The deep chill in the air signals that basketball season is at full throttle. Time to talk Class A hoops!
PRIVATE
Boys
Greenforest Academy (14-1) has been unstoppable in Georgia and nearly as impressive out of state. In fact, the Eagles could be the best team in Georgia, regardless of classification.
The Eagles’ lone loss of the season was to the Hammond School (70-58), one of the top programs in the state of South Carolina, during a holiday tournament last month. Other than that, Greenforest’s closest contest was a 56-44 win over AA Pace Academy back on Dec. 5. The Eagles flexed their muscles early with blowout wins over last season’s Class AAAAAA runner-up Pebblebrook (87-59 on Nov. 27) and AAAAAA quarterfinalist Norcross (77-48 on Nov. 28).
Greenforest is led by junior guard Justin Forrest (19 points and four assists per game), who gets help on the perimeter from senior John Ogwuche (14 ppg) and junior Jandan Duggan. But the Eagles’ biggest advantage is in the paint where they feature a rotation of five players 6-foot-7 or taller: senior Precious Ayah (6-7); juniors Ikey Obiagu (7-0), Abayomi Iyiola (6-10) and Victor Enoh (6-8); and sophomore Mohammad Abdulsalem (6-9).
Girls
At 14-0, Greenforest’s girls have an even better record than their male counterparts. However, the road to a state championship appears as if it will be a lot tougher. Four other teams have a combined record of 52-4: defending champion St. Francis (13-1), Tattnall Square of Macon (13-0), Calvary Day of Savannah (13-1) and Stratford Academy of Macon (12-2).
PUBLIC
Boys
Lincoln County is out to prove they play more than just football in Lincolnton. The Red Devils are 8-3 after a 95-44 drubbing of Glascock County on Tuesday. Lincoln County is led by senior forwards Zach Crite (17 points, seven rebounds) and Devon Holloway (11 points, 10 rebounds), sophomore guard Maciah Gunby (10 points), and one of the state’s hottest prospects in junior forward Ahmad Rand, who is averaging nearly a triple-double with 17 points, 16 rebounds and nine blocks per game.
Girls
After finishing as the runner up last season to Taylor County, Turner County (13-0) is on a mission to avenge the loss and win the program’s first state title. The Rebels were tested in a holiday tournament by Class AA Early County (63-55) and AA Fitzgerald (58-52), but no other opponent has come within 10 points. Turner is led by senior guard Mylashia Yancey, who is averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds per game.
About the Author
