Prep Zone

By Edgar

January 22, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

It’s pretty obvious that some folks are looking only at the records. There is no way that Fayette boys (defending AAAA runners-up with only one is state loss to McEachern) should be as low as 10th. Nor should McIntosh be 7th. Their gaudy win total came with the help of a pillow soft schedule. Recently McIntosh has lost region 5-AAAA games to Sandy Creek, Alexander and Banneker.

Sandy Creek girls should also be ranked. They lost to Fayette girls and Mays girls by a combined total of 6 points. Both of those games were on the road for Creek.

By Marquisia Smith

January 22, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this

i believe that jackson(atlanta) high school should be rank… we are one of the best teams in APS…

By Ernest

January 22, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this

Southwest DeKalb girls are defending champs in AAAA. They have lost one game this year to a team in the state of GA (Marist). Their margin of victory has been over 30 points a game. They are ranked 9th in the state?

I can see Fayette County girls being #1, since they lost to Southwest DeKalb in the championship last year and returned many of their players. Mays and Marist deserve to be 2 and 3 respectively. The Lady Panthers should be no lower than 4 in the poll. They will probably make the final four again this year.

BTW, the Lady Panthers should be a ranked team next year since many of their players are underclassman with a LOT of playing experience. Coach Walton typically takes out the starters by halftime allowing the younger players to get valuable playing time and experience. This is how you build a dynasty!

By Football Ken

January 22, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this

Come on!!!! Newnan is UNDEAFTED and region counterpart, Westlake, is is the top ten. Have you seen the Newnan team play? At this level, you must have great PG play and great role players, which the Cougars have. Top five team,easy!!!

By bball fan

January 22, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this

Football Ken: I totally agree. Newnan does have a great PG in Powell and his supporting cast is great and athletic. From what this poll shows, if Westlake can be ranked 10, I don’t see how Newnan can’t at least be 9 because Westlake is one team on this list that we know Newnan is better than.

By Hi

January 22, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

Are ther two Madison Counties?

In girls AAAA, they are in others recieving votes and in girls AAA they are ranked tenth.

That error speaks volumes about the validity of these polls.

By go lassiter

January 22, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this

i go to lassiter and this year we have played better then we have ever played before where 12and3 and on a roll if u wanna see what cobb county basketball is all about come watch lassiter but are where underrated and are record shows that we should be like at least the 3 are 4 best team in state go trojans

By STEELEMAN1

January 22, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this

GO WILCO!!!!! WILKINSON CO THAT IS. ANOTHER GOOD YEAR FOR A GOOD PROGRAM.

By Devil Lover

January 22, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this

Obviously the Sports Writers made their current ranking decisions before Centennial got embarrassed by Miller Grove Monday at their own gym. It looks like the boys of Centennial were playing the men of Miller Grove.

There is no doubt in my mind that Norcross is a much better team. We are just hoping that Centennial end up 2nd the region 6 so we can play them in the quarter finals of the state championship.

15-1……Go Devils!!!!!!!!!!!!

By flowbo

January 22, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this

AA Poll Henry County Boys team are ranked well below two teams they already beat.

By Slinger

January 22, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this

Let’s face it the sports writers truly only SEEN some teams play and have HEARD about others. Remember, the only “rankings” that matter are at the end of the state tournament.

By HouseOfBlue

January 22, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this

Norcross is coming down the home strech now in “fine fashion”. *We are 15-1 *and 4-0 over the passed 5 day scoring 100+ against east hall and 89 against dunwoody. Beat collins hill on an empy tank after playing 3 out of 4 days. The only lost has been to the 23rd team in the nation by only three pts.We have them beat but missed our goul shots.

Now come on sports writers you can do better than to only rank “the devils” as 2nd in 5A.

Remember we haven’t lost one regular home game in 6 years and we have won the last three year’s 5A state championships Could there be a fourth????????????

By keith jump

January 22, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this

two quick issues or questions///// didnt Baldwin loss early in the season for its only loss then beat carrolton head to head for a match up of your #1 and #2 teams in AAA. If so why isnt Baldwin A true #1. and also in Class A, none of must have seen GMC Lady Bulldogs play. They had 2 losses that were avenged with wins, one of which they weremissing starters for the game, and the other the first game of the season. then 2 were against higher classification teams that they held their own against and just came up short. and the other was against a region foe who has been state champs before multiple times and held a lead for most of that game only to come up a few shots short. so if you are looking for GHSA girls GOOD basketball, you can find it in Millledgeville with both the Baldwin And GMC girls teams. GO BRAVETTES AND LADY BULLDOGS!!!!!!

By GeorgiaHoo

January 22, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this

Totally off topic, but Ed Dudley, head football coach for the past decade plus at Walton High School announced his resignation today. He will be sorely missed.

By Wolverines Rule

January 22, 2009 5:20 PM | Link to this

GeorgiaHoo……Poor Ed got whupped by Woodstock..That’s the reason he is retiring.

By GeorgiaHoo

January 22, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this

Could be the case. Could be he’s looking for a new challenge after winning the region 5 years in a row. Congrats to Woodstock by the way. Maybe we’ll get to play them in basketball.

By hillgrove rules

January 22, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this

HILLGROVE!!!!!!!!

By andre

January 22, 2009 9:05 PM | Link to this

turner county boy’s basketball team ,great program,we’re rolling ,we got 6 or 7 players that can score 20 points on any give night.one the best defense team in the state all class.can play a bad game and still win by 20 plus.

By andre

January 22, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this

turner county soph.sensation 6’7 breon dixon ,great young player,hard to stop it all the talent he have around him featuring his frontcourt buddy 6’8 jr. center chris spears and them all state guards 6’2 terell davis and 6’5 trey pearce and point guard a. jackson 5’5,he’s a defensive specialist ,he put’s alot pressure on the ball. three of the player’s off the bench started last year

By JWill

January 23, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

flowbo

You are correct with your assessment of Henry Co being ranked below 2 teams they already beat (Northeast Macon and Greene Co). However, the overall season is taken into account during rankings. I am curious to see what the outcome of the rematch with those 2 teams will be…especially when Henry Co comes to Macon for the rematch with NE Macon. I congratulate Henry Co on winning the game in their gym Jan 13; however, I am sure NE Macon will avenge that loss on Feb 6.

By Living in reality

January 23, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this

Anyone who is whining and complaining about why their team is not ranked higher or why this team or that team is ranked so high needs to calm down.

Please realize that the AJC high school sports coverage and ranking system is garbage and would not know their a$$ from a hole in the ground.

Like Slinger said in an earlier post today….

“Let’s face it the sports writers truly only SEEN some teams play and have HEARD about others. Remember, the only “rankings” that matter are at the end of the state tournament”

As long as writers are doing rankings for sports teams, you are going to have crap inaccurate rankings.

Question to ponder….

Why do writers get to vote on rankings and champions? If there is a debate or poetry contest, are athletes doing the rankings?

By hammer

January 23, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

I think Redan lady Raiders should be ranked #1. We were state runner up with our whole team back

By cassius miles

January 23, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this

khaalidah miller i remember someone commenting about this talent about two years ago .Is it me or the people at AJC ARE TRYING THERE BEST TO DOWNPLAY THIS CHILDS ACCOMPLISHMENTS .Shame on you AJC YOUR STILL HATEING ON ATLANTA METRO SCHOOL S TALENT, Last i check she was leading th state in scoring per games played.WOW U CONN calling looks like you slip agin georgia and georgia tech MYA MORE NOW KHAALIDAH MILLER. WHO want to play in there own home state when your home news papers hateing on you .cross county fan watching georgia remain in th past.

By D Fin

January 23, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this

I think alot of these rankings are horrable and they are based on who these so called writers see there is noway Newnan shouldnt be in the top 3 they beat Weslake and Morrow and they havent lost a game, all that matters is Feb and March!

By Tommy

January 23, 2009 7:02 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe that the polls still have the Coosa girls ranked above Armuchee, Armuchee has beaten them twice, once on a neutral floor, and the second on Coosa’s Home Court. Armuchee has only lost once and they got revenge on that loss already, they play Model this Tuesday, so maybe the voters will put them up a little higher after that!

By TR23

January 23, 2009 10:54 PM | Link to this

Is this poll based on strength of schedule? Why is Whitfield Academy(Class A) still ranked so high? They lost two in a row before beating Pace Academy on Tuesday night. I know one of the losses were against Centennial (Class AAAAA). Not sure what class United Faith is in.

How can Turner County bench three starters from last year? Did they recruit new players to take those guys position?

By William

January 24, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this

TR23

United Faith is the #2 ranked team by Max Preps in North Carolina, all classifications.

By Coweta County

January 24, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this

Newnan beat Westlake 70-62 earlier this year and are ranked below them. Go figure. Newnan has found the right athletic people to run their sports department. Quality leaders and players, along with parents who support them has taken them to a higher level. The kids coming down the pike are something to see. Kudos to Middle school coach Blackshear for getting these boys and girls ready for Newnan high. Newnan rocks.

By HouseOfBlue

January 25, 2009 7:41 AM | Link to this

Norcross beat Florida’s top-ranked Class 4A team last night with a convincing 80-66 win. Hear we come Centennial!

By William

January 25, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this

Well, I just checked MaxPreps Florida rankings to see where Monsignor Pace, the team that Norcross beat last night 80-66 at home, stood. MP ranks them as the #41 team in Florida with a 9-3 record. Whoopdi do! For example, Monsignor Pace doesn’t stand very tall agaist Wheeler’s out-of-state opponent’s nationally ranked ladened roster: Mater Dei(Ca), MLK-Riverside(Ca), St. Patrick (NJ), St. Benedict Prep(NJ), Dominquez(Ca), Boys & Girls (NYC), Lincoln (NYC),Woolridge (DC), Pickering(#1 ranked Canadian national team)and Windward (Ca). I am NOT a Wheeler fan and Norcross may yet win the state championship, but it is ludicrous to argue that last night’s game means anything of significance based on a home win against the #41 ranked team in Florida, when Wheeler, Centenniel and even Walton and McEachern have played a much tougher out-of-state schedule. The tournament will tell and we want know anything until then.

By HouseOfBlue

January 25, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this

Hey William. Maxpreps has Norcross as #12 behind Valdosta and South Gwinnett. Since you think that maxpreps is the “holy grail”, then I guess you think that Norcoss who is now 17-1 with the best 5A record should be 12th? William you got a lot to learn about “objective” vs “subjective” polls. Secondly as you pointed out Wheeler has played 11 out-of-state opponent’s nationally ranked but has lost 5 of them. So what’s your point? Just playing good teams is not the point. I think the objective is to win.

And thirdly, don’t forget that Wheeler lost to Centennial who just got manhandled by Miller Grove. I hope that doesn’t make you alittle nervous.

Hey William, you better be worried about your Regional Tournament. With five other teams that are capable of winning any night in region 6 and the fact at only 4 can move on to the state championship tournament, this might cause wheeler to have to learn how to play some defense this year for a change.

Hope we see you guys in the State Championship tournament this year!!!!

By Chris G.

January 25, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

I saw Derrick Favors play a few times and he is as advertised but that team is not going to win with just him doing all the work. Leflore really exposed South Atlanta as a team. Leflore was a quick athletic team that was able to run away from the Hornets. They will play similar teams in the state playoffs. They are a very average team with Favors on the bench so South Atlanta fans better hope to God they get on the refs good side because if he gets in foul trouble as was the case last year then the nets won’t be getting cut down anytime soon.

By South Atlanta Fan

January 25, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

i think south atlanta will win the AAA and if u would have came to the McEachern, D.Favor was in Foul trouble and sat almost a whole 3rd and 4th quarter and we came back on them and won so ull see what they will do in the state make sure u make it to them game Chris G.

By John

January 25, 2009 5:06 PM | Link to this

Marist won the prestigious Maui Invitational tournament over Christmas, beat Tucker at Tucker in OT, and beat Chamblee. Meanwhile Tucker lost to Chamblee last week. With all that, exactly how in the world can Tucker be ranked two spots ahead of Marist?

By William

January 25, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this

HoBl,

Quite sensitive, are we not?. Understandably, if I was as fanactical about a team whose three toughest opponents included East Hall, I might be a little defensive as well about the total lack of National respect given the Devils.

If you took the time to read my post, you’d have seen that I am not a Wheeler fan and you wouldn’t have had to waist your time incessantly railing on me as being one.

It really doesn’t matter which four of the six best Region 6 teams come out, they are all better than the Devils and any of them will likely prevail. For example, Walton, with Harrow and the Rice brothers, could easily hang 90+ on the Devils. And the Devils can’t score that many on any respectable team,that is except against that mighty powerhouse, the East Hall Vikings. ’ By the way, to which D1 school did the team “star”, Tariq M, commit? Sorry, I forgot and can’t find the commitment. I am certain that I’ve just mistakenly overlooked it in researching my vast library of subjective sources.

Thx!

By Devil Lover

January 25, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this

HEY WILLIAM. YOU MUST HAVE GROWN UP IN THE NORTH WHERE IT IS IMPORTANT TO PLAY THE BEST TEAMS. IN THE SOUTH ESPECIALLY AT NORCROSS WE JUST CARE ABOUT WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS. BY THE WAY IF YOU JUST GOT OFF THE BUS AND HAVEN’T READ THE PAPER, NORCROSS HAS WON THE LAST THREE CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. ALSO A LITTLE KNOWN FACT, NORCROSS HAVEN’T LOST A HOME GAME IN SIX YEARS BUT DON’T TELL ANYBODY. AND FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS WILLIAM, EVERYBODY SAID THAT WHEELER HAD A BETTER TEAM. WILLIAM, I AM FINE WITH THAT AS LONG AS WE KEEP WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

OH WILLIAM, DON’T TELL ANYBODY BUT NO 5A GA SCHOOL HAS EVER WON 4 CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS…AND GUESS WHAT…NORCROSS IS THE ONLY TEAM THIS YR THAT CAN DO THAT. I KNOW WE ARE THE INFERIOR TEAM WHO PLAYS INFERIOR TEAMS. BUT YOU KNOW I KINDA AM STARTING TO WONDER…WILL WE BE THE FIRST TEAM TO DO THAT.

WILLIAM, I WATCHED CENTENNIAL LAST WEEK AND PLEASE TELL ME HOW WHEELER LOST TO THEM BECAUSE WE MAN HANDLED THEM THIS SUMMER AND I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT WHEELER LOST TO THEM.

By HomeOfBlue

January 25, 2009 6:11 PM | Link to this

william you obviously haven’t watch the devils play or you would know that we don’t win by our offense but can been able to win through our defense. if you saw the championship game last year you would know what I mean. with all of that offense fire power, we were able to keep them well below their average while we score close to ours. And since they obviously don’t teach or play defense in region 6 we nornmally don’t have any problems beating them and that is a fact.

By Trail

January 25, 2009 11:49 PM | Link to this

south atlanta this.. south atlanta that.. With everybody saying that s. atlanta will win the AAA state title, you all are greatly overlooking Columbia High School. How can you not pick a team that won the last 2 out of 3 state championships in the tough 4a region the past 3 years? How can you bet against the veteran coaching of Phil Mccrary who has produced countless athletes to compete at the next level? The CHS coaching staff is known of producing some of the best big men and is known for its physical play. One thing is for sure, the Columbia Eagles will be ready for whatever S. Atlanta throws at them and it will be a hell of a game but I expect the Eagles to preval as always.

By Chris G.

January 26, 2009 12:28 AM | Link to this

Derrick Favors is in his Senior year and has how many state championships? Try zero!!!!!!!!! They will choke again. South Atlantans stop getting your hopes up again just to see it got up in flames once again. Favors won’t win a championship this year and Georgia Tech is not going to get him a ring either. Why would a guy that is supposed to be this great pick Tech out of all the schools he could go to. He picked one of the worst schools in the ACC. They are a joke this year. If he would have went to North Carolina he would start next year. Tyler H. is a Senior. DUH!!!!!!! Poor choice of school in Tech

By Reeze

January 26, 2009 2:28 AM | Link to this

Valdosta is a solid team,had a look at them Friday night.Can’t wait til playoff time comes around to see how they’ll do…They’ll will upset a team or two.Jay Rome hit 34,stole the show…..A man amongst boys

By Sing_the_blues

January 26, 2009 8:13 AM | Link to this

Blue Devils ALL THE WAY!

Haters cant stop us! (and there are a bunch out there—-sadly even the ref’s) Gwinnett county outta be ashamed at themselves the referees are GARBAGE!

GO BLUE GO BLUE!

By South Atlanta Fan

January 26, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

lol i see a lot of hating on South Atlanta and D. Favors but when they win yall going to have another reason Why they Won the State Write back after the end of the state playoff

By bone

January 26, 2009 5:46 PM | Link to this

someone should take time out to notice the female athletes on the jackson high lady devils they will be a threat in the playoffs aint that right south atlanta fans

By South Atlanta Fan

January 26, 2009 10:20 PM | Link to this

Yeah them Jackson girl can play but they got to be in the top 4 to make it to the state and i have Rutland girls, Jackon of Atlanta girls, Woodward, and Spalding girls making it to the state unless they upset one of them they’ll be at home waiting for next year i know our girl should be at home now.

By kenyon

January 27, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

People never show love for the south teams when they are ranked in basketball is it because we don’t have seven foot guys.Valdosta is ranked now an i think we have a good team to compete with north teams now.Jay Rome a tenth grader can play with the best of them an we have good outside shooter don’t over look us Go Wildcats next state champs.

By beth

January 31, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this

well Southeast Whitfield girls basketball team should totally be on the AAA rankings because Gilmer is not that good and when the Lady Raiders played them they should have beat them. Maybe you should base your opinion on actual talent and not just the record. Plus, Lakeview Fort-Oglethorpe should definitely be higher up. And also when we played LFO, we lost to them but we outscored them 21-11 in the third quarter. It was a bad first half.

By michael

January 31, 2009 9:00 PM | Link to this

i would like to say is that jonesboro high school girls are rank number one in there region in they are rank number 8 in the state….in they are going to win it all this year….big up’s to MeMe. holly molly.(joi)and chanee key….only lost one game…there are on a 18 game win streak…

                   by.michael henderson

By Eagle 1

February 5, 2009 12:04 AM | Link to this

South Atlanta fans will have the shock of their lives when they play the Columbia Eagles! I have seen South Atlanta play,although D Favors is the man,it will be a long nite playing against Columbias Deeep bench.Jershon Cobb 6’5 jr. might be the best all around guard in the state. He is also ranked in the top 5 Juniors in the state!!! Jordan Price 6’4 freshman is the top rank freshman in Ga and #7 in the USA and he is the truth!!! 6’4 Chris Grier will shut Andre Malone down!! Next Columbia has 3 6’8 players to beat up on Favors!!! Come on wit it South Atlanta!!! A Royal Butt Whoopin is waiting!! Columbia is not ranked #2 by chance? Take away Derrick Favors would S. Atlanta still be #1? I dont think so!!!!!!

By TB

February 5, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this

GO WHITEFIELD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOLFPACK ALL DAY BABY !