As the second half of the basketball season prepares to get underway, there are still a handful of undefeated boys and girls team and the contenders are already starting to get lined up for the six-week sprint to the region playoffs. Here’s a look at some of the hottest teams.
Boys
There are three undefeated boys teams: Eagle’s Landing, Lithonia and Veterans. All are expected to be in the mix when the playoffs roll around.
Eagle’s Landing has a senior-heavy team and are off to a 10-0 start, including a three-game sweep in the Cleveland Stroud Classic at Rockdale County and a victory over reigning champion Buford. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 23-5 season that saw the reach the second of the playoffs. Henry County rival Dutchtown (12-2) has a strong one-two punch in Cam Bryant (13.5 points, 6.7 rebounds) and Jamaine Mann (18.7 points, 7.3 rebounds).
Dutchtown and Eagle’s Landing had their first meeting of the season postponed last week when a storm knocked out power to the Eagle’s Landing gymnasium.
Lithonia (15-0) already has Region 5 wins over powerful Southwest DeKalb and Columbia and last week rolled through the Peach State Holiday Classic, beating host Westlake in the championship game. Lithonia is led by all-state forward Eric Gaines, who averages 18.3 points, and Franklin Champion, who average 8.1 rebounds.
Veterans (10-0) is a balanced team that is building on last year’s 17-11 season. DeAngelo Hines (13.5 points) and T.J. Grant (11.3 points, 6 rebounds) are the cornerstone of the club. The Warhawks have shown they can win the close ones, beating perennial power Wilkinson County by a point and coming from behind to beat Houston County.
Defending champion Buford is only 8-3, but the Wolves suffered key losses and are fighting through their typical difficult schedule. Replacing all-state players like Marcus Watson and Donnell Nixon aren’t easy, but are less so when 6-foot-11 James Munlyn transfers into the program. Buford will compete in the Marlin Christmas Classic in Panama City Beach, Fla., before returning home to start Region 8 play.
Girls
There are still three undefeated girls teams: three-time defending champion Buford, Kell and Wayne County. Rome and Arabia Mountain have one loss, with Villa Rica – runner-up a year ago – having two losses.
Buford (12-0) shows no sign of letting up. The Wolves lost some key players – Tate Walters and Katelyn Klein are the only seniors on the roster -- from a year ago, but continue to grind teams into submission with their relentless pressure and their ability to throw a continuous wave of fresh bodies on the court. They haven’t been piling on wins with a cupcake schedule, either. The Wolves have taken down the likes of GAC, old nemesis Wesleyan, Holy Innocents’ and Norcross in the Naismith Classic.
Kell (12-0) has bounced back nicely from an 11-15 season. Coach Tony Ingle’s team has beaten many of other Cobb County schools in higher classifications and have impressive wins over Region 7 rivals Villa Rica and Carrollton.
Wayne County (11-0) has been winning games with its defense. The Yellow Jackets have held eight of its victims to fewer than 30 points. Most of the team is back from last year’s 23-5 club that lost to Columbia in the Elite Eight.
Arabia Mountain (11-1) may have a rising star in sophomore Mikayla Jameson, who averages 12 points, 9.8 rebounds and shoots 57 percent from the floor. The Rams will know more about their true standing after its next game with Southwest DeKalb on Feb. 7. Southwest DeKalb remains the defensive standard by which other DeKalb teams measure themselves, allowing only 32.5 per game.
Rome (10-1) is competing this week in the Tampa Invitational at Seffner Christian. The Wolves had their 10-game winning streak broken on De. 19 with a loss to Hazel Hall’s Darlington team in the Rome News Tribune Christmas Tournament.
Villa Rica (12-2) is learning there is life after Deasia Merrill, a three-time all-state selection now at the University of Kentucky. Although Villa Rica has already lost twice in the rugged Region 7, coach Tammy Norred’s team had no trouble winning the SMI Carroll County Tournament.
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