At the start of the 2014-15 season, the question looming over AA boys basketball is obvious: Can anybody beat Greater Atlanta Christian? The Spartans have won back-to-back state championships and four of the last five, and entered the current season on a 50-game winning streak. Now, four of last year's region champions have been bumped up to Class AAA, including finalist Calhoun, leaving a vacuum for new powers to fill.
Let's look at some of the top teams in the state from last season and some that appear to be on the rise ...
BOYS
Greater Atlanta Christian
Last year: State champs, 32-0
The Spartans hadn't lost since Dec. 29, 2012 until they ran into a hot-shooting Peachtree Ridge team Monday night. The 80-66 loss ended a 52-game winning streak, but GAC still figures to be among AA's elite. They've lost key contributors Isaiah Wilkins and Troy Morrison, but return many experienced and talented backcourt players, including Eric Jamison, Cam Boyd, Brian Coffey and Garrett Covington. Jamison and Boyd are seniors and have committed to Gardner-Webb and Lee Univeristy, respectively.
Vidalia
Last year: 30-1; lost to Calhoun, 54-41, in semifinals
The Indians lost eight seniors off last year's team, which dominated opponents by an average score of 80-40. Senior Jordan Black will be back to run the point when football season is complete, and junior guard Wil Chambliss showed Vidalia still has plenty of firepower with a 22-point outing in an 86-43 win over East Laurens to open the new season.
Pelham
Last year: 24-4, lost in quarterfinals
The Hornets cruised to the Region 1-AA title last year, going unbeaten in region play. They'll have to contend with Seminole County this year, though, as the Indians, who swept a pair of early-season nonregion games last year, have been moved up to AA this season.
Model
Last year: 23-4, lost to GAC, 80-62, in second round
The Blue Devils finished second in Region 7-AA last year, but won't have Calhoun to deal with this season, as the defending region champs are now playing in Class AAA. The Blue Devils have lost Davy Fisher, the third leading scorer in school history, but return VJ Saxton, a 6-foot-4 forward who was an All-State honorable mention last year and enters his senior season sixth on the school's all-time scoring list.
Crawford County
Last year: 19-7, lost in first round to McIntosh County Academy
The Eagles return a strong nucleus from last year's team, most importantly the talented underclassman combo of sophomore John Corbin and junior William Jarrell. Last year Jarrell (6-4, G/F) averaged 21 points per game, while Corbin (6-2, F) averaged 17 points and 13 rebounds.
McIntosh County Academy
Last year: 17-10, lost in second round to Laney
Led by Trevon Scott, the Buccaneers will aim to push for the Region 1-AA title. Scott, a 6-foot-8, 190-pound foward, is considered one of the top players in AA and is committed to Tennessee.
Pace Academy
Last year: 14-12, missed playoffs
The Knights, moving up from Class A, boast one of the top players in the state in Wendell Carter. The 6-foot-8 sophomore power forward is considered one of the elite sophomores in the country. He'll be helped in the front court by 6-6 junior Zack Kaminsky.
Seminole County
Last year: 20-4, lost in first round of Class A playoffs
Jordan Harris, the Indians' 6-4 junior shooting guard, is the fifth-ranked junior in the state, according to 247sports.com's composite rankings. The Indians proved they could play with AA teams last year when they swept their nonregion series with Region 1-AA champ Pelham.
Holy Innocents'
Last year: 21-6, lost in 2nd round of Class A playoffs to St. Francis
Led by highly regarded freshman point guard Travis Anderson, five Golden Bears scored at least nine points in their season-opening 63-48 win over Riverwood.
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