The Upson-Lee boys are ranked No. 10 in Class 3A entering the Chuck Miller Classic at McDonough Tuesday through Thursday, which should help prepare the Knights for a region, and possibly, state run.

The Thomaston-based team has two basketball titles -- back-to-back Class 4A championships in 2017 and 2018. But after losing to eventual-champion Cross Creek in the opening round last season, Upson wants more.

Upson is coming off a split of games in the Lemon Street Classic at Marietta, where it defeated Therrell 59-56 and lost to Washington 85-59. The Knights opened the season with a 75-59 loss to Griffin but rebounded with an 81-40 victory against Lamar County. Upson lost to Class A Division I No. 10 Oglethorpe County 65-62 on Nov. 21.

After losing to Oglethorpe, Upson beat Clarke Central 68-57, Taylor County 43-35, Lamar County 87-60, Carver-Columbus 60-53 and Griffin 61-58 leading into the Lemon Street Classic.

Senior Kemarion Alston, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound point guard, averages almost 20 points per game. Sophomore Carmelo Williams, a 6-1, 145-pound guard, adds 17 points per game, and senior Josh Atwater has added around 10 points per game.

In the Miller Classic, the Knights will play Marietta (1-12) Tuesday, 4A No. 1 McDonough (8-1, 3-0) Wednesday and Pine Forest (Fla.) on Thursday before opening region play Jan. 3 against Jackson at home.

Class 3A Boys Top-10

1. Sandy Creek

2. Johnson-Savannah

3. Beach

4. Cedar Grove

5. Monroe Area

6. Calvary Day

7. Cross Creek

8. Oconee County

9. Wesleyan

10. Upson-Lee

Class 3A Girls Top-10

1. Hebron Christian

2. White County

3. Wesleyan

4. Lumpkin County

5. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe

6. Pickens

7. Mary Persons

8. Cross Creek

9. Monroe

10. Carver-Columbus

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC