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DEL.ICIO.USWhich underdogs will make noise?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the better part of the season, all the polls and talk have been about the frontrunners. As the tournaments near, polls don’t matter — just the brackets. This is the time of year that the underdogs live for.
Will the favorites survive or will the underdogs come through?
The Marist boys have been playing in the shadows of the highly ranked girls team the last couple years. The War Eagles have been battle-tested in Region 6-AAAA while competing with Stone Mountain, Miller Grove, Tucker and a solid nonregion schedule. Saturday, Marist will try to hand Class AAA No. 3 Blessed Trinity its first loss.
Riverdale is starting to peak and having us believe it can make another final four run. Mundy’s Mill just knocked off previously unbeaten Savannah last week. They have the guns in seniors Todd Salter and LSU signee Dennis Harris, and Adam Smith might be the most poised freshman in the state.
Newnan is new to the rankings this week and could be a force in the south brackets with Russell Powell, a superb athlete at the point. Lack of height is probably the only negative about Benny Gibbs’ Pebblebrook squad. The Falcons are looking to make another run in the state playoffs.
Again Lovett has started the season slow after a deep playoff run from its football team. Wesleyan and Greater Atlanta Christian have overshadowed the Lions in their region, but they figure to make some noise in the tournament.
Post up: Who are the sleepers? Which teams that have been overshadowed this season will make some noise in the upcoming tournaments?
Georgia Sports Writers Association Poll — Girls
Class AAAAA
1. Mill Creek (10) 100 points
2. Stephenson 87
3. McEachern 73
4. Marietta 64
5. Douglass 60
6. Beach 52
7. Parkview 41
8. Mundy’s Mill 32
9. Berkmar 16
10. Etowah 13
Others receiving votes: Coffee, Morrow, Groves, Luella
Class AAAA
1. SW DeKalb (10) 100
2. Marist 90
3. Westlake 68
4. St. Pius 59
5. Greenbrier 49
6. Madison Co. 48
7. Americus-Sumter 42
8. Hillgrove 31
9. Rome 27
10. Mays 21
Others receiving votes: Cherokee, Jones Co.
Class AAA
1. Hephzibah (8) 98
2. Carrollton 86
3. Kendrick (2) 85
4. SW-Macon 69
5. Franklin Co. 48
6. East Hall 47
7. Sandy Creek 32
8. Gainesville 24
9. Mary Persons 16
10. Butler 15
Others receiving votes: Gilmer, Southside, Westminster
Class AA
1. Wesleyan (10) 100
2. Greater Atlanta Chr. 89
3. Randolph-Clay 80
4. Vidalia 65
5. Laney 52
6. Rutland and Coosa (tie) 47
8. Model and Buford (tie) 20
10. Paideia 18
Others receiving votes: Union Co.
Class A
1. Terrell Co. (9) 99
2. Landmark Chr. (1) 89
3. Sav. Country Day 78
4. Taylor Co. 68
5. Hancock Cent. 61
6. Towns Co. 48
7. Gordon Lee 33
8. Calvary Day 29
9. SW Atlanta Chr. 28
10. Trion 21
Others receiving votes: Seminole Co.
Georgia Sports Writers Association Poll — Boys
Class AAAAA
1. Norcross (9) 99
2. Wheeler (1) 91
3. Marietta 80
4. M.L. King 58
5. Centennial 52
6. Savannah 51
7. Harrison 49
8. Parkview 22
9. McEachern 20
10. Newnan
Others receiving votes: Douglass, Coffee, Mundy’s Mill, Johnson-Sav.
Class AAAA
1. Westlake (9) 99
2. Columbia (1) 91
3. Miller Grove 79
4. Rome 53
5. Tucker 50
6. Dacula and Stone Mountain (tie) 44
8. Pebblebrook 42
9. Lithia Springs 17
10. Fayette Co., Thomas Co. Cent. and Riverdale (tie) 8
Others receiving votes: Cherokee, Ridgeland
Class AAA
1. Jordan (9) 99
2. South Atlanta (1) 90
3. Blessed Trinity 79
4. Dunwoody 65
5. Glenn Hills 60
6. Cent.-Macon 36
7. Westover 34
8. East Hall 23
9. Liberty Co. 17
10. Sandy Creek 15
Others receiving votes: Northeast-Macon, Mary Persons, Dougherty, Franklin Co., Flowery Branch
Class AA
1. Randolph-Clay (9) 98
2. East Laurens (1) 84
3. Wesleyan 77
4. Greater Atlanta Chr. 71
5. Appling Co. 50
6. Fannin Co. 48
7. Josey 30
8. Lovett 29
9. Calhoun 20
10. Darlington 14
Others receiving votes: Decatur, Long Co., Avondale, Dublin
Class A
1. Wilkinson Co. (9) 99
2. Whitefield Acad. (1) 84
3. Hancock Cent. 81
4. Portal 64
5. Turner Co. 63
6. Terrell Co. 53
7. Atkinson Co. 29
8. SW Atlanta Chr. 16
9. Gordon Lee 15
10. Eagle’s Landing Chr. 14
Others receiving votes: Greenforest Chr., Athens Acad., Wilcox Co.
Post up: Now YOU rank the rankings. Who rightfully made the list, who should have made the list and who didn’t and got dissed?
Permalink | Comments (37) | Post your comment | Categories: Fastbreak
Comments
By Officer Mathis
January 31, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
I have faith that the Pebblebrook Falcon boys will win it all..
With faith all things are possiable
By Dennis Smith
January 31, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
People better watch out for the Westover Patriots. They are very athletic and well coached by Dallis Smith. I can see this team going deep into the playoffs. Good luck Patriots!
By MarkyMark
January 31, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
1st
By tony
January 31, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
South Atlanta is ranked in the USA Today National Top 25 but second in their class in the state. Who does these rankings?
By Pierre
January 31, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Watch out, The South Atlanta Boys will win the state championship this year.
By TCC ROCKS
January 31, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
How about the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets!!! Not only are they raw at Football but basketball too!!!
By e-dubb
January 31, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
It Is Unfortunate That P-brooks Lack Of Size May Hurt At State, But They Will Run With Anybody. Ive Watched These Kids Since 8th Grade And I Felt Them Being Special. Jus Fly High Falcons!
By e-dubb
January 31, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
It Is Unfortunate That P-brooks Lack Of Size May Hurt At State, But They Will Run With Anybody. Ive Watched These Kids Since 8th Grade And I Felt Them Being Special. Jus Fly High Falcons!
By e-dubb
January 31, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
It Is Unfortunate That P-brooks Lack Of Size May Hurt At State, But They Will Run With Anybody. Ive Watched These Kids Since 8th Grade And I Felt Them Being Special. Jus Fly High Falcons!
By e-dubb
January 31, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
It Is Unfortunate That P-brooks Lack Of Size May Hurt At State, But They Will Run With Anybody. Ive Watched These Kids Since 8th Grade And I Felt Them Being Special. Jus Fly High Falcons!
By EJ
January 31, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Wow! look at Thomas County Central. Looks like since Pilcher left the football program, they just might be putting south ga basketball on the map! Let’s not go that far. Way to go Yellow Jackets!!!!!!!!!
By LionsFan
January 31, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
The Lions of MLK are outstanding. They made it to the final four last year and will win it all this year. To e-dubb, try hitting the post button only once.
By Tim
January 31, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Sprayberry’s boys are doing in 6-AAAAA pretty much the same thing that Marist is doing in 6-AAAA. The Yellow Jackets have beaten everyone in the region (including Northview and Ralph Sampson, III) except Wheeler. Their overall record is not as impressive, but they lost a lot of games early. They look like a potential upset-maker in the first round against a team like Parkview or Berkmar.
By andy crosby
January 31, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Where are the Statesboro girls at they just beat greenbrier who was 22-0
By Carl
January 31, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Watch out for this Junior that plays for Mary Persons named Terrance Shannon. He leads the state in rebounds and is one of the tops in blocked shots. He is also one of the top 40 Juniors in the nation. He is a beast! He has Mary Persons at 17-4 right now. Watch out for those Bulldogs!
By edward
January 31, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Liberty county could be the best team in the state if the coach would let the boys play.He plays two teams of five never the best players together.
By Vic
January 31, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Derrick, let’s get some coverage on WESLEYAN VS. GAC. ALL FOUR TEAMS are 12-0 in region play right now and here is the skinny on state rankings…
1 Wesleyan Girls vs. #2 GAC Girls 3 Wesleyan Guys vs. #4 GAC Guysnot to mention that this game is a huge rivalry game anyways… GO WOLVES
By cefus
January 31, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
ahh yes finally after 13 years its good to see my high school Liberty County at least ranked! Go Panthers!!!
By Merrell Williams
January 31, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Terrell County is a real team that no one really talks about. They have both teams ranked in the state and they already beat the Westover Patriots in a blowout!!!!
By andre
January 31, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
turner county boy,s basketball three peat region champs.one of the best team’s in class a.would ever be better when terell davis return.got plenty good players on the team but jr. 6’3’trey pierce and jr. 6’4’todd lawson are playing ball.d. ewing sr.6’5’ one of the better dunker’s in state and a great shoot blocker and a silky smooth offensive player .the smallest person on the team 5’5’ sr.champ spikes will shoot your eyes out.
By andre
January 31, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
portal basketball weak schedule,maybe rank # 10 in class a.not in the top 5.wilcox county boys basketball team should not be rank in any poll.bad team ,get behind and start fights in the game. hawksville watch out for them ,they always get hot at the right time.last year won 9 games all year long made the elite 8.
By andre
January 31, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
turner county girl’s basketball are playing great ball. one of the best low post team’s in class a featuring b. edwards,d. king and shanea carithers all three started.only two senior on the team.
By Chris Grammer
January 31, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Derrick Mahone, You should stop talking about who is going to beat South Atlanta and worry who will beat Jordan. The fact is Jordan is 1# in the state. The fact is Jordan has won 27 straight games and counting. I know rspect the fact that South Atlanta has a great player in Favors but we have a solid team that just knows how to win when the game is on the line. We define what it is to be a team. I hope you were there last year when Jordan won the state. You saw a great team that was over matched in size but not heart. South Atlanta has to show me they have that same desire when the game is on the line and the stakes are high. I feel this Jordan is better than last year. I know Jordan is in a tougher basketball region that will better prepare us for a run at the title. South Atlanta will have to get through Blessed Trinity,Dunwoody,East Hall and the list goes on. Who knows one of those teams could get overlooked. We shall see come March 8 who will be the best.
By Chris Grammer
January 31, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Derrick Mahone, You should stop talking about who is going to beat South Atlanta and worry who will beat Jordan. The fact is Jordan is 1# in the state. The fact is Jordan has won 27 straight games and counting. I know rspect the fact that South Atlanta has a great player in Favors but we have a solid team that just knows how to win when the game is on the line. We define what it is to be a team. I hope you were there last year when Jordan won the state. You saw a great team that was over matched in size but not heart. South Atlanta has to show me they have that same desire when the game is on the line and the stakes are high. I feel this Jordan is better than last year. I know Jordan is in a tougher basketball region that will better prepare us for a run at the title. South Atlanta will have to get through Blessed Trinity,Dunwoody,East Hall and the list goes on. Who knows one of those teams could get overlooked. We shall see come March 8 who will be the best.
By MCHSMOM
January 31, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
WOO-HOO! Go Millcreek! The Lady Hawks are awesome!!!!
By Derrick Mahone
January 31, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Chris Grammer Think you are probably confusing me with someone else on the blog. Never talked about who going to beat either team. In fact, I have consistently defended why the voters continue to vote Jordan No. 1 in the writer’s poll when most want to put SA No. 1 because of their schedule and Derrick Favors. In fact, had a good conversation with coach Gerald Turner earlier today (Thursday). Looking forward to some good region and state tournament games.
By Derrick Mahone
January 31, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Chris Grammer Think you are probably confusing me with someone else on the blog. Never talked about who going to beat either team. In fact, I have consistently defended why the voters continue to vote Jordan No. 1 in the writer’s poll when most want to put SA No. 1 because of their schedule and Derrick Favors. In fact, had a good conversation with coach Gerald Turner earlier today (Thursday). Looking forward to some good region and state tournament games.
By Chris Grammer
January 31, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Mahone I will appologize then. I respect your opinions.
By Chris Grammer
January 31, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Mahone I will appologize then. I respect your opinions.
By b-chat
February 1, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
hancock central’s boys beat wilkinson counyt last night. wilkinson was hancock’s only loss this year……watch out for the bulldogs in the playoffs.
By drock07
February 1, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Derrick finally some Newnan love. Tell Todd we play football in Newnan as well as baseball (semifinalis last year) and basketball. Come to the Newnan and Hiram game next friday in Hiram.
By SCOUTOFTHEYEAR
February 2, 2008 4:49 AM | Link to this
CHRIS GRAMMER STOP RIDIN SOUTH ATLANTA DOG.. WE’RE NOT EVEN THINKIN ABOUT JORDAN… THEY’RE NOT EVEN IN OUR RADAR.. YALL CAN HAVE THIS LIL #1 RANKING FOR AAA.. THAT GARBAGE SCHEDULE YALL PLAY IS PATHETIC…I HOPE S.A. PLAYS THOSE BUMS N THE PLAYOFFS..
JUST LIKE TONY SAID..
By tony
January 31, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
South Atlanta is ranked in the USA Today National Top 25 but second in their class in the state. Who does these rankings?
AND WHATS FUNNY DERRICK MAHONE IS A SOUTH ATLANTA HATER TOO.. BECAUSE IN THE LIL ARTCILE HE WROTE.. HE PUTS THAT THEY’RE RANKED 25TH BY “A” NATIONAL POLL.. WELL IN THAT CASE, DERRICK “SOUTH ATLANTA HATER” MAHONE YOU COULD’VE PUT MAXPREPS.COM RANKINGS WHERE THEY’RE 8TH IN THE NATION AND #1 OVERALL IN STATE IF YOU WERENT GONNA SPECIFY WHICH POLL YOU GOT YOUR INFO FROM..
THEN ALL THESE “LOCAL” TEAMS YALL MENTIONING.. CANT BE SERIOUS.. THOSE TEAMS ARE OK.. BUT THEY’RE GONNA GET DESTROYED IN THE PLAYOFFS.
AND YALL KEEP TALKING ABOUT SOUTH ATLANTA NOT PLAYING “TEAM” BALL.. DO THE MATH IDIOTS.. IF THEY AVERAGE 86 POINTS A GAME.. AND DERRICK FAVORS AVG IS 18.. OBVIOUSLY SOMEONE ELSE IS CONTRIBUTING.. YALL BETTER START TALKIN ABOUT THE POINT GUARD NICK WATKINS
OF COURSE ALL THE “TALK” IS GONNA BE ABOUT D.FAVORS BECAUSE HE’S THE #1 RANKED JUNIOR IN THE NATION (ANOTHER THING DERRICK “S.A.HATER” MAHONE 4GOT TO MENTION).. GONNA PUT A “TOP” RANKED JUNIOR.. MAN U KNOW IT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.. HE’S #1!!.. GET TIRED OF YALL (AJC) NOT GIVING RESPECT TO THE HOOD TEAMS. ITS COOL THO.. SOUTH ATLANTA IS GETTIN RECOGNITION FROM THE NATION NOW..KEEP YOUR LIL CORNY POLL, AT THE END THE HORNETS WILL BE ON TOP.
By Pierre
January 31, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Watch out, The South Atlanta Boys will win the state championship this year.
By SCOUTOFTHEYEAR
February 2, 2008 5:00 AM | Link to this
DERRICK MAHONE LIKE I SAID A WHILE AGO.. THIS MIGHT NOT BE YOUR CUP OF TEA ANYMORE.. BECAUSE THIS IS STR8 RETARDED..
By Derrick Mahone
January 31, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Chris Grammer Think you are probably confusing me with someone else on the blog. Never talked about who going to beat either team. In fact, I have consistently defended why the voters continue to vote Jordan No. 1 in the writer’s poll when most want to put SA No. 1 because of their schedule and Derrick Favors. In fact, had a good conversation with coach Gerald Turner earlier today (Thursday). Looking forward to some good region and state tournament games.
EXACTLY EINSTEIN.. ANY POLL NOT PROFESSIONAL (NBA).. MEANING PREP OR COLLEGE IS BASED OFF OF “IMPACT PLAYERS” AND YOUR SCHEDULE STRENGTH. FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND/OR BASEBALL.. BUT YET.. YOU CONTINUE TO “DEFEND” WHY JORDAN IS RANKED #1 IN THE AAA POLL??.. LOL. CLOWN..
I CANT WAIT TIL THE PLAYOFFS.. TO LAUGH AT ALL YOU LOSERS.
YOU SHOULD BE GLAD YOU JOB ISNT BASED OFF YOUR OPINION
By Derrick Mahone
February 2, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Just left Marist where the War Eagles defeated Blessed Trinity 61-55 behind 18 points from Dee Goens. The junior point guard was 9 of 11 from the free throw line in the last 1:49 of the game. In fact, Marist was clutch in the last minute of the game in foul shooting in connecting on 16 of 19 free throws.
By afan
February 2, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Thats sounds like it was a good game.
By SCOUTOFTHEYEAR
February 3, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
LMAO @ BLESSED TRINITY LOSING… I GUESS THEY’RE ABOUT TO HAVE BACK 2 BACK LOSSES.. BC DUNWOODY IS GONNA BEAT EM TOO..
AND… TELL DEVIL FAN IM LOOKIN 4 HIM…NORCROSS GOT SCRAPED BY OAK HILL I TOLD U BUMS NORCROSS WAS A FRAUD.. W/O AMINU THAT TEAM IS DULUTH..
GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By David Chumney
February 4, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Scoutoftheyear, I guess by resorting to using caps now officially makes you the loudest idiot in this conversation. I remember you stating a so called fact as you said that either Shaw or Northside would beat Jordan in their rematches. Well, coming from an idiot who states nothing but facts, you didn’t quite hit that one on the head huh? Jordan is still undefeated and hasn’t lost a game since being crowned state champs. The fact is, you get so caught up in yourself, and the idea of you thinkin you know and state nothing but the facts tells us all you need to look into a new profession. Like maybe a comedian, because it truly is funny to see you ramble on about how S.A. and Derrick Favors is so great and wonderful. I think we’re all starting to believe that you have a crush on the dude and you want to give him a reach around. You can tell us. We won’t be mad Scout, and hell, we’ll probably just congratulate you for finally stating a very true and believable fact. Tell you what. You want to see what real basketball is about? Take a little drive to Columbus tomorrow and catch the Jordan vs. Carver game. If you can’t make it, I’ll understand. You’ll be just too busy drooling over Favors to remember to attend a great game.