Allderice (Pa.) at Norcross, boys
: This is part of Saturday's five-game
at Norcross.
Credit: Todd Holcomb
Credit: Todd Holcomb
The Blue Devils (17-2) are No. 2 in Georgia’s Class AAAAAA. Allderice was a state semifinalist in Pennsylvania last season. Rayshaun Hammonds, a 6-8 junior, is Norcross’ best player. He’s the consensus No. 8 junior recruit in the state.
Dacula at Shiloh, boys: Shiloh (14-4, 8-2) was ranked No. 2 and holding a two-game lead in Region 8 just a week ago. Two road losses later (Dacula 66-57 and Central Gwinnett 61-58) and the Generals are just one slip from second place. Dacula (14-4, 7-2) visits Saturday in a rematch of the game in which 6-4 guard Kevon Tucker (21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds) scored 25.
Tucker at Newton, boys: This Saturday game is for first place in Region 2. Ninth-ranked Newton (17-2, 5-1) has won 12 straight since losing in Tucker's gym 57-56 on Dec. 5. Tucker (16-4, 6-0) is ranked No. 7. Newton has a freshman point guard, Ashton Hagans, who has a reported offer from Georgia. J.D. Notae, the leading scorer, and Jaquan Simms help make up a strong backcourt.
Tucker at Newton, girls: The girls game also is for first place. Both have won six straight since Jan. 1. Tucker, ranked No. 3, beat Newton (16-3, 5-1) at home 74-64 on Dec. 19. Tucker has a terrific trio of seniors – Najla Shamsid-Deen (a sophomore on Tucker's 2014 state-championship team), Jayla Morrow (transfer from Decatur) and Kierra Johnson-Graham (transfer from South Atlanta).
Grayson at Archer, girls: Second-ranked Archer (16-3, 10-0) needed overtime to beat Brookwood 50-39 earlier this week. Grayson (16-3, 7-3) has won 10 straight games. Grayson has won one state-playoff game in its history (2004) but is under the direction the past two seasons of Tony Watkins, the 600-game winner who was 59-2 in two recent seasons at Parkview.
