The newly formed Divisions I and II of Class A have created new storylines while rekindling old rivalries and opening pathways for postseason runs.
Here’s a look at some of the movers and shakers atop each division on the boys and girls sides:
The Mount Bethel boys are ranked No. 1 in Division I, and Greenforest is on top of Division II.
Two of the best recruits on the boys side play with Greenforest: Mississippi State-commitment Gai Choi (13 points, 10 rebounds per game) and Georgia State-commit D.K. Manyiel (12 points, 10 rebounds per game).
Greenforest (4-3) has three losses, but they all came in close games against higher-class and ranked opponents. Greenforest lost to Class 7A No. 6 McEachern (69-66), 5A No. 1 Kell (67-63) and Utah’s Wasatach Academy (56-29) Nov. 26. Greenforest will face Kell again at the Playing for Change at Pace Academy on Saturday.
Three-star Xavier Shegog is scoring 16 points per game with nine rebounds to lead No. 4-ranked Mount Vernon (9-4, 2-1). Senior Kenneth Southall and junior Dennis Scott III both average 10 points per game for the Mustangs.
On the girls side, Galloway tops Division I, and Taylor County is the top-ranked team in Division II.
Taylor County is 7-0 with victories against Macon County 57-37 and Chattahoochee County 68-59 last week.
Lake Oconee Academy, ranked No. 2 in Division II, is the A Private defending champion. The Titans need to right the ship after the program’s first loss of the season to Class 7A No. 8 North Paulding (42-32) Saturday.
Division I No. 2 St. Francis is 7-4 and 3-0 in Region 6. St. Francis is led by three players averaging double-figures. Junior Sa’Mya Wyatt is scoring 17 points with eight rebounds per game; junior Nya Young averages 13 points with seven assists per game, and senior Trynce Taylor is scoring 11 points with nine rebounds and three steals per game.
Class A Division I Boys Top 10
1. Mt. Bethel
2. King’s Ridge
3. Mt. Pisgah
4. Mt. Vernon
5. Social Circle
6. Tallulah Falls
7. Woodville-Thompkins
8. Darlington
9. Dublin
10. Chattooga
Class A Division II Boys Top 10
1. Greenforest Christian
2. Christian Heritage
3. Portal
4. Wilkinson County
5. Manchester
6. Charlton County
7. Dooly County
8. Mitchell County
9. Macon County
10. Calhoun County
Class A Division I Girls Top 10
1. Galloway
2. St. Francis
3. Rabun County
4. Elbert County
5. Heard County
6. Woodville-Tompkins
7. Lamar County
8. Athens Christian
9. Darlington
10. Pepperell
Class A Division II Girls Top 10
1. Taylor County
2. Lake Oconee Academy
3. Schley County
4. Clinch County
5. Turner County
6. Mount Zion-Carroll
7. Montgomery County
8. Randolph-Clay
9. Seminole County
10. Towns County
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