AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US10 toughest tourney regions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is the week when everybody is jockeying for state tournament slots, and some promising basketball seasons are bound to come to sudden, unexpected ends while Cinderella jumps in her pumpkin chariot. At Take Ten, while we love surprises, we’d like to see the best teams slugging it out at the end of the month. So which regions are the toughest for top teams to escape from during the next few days? Here are our top 10.
10. 5-AAAA
Best teams — Cherokee, No. 9 Lithia Springs, Pebblebrook, Hillgrove, Osborne: The top four look solid and very tough, but Osborne entered this tournament with an earlier win over Pebblebrook that gave the Cardinals some confidence they could pull a surprise.
9. 2-AAA
Best teams — No. 1 Jordan, Northside-Columbus, Shaw, LaGrange, Carver-Columbus: Jordan has been unbeatable so far, but one of these next four will almost certainly miss the state tournament despite a strong year.
8. 6-AAAAA
Best teams — No. 1 Wheeler, Centennial, Northview, Sprayberry, Walton, Milton: On paper, Wheeler would seem like the obvious choice since the Wildcats didn’t lose a region game all year, but Sprayberry played them tight twice, as did a few non-region foes. If the Cats happen to go down, this one is wide open.
7. 2-AAAAA
Best teams — No. 3 M.L. King, Douglass, Stephenson, Redan, Newton: MLK is the most complete team in the region, but Douglass has surprised all year, and the Astros entered the postseason with a chance to do so again. This region is top-heavy but tough.
6. 4-AAAAA
Best teams — No. 9 Mundy’s Mill, Newnan, Hiram, Tri-Cities, Morrow: This is one of the closest regions from top to bottom, with Mundy’s Mill and Newnan occupying, but not dominating, the top two spots. All five of these teams came in with a shot at this region if a break or two went their way.
5. 6-AA
Best teams — No. 4 Wesleyan, No. 3 GAC, No. 8 Lovett, Pace, Decatur, Avondale: Wesleyan and GAC may be vying for the role of favorite, but the next three are pretty closely matched, and the strength of the south subregion gave this one additional intrigue.
4. 2-AAAA
Best teams — No. 1 Westlake, Fayette County, Creekside, McIntosh, Banneker, Woodward: There is a large pack of teams vying for the third and fourth playoff spots in this region because there really isn’t a clear-cut favorite after you get past Westlake.
3. 5-AAAAA
Best teams — No. 4 McEachern, No. 5 Marietta, No. 8 Harrison, Campbell, Kennesaw Mountain, South Cobb, Etowah: Like 6-AA, this region has three top-10 teams. But this one has more depth, with a long list of teams that could definitely make a run at the playoffs and a history of surprises.
2. 5-AAA
Best teams — No. 2 South Atlanta, No. 3 Dunwoody, No. 7 Blessed Trinity, Druid Hills, Chamblee, Riverwood: Those top three are as good as the top three in any region in the state. The next three are tough too. And even with Druid Hills getting surprised by Therrell on Monday, Chamblee and Riverwood still have to battle for that fourth spot.
1. 6-AAAA
Best teams — No. 2 Columbia, No. 4 Tucker, No. 7 Miller Grove, No. 8 Marist, No. 10 Stone Mountain, Mays: No region has more top 10 teams, and no region has a tougher top half than this one. Columbia and Tucker are the standard-bearers. Miller Grove and Stone Mountain are the relative newcomers to the top. Marist is the surprise. Mays is just behind them all. Two teams from this region played in the state final last year; don’t be surprised if it happens again this season.
Go ahead. Take Ten. What do you think is the toughest region to get out of? Can any region stand up to the strength of 6-AAAA? Give us your winners and your surprises. Who’s going to be dancing next week?
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Take Ten
Comments
By afan
February 13, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
well jordan and shaw is automatically going to the 1st round in state, for finishing 1st and 2nd seed in region.
By Ernest
February 13, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Jeff:
A tear came to my eye as I read this top ten… :) Without question, Region 6 AAAA is the toughest in the state. This statement holds true for both boys and girls. Is there another region in the state that can say that? On the boys side, at least one good team will not make it to the state dance. It should be noted the Region 3 AAAAA would probably had been listed if Beach didn’t lose their star guard over the winter holidays.
I said it last year and I’ll say it again, if you took the top four teams from our region and placed one in each bracket, you’d have a repeat of the region finals in the state finals. The overall talent level is just that good!
By Mike
February 13, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
How about region 5-A? Four teams in the top ten. Whitefield, SACA, Eagle’s Landing and Greenforest.
By afan
February 13, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
well actually jordan and shaw finished 1st and 2nd seed at the end of the regular season to automatically go 1st round in state
By Rock Clayton
February 13, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Mr Mahone I am looking forward to the games and to these teams performances I just hope these boys focus and play good defense and enjoy the game These games are what will separate the Men from the Boys my prediction for the schools to watch is Norcross Tucker Dunwoody South Atlanta
I am a optimist who has witness time and time again that the teams who gets real cocky and barks the loudness always Get defeated I am looking for some clean good old basketball and I am especially watching the Dunwoody Guard
12 Grayson and from what I have witness along the way and with the buzz around him this kids establish the making of a truePoint Guard.
By George
February 13, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
I realize this may be a stupid question,….. but what are the numbers in front of some of the teams (No. 9 Lithia Springs, No. 1 Jordan, No. 1 Wheeler)? Is this an overall state ranking?
By Derrick Mahone
February 13, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
George The numbers are how the teams are ranked in the last Georgia Sportswriters Association poll.
By wildcat
February 13, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
I think the 5AAA region is the most difficult the top 3 teams can play in any region any classification and have the potential to win. Derrick Favors is the real deal I dont know if any of the other regions has a center with that much skill in the state. I am hoping Dunwoody will play their game and run a lot of bodies at him. I believe we have more man power than they are use to
By TampaDawg
February 13, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
How in the world is 7AAAAA or 8AAAAA in the top ten with Norcross, PRidge, Parkview, Brookwood, Grayson in those regions?
By LD
February 13, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Centennial’s only loss of the year came at the hands of Wheeler so we know they’ll be tough. We’re hoping to make it past Sprayberry tomorrow night and get to the finals. GO KNIGHTS!
By Atlien
February 13, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
5AAA is by far the most difficult region.
By flyboi_08
February 13, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Why does everything has to be based about Atlanta? How many state titles did the schools in Atlanta win last year!!
By Outside ATL
February 13, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I have asked this before. Derrick, do you travel outside the ATL area very much? You did not mention a region outside of I-285. Albany, Macon and Savannah have some pretty tough regions also.
By B-Sure
February 13, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
As Mike mentioned above, 5-A has to be given an honorable mention or something with #2,5,8,and 9 involved.
By Chris Grammer
February 13, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
South Atlanta looks great because their competition as a whole has been poor. I know people say they played out of state teams but the fact is they didnt play 25 out of state teams. They’re region schedule was a joke. why not play the top teams in the Atlanta metro area instead of playing these out of state teams that probably are not as good. This state has enough talented teams that no one should have to go out of state to find teams to play. The teams that are winning the state titlesare the teams measuring their talents against other teams in this state. When teams play national schedules they get big headed because they feel they played the best. What happens when they get to the state tournament is they realize they are playing someone better here. I know it’s not just South Atlanta but other Georgia teams but I figured I would mentioned to still remind them that Jordan will have a road block waiting on them.
By blaque
February 13, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Dunwoody vs. S Atlanta will be a good match. Issiah is a great player. He’s has always been a great player. Dunwoody didn’t make him, that sorry aau fool didn’t make him, He needs to watch his back bacause of the snakes that are trying to get close to him. Isiah remember what your real coaches told you. You know who we are referring too.
By sambo
February 13, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
YA’LL DON’T FORGET THAT CAT FROM LAKEVIEW SAM MILLER AND HIS TROOPS. THE COOL CAT CAN FLAT OUT SCORE AND IS A DEFENSIVE JUGARNAT!
By whatever
February 13, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Your list has no validity because you don’t cover anyone outside metro Altanta on anything regarding a consistent basis. Who cares what you think?
By Inside Atl
February 13, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
To outside Atl, giving 9 to region 2-AAA is all the charity you get here in the AJC. Face facts, if Jordan hadn’t won state last year, 2-AAA wouldn’t be on the map. Tampa Dawg, no 7 or 8-AAAAA regions are on the list. It was a down year in the county, did you see how many D-1 guys left last year? Norcross(Univ) are still the favorites in 8-AAAAA, and Parkview looks strong in 7-AAAAA. And last, Chris Grammer. Appreciate the hate coming from down yonder. Brave soul calling out S.Atlanta, you better hope yall don’t see Dunwoody(Univ), yall just missed them last year. ZONE EOH
By Richard Lowe
February 13, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Tournament play has a way of bringout the best and the worst in some teams even if you have been winning all season. As a rule you are going to have at least one scare or very tough game in a tournament and it doesn’t have to come from another top team. With kids especially, you just can’t be sure how they are going to react to “the win or go home” pressure that exist at this time of the year. I have seen the best wither and just don’t play up to normal expectations of themselves or their fans. It’s called pressure and that’s what makes this time of year so exciting. Looking forward to it. Good Luck. I know who I am pulling for in both girls and boys play.
By Derrick Mahone
February 13, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
IF Dunwoody and South Atlanta meet Saturday for the championship, it will be the first time since the two teams have meet in a highly anticipated game since Dunwoody defeated SA in the second round of the state tournament in ‘04 at the NW Georgia Trade Center in Dalton. That year, SA had just graduated Mr. Basketball Vincent Banks and two other starters. Two-time AAA player of the year An’Juan Wilderness was just a sophomore. Dunwoody was undefeated at 27-0, and the thought was they would breeze through the Hornets. The final score was 85-81 and SA should have won, but its guards turned the ball over about four straight times down the court. Dunwoody went on to crush Columbia 81-65 in the quarterfinals and then got upset by Butler 66-64 in the semifinals.
South Atlanta was in Region 5-AAAA which consisted of Mays, North Atlanta, Clarkston, Druid Hills, Stone Mountain, Westlake, Columbia, Creekside, M.L. King, McNair, South Atlanta and Washington.
Region 6-AAAA was Chamblee, Dunwoody, Forsyth Central, North Forysth, North Springs, St. Pius, South Forsyth and Tucker.
The quarterfinals for that year consisted of Mays, Columbia, Stone Mountain and Dunwoody. When these two regions combined, everybody anticipated a super power for Region 6-AAAA, and it has lived up to the billing so far.
By Roswell BBall Expert
February 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Ga need a state-wide toutney like Indiana has. Then, the true state champ can be determined. There is nothing like that event to excite and get people to be involved in BBall.
By Inside Atl
February 13, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Back to the list. Im all for the local coverage Derrick, but as fan, I question what it is you see from the 4 and 6 picks? Westlake, Fayette Co., and Creekside are good, but the rest of the region is lackluster at best. And region 4-AAAAA? The parity suggests to me that the four teams that advance to state this year haven’t seen what they will see if they match up with region 2 to start state. The best bet for this region is to match up with region 1 so they make you look good. Region 6-AAAA stand up. Dekalb Co. represent. And as SMHS native, Stone Mountain has made state quarters 2 of the last 3 years, so they are no strangers to sucess. Shoutout to Coach Brown down at Alcovy High in Covington(former SMHS coach who put them on the map), who is a win over Winder-Barrow tonight from clinching 2nd straight playoff berth in the school’s 2nd year of existence. Go Tigers!
By atigerparent
February 13, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Go Tucker Tigers, Go Tucker Tigers, Go Tucker Tigers, You guys are awesome!!!! You too Hartry!!
By Smitty
February 13, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me????? Were is Region 1-AAAAA Valdosta, Lowndes, Tifton, Coffee, Colquit and now Northside WR. I guess since you do not distribute down in South GA you feel like you can leave them out. As Lee Corso would say,”Not so fast my friend!!” PLEASE READ THE EXCERT FROM ANOTHER PAPER** South Region 1 has long been arguably the toughest football region in the state. Valdosta has 23 state championships, Lowndes has four, Warner Robins has four and both Tift County and Colquitt County have one. Northside won its first state title last year, has been ranked No. 1 in AAAA all season, and has long been considered one of the state’s best programs.
Seriously, show some respect!!!!!!!!
By Derrick Mahone
February 13, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Inside Atl In 2-AAAA Westlake was definitely the cream of the crop in that region with its 16-0 record. We were looking for some balance and I think that region offers that with Fayette County, Banneker, Creekside and McIntosh. Although McIntosh didn’t advance, it played every team close, including Westlake the second time they played. There center Robert Chubb is headed to Auburn and coach John Eisele does a great job. Banneker is still a year away with several young players in the lineup. Creekside has played well with Kevin Murphy.
Coincidently, Region 2-AAAAA and 4-AAAAA matchup in the first round. I think that will be quite interesting. Like I said in another blog, neither region has a powerhouse team this year, but they are all very competitive. In 2-AAAAA, they had to do two coin flips to decide some of the seeding because everyone beat everyone. In the regular season final, Redan had a huge win over M.L. King, so like I said there is some balance in both regions, and that is what we were looking for. I would definitely be surprised if there was a sweep by either region.
Outside Atl No, during the season I don’t get down to Savannah, Macon or Albany, but talked to people through the course of the season in those areas. Had a chance to see Savannah this season against Mundy’s Mill.
Flyboi_08 Teams from Atlanta won five of the 10 state titles. In 5A and 4A, all four finalist were from Atlanta. In 3A, no boys or girls team in the finals. In 2A, both girls team from area with no boys (but did have one final four team). In 1A, an Atlanta team played in both the boys and girls finals. In all, except 3A boys, a team from Atlanta was in the final four.
Smitty We are talking about basketball.
Chris Grammer Where you been? Scout of the Year was tearing me up, and you didn’t even have my back. Next time that happens, we are barring you from the blog. In talking with players and coaches from these teams, nobody is taking anybody for granted. I think they all realize the old saying “on any given night”. I think it is a very good thing for Georgia teams to get invited to play in these big out-of-state tournaments and get games against other highly respected teams with standout players. I’ve said several teams before that these teams from Georgia hold their own against what is suppose to be the best in the nation, and that only helps promote basketball in the state.
I talk to several college coaches and all want to make inroads in Georgia and metro Atlanta because of the talent.
By Derrick Mahone
February 13, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
UPDATE Miller Grove 78, Mays 64. Mfon had 27 points. Marist is up 31-22 on Stone Mountain at the half.
By Scoutoftheyear
February 13, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
DERRICK MAHONE LOL.. TEARING YOU UP HUH…. NAH DOG.. I JUST STATE THE FACTS.. BUT LIKE I SAID B4.. IM GOOD NOW.. USA TODAY MOVED SOUTH ATLANTA TO NUMBER #13… IF YOU DONT WANNA GIVE THEM LOVE, THE NATION WILL.. ANYWAY..
CHRIS GRAMMER 1ST OF ALL.. STOP CRYIN ALL THE TIME.. U ALWAYS BE I ITCHIN ABOUT SOUTH ATLANTA WHEN WE DO YOU jokedan ITS GONNA BE A MASSACRE. WHAT U FAIL TO REALIZE IS YES.. SOUTH ATLANTA DOES PLAY IN A WEAK CONFERENCE BUT jokedans SCHEDULE IS WEAKER. ANY IN-STATE TEAM THAT SOUTH ATLANTA PLAYS HAS GOT BLOWN.. WHEN jokedan BARELY SQUEEZES BY WITH VICTORIES.
http://calpreps.com/2007-2008-boysbasketball/ratings/Georgia_all.htm
CALPREPS IS A GOOD SITE TO CHECK B.C. THEY HAVE SCHOOLS LISTED FROM 1-20,000 SO THEIR RANKINGS AND SCHEDULE STRENGTH ARE PRETTY ACCURATE.
IM JUST GLAD THE PLAYOFFS ARE HERE!!!
By hoop planet
February 13, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
to blaque, dont know what aau coach you referring to in reference to a fool coach, but i know you know who iam, and i know you are not man enogugh to say that to my face so iam going to excuse you, you need to worry about chamblee terrible team. issiah grayson got 6 high major looks that came out of aau not dunwoody and certain not druid hills.
By afan
February 13, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Chris Grammer, just don’t say anything about s. atl because i am really getting tired of looking what Scoutoftheyear has to say about jordan,the damn rankings and his facts, just don’t talk to much like this guy. By the way see you at the game friday, you know who this is, i see you at the games all the time.
By afan
February 13, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
To you Scoutoftheyear, all i want to say is, im not going to come on here and diss you and s. atl, i just want to say good luck in the region and state.
By Ernest
February 14, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Derrick:
Were you at North Springs last night? I was there and saw Stone Mountain ‘upset’ 2nd seeded Marist with a 3 pointer with 2 seconds on the clock. IMO, it looked as though Marist was playing ‘not to lose’ rather than to win. They unfortunately will be the good team from 6 AAAA not to make it to the big dance.
What this means is there will be 4 DeKalb public schools going to the state tournament in AAAA, Columbia, Tucker, Miller Grove, and Stone Mountain. IMO, two of those teams will be playing in the finals. This is why region 6 AAAA was ranked #1 in Jeff’s top ten.
Heck from this region, I’ll take Mfon Udofia, Aric Miller, Travis Leslie, Manny Atkins, and Darius Morrow and probably beat the best five from any other region. Jeff, I may be onto something here. Maybe a top ten next week on this????
By darrel
February 14, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
As nice as I can say it is Mundy’s Mill and Newnan DO NOT occupy the top two spots in Region 4 AAAAA. That spot belongs to Hiram. A team you have not acknowledge the entire season and who was the regular season CHAPION defeating Newnan for the title. How bout some respect for the 20-5 HORNETS!!!!!!!
By darrel
February 14, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
As nice as I can say it is Mundy’s Mill and Newnan DO NOT occupy the top two spots in Region 4 AAAAA. That spot belongs to Hiram. A team you have not acknowledge the entire season and who was the regular season CHAmPION defeating Newnan for the title. How bout some respect for the 20-5 HORNETS!!!!!!!
By darrel
February 14, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
As nice as I can say it is Mundy’s Mill and Newnan DO NOT occupy the top two spots in Region 4 AAAAA. That spot belongs to Hiram. A team you have not acknowledge the entire season and who was the regular season CHAmPION defeating Newnan for the title. How bout some respect for the 20-5 HORNETS!!!!!!!
By darrel
February 14, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
As nice as I can say it is Mundy’s Mill and Newnan DO NOT occupy the top two spots in Region 4 AAAAA. That spot belongs to Hiram. A team you have not acknowledge the entire season and who was the regular season CHAmPION defeating Newnan for the title. How bout some respect for the 20-5 HORNETS!!!!!!!
By Devil Lover
February 14, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Derrick. Do you know that Atlanta has three teams rank within the top 13 in the country by HoopsUSA by their Consensus Poll Ranking. I think this would be worthy of an article because this will not happen very often. There are approximately 15,000 high schools therefore this show that Georgia and especially Atlanta has become one of the top areas for developing top notch bball talent. What do you say oh prognosticator?
By R35A
February 14, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Ernest, dont sleep on “sugar city” belive it or not it is the region of nothing but basketball.
Region#3 is the hardest region to be consistent in. At any given night you can be beat if you are not ready to play.
Savannah High, Johnson of Sav. - Final four get ready because region #3 will be there.
By Derrick Mahone
February 14, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Pebblebrook 52, Cherokee 50 Chris Deny hits a floater in the lane with three seconds remaining. Chris Beasley scored only nine points, but got his 2,000th career points in the first quarter.
By Derrick Mahone
February 14, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Pebblebrook 52, Cherokee 50 Chris Deny hits a floater in the lane with three seconds remaining. Chris Beasley scored only nine points, but got his 2,000th career points in the first quarter.
By Ernest
February 15, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Hey R35A, you are right about that. Interestingly, based on the number of students at each school, they would probably qualify for 4A and possibly 3A. That’s why you won’t see any football champions come out of that region.
They’ve got a LONG history of good basketball since integration, starting with Beach in 1967 and Johnson in 1968. Though my heart will always be with the teams from the ‘Sugar City’, my mind tells me that teams from the metro ATL area will be the ones to beat.
By boy
February 16, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
D$%# AAU get a real job, boy