Each Thursday, the Class AAAAAA blog will take a look at the weekend ahead in basketball.
Walton’s boys are ranked only No. 6 in AAAAAA despite being the classification’s only unbeaten team. The Raiders (12-0, 5-0) got some validation Wednesday with a 67-53 victory over Cherokee (13-2, 4-1) in a Region 5 game. The next challenge comes Friday at home against Milton (9-5, 4-0).
Elijah Weems, a slender 6-foot-4 forward, scored 19 points and had 12 rebounds in the Cherokee win. He averages 15.2 points with 8.6 rebounds and 3.2 seals.
Jay Bowyer, the 5-9 point guard, had 17 points against Cherokee. He averages 14.1 points and 4.7 assists. Junior wing Nick Wells, sophomore guard Chad Clay and senior wing Maurice Gibson also average at least 10 points per game. All five starters can shoot the 3 and play defense. Walton is allowing only 49 points per game.
‘’It’s the hardest-working team I have ever had,’’ Walton coach Joe Goydish said. “Physically strong and durable, due to unbelievable off-season conditioning program. A VCU type mode. ... Best team chemistry we have had as well.’’
Milton, under new coach Matt Kramer, has lost to two out-of-state opponents and two ranked teams from lower classifications, including No. 1-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian of Class AA.
Milton will present problems with its size. Brothers Mo Lewis IV, a 6-5 senior, and Chris Lewis, a 6-6 sophomore, each average about 12 points and six rebounds. Milton has another Division 1 recruit, 6-8 forward Shawn O’Connell.
There is a third team that hasn’t lost in Region 5 games. That would be No. 1-ranked Wheeler (10-4, 4-0), which faces Cherokee on Friday. Wheeler’s game this week against Milton was postponed because of cold weather and rescheduled for Jan. 16.
Five more good boys basketball games this weekend –
Friday
Coffee (11-3, 1-0) at Tift County (13-2, 3-0) - Fourth-ranked Tift County and Georgia Tech-signee Tadric Jackson gets a visit from Coffee, winners of five straight games, in Region 1. Tyree Paulk, Coffee's quarterback in football, is a pretty good basketball player, too, averaging 13.0 points.
Luella (6-7, 3-0) at Lovejoy (9-2, 4-0) – Lovejoy missed the state playoffs last season after quarterfinal finishes in AAAA in 2011-12. Now, the Wildcats lead Region 2. But don't let Luella's record fool anybody. All seven losses have come to ranked or out-of-state teams, including No. 1 Miller Grove (AAAAA) and No. 1 GAC (AA). TeMarcus Blanton, a 6-5 guard, is committed to South Carolina. Center Doral Moore (6-11) is a top-50 recruit nationally for the class of 2015.
Valdosta (11-2, 2-0) at Brunswick (10-3, 1-2) – Tift County is clearly the favorite in Region 1, but Brunswick played Blue Devils tough last week (losing 68-64), and Valdosta has one of the state's best guards, Rashad Lewis of Valdosta, a 5-8 junior averaging 17 points.
Saturday
Brookwood (9-4, 3-2) at Berkmar (11-4, 5-1) – Senior Tim Rowe scored 22 points in a 48-40 victory over Grayson (12-2, 3-2) in Region 8 this week. Rowe is a 6-9 forward likely headed to a mid-major Division 1 program.
Shiloh (8-4, 6-1) at Dacula (12-3, 3-3) – Shiloh is perhaps the team to beat in Region 8. The Generals have beaten Berkmar but lost to Grayson by one point last month.
Five good girls games this week –
Thursday –
Parkview (13-1, 5-0) at Archer (13-1, 6-0) – It's certain the game of the week in girls basketball this week. Parkview is ranked No. 2. Archer is No. 3. Parkview's loss was to Southwest DeKalb. Archer's loss came in Tennessee. The point guards will be central in this game. Parkview has Genesis Perrymond (13.7 ppg, 3.5 assists). Archer has Madison Newby (8.5 ppg, 4.7 assists). Hebron Christian transfer Amber Skidgel leads Archer in scoring at 14.1 points per game.
Friday –
Hughes (12-1, 0-0) at Westlake (9-4, 0-1) – Westlake is ranked 10th but lost to No. 8 Douglas County 60-57 this week in the Region 3 opener. Now comes fifth-ranked Hughes.
McEachern (9-2, 6-0) at North Cobb (10-4, 3-3) – This one shouldn't be close, as McEachern is the top-ranked team and nationally ranked, but it is a good rivalry. McEachern second-leading scorer, Taylor Gordon, once played for North Cobb.
Hillgrove (12-2, 5-1) at Campbell (11-3, 5-2) – Another good rivalry in Region 4. Mackenzie Engram of seventh-ranked Hillgrove has signed with Georgia.
West Forsyth (9-3, 3-1) at North Forsyth (15-0, 5-0) – Forsyth County teams are dominating Region 6, although West isn't the same threat to North as South Forsyth (13-2, 4-1) probably is. North Forsyth is ranked No. 6.
