At 20-0, Shiloh is the only undefeated boys team in Class AAAAAA, but the Generals are ranked only No. 3 behind nationally ranked Wheeler and defending champion Tift County.
Shiloh’s chance to erase any strength-of-schedule concerns starts Thursday at the three-day, eight-team Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament (MAIT) outside of Orlando.
Shiloh’s first opponent is First Academy of Orlando, the No. 3 team in Florida’s Class 3A and No. 9 overall in Florida, according to MaxPreps. Friday’s opponent will be Riverside, the No. 1 overall team in Louisiana and defending Class 2A champion, or Lake Minneola, the No. 8 overall team in Florida.
This will be Shiloh’s first opportunity to play out-of-state teams. The tournament favorite is host Montverde, the No. 1-ranked team in most national polls.
Shiloh is led primarily by junior wing Josh Okogie and senior guard Kareem Brewton. Okogie averages 19 points and seven rebounds. Brewton averages 16 and four.
Region favorites easy to pick out
Shiloh is 14-0 in Region 8. Every Class AAAAAA region has a clear-cut team to beat on the boys side.
Here’s a closer look at them:
Region 1 – Tift County, ranked No. 2, is 20-1, 5-0, and beat second-place Lee County 68-38 in December. They play again Feb. 6 at Lee County.
Region 2 – Tucker, ranked No. 6, has clinched the No. 1 seed for the tournament. The Tigers are 22-2, 8-0 and beat second-place Rockdale County (17-6, 6-2) 59-38 earlier this month.
Region 3 – Pebblebrook, ranked No. 4, is 16-5, 10-0, two games up on Douglas County (16-5, 9-2) with a pretty easy schedule remaining. Pebblebrook plays Douglas County at home on Feb. 6.
Region 4 – Hillgrove, ranked No. 10, is 17-4 and 9-2 and will finish No. 1 by winning out against North Paulding, Marietta and Osborne, all teams with losing records, all at home.
Region 5 – Wheeler, ranked No. 1, is 20-2 and 13-0 and would need to lose twice, including once to No. 9 Pope (18-3, 11-2).
Region 6 – Alpharetta, unranked, is 17-4 and 14-0, almost three full games up on Lambert (17-5, 12-3).
Region 7 – Norcross, ranked No. 5, is 19-3, 10-1, having won 10 straight and can clinch with a victory this weekend against Mill Creek.
Region 8 – Shiloh, ranked No. 3, has clinched the No. 1 seed. Only Dacula (14-6, 8-3) is the only other team with better than a 7-6 region record.
About the Author
