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DEL.ICIO.USRating GSWA preseason polls’ accuracy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
LIVE ONLINE: DERRICK MAHONE CHATS WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE DAY ABOUT THE STATE TOURNAMENT
The season started four months ago with more than 800 teams trying to make runs at state titles. As the quarterfinals begin on Friday in various venues around the state, only eight remain in each of the five classifications.
Now that the field has been narrowed to 80 boys and girls teams, perhaps it’s time to look back at the Georgia Sportswriters Association preseason rankings to see how well they projected the season.
There are 25 boys teams still alive that started the season in the preseason rankings. In Class AAAA and Class A, seven of the last eight teams still playing were ranked. In Class AAAAA, only three preseason ranked teams remain. Beach, which had its best player transfer midway through the season, was the only preseason ranked team in the state’s largest classification not to make the state tournament.
Mundy’s Mill was the only preseason ranked team not to be eliminated from the tournament by another ranked team.
In Class AAAA, Griffin and North Clayton were the only preseason teams not to make the state tournament.
Dunwoody, East Hall, Hart County and Carver-Columbus were ranked in the preseason and remain alive. Four teams — Randolph-Clay, Wesleyan, Lovett and East Laurens — still have title shots.
On the girls’ side, 25 of the 50 teams that were ranked in the preseason are alive — five in the three highest classes, four in Class AA and six in Class A.
Only five of the 50 teams ranked in the preseason did not make the state playoffs on the girls’ side.
Post up: Did the GSWA preseason poll make the grade? Who do you expect to be in the state tournament boys and girls Final Four?
LIVE ONLINE: DERRICK MAHONE CHATS WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE DAY ABOUT THE STATE TOURNAMENT
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Comments
By whatarethe4fromAA
February 28, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Laney and Randolph Clay should be good in Sav on friday, any comments?
By Fan of the game
February 28, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Derrick, what’s your take on the A elite at Georgia highlands?
By Fan of the game
February 28, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Sorry, elite 8 in class A?
By HS Fan
February 28, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Thanks for chatting today Derrick…Whats your take on the Berkmar/Wheeler game? I think its setting up to be a pretty good game.
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
whatarethe4fromAAThe person that knows the most about Laney is first-year Randolph-Clay coach Jennifer Acree. She was at Screven County before taking over for the retired James Bland. Screven is in the same region as Laney, unfortunately, Screven was 0-3 against Laney last season. I’m anticipating a good close game.
Fan of the GameThat North bracket in Dalton is going to be good. At some point during the same at least one of those teams held down the No. 1 spot in the rankings. SACA slipped some during the late part of the season after losing something like 3 of 4 games, but seem to be headed back in the right direction. Wilkinson County has won the last two meetings between these two schools. They lost on MLK Day in SACA’s tournament and in last year’s quarterfinals to end the Warriors streak of five straight years in the Final Four. Whitefield is playing well after losing the Reddick brothers. Hancock Central’s only two losses have come against Wilkinson. Junior Kammeon Holsey is quickly becoming a top junior prospect in the state. I’ll image there will be a few college scouts there.
By antnice
February 28, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Derrick, what do think Hiram’s chances are against Stephenson?
By Wildcat
February 28, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Derrick what are your thoughts on Dunwoody’s chances for the title and where do we rank with all the classifications
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
HS FanI will be checking in throughout the evening as time permits. Saw Berkmar against Meadowcreek and I tell you I’m real impressed with Wesley Witherspoon. I would like to see him and Westlake guard Raymond Willis in a one-on-one contest. I know a lot of college scouts are high on him. The only knock I had on Berkmar is that Witherspoon and the guard seem to be only ones involved in the offense, and that could have been just the game I was at. There is no question that Wheeler is talented and they seem to be on a mission after losing out the last two years. The thing I like about this Wheeler team is that they can have a bad game and still win, and that is a mark of a championship caliber team. I don’t know if there are too many other teams in the state that can do that. I saw Westlake do it the other night and they are talented also.
By Devil Alum
February 28, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Derrick, what are the chances of us seeing a Norcross Wheeler matchup.
By e
February 28, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Derrick what do u think about the savannah/douglass matchup. Also,what do think savannah chances of winning it all.
By D
February 28, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Hi Derrick, What are your thoughts on Westlake boys & girls team on winning it all? Are the boys the best team in 4A? I’ve seen Miller Grove & Columbia (boys) play against one another. I really think Westlake is the better team of the three. The Westlake girls are very young and I think they are one year away from a title contention, unless someone upsets SWD. What are your thoughts?
By Will
February 28, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Derrick what are your thoughts on Region 2AAAAA.4 of the final 8 teams on the girls side are from the Region as well as 2 of the final 8 on the boys side. Thru earlier post I spoke about the strenght of our Region, I could have never imagined having this 6 teams make Elite 8.
By Chris Grammer
February 28, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Hey Derrick Jordan lost but we still had a great year. It’s tough to go on the road 2 games in a roll. We had Glenn hills on the ropes and let them off. What hurt us was a 21 to 3 advantage in free throws and the inability to consistently get in side. We were never really the same team after the flu bug hit us hard. Glenn Hills is good but they were not by far the best team we played this year. Shaw and Carver both have better teams and even though we lost I know we’re a more talented team. I’m not a sore loser I just know how good we are. It’s ashame it had to end the way it did. We are moving down to AA next year so watch out. Our J.V. team won the city. Our Freshmen team went undefeated and our incoming middle school class won the city. We will be back in high geer next year. Dunwoody will win the state this year. With all the upsets it will be fairly easy for them in my opinion. Carver is still alive in our region but they have no true point guard. This will catch up to them before it is over.
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
antnice Will be honest haven’t seen Hiram but have heard some good things about them and their two guards that have gone over a 1,000 career points. Mundy’s Mill coach Tu Willingham spoke very highly of them when I talked to him a few weeks ago. The teams are similar as they both have strong guards with the Jags being led by Adrien Coleman is a heck of a player. I think center William Tolefree is playing well.
Wildcat If possible, Dunwoody was a little under the radar because of Jordan’s unbeaten season and the South Atlanta’s incredible year with junior sensation Derrick Favors. Their opening season loss to Blessed Trinity might have sent up a red flag that too many superstars wouldn’t work. However, that loss to BT proved to be a blessing. They are playing extremely well right now and is one of the favors. See what I’ve been saying about national rankings, you are not going to tell me that Dunwoody isn’t one of the best teams in the country. Different subject for different day. If you were during an all-class poll they would certainly be up there.
They still have a tough battle in Class AAA even with Jordan and South Atlanta gone. East Hall might be the best passing team I’ve seem all year. They are very unselfish and everybody knows and plays their role well. Carver is so athletic and those kids know how to win. That Carver-Liberty game should be something. I think very high scoring. I would give the edge to Carver (hope my neighbor doesn’t read this) just because of their experience. Liberty has a pair of sophomores that will be good. What about the job Todd Cottrell has done at the Branch this year.
Devil Alum I think that’s the matchup everyone is looking for. If both play to their capabilities, then I think it is possible. However, Berkmar and Northview will not go quietly into the night.
E Spoke with Tim Jordan this morning and he is fighting that bug. I think both similar with a guard-oriented teams. Williams and Rumph are capable of going off big in any game. Douglass plays good defense and are a very unselfish team. It seems everyone in Savannah will be behind them which gives a big home advantage to the Blue Jackets. How well Douglass will be able to handle a big atmosphere willl be a key factor. As face as winning it all, that will be tough. I know it sounds bias, but I stil think the advantage belows to the North bracket. I did the numbers the other day. Since the GHSA has gone to five classes, the North bracket has won them all and it hasn’t been close. Only four teams from the South bracket has played in the championship game, winning none with the average margin of victory 15 points. In 2001, Savannah played the closes game in losing 55-53 to Berkmar. When two North brackets team play in the finals, the average margin of victory is nine points. Wheeler’s 69-55 win over Lakeside-DeKalb and the Wildcats’ 63-48 win over Norcross pushes the average margin high. Other than those two blowout wins by Wheeler the north teams usually play close.
By JEWELL ROLLEN
February 28, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
DERRICK, THE POLLS ARE BOGUS. WHOEVER IS VOTING DOESN’T GO TO ANY GAMES. I SAW REDAN KILL ML KING, THEY BEAT THEM TWICE WITH EASE, AND ML KING WAS TOP 10 RANKED UNTIL THEY WENT DOWN IN THE TOURNEY. MEADOWCREEK KILLED PARKVIEW TWICE, BERKMAR BEAT MEADOWCREEK 3 TIMES, ALL BY DOUBLE DIGITS. BERKMAR NEVER GOT INTO THE TOP TEN 3 OF THEIR LOSSES WERE IN OUT OF STATE TOURNEYS. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO BERKMAR/WHEELER TOMOROW NITE. BERKMAR HAD 4 ROLE PLAYERS STEP UP IN THEIR WIN AGINS S FORSYTH. NOT JUST A 2 MAN TEAM.
By Ms Gee
February 28, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Laney will make it happen!!! No doubt, be in the house to see what’s up!!!! I’ll be there….
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
D Westlake is no doubt talented with Gideon Gamble and Raymond Wills giving them a good scoring punch. They must play better than they did against Richmond Academy. But like I said earlier, that is the sign of a good team when you can play bad and still win. To their credit, coach Rogers did pull his starters late in the fourth quarter and Richmond was a 3-pointer away from making it much more interesting. Remember the name Tamika Willis, she will be an ACC/SEC caliber player. You are right they are still young, but those little guards are fun to watch. They are missing a key player from the past couple years when boys coach Darron Rogers’ daughter decided to make volleyball her fulltime sport. Just think how much stronger they would be with another experience inside player. I still think 4A is open even with Southwest DeKalb, because they have a big test against Clarke Central.
Will I touch on the success of 2-AAAAA in a story I have for tomorrow. I thought Douglass and Stephenson would be this far, but Luella and Redan have been the surprise. Luella with the addition of Clemson signee Shaniqua Pauldo, who played in the 4A final four last year has been a big addition. Redan is still young and Alisha Andrews will be a Miss Basketball candidate in a couple years.
By b-chat
February 28, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
what are you thoughts on 1A ball? The teams in the North that made the Elite 8 were all ranked 1-4 in the coaches poll at the end of the season.
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
b-chat POSTED THIS AT 1:09 PM That North bracket is going to be good. At some point during the same at least one of those teams held down the No. 1 spot in the rankings. SACA slipped some during the late part of the season after losing something like 3 of 4 games, but seem to be headed back in the right direction. Wilkinson County has won the last two meetings between these two schools. They lost on MLK Day in SACA’s tournament and in last year’s quarterfinals to end the Warriors streak of five straight years in the Final Four. Whitefield is playing well after losing the Reddick brothers. Hancock Central’s only two losses have come against Wilkinson. Junior Kammeon Holsey is quickly becoming a top junior prospect in the state. I’ll image there will be a few college scouts there.
Jewell Rollen Berkmar did receive votes, but not enough to get in the top 10.
By Lions on The Loose
February 28, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Derrick what do you think of Lithia Springs chances
By D
February 28, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Hi Derrick, Is Raymond Willis & Gideon Gamble the best backcourt in the 4A/state? Do you know why Tech or Ga didn’t recruit these guys? How good is Lithia Springs and Jonesboro? I’ve seen Miller Grove & Columbia. They’re both good basketball teams. But Columbia doesn’t have a strong perimeter game. Your thoughts…
By e
February 28, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Derrick, how does alot of the schools in the atlanta metro area get away with recruiting players from other schools. In AAAAA the north is stronger because those schools have a larger population base. I’m located in savannah and most of the schools don’t belong in AAAAA classification. They should be in AAA or AAAA because the schools in Savannah doesn’t have the number of students as large schools in the Atlanta metro area. Also, there tend to be better coaching in the Atlanta area and alot good basketball players in Savannah are at the park or on the corner so that also hurts the strength of the teams in Savannah. We will make it a home court advantage against Douglass saturday night.
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Lions on the Loose Lithia Springs is one of those teams I enjoyed watching this season. Saw them play about three or four times. I was surprised at how Pebblebrook handled them in the region final. This, Miller Grove, by far is the Lions biggest test of the season and most formidable non-region opponent they have faced so far. LS has good experience and can get scoring from all five of its players on the floor. PG Devoron Ashmon is a good leader and will need to be in control. Kevin Steed will have to play big because MG center Obitaiya Edwards is a monster in the paint. If he decides to play football, he could play on Sundays.
By e
February 28, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
I forgot one other thing Derrick. I won’t comment about the free throw disparity in the savannah/berkmar game in 2001. That game still hurts because honestly i believed the best team didn’t not win. I’m a little bias also, since i’m an alum of savannah and i was at that game. The year kwame brown was last seen in high school
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
D Ray and Gideon are definitely the tallest. Ray move from Orlando over the summer was being recruited by several mid majors. He had a good summer. I don’t know about Tech, but Georgia did start recruiting him. Oklahoma saw him and offered and he jumped on it. He definitely was on Georgia’s list. Gamble is a mid major player and that’s why he is headed to Winthorpe. Please remember that not all players that can dribble, shoot, jump and dunk can’t be high level majors. It is all about finding the right fit. Look at Stephen Curry at Davidson he is a pretty fit there. I think too many times people see good players and automatically say they should be going to a Top 25 program, or worst he is going to the NBA. Haven’t seen Jonesboro, but when they were in Region 5-AAAA with some of the current teams in Region 6-AAAA, I was real impressed with their coach. He seems to get a lot out of them, which is the same with Lithia Springs coach. I would not be surprised to see either in the final four. Shooting is not one of Columbia’s biggest strength, but they have players that can create and score in other ways. Their height and Travis Leslie makes them a very dangerous bunch.
E The Savannah schools choose to play up because they feel they can compete in basketball on the highest level. I think Tim Jordan does a good at Savannah. There has been a talent shift to the metro area because of the population. Sad to hear that some of the better players aren’t involved in organized basketbal. Looking forward to spending the next couple days in Savannah for some good basketball in both AA and AAAAA.
By e
February 28, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
derrick where will u be sitting at hope to get a chance to talk to u about basketball in person. yeah, it should be some good bball friday and saturday in savannah.
By Devil Lover
February 28, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Derrick here are my picks for 5A boys tomorrow night. Norcross by 10 over Northview Savannah by 8 over Douglas Wheeler by 3 over Berkmar Stepenson by 7 over Hiram
By rob
February 28, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
derrick where will u be will like to meet u also will be at both nights ,—— bluejacket for life..
By rob
February 28, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
derrick where will u be will like to meet u also will be at both nights ,—— bluejacket for life..
By rob
February 28, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
derrick where will u be will like to meet u also will be at both nights ,—— bluejacket for life..
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
E and Rob Not sure yet because don’t know what the set up is like at SSU. If they have a designated spot for the press, that’s where I’ve be. If not, I be somewhere in the stands.
Devil Lover Saw your picks, notice that you had Norcross with the largest margin of victory.
By LJallday
February 28, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Derrick, what’s your take on the Mays vs Madison County girls on Saturday? I know you don’t see much of the Northeast GA teams, but I’m sure you can give some insight on Mays. What’s the 411?
By Devil Lover
February 28, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Derrick, where is your picks?
By Big Man
February 28, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Hey Derrick, Beach made the playoffs. Keep up the good work though.
By andre
February 28, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
turner county boy’s basketball,the top 4 team’s class a includes turner county at #4 recieving two first place votes.haven’t lost to a class a in two years beside wilkinson county in the final 4 last year.we are looking forward to the rematch,after we take care of central.wilkinson put us on your regular season next year,our coach tried this year.
By rob
February 28, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
hey derrick at ssu they have the press at the scorers table but if u dont sit there me and A COUPLE OF FREINDS WHO FOLLOW HIGHSCHOOL SPORTS YEAR IN AND OUT ALWAYS SIT AT HALF COURT ACROSS FROM THE SCORERS TABLE . WE WILL LOVE TO HAVE U JOIN US .
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Big Man You are right, on the right side of the bracket. While, I guess all 10 of the preseason ranked teams in 5A made the big dance. Thanks.
LJallday True, don’t see much of the NE teams, but did get to see Madison last season in the playoffs at Marietta. Unfortunately they ran into a very tough Marist squad. However, I do remember Courtney Freeman making a good impression. I could tell she could play. As I see they have a new coach this season. From what I’ve been able to read is that they are led by Kayla and Courtney Freeman and Tiawanna Allen. Mays graduated their leading scorer from last season and their top rebounder and defender. They are still a very quick team that likes to move in transition. Remember the name Kendra Long, she is a superb sophomore PG and the Means twins - Sade and Charmene - provide the offense. I think this one is up for grabs. Winner takes on the Fayette County/Northside-WR winner. The whole 4A bracket has some good teams with five of the 10 preseason ranked teams still alive.
Devil Lover Just on the fly. Stephenson, Wheeler, Savannah and Norcross.
By Marietta Fan
February 28, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Hey Derrick, I’m going to Marietta - Mill Creek, and i’m going to keep an eye on Wheeler Berkmar as well i’ll check in with the score at some point if yall don’t already have it.
By Derrick Mahone
February 28, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Marietta Fan I’m sure we will have someone at that site. We have just about all the sites covered this weekend, but it never hurts to check in. It should be a good game, and the winner takes on the Stephenson-Luella winner.
By 1996 Blue Jacket
February 28, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
E I was at the 2001 game Savannah vs. Berkmar. Berkmar scored 2 offensive buckets in the second half but had 21 points the REFS. spoon fed them the entire second half with phantom foul calls and technicals. I’ve followed my Blue Jackets ever since the early 90’s and the refs make it hard for a non-metro team to win it. Things haven’t gotten better since the games have moved away from Macon to Gwinnett arena. The lesser classifications have it easier because there are less metro schools, but to say it is home-cooking is an understatement. Secondly, to correct somebody Savannah has more state titles than any other city check the GHSA website. My father won it for Johnson (savannah) in 1968, against Beach (former Globe Trotter Larry “gator” Rivers)Savannah who won it the previous year. But “The High” won 7 titles in between 1930-1947, 1967 Beach-Savannah, 1968 Johnson-Savannah (my dads team), Savannah High (72,my uncle teams) 74,76. The resurgence happened in the 1990’s with Johnson-Savannah in 1992, they went to state and lost in 1993. Beach-Savannah lost to Wheeler and Pablo Machado in the 1994 finals. Savannah High won it 1998, lost to berkmar in 2001, but has made it to the elite 8 or better over the last 10 years. If the Refs call a fair game The Blue Jackets will bring home another title. You Metro folks think that Atlanta and surrounding counties is GODS gift to GA athletics, not true. Savannah holds it down on the B-ball end and just see Camden, Lowndes and Valdosta in football especially you Parkview/Brookwood folks.
By Patrick
February 29, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
I assuming that e is suggesting that Savanah High can’t compete in 5A but coach Jordan has proven him wrong. Jordan likes the better competition and has chosen to stay in 5A and as a temporary Atlantian who graduated from Groves High in Sav I am glad. SHS can compete.
By AstroFan
February 29, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
I AGREE about the talent shift in the metro area. I’ve been a fan of Douglass sports for years…and it’s been a long time since the boys and girls have been successful together. I remember days when players across the metro area were running to Douglass and Southside to play on their teams.
By Robert
February 29, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Derrick I think Dunwoody has a fantastic chance of winning State however these are the key factors which I feel A few of the player needs to understand
By Devil Lover
February 29, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
To anyone, what are Northview’s strengths?
By e
February 29, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
patrick i’m definitely not saying savannah can’t play in AAAAA. I’,m an alum of Savannah High School and proud of it. The only problem this region has is with football. The bigger schools have more numbers. As with basketball they can compete with the Atlanta metro schools. Futhermore if we recruited we would win more state championships than we have won. I went to savannah from 83-86 when we had pervis ellison and the teams from southwest macon in macon. Any body that played in AAAA at that time knew who hard it was to beat macon schools in macon. Also, bluejacket i was at that game and savannah was robbed but the people from berkmar wouldn’t agree. Actually the finals should have been Savannah vs Glynn Academy but berkmar got the benefit of the doubt in that game also.
By e
February 29, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Rob i’ll try to seat in that area to talk to you and your friends. I’ll be there both days, but saturday i probably won’t get there until 6 cause of work
By fosterjoiner
February 29, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
I think Wheeler survived its best test Tuesday night and will win a close game tonight. I want to know what fans think about the GHSA changing the location at the last minute for 5A sectionals and should they have announced the change at least 2 weeks in advance.
By Devil Lover
February 29, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
For the last three years the quarter finals locations have been terrible. They keep saying it is a cost issue and I believe it is marketing/sales issues. The person responsible should be fired.
Think about it, for most of the year Ga has had three of the top twenty nationally ranked teams in the country. Give me Alexander Memorial Coliseum and I will show you how to make money by hosting the 5A state basketball championship.
By fosterjoiner
February 29, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
I know that Wheeler tried to file a protest on the poor location and them being sent to Jonesboro. Sweringen decided he is a sore loser so he could not let the protest happen. He did not want to have him declared him wrong. I sent a e-mail to the GHSA representative in charge of basketball and challenged him to poll all the fans at both locations tonight on was Sweringen right on changing the location at the last minute. I told him if he believes the fans support him he should poll the fans. If he doesn’t we know he knows the fans would tell him to change the rules.
By Devil Lovers
February 29, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
foster joiner what do you know about Northview’s team?
By fosterjoiner
February 29, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
I saw Wheeler play Northview once. Wheele ran them out of the gym on senior night. The keys are Ralph Sampson’s kids. To win you have to prevent them from having a big game. They play great defense. Wheeler beat them 84-66 in the regular season and 74-42 at the region tournament. They beat Marietta Tuesday on the road so they are playing very good right now.
By HS fan
February 29, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Deil Lovers: I’ve been to both wheeler/northview games….I expcet a norcross blowout…Only one of the sampsons is any good, and even with that said, at 6”11 Ralph is nowhere near as dominant as he should be…He’ll block some shots tonight probably but he isnt an outstanding scorer and I expect him to be overwhelmed by Aminu…I would be shocked if its a close game to be honest, but it is tournament time so anything can happen I guess…I’d predict Norcross 75ish Northview 50ish
By Devil Lover
March 1, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Well HS fan you got the 75 pts for Norcross right but I defense was not as agressive as they have been. They got 60 but we probably should have held them to 50.
By ATL
March 2, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Derrick’s predictions were right. Wheeler will meet Stephenson, and Norcross will play Savannah High in the final four. I predict that Wheeler and Norcorss will get to the big dance. Wheeler is too much for Stephenson and it will be a walkover. Wheeler 72 Stephenson 53. Norcross will be the State Champions for the third time in a row. Savannah can’t compete with the front line of Nocross and everybody at Norcross can play but at Savannah they only have three or four who can. That is not going to be enough. It will be a blowout. Norcross 77 Savannah High 51.
By Atomsmasher
March 3, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
I know people are counting out Savannah High against Norcross by saying they are too small. But don’t get too cocky Norcross.
By Mundy Mills Senior
March 3, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
I hate Norcross but I got to be real on this one Norcross will do to Savannah High what Savannah High did to us. Norcross 75, Savannah High 45. In the championship game it will be Wheeler against Norcross. Wheeler 70 Norcross 65.
By Norcross Senior
March 3, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Mundy is right. We will crush Savannah High. How are they going to stop our 6” 10 giant and the shooting of the best guards in the state. They aint big enough or bad enough and we will win by 30.
By clifford
March 3, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Congratulation to Delwan, Singleton and Grayson for a great job and for allowing us the opportunity To see you all at your very best ‘Champions, may God continue to bless you all, much continue success not only in the Arena of basket ball but in your future success.
By kl
March 3, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
The Rome Forum is awful as a venue. Fans can sit on one side only, or in the “end zone” seats. One entire side of the court is the stage, so no seating there.
The venue was dirty, seats cracked and broken … bring on Alexander Memorial as a venue, it’s much more realistic, central and gives better seating.
It is very clear that GHSA is catering to regional interests, and probably driven by state legistators pushing for games to be played in their county. There was absolutely NO reason for Wesleyan/Buford girls game or Wesleyan/Pace boys game to be in Rome GA .. those games should have been played locally in metro Atlanta.
Not to mention puffed-up “greeters” in the GHSA blue vests at the Forum, implementing “rules” that have never been enforced at any other GHSA game. Never have we been told that seats can’t be brought in, because we might “throw them as weapons”. I suppose that my camera, cellphone, and items in a purse will be outlawed next year for the same reason.