Boys basketball: Norcross aims for four straight titles

Here are the AJC’s top ten boys basketball teams to watch this year:

1. Norcross

Losing AJC Player of the Year Al-Farouq Aminu (to Wake Forest) and coach Eddie Martin (to Greater Atlanta Christian) would mean a rebuilding year for most. Not for the Blue Devils. All components are in place to become the first basketball team in the state’s largest classification to win a state championship in four consecutive seasons.

“This year’s team will be deep, long, athletic and talented,” said Jesse McMillan, who took over as head coach after serving as an assistant for the Blue Devils.

As many as nine players are being recruited by Division I schools, with senior point guard Taariq Mohammad leading the way. He will get perimeter help from seniors Denzail Jones and Zach Lamb. Senior power forward Ariel Jones (6 feet 6) will receive baseline support from 6-7 junior transfer Adrian Hubbard.

2. Wheeler

Norcross certainly has the championship rings, but when it comes to who wins the next one in Class AAAAA, all talk begins with the Wildcats. PrepNation and ESPN think enough of Wheeler to rank it nationally, third and seventh, respectively.

Four key performers return from last season’s state runner-up team. Everything starts with 6-7 Richard Howell (North Carolina State commitment) and 6-6 Ari Stewart (Wake Forest), who form one of the nation’s best front lines. Junior point guard Phil Taylor once again will make assists to those two, and senior wing player Tahj Tate speeds the pace.

3. Centennial

When it comes to perimeter play, the Knights have the edge on everyone. Senior Lorenzo Brown (6 feet), who has committed to North Carolina State, is considered one of the nation’s best guards, but he has help. Junior point guard DeVonta White (6-0) is also a major college prospect, and seniors Ryan Fleming and Quentin Square are being recruited.

4. McEachern

Check out this lineup: 6-9 Kadeem Batts (Providence), 6-9 Colin Reddick (Furman), 6-6 Charlie Reddick (Furman) and 6-5 Alloune Diouf (James Madison). Throw in one of the state’s best juniors, 6-3 Trae Golden, and you can understand why there is excitement in Powder Springs.

“If you put one of these guys on somebody else’s team they would probably be the star of that team,” McEachern coach Mike Thompson said. “Here, with all five of them in one place, somebody is going to have to assume a lesser role for the good of the team.”

5. Westlake

Moving up to Class AAAAA would lead to consternation for most. Not for the Lions. Winning two Class AAAA titles and taking a runner-up in the past 10 years under coach Darron Rogers breeds confidence.

Westlake has three of the state’s top juniors — 6-6 Jelan Kendrick, who transferred from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, 6-8 Marcus Thornton, who recently committed to Clemson, and point guard Chad Johnson.

6. Milton

The Eagles have not been a big factor in the state championship picture, but those days appear to be over with longtime coach David Boyd taking over the program. He has guided three programs to state titles, and Milton has enough talent to give him a fourth. The team is led by three talented sophomores — 6-8 Julian Royal (18 points per game last season), 6-4 Dai-Jon Parker and 6-2 Shannon Scott.

But experienced senior guards Brody Littley, T.J. Williams and Eric White and 6-6 post player Erik Shuelke could make the difference this season.

7. Walton

The Raiders do not have a memorable basketball history, but they seem poised to change that. Building around 6-5 senior Glen Rice Jr. (Georgia Tech), who averaged 26 points per game, will help. Rice will have plenty of support from 6-foot transfer Ryan Harrow (N.C. State), 6-5 senior center Scott Newton and talented junior guards G’Mitri Rice (Glenn’s brother) and Gerald Williams.

8. Miller Grove

The Wolverines are the favorite in Class AAAA after making their first semifinal appearance last season. Senior point guard Mfon Udofia (Georgia Tech) makes everything go, and 6-4 senior forwards Stephen Hill (15 points, nine rebounds per game) and Joe Caldwell (15 and eight) return to control the inside.

9. Columbia

It appears the Eagles’ rise is over after winning two of the past three Class AAAA titles. Most of the key players during that stretch are now playing collegiately. But counting out Columbia could be a mistake. The Eagles are led by talented shooting guard JerShon Cobb, point guard Chris Grier, 6-7 forward Darnelius Sessions and 6-6 forward Pierre Tyson.

10. South Atlanta

The Hornets have the state’s top inside/outside combo — seniors Derrick Favors and Andre Malone. The 6-9 Favors is considered the nation’s top inside player. The 6-4 Malone (Auburn) transferred from North Clayton. Senior point guard Nick Watkins will again run the show with plenty of help from 6-7 sophomore Nick Jacobs.