams. They are very strong and getting stronger. Very good fundamentally and their decipline is so much better. Both teams are well coached by Darron Rogers and Hilda Hankerson respectively. Keep your eyes and ears open, they are strong.

By The Clipper

December 26, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

It is interesting that Dunwoody and now South Atlanta has been given props, yet Blessed Trinity, who is in the same classificaition, who already knocked off Dunwoody, and is ranked #1 in the state still gets no respect. What gives?

By ehall1987

December 26, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Can we get a list of the past 20 Mr Ga.basketball? I was wanting to know if underclassmen has ever won the award. I thought this accolade was for seniors only.

By blaque

December 26, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

The only team I will give respect too is South Atl and Blessed Trinity. The non recruiting teams deserve the spotlight. I am tired of hearing about dumbwoody, norcross, and columbia. everyone know what they do? Come on, please stop this mess. And everyone that supports them is not any better. AJC you need to report the truth and clean this mess up.

By Retired Coach

December 27, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Give Propst to Coach Reddick and the S. Atl. Hornets. Coach Reddick is a good guy and a good coach. He does it the right way and cares about his kids. How many of the HS coaches will drive his bench players all the way to Alabama for a B-ball workout in order to help them kids get into college. I would love for my sons to play for this great role model.

By Ernest

December 27, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

Derrick:

Hope you and your family are having an enjoyable holiday season! Not sure if I can accept your apology re: Region 6-AAAA. You’ve got to remember that that region is strong both for boys and girls. After seeing several of the teams play, I believe Columbia (boys) and Southwest DeKalb (girls) are the favorites to bring home the state title.

Also, can you shed insight on the coach for South Atlanta, Michael Reddick. I ‘think’ he went to Johnson HS in Savannah and was on the 1980 team that lost to Lionel James and Albany in the state playoffs that year. Any info is appreciated!

By Hairy March

December 27, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget about the Lions of Franklin from region 8AAA with UGA commitment Demario(DayDay)Mayfield. I’m sure South Atlanta has not forgotten last years playoff game. I believe regions 8 and 5 will face off in the first round of state tourney again this year.

By Fan

December 28, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Don’t sleep on Redan..

By G

December 28, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Newton Rams boys basketball is off to a great start. I give props to Coach Rasmussen and his staff for such a fine job with these young men. Winning the right way without recruiting other schools athletes. Keep up the good work. Keep your eyes and ears open. There’s a blue streak a comin’.

By The Truth

December 28, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Norcross’s run for a 3rd consecutive title will depend on how much help they get from everyone else on the team other than Al Farouq and Tyreke. Their shooting guard can get hot at times, but he is small and may have trouble getting his shot off against taller, more talented defenders. Norcross’s region is a joke. Their true test won’t come until the final 4. I am picking Wheeler. They could have easily won it last year. Didn’t they already thump Centennial this year? The toughest region of all is on the girls side with Wesleyan, GAC and Buford all in their together. Any of those teams could win state in all classifications. Wesleyan just beat Etowah the other day in the Deep South Classic. Should be an exciting year.

By High class not South GA

December 28, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Looking ahead…if things go as they should, Norcross will face Centennial in the 2nd rd of the state playoffs at home while Wheeler will play Savannah in the semi’s and then Wheeler should play Norcross for the championship. Both teams have lost one game so far both out of state. Centennial just lost their second game today to Lone Star from Utah who was ranked around 15th in the nation.

By Derrick Mahone

December 29, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Ernest:

Saw the SWD vs. Mays girls game yesterday at the Peach State Tournamen. Will try to make it back down to Morehouse for the finals on Monday.

Micheal Reddick, the South Atlanta, coach is from Savannah and graduated from Johnson High. He played at Stetson before a pro career overseas where he was a teammate of Jellybean Bryant (Kobe’s dad). He watched a young Kobe growup while playing overseas.

Yes, Regin 6-AAAA is always strong on both the boys and girls side, but just pointing out that Region 5-AAA is having a good year on the boys side.

By Devil Lover

December 29, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Norcross is going for their 3rd consecutive state 5A championship. This hasn’t been done in the highest class since 1940 by Lanier who won 16 state championships.

Last year Norcross had to do it the hard way. By coming in 2nd in the region, they had to defeat 5 of the top teams in Ga including, wheeler, meadowcreek, marietta, tift county and centennial. For norcross to set a new 68 yr record this yr, they must beat centennial first and then probably wheeler.

By girls basketball fan

December 29, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

One of the best AAAA teams,and im talkin girls basketball,is Osborne out of Marietta,GA.Previously a perennial cellar dweller,Coach Lisa Williams has done a fabulous job of transforming the program and brought the team to within one game of a state playoff berth last season.They are currently 7-2 with losses to only Hillgrove and Sequoyah,two state playoff teams last season and two games they could have easily won.They’ve got size and athleticism and should be talked about as one of the best in AAAA over the next few years with so many sophomore scorers.Expect a berth in state playoffs this season and potentially as deep a run as Hillgrove’s from last season.

By syrupmaker

December 30, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

fear the cairo syrupmakers in 3A BBALL!!!!!!!!!!!

By Billy King

December 30, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

South Atlanta lost to the #1(St. Benedicts HS, N.J) team in the nation by 14 in N.C in which they appeared to choke under pressure of playing in that kind of limelight but rebounded the next day to beat the #4(Lincoln HS, N.Y) team in the Nation by 3.

South Atlanta is the best team regardless of classification in GA…its time for them to get some love. Norcross, Wheeler, or whoever else DONT wanna see these boys!!!

I just hope they can make it out the hood and make there families proud!

By Coach Rick

December 30, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

My hat is off to coach Reddick and his boys. I wish them well for the rest of the season.

But when you talk basketball in Ga., you must not forget about Savannah. Which has three power house basketball teams that you all will see in late Feb early March. You can’t forget about Savannah High, Beach High, and those atomsmashers from Johnson High. Johnson will win the state in 5A ball. I promise you that, which happens to be the same school S. ATL’s coach, Coach Reddick is from. Toby Veal - 6/7 - is unstoppable - Univ. of Colorado signee. Remember I told you so!

By devil lover

December 30, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

In Atlanta we aren’t familar with Savannah High or Johnson,Savannah but are familar with Beach. So are you saying that the atomsmashers will win the region 3 for 5A this yr? I saw where they beat Beach last week. Is Beach going to be good also? I thought that Savannah High might win the region this yr?

By southsidejay

December 31, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

don’t forget about basketball on the southside, especially clayton county. mundy’s mill girls are 13-1 mundy’s mill boys are 11-2 rank #6 on gasports.com jonesboro boys are 13-2. north clayton girls are 10-3! we play basketball on the SOUTHSIDE!!

By kdubble

December 31, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

newton rams before you start singing their praises check the record of who they have played…..2-3 zones wont win championships…not by themselves

By Bball Vet

January 1, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

South Atlanta is the best team in the state!!! The game they lost to St.Benedicts (#1 team in the country) Derrick Favors only play 22 mins, he picked up 2 early fouls in the 1st quarter and that pretty much made it an uphill battle all game. And St.Bs scored about 10pts from the foul line in the last 1:30 this actually was a very close game until the end. Then for them to come back the next day and beat Lincoln (#4 ranked team in the country) was superb. I doubt if any Norcross, Wheeler, Columbia, or Savannah( by the way , who’s on this team?) could win against a top 10 ranked team w/o their star player. Hands Down . SOUTH ATLANTA!!!

By Ernest

January 1, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Derrick:

Happy New Year to you, your family, and fellow bball bloggers! Looking forward to another year of GREAT HS bball in the state. Think about it, we’ve had more overall #1 picks in the NBA draft from GA than the NFL draft. When will we be recognized as a bball state?

Thanks for the followup regarding Coach Reddick. Just a side note for you, he was on the JV when I was a senior bball player with the mighty AtomSmashers. I didn’t realize he is the same person. You’ve now given me another reason to see South Atlanta.

I also hope Favors and Mfon U. from Miller Grove both consider Ga. Tech. Unfortunately, Paul Hewitt’s career could be on the line thus two quality student athletes like them could give the Yellow Jackets a boost.

Lastly, I was just kidding earlier. Like most fans, I’m extremely proud of the student athletes in 6-AAAA. Having attended parts of the Peach State Holiday Tournament at Morehouse, I got a chance to see other good teams from the metro area. That young man from Westlake (#41) is some athlete. He seemed to be like a man among boys and could score when he wanted to. It will be interesting come state tournament time because I think it will be hard for anyone to match up with Columbia in AAAA. I wouldn’t mind seeing South Atlanta play Columbia as that would surely be a game to see.

By Top Ten

January 1, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Folks don’t count out Miller Grove HS in 6-AAAA. Just coming off of the Bojangles Shootout in Charlotte, NC recently,we finished 2-1.

Let’s go MGHS!

By Derrick Mahone

January 2, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

To All:

Hope you had an enjoyable holiday season. Glad to get all this football behind me and start watching and talking hopes. We had several teams to go out of state and represent well in holiday tournaments.

Looking forward to the second half of the season, should be exciting. Team championship seem up for grabs in all classes and and the fight for Mr. and Miss Basketball will be interesting.