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March 2009
All-state basketball: Derrick Favors, then who?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two questions for the gallery today:
What’s your all-class Top 10, and what’s your all-state team in each class?
The Georgia Sports Writers Association is collecting nominations for the basketball all-state teams this week. The AJC also will be selecting a team to be published later this month.
I’m going to throw five names in each class to generate some discussion. I haven’t talked to many coaches or others in the media yet, so these are debate-starters, not something that I’m ready to stake my reputation on. What reputation, you ask? Good question.
First, ranking the teams:
BOYS
Wheeler
South Atlanta
Miller Grove
Norcross
Centennial
Others: Columbia, McEachern, Milton, Walton, Whitefield Academy
GIRLS
Redan
Parkview
Buford
Wesleyan
SW DeKalb
Others: Carrollton, Marietta, Marist, Fayette County, Norcross
Boys all-state ”suggestions” …
Class AAAAA
G Lorenzo Brown, Centennial (NC State)
G Ryan Harrow, Walton, Jr.
F Richard Howell, Wheeler (NC State)
F Ari Stewart, Wheeler (Wake Forest)
F Julian Royal, Milton, Soph.
I had Redan’s Kenny Hall (Tennessee) on the list but pulled him because I haven’t seen him play. I’d love to hear first-hand accounts of him.
Others: Trae Golden, McEachern; Glen Rice, Walton; Russell Powell, Newnan. Could’ve listed another dozen. Class AAAAA is deep.
Class AAAA
G Mfon Udofia, Miller Grove (Georgia Tech)
G J.J. Mann, Marist
F Noel Johnson, Fayette County (Southern Cal)
G Stephen Hill, Miller Grove (Georgia Tech football)
F Manny Atkins, Tucker (Virginia Tech)
Others: Aloys Cabel, Mays; Dee Goens, Marist; LaMichael Fanning, Harris County; Alex Dean, Lithia Springs.
Class AAA
G Andre Malone, South Atlanta (Auburn)
G DeMario Mayfield, Franklin County (Georgia)
F Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Georgia Tech)
F Jerome Hamilton, Worth County (Wichita State)
C Torin Walker, Northside-Columbus (Oklahoma State)
I concede that I haven’t seen these guys outside metro Atlanta. Just going on a few things I read and on recruiting chatter.
Others: Jordan McRae, Liberty County (Tennessee commit); JerShon Cobb, Columbia; Greg Green, Westover.
Class AA
G Rashard Smith, Dublin (NC State football)
G Ryan LeGates, Blessed Trinity
G Dontavious Lee, Crawford County
F Trent Wiederman, GAC
F Marvel Harris, NE Macon
Others: Chris Smith, Dublin; Arris Brundidge, Blessed Trinity.
Class A
G Brandon Reed, Whitefield Academy (Arkansas State)
G Ternell Davis, Turner County;
F Jamail Jones, Greenforest Christian, Jr.
F Kammeon Holsey, Hancock Central (Georgia Tech)
F Cameron Baskerville, Whitefield Academy
Others: Tray Pearce, Turner County; Brit Duncan, Wilkinson County; Jeremy Burgess, Athens Academy
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Georgia High School Basketball State Tournament
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Check out the schools that earned state titles this weekend, along with the AJC’s game coverage:
- Class AAAAA: Wheeler boys • Redan girls
- Class AAAA: Miller Grove boys • Southwest DeKalb girls
- Class AAA: South Atlanta boys • Carrollton girls
- Class AA: Dublin boys • Buford girls
- Class A: Whitefield Academy boys • Wesleyan girls
AJC photographer Jason Getz was on hand for several games too. Here’s his best shots: Girls games • Boys games
And here’s the scorelists: Girls games • Boys games
Give us your thoughts on the games, the champs, and the season. It’s been a good one.
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Georgia High School Basketball Blog: Live from state tournament semifinals
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, we’re finally down to the state tournament semifinals and the AJC Sports crew is all over the action. Tonight we’ll have these writers covering the following games - and even better, they’ll be checking in LIVE on this Basketball Blog to keep you updated on what’s going on as it happens.
THURSDAY’S GAME STORIES, PHOTOS
AAAAA: PHOTOS
• Girls Redan nips Parkview in thriller • Marietta ends 58-year title game draught
• Boys: Milton finds itself in new territory — the Finals • a href=”/sports/content/sports/highschool/stories/2009/03/12/wheeler_westlake.html”>Wheeler cruises
AA
• Girls: Buford, Model advance
• Boys: Blessed Trinity reaches title game
WHAT’S COMING TONIGHT: AJC REPORTERS / GAMES
From the Gwinnett Arena
• Todd Holcomb — Redan-Parkview girls, 4 p.m.; Westlake-Wheeler boys, 8:30 p.m. (with photos)
• Rob Morton — Newnan-Milton boys, 5:30 p.m.
• Robert Haddocks — Beach-Marietta girls, 7 p.m. (with photos)
From the Macon Centreplex
• Kurt Aschermann Jr. — Roundup including Buford, Henry Co. girls and Blessed Trin., GAC boys
TONIGHT’S LIVE IN-GAME BLOGGERS: Glenn LaFollette from Gwinnett and Kurt Aschermann Jr. from Macon
WEDNESDAY’S GAME STORIES
AAAA
• Girls: SW DeKalb poised to repeat • Fayette Co. stands in way
• Boys: Tucker boys march on • Udofia fuels Miller Grove
A
• Girls: Wesleyan moves on • S. Atlanta girls run into buzz saw
• Boys: Turner Co., Whitefield Acadamy advances
Did you see this?
• State tournament semifinals schedule
• Final Four primer: Wheeler, Redan among faves
• Photos: Vote for likely semis winners
QUESTION FOR THE BLOG: Which semifinals matchup is better than the actual title game?
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Take 10: The 10 best in the Final Fours
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s Final Four time in Georgia, and we at Take Ten were having trouble deciding what to do: Travel to Macon or Gwinnett Arena? We’ll probably do both. If you’re just a casual fan, you’ve got to thinking about where you’re getting the best entertainment. Who are the best teams? Who are the best players? We decided to answer the latter for you.
Here are the 10 best players to make this year’s GHSA Final Fours:
10: Kayla Weaver, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe - The Warriors are one of the best stories in this year’s tournament. The school had never won a state tournament game until this season. Now they’ve won three and are vying for a championship. Weaver, the team’s senior leader, is deadly from beyond the arc and a threat to score at any point.
9: Telia McCall, Marietta - The future Virginia player has been a force in getting Marietta back to the Final Four, looking for Ken Sprague’s first state title. Teammate Brittany White is fun to watch as well, but it’s McCall who drives this team.
8: Rashard Smith, Dublin - This versatile athlete has signed with North Carolina State for football. He’s fun to watch on the basketball court, dropping 30 points on Central Macon in the quarterfinals.
7: Blanche Alverson, Buford - The Wolves have a great starting five — keep an eye on freshman Andraya Carter — but its Alverson who gets attention at the Final Four. The Auburn signee has been nominated to the McDonald’s All-American team and has pushed Buford to its 30-1 mark.
6: Julian Royal, Milton - The super talented sophomore had what could have been his best game yet: 32 points (teammates only had 31) against South Gwinnett in the quarterfinals. Milton’s going to be good next season, too.
5: Anma Onyeuku, Fayette County - Senior point guard Tessah Holt is the driving force behind the Tigers undefeated run, but it’s the athletic junior forward who provides dazzle to Holts razzle. She’s quick and fun to watch. Just don’t even try to stop her in transition. It’s a thing of beauty.
4: Ari Stewart, Wheeler - Teammate Richard Howell gets plenty of attention, but we think the 6-foot-6 forward may be more fun to watch. Stewart is a major reason the Wildcats are back into the Final Four. He’ll be playing at Wake Forest next season.
3: Mfon Udofia, Miller Grove - Our team of experts (Rob Morton) says that the 6-foot-2 senior guard, who will play for Georgia Tech next season, is one of the best outside shooters in Georgia for the last 25 years. Udofia had a super-human effort against Fayette County in the quarterfinals. Let’s see what he has cooked up for the Final Four.
2: Anne Marie Armstrong, Wesleyan - We call Armstrong “MacGyver” because she does everything. Literally, everything. She has been the key to the Wolves dominance all season and is probably one of the best girls players in state history. She scores, rebounds, moves in transition, and we’re fairly certain she even makes the team meals, presses coach Jan Azar’s suits before tip and drives the team bus.
1: Derrick Favors, South Atlanta - Well, duh. The Atlanta Tipoff Club just announced the 6-foot-9 monster its 2009 Naismith Award winner. He’s averaged 27.5 points, 13.3 boards, five blocks, four steals, three assists and 17 “Wows” per game this season. That’s good enough for No. 1 on list. Now go see him before he throws on the Georgia Tech jersey.
Go on. Take Ten. Who are the best to players to see at this year’s Final Fours? Who did we miss? Let us know.
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Georgia High School Basketball Blog: Live from state tournament semifinals
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, we’re finally down to the state tournament semifinals and the AJC Sports crew is all over the action. Tonight we’ll have these writers covering the following games - and even better, they’ll be checking in LIVE on this Basketball Blog to keep you updated on what’s going on as it happens.
TONIGHT’S GAME STORIES
AAAA
• Girls: SW DeKalb poised to repeat • Fayette Co. stands in way
• Boys: Tucker boys march on • Udofia fuels Miller Grove
A
• Girls: Wesleyan moves on • S. Atlanta girls run into buzz saw
• Boys: Turner Co., Whitefield Acadamy advances
We’ll be back for state tournament semis action Thursday, too, blogging LIVE in-game with you during the evening. Don’t miss it!
WHAT’S COMING THURSDAY: AJC REPORTERS / GAMES
From the Gwinnett Arena
• Todd Holcomb — Redan-Parkview girls, 4 p.m.; Westlake-Wheeler boys, 8:30 p.m. (with photos)
• Rob Morton — Newnan-Milton boys, 5:30 p.m.
• Robert Haddocks — Beach-Marietta girls, 7 p.m. (with photos)
From the Macon Centreplex
• Kurt Aschermann Jr. — Roundup including Buford, Henry Co. girls and Blessed Trin., GAC boys
THURSDAY’S LIVE IN-GAME BLOGGERS: Glenn LaFollette from Gwinnett and Kurt Aschermann Jr. from Macon
Did you see this?
• State tournament semifinals schedule
• Final Four primer: Wheeler, Redan among faves
• Photos: Vote for likely semis winners
QUESTION FOR THE BLOG: Which semifinals matchup is better than the actual title game?
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Hardball: The rain, the snow and the week that was in Georgia high school baseball
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Although rain and snow postponed a majority of the baseball that was supposed to be played during the season’s first week, a few teams got their games in. Here’s Hardball’s quick take on the week that was in Georgia high school baseball.
Coffee trio lighting it up
Coffee started 2-0-1 on the strength of three hitters. Junior Logan Miller is hitting .688 (7-for-11) with four RBIs and four stolen bases; sophomore Garrett Adams is hitting .714, and senior Corey Davis, when he gets a chance to hit —he has been walked six times, four intentionally — has hit two home runs and driven in six runs. The Trojans are averaging more than 10 runs per game.
Parkview threesome not too shabby, either
Another Class AAAAA school with three hot hitters is Parkview. In the Panthers’ 13-2 victory against McEachern, senior Brandon Jacobs, an Auburn football commitment, went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, and juniors Austin Wheeler (grand slam, 5 RBIs) and Brandon Kregel (2-for-3, 4 RBIs) helped provide most of the offense.
Terrific two for Luella
Luella’s D.J. Wilson and Julius Gaines got off to hot starts for the Henry County school. Wilson, a senior first baseman/designated hitter, drove in six runs in the Lions first two games. Gaines, a sophomore, had the look of a staff ace, allowing two hits and striking out eight in his first five innings.
News and notes
— Zack Wheeler, one of the most sought-after pitchers in the nation, got off to a fast start, striking out five and allowing just two hits in a no-decision. … Patrick Olvaney was 2-for-2 with a home run, triple and four RBIs in South Forsyth’s 13-4 victory against Lovett. Olvaney was also hit by a pitch twice in four plate appearances. … Flowery Branch junior outfielder Brad Stone was walked five times and scored four runs in the Falcons’ 10-7 victory against Gainesville. … With victories against East Paulding, Peachtree Ridge and South Paulding, Pope started 3-0 for the second consecutive season. … During a 4-0 start, Westover is averaging nine runs per game. … Holy Innocents is 2-1 because of seniors Kevin Kyle and Charles Henley, who are both hitting .444.
One final thing
Baseball is a funny game and sometimes things don’t go as planned.
Mt. Paran senior Michael Gray had one of the strangest three-pitch innings in recent memory. Against Glynn Academy, Gray allowed a single to start the inning and got a fielder’s choice ground out to erase the lead runner on his first two pitches. On pitch No. 3, Gray induced a fly out to center field and the runner at first was thrown out at second trying to tag up, ending the inning.
Take YOUR swings: Talk high school baseball with the AJC’s Kurt Aschermann Jr. every week here in the Hardball blog. Got news about YOUR team? E-mail us.
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Basketball final fours: Who do you have?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re down to the Final Four in the state basketball tournament. That’s 40 teams in 10 boys and girls classifications starting Wednesday at the Gwinnett Arena and Macon Centreplex.
My pre-tournament picks were correct for 24 of the 40 teams. Granted, a blind chimp could’ve picked several of these, such as South Atlanta’s boys and Wesleyan’s girls. But nine of the 10 teams I picked to win it all are still alive, all but Wilkinson County’s boys in A.
Here’s how my predictions went, with a few comments on each:
BOYS
AAAAA (2) - Wheeler, Westlake (correct). Newnan, Milton (missed). It’s Milton’s first semifinal since 1958, Newnan’s first since 1955. Newnan joins 2006-07 Tift County as the only schools to make the boys basketball and football semis in the same academic year since Class AAAAA was created in 2000-01. Milton coach David Boyd will be in his seventh Final Four with his fourth team. I agree w/ Boyd’s assessment prior to the tournament, “Wheeler is far and away the favorite.’’ That’s even without starting guard Tahj Tate, who apparently left the team for personal reasons last week. But Westlake is no joke. Could be a trap for Wheeler after the emotional win over Norcross.
AAAA (3) - Miller Grove, Richmond Academy, Bainbridge (correct), Tucker (missed). I sensed Tucker was the best team in that quarter but wimped out and picked Marist because Marist had the better draw, not having to play No. 2 Hillgrove on the road as Tucker did. Tucker’s Manny Atkins is fun to watch. Miller Grove is still the team to beat, of course. Is MG the best team in the state?
AAA (2) - South Atlanta, Columbia (correct), Gainesville, Westover (missed). It’s going to be hard for the South Atlanta-Columbia winner Friday night in Macon to be in peak form one night later, but most are saying that semifinal is really the championship, although I’ve heard there is some basketball tradition in Gainesville and Albany, as well. Is SA the best team in the state?
AA (2) - GAC, Dublin (correct), Henry County, Blessed Trinity (missed). Another case of the favorites - Dublin and GAC - playing in the semifinals. GAC coach Eddie Martin has won 18 straight state playoff games, the first 15 at Norcross.
A (2) - Turner County, Whitefield (correct), Wilcox County, Athens Christian (missed). Isn’t Whitefield’s Brandon Reed better than Arkansas State? He’s one of the best scorers I’ve seen lately. He’s got all the shots. Looks like Whitefield vs. Turner for the title.
GIRLS
AAAAA (2) - Redan, Parkview (correct), Beach, Marietta (missed). The Redan-Parkview semifinal is probably the championship. Redan is undefeated. The only high-class team of the last 10 years to go unbeaten is Maya Moore’s last Collins Hill state champ in 2007.
AAAA (2) - Jonesboro, Fayette County (correct), Bainbridge, SWD (missed). Bainbridge’s boys and girls are in the semis. Fayette County is also trying to go undefeated with a slick guard named Tessah Holt.
AAA (3) - Rutland, Baldwin, Lakeview (correct), Carrollton (missed). Baldwin has won six state titles, the rest none. Lakeview and Rutland are playing in their first semifinals.
AA (3) - Model, Buford, Laney (correct), Greene County (missed). Buford (and Wesleyan below) can become the first schools since Parkview in 2002-03 to win a football and basketball state title in the same academic year. That’s probably more significant if it’s football & boys basketball, but I’m just saying.
A (3) - Wesleyan, Savannah Day, Randolph-Clay (correct), SW Atlanta Christian (missed). If SACA can reach the final vs. Wesleyan, you’d have SACA’s Mariah Chandler (Baylor signee) against Wesleyan’s Anne Marie Armstrong (UGA).
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Georgia High School Basketball Blog
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The high school state basketball tournament continues Saturday and the AJC has reporters and photographers on hand at several sites to bring you all the details.
Check back throughout the night to follow the games and post your own comments and scores.
Here’s the AJC’s photos from Saturday’s games.
Our list of final scores can be found here for boys and for girls.
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Wheeler-Norcross: A state tournament basketball battle for the decade
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Wheeler-Norcross game Saturday night in Carrollton isn’t for the state championship. It’s bigger than that.
Well, almost. It’s a Class AAAAA quarterfinal, but it’s also perhaps the championship of the decade. Each school has won three state titles since 2000 and sent several big-name players into the SEC and ACC.
They’ve played each other four times in the state tournament. It’s 2-2. They’ve played twice in state finals. It’s 1-1. Wheeler has a slight edge in total wins, winning percentage, rounds won in the state tournament and major Divison 1-A signees.
Here’s a look at each team since 2000.
NORCROSS
Year - W-L record, State finish
2000 — 13-13, DNP
2001 — 17-13, 1R
2002 — 22-7, 1R
2003 — 26-6, QF
2004 — 27-2, 2R
2005 — 31-1, Runner-up
2006 — 29-4, Champion
2007 — 29-3, Champion
2008 — 29-2, Champion
2009 — 27-2, QF
Decade record — 250-53 (.825)
State playoff record — 24-5 (.828)
State titles — 3
Runner-up — 1
Semifinals — 4
Quarterfinals — 6
Sweet 16 — 7
State playoff berths - 9
Major D-1 signees - 6: Archie Miaway; 2004 (Auburn); Jodie Meeks, 2006 (Kentucky); Gani Lawal, 2007 (Georgia Tech); Jordan Demercy, 2007 (Florida State); Tony Neysmith, 2007 (Oklahoma/Auburn); Al-Farouq Aminu, 2008 (Wake Forest)
Bragging points: Norcross is the only boys team since World War II to win three straight titles in the highest classification, and the team’s 17-game winning streak in the state playoffs is the fourth-best in boys tournament history. Norcross’s 2007 state championship team had four major D-1 starters, including current ACC stars Lawal and Aminu. Norcross has graduated 22 players this decade who have played college ball, including A.J. Hawkins (Canisius), Brenton Butler (Fordham) and Daniel Emerson (Mercer) to mid-majors in Division 1.
WHEELER
Year - W-L record, State finish
2000 — 23-8, 2R
2001 — 25-6, QF
2002 — 29-3, Champion
2003 — 30-2, Champion
2004 — 23-5, 1R
2005 — 31-1, Champion
2006 — 29-2, SF
2007 — 22-7, 1R
2008 — 29-3, Runner-up
2009 — 22-7, QF
Decade record — 263-44 (.857)
State playoff record — 27-6 (.818)
State titles — 3
Runner-up — 1
Semifinals — 5
Quarterfinals — 7
Sweet 16 — 8
State playoff berths — 10
Major D-1 signees - 7: Jermario Davidson, 2003 (Alabama); Sharaud Curry, 2005 (Providence); J.T. Tiller, 2006 (Missouri); J.J. Hickson, 2007 (N.C. State); Dequan Jones, 2008 (Miami); Richard Howell, 2009 (N.C. State); Ari Stewart, 2009 (Wake Forest)
Bragging points: Wheeler is considered by many to be the team to beat this season. If the Wildcats win the title, they will have won four this decade with 19 different starters. Only Sharaud Curry (2003, 2005) has started on two Wheeler state champions. In addition to the seven major D-1 signees, Wheeler has graduated some very outstanding mid-major players. David Gonzalvez (Richmond), James Florence (Mercer) and Quennell Green (SE Louisiana) have led their teams in scoring.
Head-to-head: Here’s a recap of the four Wheeler-Norcross playoff games this decade.
2008 final: Norcross 57, Wheeler 54 (March 7) — Norcross became the first school since World War II to win three straight titles in Georgia’s highest classification. Both teams were loaded with major D-1 prospects. Norcross had Al-Farouq Aminu, the AJC’s all-class player of the year, now at Wake Forest. Wheeler’s leader was forward Dequan Jones, a great leaper. Jones signed with Miami. Norcross was ranked No. 6 by USA Today. Wheeler was No. 15. Played before 8,000 fans at the Gwinnett Arena, Norcross went up 17-2, as Wheeler seemed stage-frightened. Wheeler chipped away and took the lead in the second half. But it didn’t last long. Aminu hit a 3-pointer to break a 46-46 tie with 2:52 left and made two clutch free throws with 0:25 left for a 55-52 lead that sealed it.
2007 first round: Norcross 64, Wheeler 63 (Feb. 24) — Lines formed at Norcross High some three hours before tipoff for one of the best first-round matchups in state tournament history. Each had a McDonald’s All-American - Gani Lawal of Norcross and J.J. Hickson of Wheeler. Lawal, who would sign with Georgia Tech, played every minute for Norcross and scored 23 points with eight rebounds, three steals and six blocked shots. Hickson, an N.C. State signee now in the NBA, scored 18 points and had 13 rebounds. Wheeler had the final possession, but a runner by Corey Tower and put-back attempts by Hickson and Adrian Williams failed. “That last 11 seconds seemed like about eight minutes,’’ said Norcross coach Eddie Martin. “It was just chaos.’’ Norcross won its next three games by an average of 23 points before beating Centennial 59-58 in the final.
2005 final: Wheeler 63, Norcross 47 (March 4) — Playing at the Gwinnett Arena, Wheeler won its third title in four seasons, beating a Norcross team that was 31-0 and playing in its first championship game. James Florence, now at Mercer, hit a couple of 3-pointers in the first two minutes, and Wheeler raced to a 13-point halftime lead and was never threatened. Wheeler point guard Sharaud Curry, now at Providence, was the only holdover from Wheeler’s 2003 team.
2003 quarterfinals: Wheeler 81, Norcross 51 (March 1) — Norcross was an emerging contender in Eddie Martin’s first season as head coach but no match for defending champ Wheeler, which featured five new starters, including transfers Jermario Davidson, a former all-SEC player at Alabama, and Sharaud Curry, now at Providence. Norcross missed 25 of its firsrt 29 shots in this Georgia Dome game, as Wheeler’s signature pressure defense proved too much. Archie Miaway, who played at Auburn, was Norcross’s top player. He scored 20.
Talk back to Todd: Can Wheeler be the team of the decade if it loses three straight to Norcross?
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Take 10: Cinderellas still in the house at Georgia state basketball tournament
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s tough being a Cinderella. Every moment in the spotlight could be your last. We at Take Ten decided to scan the remaining tournament field for each classification’s top “Cinderella” candidate.
As you’ll notice, that wasn’t easy. Not everyone is wearing an obvious slipper. In some classifications the top-seeded teams just keep winning. Also, all of these teams could be sitting at home by the end of the week. Who knows? We thought these teams earned some attention for their work in the opening rounds.
Here are 10 “Cinderella” teams to keep an eye on:
10: ECI (Class A girls) — Getting past Randolph-Clay is a tough task, but ECI — the No. 3 seed from Region 3 — has already knocked off Warren County and Taylor County for an Elite Eight berth.
9: Wilcox County (Class A boys) — The Patriots are into the round of eight with 24-7 record but entered the state tournament as a No. 3 seed to get there. Wilcox County has topped Clinch County and Calvary Day en route to their Columbus State game on Friday.
8: Hardaway (Class AAAA girls) — The Golden Hawks entered the state tournament with a 24-4 record but as a No. 4 seed from Region 1-AAAA. Well, they’re still flying after victories against Effingham County and Dutchtown. Things get a little trickier against Bainbridge on Friday.
7: Rabun County (Class AA girls) — The Wildcats are certainly making up for their early exit in the region tournament. Rabun County has downed Armuchee and Manchester for a trip to the Rome Forum. Prior to the region tournament loss to Union County, the Tigers rattled off 12 straight. Don’t be surprised to see them advance further.
6: Milton (Class AAAAA boys) — The Eagles are young, but they’re not having trouble winning now. Milton has defeated Marietta and Central Gwinnett to set up a good matchup with South Gwinnett in the Elite Eight at West Georgia. We’d like to see what this team can do in the Final Four.
5: Peach County (Class AAA girls) — The Trojans are certainly representing Region 1-AAA well. Peach County is into the Elite Eight after entering the tournament as a No. 3 seed. They’ve knocked off Northside-Columbus and Richmond Hill en route to a trip to Columbus State.
4: Cedartown (Class AAA boys) — After getting blasted by Carrollton in the Region 6-AAA tournament, the Bulldogs are still barking and Carrollton is sitting at home. Cedartown has topped St. Pius X and North Hall to set up a quarterfinal matchup with Gainesville.
3: Tucker (Class AAAA boys) — The Tigers are roaring into the Elite Eight thanks to knocking off Lithia Springs and Hillgrove. Next up is a team we’re sure Tucker has some familiarity with, Marist. That may not be the best game of the quarterfinals, but it will be one of the most interesting.
2: Duluth (Class AAAAA girls) — Mykala Walker and the Wildcats are poised for another trip to the Class AAAAA semifinals after knocking off Cherokee in the second round. Duluth entered as the No. 3 seed in Region 7. Next up, the Wildcats get a talented Marietta squad.
1: Coosa (Class AA boys) — The Eagles have a losing record. Do we need to say that again? The Eagles have a losing record at 14-16 and are still dancing. Coosa has downed East Jackson and Decatur for an Elite Eight matchup with GAC. Best of luck to the Eagles. To finish with a winning record, Coosa must win the state championship. No pressure.
Go on. Take Ten. Who is your Cinderella team ready for a state tournament run? Did we miss a team? Let us know.
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Georgia High School Basketball Blog: Live from state tournament 2nd round games
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It is here. The state tournament has started and the AJC Sports crew is all over the action. We had writers at several games Wednesday night, plus photographer Johnny Crawford captured the action too.
Here’s the game recaps:
• Norcross survives against Walton • Photos
• Wheeler beats Peachtree Ridge
Check out all the scores here:
• Boys • Girls
Feel free to post highlight-reel performances and your thoughts about the state tournament contenders.
Did you see this?
• AJC Slam Dunk Contest WINNER • VIDEO
QUESTION FOR THE BLOG: Which second-round favorite is primed for the biggest upset?
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Pound-for-Pound: The ajc.com All-State wrestling team
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s that time of year again, where the staff at Pound-for-Pound sifts through the state champions to come up with the best of the best. Here’s ajc.com’s Second Annual All-State Wrestling Team.
First team
103 pounds — Bazell Partridge, sophomore, Collins Hill. Class AAAAA champion goes from junior varsity team in 2008 to 49-4 sophomore campaign.
112 — Brian St. James, junior, Centennial. Finalist last season goes a step farther with a dominant 60-1 season.
119 — T.J. Mitchell, junior, Collins Hill. Second state title, first in Class AAAAA, for one of the state’s finest.
125 — Acton Pifer, junior, Lassiter. Won first state championship and finished 46-4.
130 — Brandon Westerman, senior, McEachern. Third four-time state champion in Class AAAAA history capped a 192-12 career.
135 — Joey Lazor, senior, Union Grove. Last loss was as a sophomore in the state finals, Lazor won his second state title in 2009 and finished the year 65-0.
140 — Joel Smith, junior, Collins Hill. Perhaps the state’s top wrestler, phenomenal athlete won first state crown and finished unbeaten in Georgia.
145 — Alex Hudson, senior, Sprayberry. Three consecutive state titles for the Tennessee-Chattanooga commitment.
152 — Gary Tiller, senior, Collins Hill. Battled injuries all season to claim Class AAAAA state title after taking three-timer Josh Condon to the wire in 2008 final.
160 — Taylor Knapp, senior, Collins Hill. One of five Eagles wrestlers to not lose in Georgia as the Virginia Tech commitment rolled to his third state title.
171 — Jack Roberts, senior, Union Grove. Brown commitment completed a 64-2 season with impressive run in state tournament.
189 — Ethan Blackstock, junior, Alexander. Continued to establish himself as one of the state’s finest, winning his second consecutive state crown in a 49-1 season.
215 — Derrick Laney, junior, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. One of the most impressive wrestlers inside Gwinnett Arena for the second consecutive season, won second title and completed 46-0 campaign.
285 — Hunter Chumley, senior, Cherokee. Surprise Class AAAAA heavyweight champion finished the year 43-3.
Second team
103 — Cason Thurmond, sophomore, Jefferson. Finished 49-7 in winning second consecutive state championship.
112 — Chris Mann, senior, Holy Innocents’. Won Class A state championship, his first, and finished year 47-3.
119 — Kevin Ulmer, junior, Effingham County. Finished 66-6 in winning Class AAAA title to help Rebels win first team wrestling championship.
125 — Evan Warrington, senior, Henry County. Three-time state champion and four-time finalist; won 84 matches in 2009.
130 — Joe Denova, junior, Harris County. Transferred from Columbus late in the season and won second consecutive state title.
135 — Bryan Benton, senior, Toombs County. Four-time champion had one of the toughest matches in finals, outlasting Jefferson’s Cam Thurmond, a two-time champion. Benton finished his career 215-11.
140 — Trevor Bailey, senior, Eastside. Runner-up last season, Bailey gets gold in 2009, completing a 35-1 season.
145 — Jonathan Rivera, sophomore, Kennesaw Mountain. By season’s end stood out as favorite in Class AAAAA and didn’t disappoint, winning his first state championship during 63-8 season.
152 — Wade Farrow, senior, Swainsboro. Gets the nod partly for his upset of three-time champion Jay Fowler of Jefferson in Class AA final. 46-1 season didn’t hurt.
160 — Anthony Fretwell, senior, Henry County. Finished season with single-season state record of 85 wins; second consecutive state crown.
171 — Derick Wojcik, junior, Sandy Creek and Terrance Gaddy, junior, Clarkston. Most difficult decision we had to make so we chickened out: Wojcik upset unbeaten defending champion Jacob Williamson of Whitewater to win first state title in Class AAAA, while Gaddy completed second consecutive undefeated season with Class AAA title.
189 — Sam Kuntz, senior, Peachtree Ridge. The Rutgers commitment settled the argument of who was the better Class AAAAA 189-pounder, nipping Walton’s Jeff Olsen in an overtime thriller to win his first state title.
215 — Demery Hawkins, senior, Toombs County. Four-time finalist won second Class AA state title and finished with a 32-1 record.
285 — Chase Duke, senior, Heritage. Class AAA champion finished 52-2.
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Greatest decades ever: Wheeler, Norcross court history
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The big game this week is Walton at Norcross on Wednesday, with the winner to face Wheeler, if Wheeler can beat Peachtree Ridge.
Do you pull for the underdogs, or do you want to see Wheeler vs. Norcross in the quarterfinals? Wouldn’t the winner of that game, which would be Saturday at West Georgia College in Carrollton, be the team of the decade?
That’s boys team of the decade. I guess those girls teams at Collins Hill and Wesleyan are in a category that can’t be touched.
But staying with boys for a minute, does Wheeler or Norcross have any chance at claiming the best decade in boys basketball history?
Below is a list of six of the best ”teams of the decade.” It’s hard to top Southwest Macon, which had two sets of super teams, one led by Norm Nixon, the other by Jeff Malone, in the 1970s. Some tell me those weren’t the best players on those teams, but they’re the most famous.
If Wheeler wins the title this year, the Wildcats would match SW Macon’s four titles in a decade in the highest class. SW still would have one more Final Four appearance, although they’d be tied in making eight quarterfinals.
The most titles in a decade was Westover’s five in the 1990s. Does playing below the highest class discount that accomplishment?
Best decades:
SW Macon (1970s) - Four titles, seven Final Fours
Savannah (1970s) - Three titles, five Final Fours
Mitchell-Baker (1990s) - Four titles, six Final Fours
Westover (1990s) - Five titles, six Final Fours
Norcross (2000s) - Three titles, four Final Fours
Wheeler (2000s) - Three titles, five Final Fours
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