The same programs that moved up to AAAA and made football infinitely tougher in that classification this season will do the same to hoops, especially on the girls side.
The two teams that played in last season’s AAA state championship game—St. Pius X and Buford—arrive in AAAA to make things more difficult for some of Class AAAA’s perennial powers, like defending champion Redan.
Redan capped off an undefeated season with the program’s first state title last year, but lost a lot off that historic team that went 33-0.
“We don’t have a lot of girls with varsity experience,” coach Jerry Jackson said.
Jackson pointed to power forward Keyontae Jones, small forward Jaylen Black and shooting guard Taylor Tucker as players that will need to step up to keep the Raiders in contention again this season.
St. Pius brings the best player in the state—and some say in the nation—in guard Asia Durr, who is committed to Louisville.
“I watched a lot of film on her,” Jackson said of Durr, “and she truly is one of the best in the nation.”
St. Pius hosts Redan on Dec. 19.
On the boys side, defending champion Jonesboro appears to be the team to beat once again. Jonesboro returns its top four scores from last season, including sophomore win James Walker Jr, who was a MaxPreps Freshman All-American last season.
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