Two of the state’s best Class AAA boys teams will be participating in the Chick-fil-A Invitational Classic, which starts Friday at Tucker High School. No. 2-ranked Cedar Grove and No. 6 Jenkins are among the 16 teams that will be competing in the showcase event.
Cedar Grove opens against Gainesville, Fla., at 2:30 p.m. The Saints are led by Jacara Cross, who averages 14.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, and Kenneth Lewis, who averages 12.5 points and 2.8 steals.
Jenkins plays against M.L. King at 11:30 a.m. The Warriors are led by Malik Benlevi, who averages 15.7 points and 3.3 rebounds, and sophomore Trevion Lamar, who averages 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. Benlevi has signed to play at Georgia State.
Other first-round games are: Sandy Creek vs. Coconut Creek, Fla., at 10 am..; Sunshine, Ala., vs. Meridian, Miss., at 1 p.m.; Jackson-Olin, Ala., vs. Stephenson, at 4 p.m.; Glenn Hills vs. Columbia, at 5:30 p.m.; Oakridge, Tenn., vs. Tucker, at 7 p.m.; and Greene Co., Ala., at Miller Grove, at 8:30 p.m.
Johnson takes down Savannah
The No. 6-ranked Johnson boys won their bracket in the Savannah Holiday Classic by beating No. 8 Savannah 63-58 in the final game. The Atom Smashers (10-1) were led by Dashawn Loadholt with 21 points.
The two old rivals have at least two more meetings this season. They’ll play Jan. 7 at Savannah State, a game important enough to be carried live on a Savannah television station, and again on Jan. 24.
The other boys bracket was won by Rockmart, which defeated Windsor Forest 50-48. The Bulldogs, who connected on 11 3-pointers against Windsor Forest, are 8-1 and will likely get some consideration in the state polls. Rockmart got 15 from Drake Benefield and 11 from Kolby Owens in the tournament final.
The No. 7 Beach girls were outslugged by Class AAAAA No. 1 Brunswick 54-45 in one of the girls finals. Jacqueline Anderson scored 20 points for the Bulldogs, now 8-3. Glynn Academy beat Metter 58-48 to win the other girls divison.
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