Most teams return from the holiday break with games tonight or Friday. Hard to believe, but there’s only about six weeks left in the regular season, so you’ll see a lot of regions get down to serious competition starting this week.
Here’s a look at the top 10 teams in the state, according to the latest rankings.
Boys
No. 1-ranked Laney (12-1) closed the year with a win over Class AAAAAA Berkmar and opened the year year with a 60-49 win over No. 2 Jenkins. The Wildcats already have wins over Morgan County, Stephenson, St. Francis and Norcross.
Laney averages 70.8 points, with five players averaging nine or more points: JaShawn Brooks (13 points), Collin Young (11.6), Zephaniah Jasper (9.0), Christian Keeling (9.0) and Jaylen Taylor (9.0). Laney plays tonight at Hephzibah.
No. 2 Jenkins (9-3) came to Atlanta during the Christmas Break and finished third in the Chick-fil-A Invitational at Tucker. They had a near miss against Class AAAAA champion Miller Grove and beat Class AAAA power Columbia in the consolation game of the 16-team event. Malik Benlevi (15.4 points) opened a lot of eyes at the tournament with his shooting touch; the senior appears to be a good acquisition for Georgia State. The Warriors play tonight at Islands.
No.3 Butler (12-1) is coming off a win at the Holiday Round Ball Classic. The Bulldogs are led by senior Don Coleman, who averages 23 points and 5.6 rebounds. Butler hosts Westside tonight, then travels to Laney for a big game on Friday.
No. 4 Cedar Grove went 1-2 in the Chick-fil-A Invitational at Tucker. The Saints lost to Class AAAAA champion Miller Grove and to a team from Meridian, Miss. Cedar Grove (9-2) plays again tonight against McNair.
No. 5 Morgan County (9-5) has played an aggressive schedule, with games against quality teams from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Maryland. The Bulldogs continue Region 8-AAA competition tonight at Oconee County.
No. 6 Johnson (12-2) won its division of the Savannah Holiday Classic, beating Savannah in the championship game. The Atom Smashers are coming off a 69-64 upset loss to Brunswick, but must get refocused for Wednesday’s first of two region meetings against Savannah. Johnson is led by Charleston Southern signee Antwan Maxwell, who averages 14.1 points.
No. 7 Savannah (9-5) returned from the break with a win over Islands. The Blue Jackets continue to play their trademark brand of tough defense, as only two opponents have scored 60 or more points against them. They allow an average of 53.6 points. Savannah plays Johnson on Wednesday at Savannah State.
No. 8 North Clayton (10-4) went 1-2 at the Kingdom of the Sun tournament in Ocala, Fla. The Eagles lost to eventual champion Cardinal Gibbons in the first round, beat Marianna, Fla., and lost to Vanguard, Fla. The Eagles are led by 6-foot-7 forward Reginald Scurry, who averages 20 points, and Taiyon Hector, who averages 13.7. Scurry was the MVP of the U-Save-It Tournament in Albany. The Eagles play tonight at South Atlanta.
No. 9 Rutland (13-1) is fresh from winning the Statesboro Christmas Invitational and knocked Peach County out of the rankings with a 83-79 win in Fort Valley. The Hurricanes average 85.8 points, with seniors Ty’lik Evans (24.9 points), Jeremy Braswell (20.5 points) and Dallas Smith (18.2) forming a formidable trio. Rutland plays again on Saturday against Northeast.
No. 10 Blessed Trinity (11-2) has won eight straight games heading into the resumption of its Region 4 schedule tonight against Therrell. The Titans went almost two weeks without a game, but returned on Saturday to thump Sprayberry by 25.
Girls
No. 1 Kendrick (15-0) has overwhelmed most of its competition this season that to an aggressive defense that has allowed no more than 53 points and have held four opponents to 20 or fewer points. The Cherokees bring a balanced scoring attack led by Melia Jones (12.1 points), Taylor Farley (11.2 points) and Mariah Igus (9.7 points). Kendrick travels to Southwest tonight and has a big game on Friday at Peach County.
No. 2 Dawson County (17-0) has dominated the competition this season. The Tigers are coming off an important Region 7 win at East Hall and travel to Dahlonega for tonight’s game with Lumpkin. Coach Steve Sweat’s team has a balanced offense approach with Sheyenne Seabolt (14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds), Ashley Parker (14.5 points, 9.1 rebounds) and Karlie Bearden (10.4 points, 7.9 rebounds) all in double figures.
No. 3 Laney (11-2) bounced back from a three-point loss to Brunswick to clobber Valdosta. Laney also has wins over Morgan County and Cross Creek. The Wildcats are led by Aliyah Collier (15.7 points, 8.1 rebounds), DeSha Benjamin (11.8 points) and Gemia Bowman (10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds). Laney plays tonight at Hephzibah.
No. 4 Decatur (14-1) has lost only to two-time state champion St. Pius, a former region opponent that moved up to Class AAAA. The Bulldogs are led by Jayla Morrow, who averages 19.2 points and needs just 80 points to reach 1,000 career points. Janay Williams (12.5 points, 11.9 rebounds) and Kayla Thomas (11.7 points, 8.9 rebounds) are other big-time contributors for the Dogs, who won the Walnut Grove Tournament during the break. Decatur plays again Friday at Therrell.
No. 5 Morgan County (8-3) is coming off a close loss to Class AAAAA Stephenson in the Sweet South Shootout, which broke an eight-game winning streak. The Bulldogs play at Oconee County tonight.
No. 6 South Atlanta jumped into the rankings after winning its first 13 games. The undefeated Hornets, who host North Clayton tonight, have four girls who average in double figures: Erica Gibbons (16.7 points, 7.4 rebounds), Kierra Johnson-Graham (15.3 points, 10.8 rebounds), Lawrencia Simon (13.9 points), Takira Lindley (12 points).
No. 7 Dodge County (9-1) have won four straight since its loss to Johnson. The Indians are led by Rachel Selph (11.9 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Keyria Gordon (11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds.) Dodge plays again tonight at Toombs County.
No. 8 Peach County (11-1) have won 11 straight since dropping the season opener to Kendrick by 41 points. The Trojans will try to avenge that disappointing loss on Friday when they get a rematch in Fort Valley. Nausia Woolfolk leads Peach County with 25.8 points and 6.3 rebounds and Jordan Davis adds 12.1 points. Peach plays at Westside tonight.
No. 9 Central Carroll (12-0) has dominated the scene in West Georgia and scored a nice two-point road win against Cass on Saturday. The Lions play again tonight at Haralson County (10-2) in the renewal of an old rivalry.
No. 10 Calhoun (10-3) brings a six-game winning streak into tonight’s game at LFO.
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