The first AJC Top 10s – boys and girls – are out. Here’s a look at who made the initial list and how they are doing as we head into region play.
BOYS
1. St. Francis (14-3, 4-0 in Region 6). The Knights’ three losses have been to teams ranked in the top 150 nationally, including Montverde Academy of Florida (62-59 in the City of Palms Classic), the No. 2 team in the nation according to MaxPreps. Florida State signee Malik Beasley is leading the way, averaging 23 points and 8 rebounds per game. Next up: Jan. 13 vs. Mt. Pisgah
2. Greenforest Christian (12-1, 3-0 in Region 5). The Eagle's only loss this season was to Class AAAAAA Pebblebrook (11-2), a sleeper team in March that might be the most underrated team in the state. Next up: Friday at Southwest Atlanta Christian
3. Athens Christian (12-0, 2-0 in Region 8). Seniors Demetrius McWhorter and Will "Turtle" Jackson, a Georgia signee, have the Eagles poised for a run at the private school state title, averaging 18 and 24 points per game, respectively. Next up: Friday at Athens Academy
4. Whitefield Academy (9-6, 3-1 in Region 6). A young Wolfpack squad has lost back back-to-back games twice already this season. Next up: Friday vs. Mt. Pisgah
5. Treutlen (11-0, 5-0 in Region 3). The Vikings are off to their best start in the school's 50-plus year history. Before last season, Treutlen's last appearance in the state playoffs was in 2002. Next up: Friday at Jenkins County
6. Hancock Central (11-0, 3-0 in Region 7). The Bulldogs are in the mix as one of the favorites to play for the public school title in March. Next up: Friday at Warren County
7. Landmark Christian (12-2, 4-0 in Region 5). Landmark won the Mountain Top Classic tournament at Fannin County prior to the holiday break. The War Eagles are led by 6-foot-3 junior guard Zack Allen, averaging 22 points and 7 rebounds per game, and senior point guard Jackson Schultz, averaging 20 points and 7 assists per game. Next up: Saturday vs. W.D. Mohammed
8. Turner County (12-2, 7-0 in Region 2). The Rebels led by senior guard Quan Hillmon and sophomore guard Tamarrion Taylor, who is averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds a game. Next up: Friday vs. Lanier County
9. North Cobb Christian (8-7, 4-0 in Region 6). The Eagles' mediocre record is a bit deceiving. The combined record of the teams that have defeated them – including two losses to undefeated Johnson-Gainesville, the No. 2 team in Class AAAAA – is 68-17. Next up: Friday at Excel Christian
10. Portal (10-3, 4-0 in Region 3). The Panthers are led by senior forward Trent Thompson, who is averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds per game. Next up: Friday vs. Claxton
Girls
1. St. Francis (11-1, 4-0 in Region 6). The Knights lone loss this season was to North Little Rock (46-36), the top-ranked team in Arkansas, in the title game of the Naples Holiday Shootout in Florida. Senior shooting guard Abby Grant is leading the way scoring 13 points per game. Next up: Saturday at No. 2 Southwest Atlanta Christian
2. Southwest Atlanta Christian (13-2, 4-0 in Region 5). Last week, the defending private school champs bounced back from an upset loss at Douglas County (72-64) with a win (61-46) over Southwest DeKalb, the No. 7 team in Class AAAAA. Next up: Saturday vs. No. 1 St. Francis
3. Taylor County (13-0, 6-0 in Region 4). The Vikings might be the favorites to win their first state title since 2003. Next up: Saturday at Crawford County
4. Turner County (13-1, 7-0 in Region 2). The Rebels lone loss of the season was to Americus-Sumter (64-60), the No. 6 team in Class AAA, in the title game of the Ronalda Pierce Memorial Classic. Next up: Friday vs. Lanier County
5. Savannah Country Day (11-1, 3-0 in Region 3). The Hornets suffered an upset loss at Montgomery County (56-54) in early December but have now won their last five. Next up: Today at No. 9 Calvary Day
6. Mitchell County (8-0, 6-0 in Region 1). The Eagles are one of the most balanced teams in the state, with eight players averaging at least five points per game, led by senior guard Antonia Jones at 12. Next up: Friday at Pelham
7. Tattnall Square Academy (12-2, 2-0 in Region 7). The Trojans suffered losses to No. 3 Taylor County and to Our Lady of Mercy, one of the most underrated teams in Class A, before bouncing back and winning their own holiday tournament. Friday vs. Pinecrest Academy
8. Mt. Pisgah Christian (9-2, 4-0 in Region 6). The Patriots have one of the youngest rosters in the state with no seniors and just two juniors. Next up: Friday at Whitefield Academy
9. Calvary Day (10-1, 4-0 in Region 3). Senior forward Abigail Lewis is leading the Cavaliers with 25 points and 7 rebounds per game. Today vs. No. 5 Savannah Country Day
10. Stratford Academy (10-3, 1-0 in Region 7). The Eagles' three losses have been by a total of seven points. After advancing to the Georgia Independent Schools Association finals last season, Stratford Academy is paced this season by senior forward Taylor Reese. Next up: Saturday at Tattnall Square
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