There’s a pretty sizable obstacle standing between Miller Grove and its quest to regain its position as the dominant team in Class AAAAA: Buford.
In a second-round game that’s worthy of championship billing, the No. 3-ranked Wolverines will travel to play No. 2-ranked Buford, the defending state champion, on Thursday at 7 p.m. That means one of the state’s best teams will be watching the final three rounds.
“Everybody knows what’s at stake,” said Miller Grove coach Rasul Chester. “We’re hoping to reach our goal, which is a state championship. We know that in order to get there, we’ve got to beat a great team.”
Miller Grove (20-7) beat Riverwood 69-49 in the first round, using a 30-point fourth quarter to put away the close game. Maurice Harvey led the Wolverines with 16 points and Terrence Edwards added 15.
Buford (24-4) rolled to an 82-49 win over Cass, with Marcus Watson scoring 20 and David Viti added 18. That duo is joined by guards Alex Jones, the Region 8 player of the year, and Donnell Nixon to form the heart of the championship team.
Miller Grove reached the semifinals last year before losing to Cedar Shoals. The Wolverines are seeking to regain the title they last held in 2016. Miller Grove won the state championship in seven of eight seasons from 2009-16.
Miller Grove’s top players are Maurice Harvey, who was the Region 5 Player of the Year, all-region forward Kevin Paige and point guard T.J. Stargell.
In other boys games scheduled for Thursday:
Southwest DeKalb at Hiram, 7:30 p.m.: No. 6-ranked Southwest DeKalb (18-11) travels to play Region 7 champion Hiram (21-9). All-region selections Kendarius "K.D." Johnson and Eugene Brown each scored 17 points in the win for the Panthers. James Glisson III was also an all-region pick. Hiram opened with a 39-35 win over Cedar Shoals, last year's state runner-up. Junior Nathan Presnell (14 points, 9.6 rebounds) leads the Hornets, who have won four straight and 10 of their last 12.
Wayne County at Starr's Mill, 6 p.m.: Wayne County (15-12) beat Harris County in the first round, its first tournament win since 1995. The young Yellow Jackets are led by junior guard Amari Harris. Starr's Mill (20-7) has won 12 in a row. The Panthers, who won their first region championship, are led by forward Drew Hudson, Julian Lynch and Jake Bishop. Hudson scored 16 in the first-round win over McIntosh.
Statesboro at Dutchtown, 7 p.m.: Statesboro (22-5) overcame a mistake-filled first half in its opener against Bainbridge, but had a big second half and won by 20. Zarion Griffin, Daniel Cooper and Tyler Goodman are the top players for the Blue Devils. Dutchtown (16-15) has been the hottest team on the southside, having won five straight and the Region 4 championship. Dontavious King (17.7 points) and Cam Bryant (10.6 points) are the top scorers.
Flowery Branch at Lithonia, 6:30 p.m.: Flowery Branch (18-11) pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the first round when the Falcons knocked off No. 9-ranked Villa Rica on the road. Justin Quick, Myles Janness and Patsheko Lutumba, who made the go-ahead free throw with 1.6 seconds left, lead the Falcons. No. 4 Lithonia (22-6) eliminated Banneker 57-49 in the opening round. The Bulldogs feature all-Region 5 players Ziven Alexander (12.9 points, 63 percent field goals), Eric Gaines (4.1 assists, 2.7 steals) and D'Allen Pritchard (5.7 rebounds). The Bulldogs were the best defensive team in a region loaded with excellent defenses.
Eagle's Landing at Warner Robins, 6 p.m.: Eagle's Landing (22-6) will put its defense to the test against No. 1 Warner Robins. Eagle's Landing is led by Mercer signee Brandon Thomas and C.J. Hood, who scored 25 in the first-round win over McIntosh. Warner Robins (24-3) has been an offensive wrecking machine, averaging 80.7 points, and has won ten straight games. The Demons are led by Georgia State signee Nelson Phillips, the Region 1 Player of the Year. Warner Robins, which also has all-region players in M.J. King, Champ Dawson, Jaydon Norman and Jacolbey Owens, has scored at least 80 points in seven of their last eight games.
Clarke Central at Maynard Jackson 7 p.m.: No. 8 Clarke Central (23-6) has won 13 of its last 15 games, with both losses to Buford. The Gladiators feature all-region players Quamontae Monfort and Mijah Campbell and have eight players who are averaging at least eight points. Jackson (25-2), led by Region 6 Player of the Year Marquavis Carter (24.1 points) and D.J. Johnson. The Jaguars are coming off a strong 57-49 win over perennial power Columbia. It was the first state playoff win for Jackson, playing in the tournament for the first time since 2000. Jackson had not won a playoff game since the school was known as Southside.
Stockbridge at New Hampstead, 6 p.m.: No. 7 Stockbridge (23-6) must make the long drive to Savannah for its second-round game. The Tigers are led by Kavonte Ivery (17.4 points, 9.2 rebounds) and Terrynce Jackson (11.4 points, 3.9 assists). New Hampstead (17-7) graduated its three top seniors a year ago, but still managed to win the Region 2 tournament. Senior point guard Roemain Bennett, the Region 2 Player of the Year, and sophomore Sam Brown lead the Phoenix.
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