Class AAAAAAA
R2
Notable: No. 3 Westlake, No. 4 Wheeler, No. 6 Pebblebrook
R6
Notable: No. 9 Collins Hill, No. 10 Discovery, Mountain View, Peachtree Ridge, Duluth
R7
Notable: No. 5 Berkmar, No. 7 Norcross, Meadowcreek
R8
Notable: No. 1 Newton, Grayson, Shiloh, South Gwinnett
R3
Notable: No. 2 McEachern, Hillgrove, Marietta
R1
Notable: No. 8 Tift County, Lowndes, Colquitt County
R4
Notable: Roswell, Cherokee, Woodstock, Etowah
R5
Notable: Lambert, Milton
Region 2 ranks No. 1 in Class AAAAAAA with its star-powered top three, but don’t forget about Campbell (9-9) and East Coweta (11-8) who lengthens the region. Region 6’s plethora of teams all fighting to crack the Top 10 sometimes cannibalize each other as far as statewide recognition goes, but the region is the deepest in the state with quality teams. Region 7 isn’t far behind with No. 7 Norcross and No. 5 Berkmar carrying the load while Meadowcreek (11-8) lurks in the weeds as the Mustangs wait to get healthy. Region 8 is no cakewalk with No. 1 Newton in the mix. Grayson (12-6) is starting to get hot and will be a dangerous team come state tournament time. Shiloh (10-8) still defends at a high rate but their down year hurts the region in the rankings. South Gwinnett (10-5) has been a pleasant surprise. No. 2 McEachern carries Region 3, but Hillgrove (12-5) has proven they can play with anyone. Region 1 has three teams racking up wins with No. 8 Tift County pacing the four-team region. Lowndes (16-3) and Colquitt County (14-4) could play spoiler in the state tournament. Roswell (16-3) has emerged from Region 4 as the team to beat, while Region 5 has seen Lambert (16-3) dominate the field, but Milton (7-10) is also 4-0 in region play.
Class AAAAAA
R5
Notable: No. 1 South Paulding, No. 5 Langston Hughes, No. 7 Alexander
R2
Notable: No. 4 Richmond Hill, Brunswick, Effingham County
R6
Notable: No. 8 South Cobb, Allatoona
R8
Notable: No. 2 Gainesville, Dacula
R4
Notable: No. 3 Jonesboro, Tucker, Stephenson
R7
Notable: No. 6 Alpharetta, Pope, Cambridge
R3
Notable: No. 9 Lakeside-Evans, No. 10 Heritage-Conyers
R1
Notable: Valdosta, Coffee
Region 5 leads Class AAAAAA with three teams in the Top 10 and a group of athletic wild-card teams that can upset you if not taken serious. Only five teams play in Region 2, but the south coastal grouping has dangerous teams in No. 4 Richmond Hill, 2014-15 state champ Brunswick (14-5) and Effingham County (15-5). No. 8 South Cobb leads Region 6 with Allatoona (8-8), Dalton (12-4) and Sprayberry (11-7) as capable teams if they get hot. No. 2 Gainesville and Dacula (14-5) are the class of Region 8. It will be a two-team race down the stretch. Region 4 hasn’t had anyone standout except for No. 3 Jonesboro, who should run the table. Much like Region 6, Region 7’s large nine-team region has some teams fighting for respect. Right now No. 6 Alpharetta is the best of the best with Pope (14-3) trying to cement themselves as a statewide contender. Outside of No. 9 Lakeside-Evans and No. 10 Heritage-Conyers, there isn’t much in Region 3 to compete with the Top 10 ranked teams. Only two teams have winning records in Region 1 with Valdosta (12-7) and Coffee (10-6) looking like the region’s only hope to advance in state.
Class AAAAA
R8
Notable: No. 1 Buford, No. 2 Cedar Shoals, No. 10 Flowery Branch
R5
Notable: No. 5 Miller Grove, No. 7 Columbia, Southwest DeKalb
R4
Notable: No. 8 Eagle’s Landing, No. 9 Union Grove, Dutchtown, Stockbridge
R6
Notable: Riverwood, Maynard Jackson, Lithia Springs, North Springs
R7
Notable: Kell, Carrollton, Cass, Villa Rica
R3
Notable: No. 4 Fayette County, Starr’s Mill
R2
Notable: No. 6 New Hampstead, Statesboro
R1
Notable: No. 3 Warner Robins, Veterans
It’s nearly a toss-up between Region 5 and Region 8, but Region 8’s top two teams are just enough to take the top spot while Region 5’s second tier group might be a little stronger than 8’s. Region 4 has played well of late with Dutchtown (12-6) and Stockbridge (12-6) capable of upsetting anyone in the region, something the Bulldogs have already done, scoring wins over No. 8 Eagle’s Landing and No. 9 Union Grove. Region 6 and Region 7 are neck and neck, but Riverwood (15-4) and Maynard Jackson (13-5) have just a little more upside. If Kell (13-4) gets Brian Thomas back healthy, that may change. No. 4 Fayette County owns Region 3 with McIntosh (7-10) and Starr’s Mill (11-6) jockeying for position behind them. No. 6 New Hampstead should win Region 6, but Statesboro (11-8) has been a thorn in their side. No one will touch No. 3 Warner Robins in Region 1 if they stay focused.
Class AAAA
R4
Notable: No. 2 Henry County, No. 8 Salem, Eastside, Woodward Academy, North Clayton
R5
Notable: No. 4 LaGrange, No. 5 Sandy Creek, No. 10 Cartersville
R1
Notable: No. 6 Carver-Columbus, Americus-Sumter, Westover, Shaw
R3
Notable: No. 3 Richmond Academy, Baldwin, Burke County, Thomson
R2
Notable: No. 1 Upson-Lee, No.7 Perry, Mary Persons
R8
Notable: No. 9 St. Pius, Stephens County, Madison County
R7
Notable: Blessed Trinity, White County, Marist
R6
Notable: LaFayette, Northwest Whitfield, Heritage-Catoosa
Class AAAA has been a jumbled up mess this season with teams ranked in the Top 5 one week and bounced from the poll and never to be heard from again the following week. Region 4 has been the posterchild for this and edges Region 5 as the toughest region. Region 4 has more depth with upwards of five teams that could get hot and win the region tournament. Region 5 might have the most talented team in the state in No. 5 Sandy Creek, but No. 4 LaGrange is currently in the driver’s seat with No. 10 Cartersville close behind. Region 1 has quietly been a strong group. No. 6 Carver-Columbus has played well while Americus-Sumter (14-4), Westover (8-6) and Shaw (10-9) aren’t teams to sleep on. Over near Augusta, Region 3 touts No. 3 Richmond Academy as their team to beat. Coach Buck Harris has turned Baldwin (12-6) into a competitor in Year 2 while underachieving Thomson (7-8) still has the pieces to put things together. No. 1 Upson-Lee solidifies Region 2 with No. 7 Perry and the Cam Holden-led Mary Persons Bulldogs (11-7). Region 8 has been a disappointment as far as keeping teams in the Top 10, but that can be credited to teams like Madison County (12-6) and Oconee County (10-7) playing spoiler, giving the region a little more depth than expected. Region 7’s Blessed Trinity came out of the gates 12-3, but have now lost their last three games. White County (13-7) remains a well-coached team and Marist (10-9) is surprising opponents. There are a few good records in Region 6, but the lack of competition and strong non-region schedule keeps the region in the basement. Outside of North Georgia, the region historically struggles to compete in the state playoffs.
Class AAA
R5
Notable: No. 5 Pace Academy, No. 8 Cedar Grove, Lovett
R3
Notable: No. 6 Jenkins, No. 7 Islands, Johnson-Savannah
R7
Notable: No. 2 Greater Atlanta Christian, East Hall, North Hall
R4
Notable: No. 1 Westside-Macon, No. 9 Central-Macon
R2
Notable: No. 3 Liberty County, No. 10 Long County
R1
Notable: Monroe, Dougherty, Crisp County
R6
Notable: Calhoun, Sonoraville, Coahulla Creek
R8
Notable: No. 4 Morgan County, Hart County
Metro Atlanta and Savannah battle for the top region in Class AAA. Metro’s Region 5 ranks No. 1 overall with Wendell Carter leading No. 5 Pace Academy. Lovett (12-6) and Redan (7-7) are two other teams that have guard play to bother opponents. Region 3 has championship experience with No. 6 Jenkins. No. 7 Islands suffered a brutal loss to Southeast Bulloch, but is still one of the best teams in Savannah. Region 7 has more depth than Region 4 even though 4 holds No. 1 Westside-Macon and No. 9 Central-Macon. In Region 2, No. 3 Liberty County is head and shoulders above the rest. Region 1 hasn’t hit its stride yet but all three top teams have potent scorers that can carry their respective teams. Calhoun (13-4) is having a down year for their standards but Sonoraville (16-3) has strengthened Region 6. No. 4 Morgan County might not have as much talent as they did last year, but the defending state champions will have momentum heading into the state tournament in a weak Region 8.
Class AA
R4
Notable: No. 3 Josey, No. 5 Laney, No. 8 Glenn Hills, No. 10 Butler
R1
Notable: No. 4 Thomasville, No. 9 Early County, Fitzgerald
R8
Notable: No. 7 Banks County, Monticello, Putnam County
R2
Notable: Swainsboro, Jeff Davis, Toombs County, Metter, Vidalia
R6
Notable: No. 1 South Atlanta, Hapeville Charter, Therrell
R3
Notable: No. 2 Dublin, Bleckley County, Southwest-Macon
R7
Notable: No. 6 Chattooga, Rockmart
R5
Notable: Heard County, Temple
Augusta’s Region 4 is the easy choice for the best grouping in Class AA. Region 1 has a chance to spoil the party with No. 4 Thomasville’s massive D-I frontcourt headed by Reggie Perry (Arkansas) and Titus Wright. No. 9 Early County and Fitzgerald are both capable of deep tournament runs. Region 8 has strong guard play in the form of Monticello (12-6) and Putnam County (13-5). No. 7 Banks County butters its bread with their inside tandem of Kahmal Wiley and Dylan Orr. Five teams have winning records in Region 2. Swainsboro (11-6) is 9-0 in region play and has always been a tough out in the state tournament. Jeff Davis (15-5), Toombs County (13-6) and Vidalia (10-8) have all had their moments. Region 6 would be higher if Anthony Edwards didn’t transfer from Therrell (11-6). No. 2 Dublin and Southwest-Macon (11-7) have quality wins out of Region 3. No. 6 Chattooga should steamroll their way to another Region 7 championship while Region 5 has sunk to the bottom of the barrel after Callaway (4-7) has been a major disappointment.
Class A
R5
Notable: No. 1 Greenforest, No. 3 Southwest Atlanta Christian, No. 6 Holy Innocents’, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy
R6
Notable: No. 2 North Cobb Christian, No. 4 St. Francis, No. 8 Whitefield Academy, No. 10 Darlington
R7
Notable: No. 5 Aquinas, No. 5 Wilkinson County, Tattnall Square Academy, Lincoln County
R8
Notable: No. 7 Lakeview Academy, No. 9 Tallulah Falls, Athens Christian, Towns County
R4
Notable: No. 3 Taylor County, No. 7 Central-Talbotton, Crawford County, Macon County
R1
Notable: No. 1 Calhoun County, No. 2 Quitman County, No. 6 Randolph-Clay
R2
Notable: No. 8 Clinch County, No. 9 Irwin County, No. 10 Turner County, Wilcox County
R3
Notable: No. 4 Treutlen, Montgomery County, Savannah Christian
Class A’s four regions with private schools top the chart. Region 5 is loaded with No. 1 Greenforest, No. 3 Southwest Atlanta Christian and No. 6 Holy Innocents’. Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (11-4) has become competitive under first-year head coach Derrick Mason. Region 6 is loaded with the state’s best scorer, Demiere Brown, leading No. 2 North Cobb Christian. The state’s best freshman, Dwon Odom, powers No. 4 St. Francis. And lastly, possibly the state’s best unsigned scoring point guard, Isaiah Hart, fuels No. 8 Whitefield Academy. Region 7 is the best of both worlds with Class A-Private No. 5 Aquinas and Class A-Public No. 5 Wilkinson County. Lincoln County (9-4) has a chance to make a statement and burst into the Class A-Public Top 10 if they can beat Aquinas this Friday. Region 8 comes in ahead of the public regions thanks to No. 7 Lakeview Academy and the arrival of No. 9 Tallulah Falls. Athens Christian’s 15-3 record sparkles, but they are still in search of a true signature win. Region 1 might have three of the top six teams in the state, but it is extremely top heavy. Region 4’s No. 3 Taylor County can play with anyone at their level and can send scares into the big boys, their only two losses coming against Class AAAA No. 1 Upson-Lee by 12 and 6 points. Crawford County (12-6) and Macon County (13-5) help build depth with No. 7 Central-Talbotton and even Schley County (9-8). Region 2 has three teams at the bottom of the poll and will continue to shuffle around. Region 3 has No. 4 Treutlen undefeated, but the region hasn’t been very strong on the statewide picture outside of the Vikings.