Here’s a look at some of the top games this weekend, before the season’s first power ratings lists are released on Tuesday.
BOYS
No. 1 (Private) St. Francis (13-3, 7-0 in Region 6) at Walker (11-3, 5-2), Friday. Walker will find out if its early success this season is an indication of the program's improvement when the Wolverines welcome the Knights to the Coles Athletic Center. Walker, which has never advanced past the Elite Eight in the state playoffs and bowed out in Round 2 last season, is led by a trio of juniors – G Chandler Baker, PG Chris Newell and F Burke Chebuhar, who is averaging a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) this season. St. Francis looks primed to make another deep run in the playoffs. Since 2013, the Knights have advanced to at least the Final Four every year, winning two state titles and finishing as the state runners-up twice (including last season). This season they are paced by one of the state's top players, junior G Dwon Odum, who averages 22 points per game.
No. 1 (Public) Calhoun County (16-0, 9-0 in Region 1) at Macon County (10-2, 8-1 in Region 4), Saturday. Calhoun County will put its unblemished record on the line as both teams take a quick break from their region schedules. The winner will get a huge boost in next week's power ratings. Macon County is led by junior G Lakeviyon Walker, junior G Shomari Gaines and senior F Makevion Burke. Calhoun County won the state title in 2015.
GIRLS
No. 1 (Private) Wesleyan (17-0, 2-0 in Region 5) at No. 6 (Private) Paideia (14-1, 2-0), Friday. Paideia hasn't advanced past the state quarterfinals since 2008, but the Pythons are off to one of the best starts in program history, thus far. They will find out just how good they are when the Wolves come calling. Paideia is led by one of the state's top backcourt duos – senior Kai Carter and junior Christina Walker. Wesleyan is off to the best start in the history of the program with a deep lineup that features senior G Callie Weaver, juniors F Izzy Larson and F A.C. Carter, sophomore G Nicole Azar and freshmen F Jessie Paris and G Imani Washington.
No. 5 Georgia Military (9-1, 6-0) vs. Aquinas (9-3, 6-1), Saturday. Are the Bulldogs for real? The answer to that question will be a little clearer after they host the Irish in the best public vs. private game of the weekend. Georgia Military has never gone past the second round in five decades of the program's existence, including last season. This year, senior G Cire Foston is trying to put an end to that. So far she's averaging a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds), while sophomore G Deandria Stephens is the team's most talented player, averaging 19 points and eight rebounds a game. Meanwhile, Aquinas – in rebuild mode after missing the playoffs last season – has a young team with no seniors on the roster. The Irish are led by junior Grace Lammers (14 points per game) and sophomore Elizabeth Williams (11 points per game).
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