It’s quarterfinals time! Here’s a look at the matchups.
BOYS
Private
Top Bracket (Thursday at Kennesaw State)
#1 Greenforest Christian (27-2) vs. #9 Tattnall Square (18-9), 4:45 p.m.
Skinny: Greenforest, located in Lithonia, boasts the tallest front line in Georgia high school basketball in juniors Ikey Obiagu (7’0”) and Abayomi Iyiola (6’10”), and sophomore Mohammed Abdulsalem (6’9”). Tattnall Square, located in Macon, is in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
#5 North Cobb Christian (23-4) vs. #4 Stratford Academy (20-5), 8:15 p.m.
Skinny: NCC (23-4) will try to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time in the program’s history. Stratford, located in Macon, features two of the best two-sport athletes in the state in senior guards O’Showen Williams and Quintez Cephus, who play football and basketball for the Eagles.
Bottom Bracket (Friday at Kennesaw State)
#3 Lakeview Academy (25-4) vs. #6 Whitefield Academy (19-10), 4:45 p.m.
Skinny: Lakeview, located in Gainesville, is attempting to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. Whitefield Academy, located in Mableton, won state titles in 2003, 2009 and 2012.
#10 St. Anne-Pacelli (17-9) vs. #2 St. Francis (21-7), 8:15 p.m.
Skinny: Pacelli, located in Columbus, has never advanced past the quarterfinals. St. Francis, located in Alpharetta, is seeking its third consecutive state title and features McDonald’s All-American Kobi Simmons.
Public
Top Bracket (Thursday at Valdosta State)
#1 Treutlen (25-3) vs. #8 Hawkinsville (17-9), 4:45 p.m.
Skinny: Treutlen, located in southeast Georgia, does not have a player on its roster taller than 6’3”. Hawkinsville, located just south of Macon, advanced to the semifinals last season for the first time in school history.
#5 Wilkinson County (23-6) vs. #13 Lincoln County (17-7), 8:15 p.m.
Skinny: Wilkinson County is looking for its eighth state title under head coach Dr. Aaron Geter. Lincoln County is in the state playoffs for the first time since 2012 and has never advanced past the quarterfinals.
Bottom Brackett (Friday at Valdosta State)
#3 Turner County (22-6) vs. #6 Calhoun County (18-9), 4:45 p.m.
Skinny: Turner County has been in the state playoffs every year since 2005 but has not won a state title since 1963. Calhoun County, the defending state champions, loss to Turner County, 60-47, in a non-region game back on Jan. 9.
#7 Hancock Central (22-6) vs. #2 Taylor County (21-7), 8:15 p.m.
Skinny: Hancock, the 2008 state champs, is attempting to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Taylor County won back-to-back state titles in 2001-2002.
GIRLS
Private
Top Bracket (Thursday at Kennesaw State)
#1 St. Francis (28-1) vs. #8 Mt. Paran Christian (21-5), 3 p.m.
Skinny: St. Francis, the defending champs, is looking for its third title in four seasons. The Knights’ only loss this season was to Forestville High in the Washington, D.C. area, one of the top teams in the nation. Mt. Paran is in the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season.
#12 Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (16-11) vs. #4 Lakeview Academy (23-6), 6:30 p.m.
Skinny: SACA has advanced to the state finals four consecutive seasons and won the title in 2014. Lakeview Academy, located in Gainesville, is looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2005.
Bottom Brackett (Friday at Kennesaw State)
#3 Greenforest Christian (25-0) vs. #6 Tattnall Square (25-2), 3 p.m.
Skinny: Greenforest, which failed to make the state playoffs last season, is attempting to finish unbeaten for the time in school history. Tattnall Square is in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season, after moving to the GHSA from the Georgia Independent Schools Association.
#10 Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (17-8) vs. #2 Calvary Day (28-1) 6:30 p.m.
Skinny: ELCA has advanced to the state quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. Calvary Day is looking to advance to the semifinals for the third time in four seasons.
Public
Top Brackett (Thursday at Valdosta State)
#1 Turner County (28-8) vs. #8 Telfair County (18-9), 3 p.m.
Skinny: Turner County, last season’s state runner up, has advanced to the quarterfinals in three of the last four seasons. Telfair is looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1968.
#5 Treutlen (17-8) vs. #4 Wheeler County (20-6), 6:30 p.m.
Skinny: Treutlen last advanced to the semifinals in 2002. Wheeler County is in the state playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Bottom Brackett (Friday at Valdosta State)
#3 Taylor County (26-2) vs. #6 Greenville (19-8), 3 p.m.
Skinny: Taylor County, the defending champion, has won 11 state titles, including five in a row in from 1968-1972. Greenville has made the state playoffs for five consecutive years.
##7 Calhoun County (19-7) vs. #2 Terrell County (22-3), 6:30 p.m.
Skinny: Calhoun County is in the state playoffs for the first time since 2013.Terrell County advanced to the semifinals last season and is looking for the program’s fourth state crown.
