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Home > ajcsportstalk > Archives > 2008 > February

February 2008

STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

What’s at stake this weekend at State Tournament Central? Nothing much, just a few trips to the Final Four. Anyone interested in one of those?

If so, check back often to find who’s advancin’ and dancin’ all the way to the Gwinnett Arena (AAAAA, AAAA) and Macon Complex (AAA, AA, A).

Our staff will be checking in live from the biggest games. We’ll be posting scores, game stories and photos as they become available. But if you’ve got the inside scoop on any of the action, PLEASE feel free to post away.

SCOREBOARD
Boys Finals Girls Finals UPDATING!

GAME STORIES
Boys
Fayette Co. overcomes season low to advance
Hiram faces tough task against Wheeler
Weleyan survives stumble
Southwest Atlanta falls to Warriors

Girls
S.W. DeKalb upends Clarke Central
Monroe Area coach finally reaches final four
Wesleyan still has Buford’s number

PHOTOS
Saturday’s girls action
Saturday’s boys action
Wheeler-Berkmar boys
Duluth-Parkview girls
Mill Creek-Marietta girls
• Upload your pictures HERE.

BRACKETS
Boys: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

Girls: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

Permalink | Comments (171) | Categories: High Schools

STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

The field has been narrowed to the top eight teams in each classification. The quarterfinals get raging later this week. Find out who’s still dancin’ and who’s headed home right here at State Tournament Central.

If you’ve got the inside scoop on scores, highlights and upsets, feel free to post your thoughts on all the action. You can even upload your pictures from the tournament right here.

BRAND NEW FOR THURSDAY

BLOG: DERRICK MAHONE JUST POSTED!
Rating GSWA preseason polls’ accuracy LIVE CHAT!

READER PHOTOS
2nd-round reader pics: McEachern-Wheeler
JUST UPDATED!

BRACKETS

Boys: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

Girls: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

WEDNESDAY: Girls recap

Scoreboard
UPDATED! Wednesday’s Final Scores
Girls summaries, quarterfinal pairings

Game stories
No. 1 Mill Creek survives Berkmar’s rally
Marietta wears down Sprayberry
UPSET ALERT Defending champion GAC eliminated
Blessed Trinity can’t hang with Monroe-Area
Parkview’s pressure smothers Peachtree Ridge
Upstart Duluth marches past Chattahoochee
Mays advances to quarterfinals for 3rd straight season
Wesleyan, Buford advance; will meet in quarterfinals in Rome

Photos
UPDATED! Wednesday’s Top Photos
• Upload YOUR 2nd-round pics here.

TUESDAY: Boys recap

Scoreboard
Tuesday’s summaries, quarterfinal pairings

Game stories
Norcross’ pressure melts Centennial
Columbia nips Pebblebrook, behind Leslie’s big night
Well-dressed Savannah pounds Mundy’s Mill
Thompkins, Wesleyan too much for Macon Co.
Lithia Springs takes down Dacula
Berkmar clamps down on S. Forsyth
Miller Grove fights off pesky Cherokee
Foul line keys Flowery Branch victory

Blogs
Mahone: Rating GSWA preseason polls’ accuracy
Take 10: Things that would improve the state tournament

Contests
2008 AJC DUNK CONTEST: DUNK ‘N VOTE

Permalink | Comments (46) | Categories: High Schools

Hossa traded to Penguins

The Thrashers, just beating the NHL trading deadline Tuesday, dealt All-Star forward Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to the Penguins for three young players.

They are 25-year old forward Colby Armstrong, 24-year old forward Erik Christensen and center Angelo Esposito, the team’s first-round draft pick this year.

In return, Hossa goes to a team featuring reigning NHL MVP Sidney Crosby.

Here’s an early view from Pittsburgh: “We don’t like this deal at all on many levels.”

Earlier Tuesday, the AJC’s Craig Custance blogged in the hours leading up to the deadline, with plenty of response from Thrashers fans.

Did the Thrashers get a fair deal in this transaction? Or did they unload too much to get anything in return, knowing Hossa was unlikely to sign a contract extension?

Are the Thrashers still a playoff contender? Can they do better than last year’s first-round exit without Hossa?

Permalink | Comments (136) | Categories: Thrashers

STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

Welcome to State Tournament Central, your headquarters for all the action. We’ll be posting game stories, scores and photos as they become available, so be sure to check back often.

Of course, if you’ve got the inside scoop on scores, highlights and upsets, feel free to post your thoughts on all the action. You can even upload your pictures from the tournament right here.

BRAND NEW! YOUR 2nd-round photos

JUST ADDED! MORE 1st-round reader pics.

• Upload MORE 2nd-round pics here.

Boys summaries, quarterfinal pairings

Game Stories

Norcross’ pressure melts Centennial

Columbia nips Pebblebrook, behind Leslie’s big night

Well-dressed Savannah pounds Mundy’s Mill

Thompkins, Wesleyan too much for Macon Co.

Lithia Springs takes down Dacula

Berkmar clamps down on S. Forsyth

Miller Groves fights off pesky Cherokee

Foul line keys Flowery Branch victory

UPDATED! Tuesday’s Final Scores (If you get ‘em before us, post ‘em!)

UPDATED! Sweet 16 Photos

Wednesday’s 2nd-round girls games

• Check out readers’ pics from the opening round here.

• Upload your 2nd-round pics here.

Brackets

Boys: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

Girls: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

Blog Take 10: Things that would improve the state tournament

Contests

2008 AJC DUNK CONTEST: DUNK ‘N VOTE

Permalink | Comments (117) | Categories: High Schools

Can UGA go undefeated?

Plenty of pollsters have Georgia No. 1 on their college football ballots heading into the fall. But can the Bulldogs stay there from start to finish? Five experts weigh in:

  1. Matt Hayes, Sporting News. Short answer: No. But does it really matter? Considering an SEC team has made it to the national title game the past two years with at least one loss, why can’t the Dogs make it three in a row?

  2. Bret Bloomquist, AP Top 25 voter/El Paso (Texas) Times. Sure, Georgia can go undefeated, though that’s never the way to bet for any SEC team. At LSU and at Auburn obviously stand out as the roadblocks.

  3. Dick Bestwick, Harris poll voter. I felt Georgia had the quality and quantity of personnel to beat everyone in 2007 and feel even more certain about that this year. With this schedule, the most difficult schedule I’ve seen in my 60-plus years of watching this business, winning all 13 games would be a feat of uncommon occurrence.

  4. Dennis Dodd, CBS Sportsline. Preseason No. 1? Yes, by a smidge and subject to change before Aug. 30. Undefeated? Noooo way. This is Georgia, which lost two games last season and looks pretty good next season, not Oklahoma of the ’50s.

  5. Scott Howard, Bulldog Radio Network. This schedule is like a minefield and I just think it is too difficult to expect the Dogs to go undefeated. But I’ll love it if they do.

Permalink | Comments (40) | Categories: UGA

STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

So your squad survived the first round and advanced to the second round of the state tournament.

So what.

It’s Sweet 16 time and things are just heating up here at State Tournament Central.

Centennial fans, you called out two-time defending champion Norcross. Well, now you’ve got the Blue Devils. But do you have an answer for Blue Devil superstar Al-Farouq Aminu?

Mighty Wheeler, you cruised past Parkview, but you can bet your old buddies over at McEachern are ready to see if you’re really No. 1.

What about the rest of the brackets? Are there any Cinderella stories out there?

Welcome to State Tournament Central, your headquarters for all the action. We’ll be posting game stories, scores and photos as they become available, so be sure to check back often.

Of course, if you’ve got the inside scoop on scores, highlights and upsets, feel free to post your thoughts on all the action. You can even upload your pictures from the tournament right here.

Tonight’s Final Scores

Wednesday’s 2nd-round girls games

Derrick Mahone has his eyes on Pebblebrook-Columbia and Savannah is his blog.

• Check out readers’ pics from the opening round here.

• Upload your 2nd-round pics here.

Brackets

Boys: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

Girls: AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

Contests

2008 AJC DUNK CONTEST: DUNK ‘N VOTE

Permalink | Comments (131) | Categories: High Schools

Which superstar will shine brightest on the next level?

Forget the lunar eclipse. If you want real star power, check out the boys state basketball tournament, which tips off Friday.

The brackets are stuffed with big-time Division I-A talent.

But who’s the best baller of them all? Who do you think has the brightest future in college and beyond? And are there any no-names with big-time potential?

Here are a few names to consider:

  1. Norcross’ Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest)
  2. Dunwoody’s Chris Singleton (Florida State)
  3. Wesleyan’s Trey Thompkins (Georgia)
  4. Mundy Mill’s Dennis Harris (LSU)
  5. Rome’s Tony Woods (Wake Forest)
  6. Meadowcreek’s Teondre Williams (Oregon)
  7. Wesleyan’s Tanner Smith (Clemson)
  8. Westlake’s Ray Willis (Oklahoma)
  9. Dunwoody’s Delwan Graham (LSU)
  10. South Atlanta’s Derrick Favors (Uncommitted)

While we’re on the subject, check out this AJC.com video of the state’s top 10 dunkers and cast your vote who’s stuff has the most style.

Permalink | Comments (43) | Categories: High Schools

Can the Bulldogs achieve perfection?

Georgia is ranked No. 1 in many college football ballots heading into the fall.

But will the Bulldogs run the table? It would be difficult task with South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU, Kentucky and Auburn on Georgia’s schedule this season.

The last two champions — LSU and Florida — did not complete the season unscathed. And experts predict Georgia will not be perfect either in their quest for a national title.

They’ve had their say. But we know nobody knows Georgia football or the SEC like Bulldog nation. So we pose the same question to you.

Can the Bulldogs go the season undefeated?

Permalink | Comments (140) | Categories: UGA

Choice or Brown: Who’ll be the better NFL back?

It’s your turn to play NFL G.M.

Your team’s up in the fourth or fifth round of the draft. You need a running back.

Both Georgia’s Thomas Brown and Georgia Tech’s Tashard Choice are available.

Most draft pundits say Choice is the pick, but Brown’s not far behind.

Choice has better size at 6-1, 210, but the 5-9, 198-pound Brown is a little more explosive.

Who do you take and why? Which back do you think will be the most effective in the NFL?

Discuss it here. Vote on it right here.

Permalink | Comments (86) | Categories: Georgia Tech, UGA

Bibby era begins for Hawks

Guard Mike Bibby will make his Hawks debut tonight when Atlanta faces the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 10-year player brings a career scoring average of 16.7 points per game and much-needed leadership to a team desperately in need of a solid veteran leader. How much of an impact do you think Bibby will have on the talented, but young, Hawks squad?

Let us know what you think. Also, check out Sekou Smith’s most recent blog and the AJC’s Hawks page.

Permalink | Comments (28) | Categories: Hawks

Who should be the backup catcher?

Brian McCann will be the Braves’ starting catcher this season, but who do you think will win the job as his backup?

Will the job go to veteran Javy Lopez, a fan favorite making his second tour of duty with the team? What about Brayan Pena, the long-time minor leaguer looking to stick with the big-league club? (See story on Pena).

How about Clint Sammons, the former UGA standout who played at Parkview High with Jeff Francoeur?

If you would like to vote, click here and scroll down to poll. Let us know who you think will win the job and why.

Also, check out David O’Brien’s most recent blog and Tuesday’s photos from spring training.

Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: Braves

Ponce and Juniper? Is that really the best spot to finish?

The Peachtree Road Race’s finish line has shifted from spacious Piedmont Park to the Midtown intersection of Ponce de Leon and Juniper. Here’s the map.

Does that sound like a good landing spot for the expected 55,000 sweaty participants?

After completing the 10-kilometer course runners will be forced to walk four more blocks to the Atlanta Civic Center, where the family meeting area and sponsors village will be.

What problems will this cause, if any? Was there a better spot or you satisfied with the changes?

Permalink | Comments (24) |

Pre-mocking the mock draft

The first step toward the NFL Draft comes this weekend at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, with the Falcons and their new GM/college scouting ace Tom Dimitroff, taking in the top prospects to figure out whom they’ll take with the third, fourth or fifth pick (to be determined during a combine coin flip). And beyond.

Dimitroff and others in the Birds’ Nest aren’t singing about any particular favorites, but the release of several players last week does add to their considerations.

A new tight end is one of them, after Alge Crumpler was made expendable. Here’s one man’s best draft bets at that position.

Want to get all the details for the scouting combine, including air times on NFL TV? Here’s the 411.

The draft “experts” have just begun to get warmed up, with one suggesting the Falcons take a player “a player the city can rally behind.” Meaning Atlanta, of course.

Dittos to that pick from another corner.

If you think the Falcons have a tough decision to make, when what about the Dolphins with the top pick? So many needs, so many ways to get it wrong.

And here’s a quick blogroll of some mock drafts to mull over as the focus shifts to the Hoosier State in a few days:

Rivals.com

NFL Draft Countdown

NFL Draft Dog

NFL Draft Blitz

Football’s Future

Mel Kiper’s Big Board

Permalink | Comments (103) | Categories: Falcons

Trolling the Dawgosphere

A Monday in late February. The euphoria over recruiting has died down. Another basketball season appears to be winding down without any exciting March prospects. Spring football practice is more than a month away.

Nothing going on, you say? Not at all, especially if you check around the “Dawgosphere.”

Here’s a sampling of how some media outlets and UGA fans are chiming in on a number of subjects near and dear to Bulldog Nation hearts, most of them football-related.

There is some grumbling in UGA Land about having to pay for higher ticket prices next season, but the move is an understandable one for an athletics department upgrading some facilities and coming off a football season in which it finished No. 2 in the national polls.

Not so fast, rants a UGA fan who’s dead set against the top item on Mark Richt’s wish list, an indoor practice facility, serving up a rather impassioned plea.

With a little more time to take stock after Signing Day, here’s another analysis of SEC recruiting that pegs UGA’s class third in the league, behind Alabama and Florida.

That’s not a surprising take, as most other recruiting experts have the Dogs assessed similarly. But we thought you’d be hungry for whatever table scraps we could find for you to gnaw on.

Who’s got the best college football fan blogging site? A favorite among UGA faithful is among the candidates in the SEC, but he offers his favorites for honors in some other conferences.

But hey, enough time for football later on. Spring is just around the corner, if the recent exploits of Gen. Beauregard are to be taken accurately. Ready to spend some time outdoors? So is another UGA fan who can’t wait for baseball season to start. UGA baseball.

Permalink | Comments (66) | Categories: UGA

Who should bat leadoff for Braves?

The Braves’ search for a leadoff hitter will probably focus on three players - Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson and Mark Kotsay.

In your opinion, should it be Escobar? Johnson? Kotsay? If you would like to vote for one of the three, click here and scroll down to poll.

Here’s an interesting fourth (or fifth) option - what about the two players likely in the running to platoon in left field - Matt Diaz or Brandon Jones?

Let us know who should bat leadoff and why. Also, check out David O’Brien’s daily blog and training camp photos from today, Sunday and Saturday.

Permalink | Comments (38) |

Does Bibby make the Hawks contenders?

The Hawks have traded for Sacramento veteran point guard Mike Bibby, sending veteran point guards Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue back to the Kings, along with second-year forward Shelden Williams and veteran center Lorenzen Wright. The Hawks also gave up a second-round pick in the June draft.

The Hawks are 21-28 going into the All-Star weekend.

Does this move finally make the Hawks playoff contenders? Or did they sacrifice too much to get there?

Permalink | Comments (76) | Categories: Hawks

Will someone please energize the Hawks?

If the season ended right now, your Atlanta Hawks would find themselves in a familiar place — at home for the playoffs.

This was supposed to be the season the Hawks rise up. They’ve shown signs of improvement, but coach Mike Woodson’s boys are about as consistent as Georgia rain.

They enter the All-Star break on a four-game losing streak, including Wednesday’s disappointing loss to (gulp) Charlotte, a team that hadn’t posted a single victory all month until the Hawks came calling.

Have you lost all hope of the Hawks making the playoffs? Are you disgusted with their recent play and ownership’s apparent lack of interest of improving the roster?

Express yourself, Hawk Nation! Maybe your voice will jumpstart this team.

Permalink | Comments (68) | Categories: Hawks

The housecleaning has begun

Tight end Alge Crumpler and defensive lineman Rod Coleman were among the seven veterans players released by the Falcons Friday. (See story)

Other released include quarterback Byron Leftwich and offensive tackle Wayne Gandy. Let us know what you think about the release of so many other high-profile players.

Permalink | Comments (283) | Categories: Falcons

Should Dogs be No. 1 in preseason?

Just 30 more Saturdays until another college football season kicks off at Sanford Stadium.

What are the odds that Matthew Stafford and Georgia will go into that Aug. 30 opener against Georgia Southern as the nation’s top-ranked team?

As we await the start of spring practice, we asked a few experts who they had atop their early fall ballots.

Georgia? Southern Cal? West Virginia? Missouri? None of the above?

NEAL McCREADY, AP Top 25 voter (Mobile Press-Register)

“I’d vote Georgia No. 1 today for a myriad of reasons. First and foremost, the Bulldogs have balance on offense. Stafford’s mistakes are going to be fewer and more far between as a junior, and Knowshon Moreno has the talent and personality to build an offense around. Mark [Richt] has recruited at such a high level over the past few seasons, and that depth of talent — as LSU proved last season — ultimately wins out. I love Georgia’s schedule. Tennessee goes to Athens, as does Alabama, and UGA isn’t going to be intimidated by Florida anymore. [Southern Cal] has to replace a quarterback and there is scandal hanging over that program. Everything lines up for Georgia.”

ERIC HANSEN, AP Top 25 voter (South Bend Tribune)

“I think there are a whole lot of teams that could make a pretty legitimate claim to be the preseason No. 1. Having said that, I’m going to go with Ohio State, in spite of their underwhelming performance against LSU in New Orleans. I think [Butkus Award-winning linebacker] James Laurinaitis coming back was key. I think they’ll be the best defensive team in the country and will be much improved offensively. The Sept. 13 matchup at USC is going to have a lot to say about the national title race. Otherwise, the schedule is favorable, with Penn State and an in-transition Michigan team at home. Potential pitfalls are at Wisconsin and at Illinois.”

BRUCE FELDMAN (ESPN The Magazine)

“I like Georgia for No. 1 at this point. The Dawgs have an experienced starting quarterback returning, a star to carry the offense in Knowshon Moreno and an O-line that really matured as the 2007 season went along. I also think the boost they get from finishing the year with such a statement game will help drive guys to believe that bigger things are coming. The schedule doesn’t break well since they have a bunch of tough road trips but LSU survived a loaded schedule so I’m not ready to dismiss Georgia for it.”

SCOTT RABALAIS, AP Top 25 voter (Baton Rouge Advocate)

“My vote would be for USC. I covered the Sugar Bowl, and USC’s blowout of an Illinois team that was light years better than Hawaii was more impressive than Georgia’s win. Much more impressive. Hawaii was nowhere near as good as the BCS interlopers we’ve seen in recent years from Utah and Boise State.

“Edge to Georgia over USC with [Matthew] Stafford returning at QB, but the Trojans are oozing talent. Both teams have something to prove — Georgia getting routed by Tennessee, USC losing to Stanford — but I think the Trojans have proven their worth as a consistent national contender moreso than Georgia has. Would loved to have seen them play in the Rose Bowl — would be just as interested to see them meet in Miami in January.”

WENDELL BARNHOUSE, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“I would give Georgia a slight edge over USC because the Bulldogs have an experienced QB coming back. USC’s non-conference schedule is considerably more difficult. As of right now, I’d probably lean toward Georgia as the preseason No. 1.”

LENN ROBBINS, New York Post

“I’m going Oklahoma. Sam Bradford is the best QB [Bob] Stoops has had, the defense will be loaded again, and I like the way the schedule shapes up. Georgia is No. 2. Mark Richt has quietly emerged as one of college football’s most consistent coaches. USC has more talkent than the Falcons but it’s so hard to keep that level of consistency. I can’t get over that Stanford loss.”

STEWART MANDEL, AP Top 25 voter (SI.com)

Georgia [is No. 1]. Of the teams that finished high last year, they have by far the most key players coming back, with the possible exception of Ohio State, but there’s obviously reason for skepticism there.”

MATT HAYES (Sporting News)

USC — the safest surest thing at this point. Georgia would be a close second, but the Trojans have loads of skill players on offense, and a deep, athletic front seven on defense. Whoever plays QB — Mark Sanchez or Mitch Mustain — will thrive in that offense. Sanchez played well while John David Booty was injured, and Mustain and wide receiver transfer Damian Williams were terrific in USC’s weekly Tuesday scrimmage — which is, in a word, intense.”

BRET BLOOMQUIST, AP Top 25 voter (El Paso Times)

“Well, not Hawaii. At the moment, Georgia, followed by Florida and USC.”

Permalink | Comments (190) | Categories: UGA

First Kobe, now LeBron

Two nights after taking down Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Hawks welcome LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to Philips Arena tonight.

The Hawks are riding a modest three-game winning streak, all victories at home, and are in the midst of a four-game stretch against some of the league’s best teams. The Hawks travel to Houston tomorrow before returning home Tuesday to face Detroit.

Who will have to step up tonight for the Hawks to continue their winning ways? Joe Johnson? Josh Smith? Marvin Williams? Can the team expect another strong showing from Tyronn Lue?

And who will guard LeBron?

Let us know what you think.

Permalink | Comments (15) |

Give Matt Causey a nickname

Matt Causey, Georgia Tech’s fiery point guard, has a tendency to get under the skin of opponents and drive opposing crowds wild. They yell everything from Frodo to Muppet to Hobbit at the shaggy-haired Causey. But that just fires him up.

What he needs is a real nickname. Anyone have any suggestions? Be nice, because you don’t want to make him mad.

Permalink | Comments (48) | Categories: Georgia Tech

Hawks feasting on home cooking

What a difference a week makes.

A mere seven days ago, the Hawks were limping home from a brutal West Coast trip and many were crying for coach Mike Woodson’s job. One week later, the team is riding a modest three-game winning streak, including a come-from-behind victory over the Lakers in front of a sellout crowd Wednesday at Philips Arena.

To their credit, the Hawks have apparently stepped up their game since returning from the road and would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today. And after slaying Kobe and the Lakers last night, they get to welcome LeBron and the Cavaliers on Friday.

What do you think about the team’s current play? Can they continue their winning ways against the Cavaliers? Is the team currently playing the way you thought it would this season?

Let us know.

Permalink | Comments (30) | Categories: Hawks

Peachtree 2008: No end in sight

It outgrew Woodruff Park. Piedmont Park gave it the boot. Tech said no thanks. [Full story here]

Is there any end in sight — literally — for the 2008 Peachtree Road Race?

The traditional starting point, Lenox Square, so far hasn’t changed but nobody’s certain where 55,000 runners will end up after 6.2 miles this July 4th. So tell us, Atlanta: Where should this year’s PRR end? We’re looking for a few good locations.

Permalink | Comments (105) | Categories: Peachtree Road Race

Having fun at Andruw’s expense

Do you think the Braves are taking the ‘voluntary camp’ thing a bit too far when Andruw Jones, the former outfielder turned L.A. Dodger, shows up to work out at Turner Field?

Yeah, we know Andruw still lives in the area, it wasn’t his choice to leave the team (as far as we know) and he’s still buddies with most of the players, but would the Yankees let Boston ace Josh Beckett use their facility if he lived in Manhattan in the off-season?

From all indications, everyone was all smiles down at Turner Field today and we’re just having a little fun at Andruw’s expense. Let’s hope he used the batting cage behind the visitor’s dugout (just kidding).

What do you think?

Permalink | Comments (59) |

 

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