Here are some of the top boys and girls players to watch this season. If our list is missing someone, shout them out in the comments section or shoot an email to s.thomascoleman@yahoo.com.
BOYS
De’Andre Ballard, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (Sr.): The 6-4 guard is averaging 27 points per game for the Warriors, who are 7-4 thus far and ranked No. 3 in the private poll. Ballard is committed to Florida.
Nate Brooks, Stratford Academy (Sr.): The 6-7 forward led the Eagles to the private school semifinals last season.
Demiere Brown, North Cobb Christian (Sr.): The 6-6 forward is one of the reasons the Eagles are 9-2 and in the hunt once again for a state title. Brown reportedly has offers from Division II Clayton State and Division I Canisius of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Isaiah Hart, Whitefield Academy (Sr.): The lightning quick 5-11 guard is one of the top scorers in the state, averaging 27 points per game for the No. 8 Wolfpack. Recruiting interest is heating up for Hart, who reportedly has an offer from Alcorn State an Historically Black College/University in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Octavius Meadows, Bowdon (Sr.): The 6-7 forward leads the Red Devils at 19 points and six rebounds per game.
Ikey Obiaug, Greenforest (Sr.): The 7-footer is one of the nation's supreme shot blockers at seven per game. He is committed to Florida State.
Ahmad Rand, Lincoln County (Sr.): An all-state selection last season, the 6-7 forward flies under the radar at a school known more for football. He has averaged a triple double for most of this season thus far.
Others to watch: Marcal Knolton, Crawford County (Sr.); Dwon Odom, St. Francis (Fr.); Cole Smith, Holy Innocents' (Sr.); Rashun Williams, Calhoun County (Sr.)
Note: Wilkinson County 6-7 forward Greg Couson and Greenforest guard Justin Forrest, both seniors, belong on this list but have not returned to action from injury.
GIRLS
Anna Claire Atha, Darlington (Sr.): The all-state 5-9 guard eclipsed the 1,000-point mark last season for the Tigers. She has signed with Wofford.
Mikayla Coombs, Wesleyan (Sr.): The 5-10 combo guard is arguably the best player in the state. She has signed with UConn.
Maya Dodson, St. Francis (Sr.): The 6-1 guard was the Class A Player of the Year last season. Currently she averages 16 points and nine rebounds for the Knights, who are ranked No. 1 in the private poll. Dodson has signed with Stanford.
Kaila Hubbard, Holy Innocents (Jr.): The 5-10 guard was a Class AA all-state selection last season as a sophomore.
Morgan Jones, Our Lady of Mercy (Jr.): The 6-2 guard is the best player no one talks about, due to the fact that the Bobcats compete in Region 5 against the likes of Holy Innocents' and Wesleyan. Jones is averaging 30 points and 15 rebounds per game thus far.
Kasiyanah Kushkituah, St. Francis (Sr.): The 6-3 forward is averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game for the top-ranked Knights. She has signed with Tennessee.
Khayla Pointer, Holy Innocents' (Sr.): The 5-6 guard was a Class AA all-state selection last season, like her teammate Hubbard. Pointer has signed with LSU.
Others to watch: Tiamya Butler, SACA (Sr.); Brittany Davis, Greenville (Jr.); Le'Andrea Gillis, Treutlen (Jr.); Hanna Grogan, Lakeview Academy (Jr.); Destiny Thomas, Pelham (Sr.)
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