AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDream high school hoops matchups
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yeah, we’re all bummed about the Primetime Shootout at Norcross becoming the unfortunate victim of the finicky Atlanta weather.
So as we sat around at Take Ten headquarters lamenting its disappearance and the loss of so many great games, we got to thinking about which games we’d like to put together to make up for the ones we lost. These are games that aren’t on the schedule, but we think the fans deserve to see as just compensation.
10. Miller Grove vs. McEachern: Not only is it a matchup of two very good, underrated teams, but you’d get to see arguably the two best young guards in the state in Miller Grove’s Mfon Udofia and McEachern’s Trae Golden. Worth the price of admission right there.
9. Cherokee vs. Dunwoody: While this would mostly be about seeing Dunwoody’s Chris Singleton take on the team he left after last season, it would also be a good game. The Warriors (13-4, 10-1) are very talented, even without Singleton, and it’d be fun to match Singleton up against his successor in the post, Shawn Kemp Jr.
8. Wesleyan vs. Randolph-Clay: Only one in-state team has come within 15 points of Randolph-Clay this season, and the Red Devils have made it to this point without a loss. Deandre Johnson and Dexter Ellington can shoot the lights out, but Wesleyan’s Howard Thompkins might be able to slow the game down enough to make this one tight.
7. South Atlanta vs. Jordan: Like Randolph-Clay, Jordan is an undefeated team that has mostly dominated the competition. Like Wesleyan, South Atlanta has a big man, Derrick Favors, who nobody seems to be able to stop. Both teams could use a test.
6. Berkmar vs. Norcross: OK, so Berkmar probably would struggle to make this close deep into the second half. But how fun would it be to pit Berkmar’s Wesley Witherspoon against Norcross’ Al-Farouq Aminu? Two long, slashing forwards who will be playing major college ball next year.
5. South Atlanta vs. Wesleyan: It’s easy to be a sucker for an old-school big-man matchup, and Thompkins/Favors are probably the two best in the state. They’re tall, strong and can bang on the inside. Watching these two fight for position would be a basketball nerd’s dream.
4. Savannah vs. Wheeler: Savannah has looked impressive in moving to a 16-0 record, but the Blue Jackets haven’t seen a team yet as talented as Wheeler. Junior guard Kevin Williams has led the Jackets, scoring big-time points and providing a calming influence in the backcourt. Matching Wheeler’s athleticism could be the toughest task here.
3. Westlake vs. Columbia: The Eagles have taken hits from Miller Grove (61-59 victory), Tucker (66-60 victory) and McEachern (79-69 loss) but came away with just one in-state loss. Westlake’s only in-state loss came to No. 1 Norcross. Could Columbia’s suffocating defense shut down Raymond Willis?
2. Columbia vs. Wheeler: Both teams have faced some stern tests lately, and both think they’ve got a good shot at winning the state title in their respective classes. When they played last year, Columbia won by 16. It’s probably fair to say the Wildcats would like another shot.
1. Wheeler vs. Norcross : When these two have played recently in the playoffs, it has been the de facto state title game. The rivalry of sorts grows a bit each time. Chances are it will happen again this year, too, but we don’t want to have to wait until the Finals.
Go on. Take Ten. What do you think about these dream games? Which teams would you like to see face off on the court this year? Make your voice heard.
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Haws, Take Ten
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By First Fill...
January 22, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
am i first??
Coach Eddie Martin at Norcross is the best coach in the country!
By Holt Road
January 22, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
ON #2…Columbia beat Wheeler by 16….It was Wheelers first game of the season and it happened to be on ESPN
By dWH
January 22, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Wesleyan in two of the top 10 games? Just saw them lose to Tucker yesterday.The big man is certified, but the rest of the team is scared to shoot and can’t make a jumper when it’s needed. Is this the dream one-on-one matchups, or is basketball still a team game? Norcross, Columbia, Wheeler - those are TEAMS
By mike g
January 22, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
being a former columbia playr whom lost in the state title game to Southside and James Forrest, I would hae to say thi is the best team coach McCrary has put together. He’s an underatted coach who gets the max out of his players abilities!
By Tiger Pride
January 22, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
We would love to see “southsides finest” Mundy’s Mill vs some of the top programs in the state. I am sure they will get to see Norcross at some point but the Columbia matchup will be one heck of a game.
By Will
January 22, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
How about South Atl vs Westlake? Can Westlake force Favors to leave the low post to guard their 6’7 guard Gamble. Westlake may be the biggest team in the state with 8 players on their roster taller than 6’5. Also how about Blessed Trinity vs any of the above. Just to see if they are for real.
By PhotoDave
January 22, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
how about wesleyan/norcross, they are next door to each other. The match ups would be really good. tanner smith/tariq muhammad, eric strong/aj hawkins, thompkins/aminu. does anyone remember aminu used to be at wesleyan?
By e
January 22, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
The best two matchups would be Wheeler (University) vs Norcross (State). They both have great guards and the matchup between the big men would be awesome. McEachern vs Tucker would be a great game also, with the guard play
By e
January 22, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
actually norcross vs weslyean would be a boring game, just look at yesterday’s game. The rest of the team only scored 25 points yesterday during an entire game. And Tanner Smith scored 13 of the 25. They need to move down to 1A
By Columbia Dude
January 22, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Last year Columbia beat Wheeler by 16 not the other way around….
By Mike Kenn Rules
January 22, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Wheeler would be on a different level if Corey Towers(Starting PG) wasnt lost for the season before it even started.
By Mike Kenn Rules
January 22, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Wheeler would be on a different level if Corey Towers(Starting PG) wasnt lost for the season before it even started.
By jay-live
January 22, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
The #1 match up hands down would have to be Norcross vs. Wheeler.
Damn I can’t wait to see that matchup in the playoffs.
By How bout DREAM
January 22, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Norcross vs Columbia, these two teams have been the best in the state the last two or three years. This game should have been happened. Maybe next year we can see these two wonderful teams lock horns in a classic dirty south battle.
By Justin Young
January 22, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Love the concept Jeff. Great idea, as always.
I’d love to see Columbia vs. Wheeler this year. I think both teams match-up fairly well and it would pin two of the best athletes Atlanta has ever seen in Dequan Jones and Travis Leslie.
By Derrick Mahone
January 22, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Yes, basketball is still a team game, but sometimes its the matchup within the matchup that is interesting. I would love to see Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 take place. Trey Thompkins and Derrick Favors had the biggest weekends of any players in the state. Thompkins had 44 points, 13 rebounds and 8 rebounds. Favors numbers were like 35 points, 29 rebounds and 8 blocks against a highly rated Campbell Hall of California.
Everybody keeps knocking Wesleyan. Yes, they lost to a fine Tucker team, but the score was 72-69. They were actually in position to win late and were hurt by a turnover and a missed 3-pointer to tie the game. Wesleyan led 20-15 after one quarter and 38-31 at the halftime. A big second half by Aric Wilson was a big difference.
By Cool Guy
January 22, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Actually Derrick, the kids name is Aric Miller.
By ant
January 22, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
wes witherspoon n berkmar highskool would n will beat norcross in the state championship
By Courtside Seat
January 23, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
Since the primetime was cancelled….reschedule it with all the local teams that lost a game off their schedule…..
East Hall vs Whitefield Academy Westlake vs Savannah Johnson Norcross vs Dunwoody
Primetime Rebound…Gwinnett Arena
By Brown- Chad
January 23, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
I also was disapointed about the tournment being cancelled Sat due to the snow I am from up North and would gladly driven in tyhe snow to see any game that day. I must tell you and your readers that you guys are sleeping on a Player by the name of Issiah Grayson #12 he plays for Dunwoody High School he is one of Dunwoody’s Point guard, I predict that this kid will be one of the best point guard in the state of georgia in the years to come. My son plays for Chamblee High School when Dunwoody played us on last friday 1-18-2008 Player # 12 was the star of that game and many games me and my wife have witness him play with that school. You guys are focus on one player Mr Singleton based on his hight but you need to focus on TALENT.
By Jay_Live
January 24, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Ant,
I like Wes but Norcross (or even Wheeler) would be them by 20 points easily. Berkmar can’t even go undefeated in their own region, come on now.
By jerryvondevil
January 25, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
two state titles in a row, something hard to do in class AAAAA, look for #3 in 2008. Norcross the best, pliss on the rest.
By fosterjoiner
January 27, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this
Sorry Jerry but Norcross is a one man team this year. You need at least 3 or four scorers to win this year. Wheeler averages 4 to 5 scorers in double figures a game. Wheeler defeated No 13 nationally ranked Word of God of Raleigh North Carolina 98-84 in overtime Saturday. Five players in double figures with the fourth different player to lead Wheeler in scoring this year.
By Wheeler Fan
January 27, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Wheeler - Norcross will be good if Norcross can make it. They are a 1 man team and will struggle against a team with a big man. With Ari Stewart finally playing up to par you are beginning to see something beautiful. Now if Richard Howell will get heathly they will be take it all the way!
By fosterjoiner
January 28, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this
What makes the wildcats dangerous is their balance. Wheeler always has a balanced attack with at least 4 or 5 in double figures. Saturday Ari Stewart led 5 wildcats with 34 points and 14 rebounds. They are very tough to defend because Wheeler has 5 players on the floor who can handle the basketball. Wheeler will dethrone the blue devils unless there is a repeat of last year and the refs save Norcross at the end by making a bad call or not call a foul. I do not think Wheeler will lose the game unless the refs refuse to call a foul like last years game between the two.