Class AAAAAAA

1. McEachern
2. Grayson
3. Wheeler
4. Newton
5. Berkmar
6. Norcross
7. Osborne
8. Milton
9. Carrollton
10. Walton

Class AAAAAA

1. Alexander
2. Woodward Academy
3. Riverwood
4. St. Pius X
5. Jonesboro
6. Lanier
7. Lakeside-Evans
8. Shiloh
9. South Paulding
10. Langston Hughes

Class AAAAA

1. Kell
2. Eagle’s Landing
3. Maynard Jackson
4. Dutchtown
5. Hiram
6. Chapel Hill
7. Mays
8. Tri-Cities
9. Warner Robins
10. Union Grove

Class AAAA

1. Pace Academy
2. McDonough
3. Holy Innocents’
4. North Oconee
5. Madison County
6. Central-Carrollton
7. Seckinger
8. Fayette County
9. Walnut Grove
10. Benedictine

Class AAA

1. Sandy Creek
2. Douglass
3. Cedar Grove
4. Cross Creek
5. Dougherty
6. Johnson-Savannah
7. Calvary Day
8. Long County
9. Hebron Christian
10. Adairsville

Class AA

1. Columbia
2. Westside-Augusta
3. Butler
4. Southwest-Macon
5. Dodge County
6. Thomson
7. Spencer
8. North Cobb Christian
9. Walker
10. Vidalia

Class A D-I

1. Mt. Vernon
2. Darlington
3. Paideia
4. Savannah
5. St. Francis
6. Mt. Pisgah
7. King’s Ridge
8. Oglethorpe County
9. Swainsboro
10. Temple

Class A D-II

1. Christian Heritage
2. Portal
3. Calhoun County
4. Greenforest
5. Mitchell County
6. Macon County
7. Charlton County
8. Clinch County
9. Randolph-Clay
10. Jenkins County

The end of the seven-classification era is nearly upon us, which means it will be even harder to win a state title next year but in the present day, there are still banners to be hung. This season is a little hazier than others as a plethora of top players across the state are committed as big time football prospects leaving uncertainty as to who will suit up on the hardwood for their final season and who will be early enrolling, leaving massive voids for their respective schools to fill.

Class 7A

As it does each and every season, Class 7A holds some of the top programs in the entire nation. This year, it looks like No. 1 McEachern is the team to beat headlined by five-star 6-foot-10 wing Ace Bailey, a Rutgers-commit who averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 blocks per game. The Indians enter the year coming off a 23-7 season which ended in the Elite Eight, losing 79-71 to eventual state champion Wheeler. 6-foot-4 sharpshooter Moses Hipps, 6-foot-5 effort-man Nnadozie Onyirimba and 6-foot-6 forward Devin Moise build out a talented senior class. Junior guards 6-foot Christian Curl and 6-foot-4 Jayden Bynes provide playmaking and shooting to the backcourt while 6-foot-6 Isaiah Dulaney is a burgeoning swingman. 6-foot-10 junior JD Palm battled serious health concerns last season and will be a major boon if cleared to play at some point this season. 6-foot-5 senior John McQueen (9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.3 apg) moves in from Langston Hughes after battling a nagging wrist injury while 6-foot-2 senior Jaye Nash transfers from Oak Hill Academy holding multiple High Major offers and was a Preseason All-State pick. No. 2 Grayson fell in the Final Four with a 24-6 record, defeated 67-55 by state champ Wheeler. The Rams have All-State stalwarts in 6-foot-4 senior Gicarri Harris (17.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.5 apg) and 6-foot-9 junior Jacob Wilkins who moved in from Parkview. Grayson often has more toughness in the post than most teams and will rely upon 6-foot-8 junior Amir Taylor and now-eligible 6-foot-6 senior Ahmad Clark to score around the rim. Even with star sophomore Kayden Allen transferring to Montverde Academy and Corey Gatlin leaving for Berkmar, the Rams still have a stable of battle-tested guards. Western Carolina-commit CJ Hyland and Appalachian State-commit Anthony Alston are savvy playmakers while 6-foot-2 senior Laz Mason and 6-foot-2 sophomore Kamari Brown could start on most teams across the state. No. 3 Wheeler won their third state title in four years, toppling region foe Cherokee 78-58 to put a close on a 26-6 season. If you include Wheeler’s two-game stint in the State Champions Invitational, the Wildcats finished the year 27-7, losing to Sidwell Friends 57-54 in the national championship. Wheeler has monster shoes to fill in USC-signees Isaiah Collier, the number one player in the country and 6-foot-9 Arrinten Page. The Wildcats return Kennesaw State-commit Ricky McKenzie and 6-foot-11 Arkansas State-commit Josh Hill. 6-foot-5 Julian Ormond could see an expanded role his senior season. Sophomores Kota Suttle and Lamarrion Lewis are expected to see important minutes in Year 2, especially Suttle who snagged offers from Georgia, Cincinnati, Ole Miss and George Mason this summer. Three new faces will help propel Wheeler to title contender status between 6-foot-6 senior wing David Clark, an All-State transfer from Campbell, 6-foot-2 junior Jake Taylor (17.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 3.3 spg – Excel Christian) and 5-foot-9 freshman Kevin Savage who already holds offers from George Mason, Auburn, Arizona State, Ole Miss and Florida State. Coach Barry Browner takes over the reins at No. 4 Newton and has a glut of athletes in place to help replace the production of All-American Stephon Castle (UConn), Jakai Newton (Indiana) and MJ Whitlock (Kennesaw State). The Rams finished 19-11, falling to Norcross at the buzzer on a tip-in 58-56 in the Elite Eight. 6-foot-4 senior Jabez Jenkins, a Belmont-commit, steps into the forefront his final season and will be joined by fellow seniors 6-foot-1 Tay Jefferies and 6-foot-3 AJ Belcher. The Rams have a springy frontline between 6-foot-5 junior Ted Neal and 6-foot-6 sophomore Jordan Green, a move-in from Norcross. 6-foot junior Tim Prather was a Region 4 Honorable Mention selection a year ago. 6-foot-2 junior Zach Harden had a breakout offseason and is D-I football recruit while 5-foot-8 sophomore Kelvin White figures to see steady minutes as a sparkplug playmaker. No. 5 Berkmar slipped to 14-16, beat in the Sweet 16 by Cherokee 73-58 after losing in the state title game the season prior. The Patriots have a strong core back along with four transfers to bolster the backcourt. Berkmar will be anchored inside by 6-foot-9 junior Mekhi Ragland. 6-foot-5 junior Eddie Cooke is a big guard that was named All-Region while 5-foot-7 senior Jeronimo Ondo is a tiny bundle of energy. The Patriots landed 6-foot-1 senior Corey Gatlin (Grayson), 5-foot-10 junior David Culbreath-Martin (Duluth), 6-foot-2 junior Kamal Green (Brookwood) and most recently, 6-foot-2 senior Mike White (Mountain View). Culbreath-Martin was an All-Region selection from Region 7 foe Duluth while White earned All-Region 8 honors. No. 6 Norcross was stunned in the Final Four in overtime by Cherokee 63-60, closing the year 26-5. The Blue Devils graduate five key seniors and saw four players transfer out this offseason. Region 6-5A Honorable Mention selection 6-foot-4 senior Kennedy Warren (13 ppg) moves in from Centennial while 6-foot-7 senior Casey Williams transfers in from Oakland, TN as an explosive athlete. 6-foot senior Cameron Robinson, a Navy football-commit, comes over from St. Francis where he averaged 6.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 steals. Still in the mix from last year’s team, 6-foot-2 senior Toby Ojukwu was an All-Defensive Team selection and holds offers from St. Louis and Columbia. 6-foot-4 senior Michael Pace along with breakout candidates 6-foot-6 junior Chieng Yat and 6-foot-7 sophomore Jaron Saulsberry bring length and athleticism to the perimeter. Saulsberry has seen offers roll in from Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Florida State, USC and Auburn this offseason. No. 7 Osborne battled in Region 5 for a 17-13 finish, closing the year with a 72-60 loss at Norcross in the Sweet 16. 6-foot-4 All-State junior Akai Fleming averaged 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks as a sophomore. Almost the entire roster around Fleming will be different this year with four transfers joining the fold in 6-foot-4 junior Jeremiah Waters (Westover – Region 1-4A Second Team), 6-foot-8 junior Hakeem Weems (WD Mohammed – Region 7 A D-II Second Team), 6-foot-4 junior Thomas McBride (Kennesaw Mountain) and 6-foot-2 junior Jayvion Nurse (Wheeler). Although they were on different rosters during GBCA Live, freshmen Omari Chaudhry and Josh Smith are at Osborne, Chaudhry a Day 1 impact maker that already holds an offer from Georgetown. 6-foot-5 sophomore Jabari Hall has the tools to make a difference throughout the year while 6-foot senior Nehemiah Stowers (3.9 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.8 spg) is a veteran guard that returns with the most experience. No. 8 Milton saw an injury to Josh Dixon tank the season, finishing 19-10 with an 81-64 first round exit at Wheeler. The All-State junior is now healthy and has new pieces around him in Preseason All-State pick 6-foot-4 senior Anthony Gause (Christian Brothers, MO), 6-foot-7 junior Daniel Ogunyemi (Valor Christian) and 5-foot-11 sophomore Grant McDuffie (Mt. Pisgah) to replace key graduates Seth Fitzgerald (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M) and Devan Rush (TSF) along with transfers Avery White and Jacob Tillman. 6-foot-7 junior Braxton Giesler should see an increased role this upcoming season. No. 9 Carrollton surged to a 22-7 mark with an Elite Eight appearance, losing to Cherokee 70-66. Although KeShaun Pace (Reinhardt) and Cam Merritt (West Georgia) are Carrollton’s only two big losses, there are still questions marks around the Trojans thanks to the status of 6-foot-6 All-State selection Caleb Odom and whether or not the Alabama football-commit will play basketball his senior season. If he does, the Trojans look like a threat to take another deep run. Seniors 6-foot-1 O’Brien Watkins and 5-foot-10 Eli Pippins form an electric backcourt with terrific chemistry, Watkins a downhill playmaker while Pippins is a knockdown shooter and scrappy defender. 6-foot-3 senior Hudson Blackmon has deep three-point range, rounding out a battle-tested senior class. Baseball standout LaDorian Jordan moves in from Villa Rica to help out in the backcourt while 6-foot-2 junior forward Montrell Cousin is a burly powerhouse that brings toughness in the paint. No. 10 Walton is the third team out of Region 5 to debut in the Top 10. The Raiders posted a 19-12 record with an Elite Eight berth, upended at Grayson 46-29. Walton loses size in 6-foot-7 Harrison Morris (Hampden-Sydney) but brings back their veteran guard play led by All-State selection 6-foot-1 Luke Flynn, a Wofford-commit. 6-foot-2 junior Caesar Burrows is coming off an All-Region campaign while 6-foot-1 senior JP Wells, 6-foot-3 junior Nikolas Avaliani, 6-foot-3 senior Leo Etah and 6-foot senior Khamani Paxton round out the backcourt. 6-foot-4 junior Dubem Igwilo is a strong and springy forward that will be trusted to clean the glass along with 6-foot-4 senior Zach Plange.

Class 6A

Class 6A feels much more wide open this year than it did last season. No. 1 Alexander won their first state title at 27-5, overpowering Lee County 64-42. The Cougars however graduate seven seniors including four starters. Reigning Class 6A Player of the Year 6-foot-8 senior Braedan Lue is back after averaging 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks. 6-foot-2 sophomore Gregory Dunson, a Preseason All-State pick, assumes lead guard duties after earning offers from Tennessee Tech and Texas State this summer. Alexander added seniors 6-foot-6 Allen Stoddard (9.9 ppg, 9 rpg, 1 apg, 1.1 spg, 2.2 bpg – New Manchester) and 6-foot-2 Jermaine Freeman (11 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 spg – South Cobb) to bolster the starting rotation. 5-foot-10 freshman Micah Goodlow could see minutes early on in his career. No. 2 Woodward Academy dropped 59-58 at Riverwood in the first round of state after slipping to the three-seed out of Region 3. The War Eagles closed the year 22-6 and now return their top four leading scorers. 6-foot-6 junior Deke Cooper (14.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg) and Preseason All-State guards 6-foot-2 senior Brandon Peters (14 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 1.9 spg) and 6-foot-3 junior Zac Foster (12 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3 apg, 2.3 spg) lead the charge. Cooper earned offers from Tulane, Kennesaw State and Tennessee Tech this summer while Foster nabbed Mississippi State, South Florida and Cincinnati. 5-foot-11 senior Miles Harvey is the fourth head of the attack, averaging 8.8 points as a junior. No. 3 Riverwood has the most potent one-two punch in Georgia between Preseason First Team All-State guards 6-foot-2 Vanderbilt-commit Karris Bilal (22.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 spg) and 6-foot-5 junior Jalen Leonard (22.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1 spg). Leonard is one of the state’s hottest stock risers, picking up offers from Georgia, Kennesaw State, Wake Forest, East Carolina, South Florida and most recently Tennessee. The Raiders posted a 19-11 record with a 70-63 loss at Lee County in the Sweet 16. 6-foot-4 senior guard Jesse Graves (5.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg), 5-foot-10 sophomore Kaleb Bilal (2.6 ppg) and 6-foot-5 junior Justin Stewart (2.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg) balance the attack. No. 4 St. Pius X put together a 24-6 mark with a 54-53 loss at home to Etowah in the Elite Eight. The Golden Lions graduate eight seniors but have a talented sophomore class to lean on led by 6-foot-5 guard Tobias Brinkley, 6-foot-5 forward Dmarley Elliott and 6-foot-3 guard Harris Reynolds. 6-foot junior Aiden Portee has experience as does 6-foot-5 senior Liam Mullins when healthy. 6-foot-3 junior Ashton Bjerke transfers in from Marist to provide depth in the backcourt. No. 5 Jonesboro went 24-4, losing at home in the Elite Eight to state champ Alexander, 54-53. The Cardinals graduate their top two scorers and see their fourth option Jason Isaac transfer to Union Grove. Brothers 6-foot-2 senior Montez Redding (11.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.5 apg) and 6-foot sophomore Cortez Redding (4.3 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.9 apg) will be asked to guide the birds. 5-foot-9 senior London Wingfield brings outside shooting to the backcourt. Sophomores 5-foot-11 Isiah Turman and 6-foot-2 Jamar Owens were sparkplugs off the bench in Year 1. Jonesboro adds a pair of juniors in 6-foot-3 Camarion Carter (9.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg – Drew) and 6-foot-4 Chris Jones (Lovejoy). No. 6 Lanier fumbled a golden opportunity at a state championship after knocking off Grovetown 62-58 in the Elite Eight but getting upset by Lee County 49-48 in the Final Four. The Longhorns don’t have nearly as high a ceiling this season due to graduation and the transfer of Jayce Nathaniel to AZ Compass but the Longhorns still have a pair of Preseason All-State selections in seniors 6-foot-1 Tahai Morgan and 6-foot-4 DeAndre Cowan, a transfer from Hargrave Military that had a brief stint at Notre Dame Academy. 5-foot-10 senior Cameron Thornton is a veteran guard that can help stretch the floor. Lanier’s upside may be determined by the development of juniors 6-foot-5 wing Amari Morgan and 6-foot-7 forward Brandon Lanier. If the tandem can be consistent contributors, the Longhorns may be able to contend for a Region 8 title. No. 7 Lakeside-Evans is quietly becoming a contender, posting a 19-11 record with a 62-57 loss in the Sweet 16 at St. Pius X. Marcus Diggs replaces Brad Powers as head coach and will look to keep momentum building. The Panthers return four of their top five players highlighted by Region 2 First Teamer 6-foot-5 junior swingman Bryce Reynierson. Seniors Zay Howard – a Second Team All-Region pick – along with Honorable Mention selections Justin Barnes and Mikeal Grissom are expected back. Added to the mix this year are 6-foot-7 junior DaKylan Hill, a Region 4-2A Second Teamer from Laney and 5-foot-7 junior Ty Jones, a Region 1-5A First Team selection from Greenbrier who averaged 8.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. No. 8 Shiloh finished 15-15, losing in the Sweet 16 at Alexander 66-57. Four of the Generals top five scorers graduate, but leading scorer 6-foot-8 junior Tylis Jordan is back after posting 12.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Jordan is a Preseason All-State pick along with 6-foot-3 junior Cameron Stephen, who moves in from Putnam County and could be a frontrunner for Class 6A Most Improved Player looking to build off his 3.8 points, 3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Shiloh also added 6-foot junior Amari Shuler from Parkview. Seniors Caden Mitchell (3.1 ppg) and Waymon Bowie (3.1 ppg) are experienced. No. 9 South Paulding recorded a 22-8 season, losing at Lanier in the Sweet 16, 67-55. The Spartans turn to single-game scoring record holder 6-foot-2 senior Andrew LaVigne and 6-foot-4 senior David Williams to lead the way, two returning starters. 6-foot-5 senior Evrad Makendi has improved greatly over the summer and earned an Andrew College offer this October. Sophomores Josiah Azu and Tanner Pitts will be relied upon to open up the floor with their three-point shooting. Juniors Kash Lamar and Malachi Hogan will vie for playing time in the backcourt, as will seniors DJ Reese and Joshua Pgouda if they return from football. No. 10 Langston Hughes went 19-9 but were stunned in the first round at River Ridge, 52-50. The Panthers lose four of their top five scorers, their second option John McQueen (9.2 ppg) transferring to McEachern. 6-foot-2 senior Brentis Schaeffer projects to be a go-to guy in the backcourt after averaging 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. 6-foot-6 junior Jaron Lemelle (3.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1 apg) returns with the second most playing time under his belt. 6-foot-5 senior wing Cameron Catholic moves in from Arlington Christian where he averaged 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3 steals per game. 6-foot-2 sophomore Kendrell Agnew comes over from Westlake. 6-foot-5 sophomore Xavier Tiller, a D-I tight end, could be a difference maker in the paint once he gets off the gridiron.

Class 5A

No. 1 Kell is in position to repeat as state champs, but it won’t be as easy now that 7-foot Missouri-commit Peyton Marshall has left for Overtime Elite. The Longhorns racked up a 28-2 mark, topping Eagle’s Landing in the state title game 61-53. Preseason All-State selections 6-foot-2 CJ Brown (South Florida) and 6-foot-6 Cannon Richards are freak athletes that can outleap anyone. Richards has begun to draw D-I attention with offers from Alabama A&M and Kennesaw State. Kell has a pair of sharpshooters in reigning Class 5A Best Shooter Jaylen Colon, an Alabama A&M-commit and junior Connor Staphylaris. 6-foot-4 junior Ben Lee moves in from Pope. No. 2 Eagle’s Landing posted a 29-2 record, losing in the state championship for a second consecutive season, this time eliminated by Kell 61-53. Replacing David Thomas (Mercer) will be exceptionally hard to do but the Eagles have at least found answers for Kenneth Brayboy (Clayton State) and Khylan McKennie (Kankakee CC). 6-foot sophomore Bobby Buggs joins the team after averaging 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.4 steals per game as an All-Region 8 member at Heritage-Conyers. 6-foot-6 senior Dwight Brown enters the fray after a one-year stint at Newton. The two join an aggressive and athletic core paced by Preseason All-State selection 5-foot-11 senior Clark Mastin. He is flanked by 6-foot-3 senior Chris Morris who earned a Long Beach State offer in May and 6-foot-2 senior Tylon Redmond. 6-foot-5 sophomore Maddox Melancon could see a major uptick in playing time. No. 3 Maynard Jackson has a lot going for them if they are able to escape Region 5 with a top seed after slipping to the four last year. The Jaguars went 17-10 a year ago, losing in the first round of state at Kell, 97-68. Maynard Jackson’s three top scorers are set to return powered by Preseason All-State selections 5-foot-7 junior Yusef Bowyer (16.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 93 3PTM 43%) and 6-foot-8 Kennesaw State-commit Mekhi Turner (14.9 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 3.5 bpg). 6-foot senior Cassius Watkins is a physical downhill guard that averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game while 6-foot-3 senior Tyquan O’Neal averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals. No. 4 Dutchtown lost their first game of the season (76-58) and last game of the season (73-60) to state champ Kell, losing to the Longhorns in the Elite Eight to finish the season 22-9. Even with a large senior class graduating, the Bulldogs have plenty of length and enough firepower to make it to Macon. 6-foot-7 senior Joah Chappelle is a Preseason All-State selection, a versatile inside-out wing that plays above the rim. 6-foot-8 senior Matthew Hinton is an imposing rim protector while 6-foot-3 junior Austin Mosby-Weems is a strong-bodied guard that can score at all levels. Added into the fold this year is 6-foot-2 senior Jamir Russell, a Region 4-3A Honorable Mention selection while at Salem. No. 5 Hiram has boom or bust potential depending on what their football stars decide to do. The Hornets went 26-3 last season, losing 56-53 to Jones County in the Elite Eight after two 20-plus point wins in the opening rounds. 6-foot-4 swingman Chase Tyler is an All-State selection, but also a Duke football-commit slated to play wide receiver. Another question mark this year is 6-foot-7 Walter Matthews, a USC tight end-commit. The Hornets have legitimate state title aspirations if both decide to play basketball their senior seasons. Hiram snagged three transfers this offseason in 5-foot-10 senior Ryan Williams (North Paulding), 6-foot-5 senior Jaiden Mann (17.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg – Marietta) and 6-foot-3 sophomore Mason McKinney (Paulding County). No. 6 Chapel Hill graduates their first, second and fourth leading scorers from last year’s 23-9 Final Four team that won the Region 5 title but lost 54-33 to eventual state champion Kell. The Panthers return size and athleticism, led by 6-foot-4 senior CJ Winters (10.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg). 5-foot-8 senior Kyle White (4.6 ppg), 5-foot-5 senior Jordan Jones (2.6 ppg) and 6-foot-4 senior Jaiden Glenn (3.5 ppg) round out the backcourt. 6-foot-6 senior wing KyDen Mays (2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg) has breakout potential while 6-foot-5 senior Samuel Eno brings even more length and athleticism to the wing. 6-foot-4 junior CJ Geathers transfers in from Douglas County adding another explosive weapon. 6-foot-10 senior Ramon Soyoye is rapidly improving and starting to pop up on D-I radars. No. 7 Mays represents the third team from Region 5 to open in the Top 10. The Raiders took the two-seed last year and a trip to the Elite Eight where they fell to Eagle’s Landing 81-71 to end the season 21-9. Mays graduates their top two scorers but return seniors 6-foot Derron Lindsey (10.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.3 spg) and 6-foot-5 JaQorian Wiggles (10.4 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.6 bpg). 6-foot-7 senior Jayshon Arrington (3.9 ppg, 3 rpg) provides length around the rim. The Raiders have reinforcements coming by way of the transfer, adding 6-foot-4 junior Davenport Cox (6.7 ppg – South Cobb), 6-foot-6 junior Germani Wilson (Chambers, NC) and 5-foot-11 senior Tyler Baldwin-Hughes, who averaged 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals as an All-Region selection at New Manchester. No. 8 Tri-Cities is the fourth team from Region 5 to crack the poll. The Bulldogs scratched out the three-seed, finishing 19-11 with a 93-73 loss at Hiram in the Sweet 16. Four of their top five scorers graduate, headlined by Presbyterian-signee Kory Mincy (20.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4 apg, 2.9 spg). 6-foot-1 senior Malique Johnson is a Preseason All-State pick after averaging 13 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 steals. No other returner averaged over three points per game. The Bulldogs landed Preseason All-State selection 6-foot-7 sophomore Jalan Wingfield from Thomas County Central, the Class 6A Freshman of the Year averaging 13.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.8 blocks with offers from Florida State, South Florida, DePaul, Kennesaw State, Georgia, Cincinnati, Albany and Seattle. Also new to the program is 6-foot-7 sophomore Jayden London (7.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.4 bpg – Arlington Christian) and 6-foot-1 freshman Tre Keith. No. 9 Warner Robins was shut out of the postseason, finishing 17-7 eliminated by Jones County 66-61 in the region tournament. Region 2 had wild success in the state tournament, all four teams advancing past the Sweet 16. The Demons return nearly all of their key pieces, graduating just four seniors. Preseason All-State point guard 6-foot senior Camryn Perkins averaged 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 steals while 6-foot-3 senior Jay Johnson contributed 12 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. 6-foot-1 junior Gabe Jacobs was a Second Team All-Region selection. 6-foot-4 senior Jaeden Burns is a late bloomer that could play a big role this year with his athleticism and energy at the combo-forward position. The Demons have size upfront with their football players in 6-foot-6 junior Isaiah Gibson and 6-foot-6 senior Judd Anderson, a Jones County transfer that averaged 9.3 points per game. Anderson’s status is up in the air however, a quarterback-commit for the University of Miami who may bypass his final season of basketball. No. 10 Union Grove had a magical run to the Elite Eight, finishing 19-12 with a 71-57 loss at Chapel Hill. The Wolverines are the fourth team from Region 2 in the poll behind No. 2 Eagle’s Landing, No. 4 Dutchtown and No. 9 Warner Robins. Ira Hughley takes over coming from the ELCA girls program, marking Union Grove’s third coach in three years as Thomas Berry moved to Assistant Principal after one year on the job. The Wolverines are loaded with high-energy forwards namely 6-foot-5 senior Nile King (8 ppg) and breakout candidate 6-foot-5 junior swingman Caleb Samples (3.5 ppg). 6-foot-3 senior Chase Williamson returns as the team’s leading scorer after finishing third last year at 8.2 points per game. 6-foot-4 senior Jason Isaac moves in from Jonesboro where he averaged 6.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists. Juniors Temar Colley and Brandon Simmons could play important roles in the backcourt with their three-point shooting and playmaking, respectively.

Class 4A

No. 1 Pace Academy finished 25-7 with a convincing 66-54 win over Fayette County in the state championship. The Knights graduate just three seniors and return their top three scorers headlined by Preseason All-State selections 5-foot-11 junior Eric Chatfield (12.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.1 spg) and Central Florida-commit Kyle Greene (11.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 6.5 apg, 2.7 spg). 6-foot-6 University of Chicago-commit LJ Moore (9.9 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg) brings immense toughness inside as does 6-foot-6 junior Chandler Bing who earned offers from Georgia State and College of Charleston this offseason after providing 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. 6-foot-4 junior Jackson Ferry (5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.7 apg), 6-foot-6 sophomore MJ Madison (4.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and possibly 6-foot-5 freshman Gavin Fountain all figure to see steady minutes throughout the season in Region 5. No. 2 McDonough graduates a key senior class that helped the Warhawks to a 26-5 mark, losing in the Elite Eight at Westover 66-57. McDonough split with Pace Academy in the regular season, but a loss to Lovett in the Region 5 tournament sent the Warhawks to the consolation game. Coach BJ Thomas’ loses his top three scorers but boasts a pair of Preseason All-State selections in 6-foot-3 senior Keenan Gray (11.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 spg) and son 6-foot-6 junior Nigel Thomas, a breakout candidate that landed offers from Florida State and LSU after averaging 7.2 points per game. Brothers 5-foot-11 Zaiden Greene (4.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1 apg, 1.4 spg) and 6-foot-3 Zion Greene (4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg) will play an integral role their junior season, asked to set the tone defensively and wreak havoc with their athleticism and motor. The development of 6-foot-6 senior Caden Totten and 6-foot-9 junior Nathadeus Fambro could be important if the Warhawks ever choose to deploy a big lineup. 5-foot-10 sophomore Vance Wilkerson transfers in from Ola to add depth to the backcourt. With arguably the best player in the state, No. 3 Holy Innocents’ will always have a puncher’s chance in any game. The Golden Bears were bounced in the first round of state by McDonough 66-58 to put a close on a 16-12 season. An early wrist injury to 6-foot-10 junior Caleb Wilson, a consensus top five player in the nation, saw the Golden Bears start the season behind the eight-ball at 1-5. When healthy, in his 17 games Wilson averaged 14.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 5.2 blocks, good enough to be named First Team All-State. 6-foot-4 sophomore Devin Hutcherson, a Preseason All-State pick, emerged as an invaluable piece earning Class 4A Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 13.3 points, 8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals which he parlayed into offers from Ole Miss, Georgia Tech and Auburn this summer. 6-foot-5 senior Will Hopkins is a versatile third option that averaged 11.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and was on D-I radars in 2022 with offers from Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State. The Golden Bears lose O’Neill Connolly to Mt. Pisgah, but replace him with 6-foot-6 sophomore Khalid Worthy (Maynard Jackson) and 5-foot-11 junior Clark Thurman (Heritage Prep). No. 4 North Oconee leads a deep array of teams that will be tightly contested in Region 8. The Titans finished 23-7, slipping to the three-seed and bounced in the Sweet 16 by Woodland-Stockbridge 76-52. Flamethrower Jake Chandler graduates but a lot is back for Coach Rick Rasmussen including 6-foot-4 sophomore Khamari Brooks, a Second Team All-Region selection, who hurt his knee in the region tournament and was lost for the state playoffs. 6-foot-1 senior Byrd Carter powers the Titans, an All-State combo-guard that fills up the box score nightly. He is flanked by 5-foot-10 senior Justin Payne, a much-improved guard with three-level scoring capabilities. Inside, the Titans have quality size with 6-foot-7 senior Evan Montgomery, 6-foot-5 junior Kaden Piper and 6-foot-7 sophomore Luke Lawson. Two new faces give North Oconee even more firepower in the backcourt with 6-foot junior Thrasher Wilkins moving in from Athens Christian where he was an All-Region 8 A D-I selection and prized prospect 6-foot-2 freshman Justin Wise, a knockdown shooter already on D-I radars. Battling the Titans every step of the way is No. 5 Madison County. The Red Raiders finished 27-4, upset on the road by Benedictine in the Elite Eight 57-35. The high-octane offense returns four starters from last year’s Region 8 two-seed. The Red Raiders have two All-State guards in reigning Region 8 Player of the Year 5-foot-8 senior Jay Carruth and 6-foot-3 senior Mason Smith. 6-foot-4 junior Grant Smith is an explosive scorer from beyond the arc with unlimited range. The Red Raiders picked up a jolt of electrifying athleticism as 6-foot-1 junior Frae’Quan Wilkins moved in from Franklin County to provide more slashing playmaking to the offense. Chris Rhodes (Sandhills CC) is an important loss for the interior, but big body 6-foot-5 250-pound Deshaun Johnson is back for his senior season and 6-foot-5 freshman Laderrion Walker is an interesting option. No. 6 Central-Carrollton lost a heartbreaker in the first round, beat at the buzzer by North Oconee 53-52 as a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter dwindled away. The Lions finished 23-5, beating up on a weak region but proving they belong with Top 10 competition. Only three seniors graduate for an experienced team loaded with big athletic guards. Seniors 6-foot-2 Max Young, a three-point specialist and 6-foot-3 Isaiah West, a downhill playmaker were both All-Region 7 selections. 6-foot-2 junior Khaven Cochran is a breakout candidate, a skilled perimeter shooter that has exploded athletically as an above the rim finisher. 6-foot-3 sophomore Chace North, 6-foot-2 senior Jordan Martin and 6-foot-1 junior Messiah Boykin give Coach Kenny Edwards a bevy of interchangeable options. 6-foot-6 junior Connor Williams is a serviceable stretch-big while 6-foot-5 sophomore Aaron Cooley adds muscle at combo-forward. 6-foot-6 junior Zekyle Amir could blossom into an X-Factor, an Osborne transfer that can play all over the floor. The Lions should sweep through Region 7 after going 10-1 in the regular season but losing in the region championship to Sonoraville 40-37. No. 7 Seckinger is the third team from Region 8 in the poll. As a first-year program the Jaguars went 18-11, grasping onto the four-seed but losing on the road at Sonoraville 71-59 in Round 1. Only one senior that saw consistent playing time has graduated. First Team All-Region selection 5-foot-11 senior IV Redmond is working his way back from a meniscus injury and should be ready to go by the second half of the season. Second Teamers 6-foot-1 senior Braxton Miller and 6-foot-2 senior Carter Watkins give Coach Nate Hamilton an experienced and also deep group. 6-foot-2 junior Tony Wells and 6-foot-3 senior Akivo Walker were All-Region Honorable Mention. Wells a physical wing with a knockdown three-point shot and Walker, an undersized forward that plays well beyond his height inside and out. 6-foot-4 freshman Caleb Wells has turned heads and will get a chance to play with his two older brothers including 5-foot-11 sophomore Vincent Wells. 6-foot senior Kamari Brown will battle for playing time in a crowded backcourt that also added 5-foot-11 junior Keith Banks (10.5 ppg) from Dacula and 6-foot-5 senior Alexander Hepburn from Riverwood. No. 8 Fayette County found themselves back in Macon for another state championship, but once again fell short, beat 66-54 by Pace Academy putting a close on a successful 26-6 year. The Tigers graduate breakout star RJ Kennedy (23.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4 apg – Middle Georgia Prep) and see 6-foot-5 junior Sean Van Dorn (15 ppg, 7.9 rpg) transfer to Rock Creek Christian, MD as the team’s top two scorers. Fayette County has holes to fill but has good pieces in place between juniors 6-foot Keith Gillespie (11.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 spg) and 6-foot-4 Christian McAllister (9.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.3 apg), both who started in the state championship. 6-foot-4 sophomore Jackson Rutley had bright moments in the offseason and could be thrust into a key role in Year 2. No. 9 Walnut Grove marks the fourth team from Region 8 to debut in the Top 10. Injuries tried to besmirch the Warriors last year but battling through adversity they managed to win the region championship, 55-53 over Madison County and make it to the Sweet 16 where they lost at home to Pace Academy 58-41. 5-foot-10 senior Tyler Jewell was lost for nearly the entire season, injured in the first two minutes of Game 2 of the season. His absence allowed 6-foot junior Marcus Smith to flourish his sophomore season, earning Class 4A Best Passer and being named All-State after averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Where the Warriors will look much different this season is up front as 6-foot-10 Alex Cannon (Hampden-Sydney) the Class 4A Best Shot Blocker award winner has graduated while 6-foot-6 senior Deston Christian transferred to Legacy Early College, SC after posting 15 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists per game. While the Warriors will be much smaller, they still have length with 6-foot-4 junior wing Terrance Barimah and more importantly, 6-foot-3 senior Chase Roux, who transfers in from Meadowcreek after a brief stint with South Gwinnett over the summer. Roux averaged 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Mustangs. No. 10 Benedictine started off slow last year, opening 2-4 before kicking it into high-gear, going 18-6 with a surprise trip to the Final Four, beat by Fayette County 73-67. The availability of their football players will always play a factor in the Cadets’ success especially early on in the season, but the one constant they can always count on is All-State guard 6-foot-2 junior Caleb Jones (21 ppg, 3.4 rpg). The scoring dynamo torched defenses throughout the postseason averaging 27.3 points per game. 5-foot-7 Stephon Frazier (10.8 ppg) was actually the Region 3 Player of the Year but he has since graduated. 6-foot-4 senior La’Don Bryant (10.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is a high-flyer committed to Northern Illinois as a wide receiver. 6-foot-2 senior Makhi Hampton (6.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg) returns with experience. 6-foot-4 senior Luke Kromenhoek (4.6 ppg, 5 rpg) is a Florida State quarterback-commit but an early enrollee who has played his final basketball game it seems. 6-foot-4 senior Henry Sink (2.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg), 6-foot sophomore Micah Williams (2.9 ppg) and 5-foot-6 sophomore Amari Cook saw valuable minutes during GBCA Live and will be asked to step up. Keep an eye on 6-foot-3 freshman Ca’ron Hall, an active athlete that defends inside and out.

Class 3A

Four-team Region 5 sent three teams to the Final Four and two to the state championship. Now with an arms race underway, the top three teams in the region open one, two, three paced by No. 1 Sandy Creek who finally got the monkey off their back with a dominating 66-37 win over Cedar Grove to capture their first state title and finish the year 26-6. The Patriots thoroughly dominated Region 5, beating Cedar Grove four times by an average margin of 27.8 points and Douglass twice by an average of 28 points. The Patriots return four starters highlighted by All-Staters 6-foot-8 Micah Smith, a James Madison-commit and 6-foot-2 southpaw senior Amari Brown. 6-foot-2 PJ Green is a Missouri baseball-commit while 6-foot-1 Jacobi Robinson enters his junior season. 6-foot-6 senior Kani Rashied-Henry and 6-foot junior Jared White will see increased roles this season. No. 2 Douglass finished 16-14, taking a Cinderella trip to the Final Four getting cut down by Region 5 rival Cedar Grove 61-45, losing for the third time in four meetings – the prior three decided by a total of seven points. Scorers three through eight all graduate but 6-foot-3 twins Josh (14.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg) and Jacob (11.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.3 apg) Mickell are back for their junior season, Josh a Preseason All-State selection. The Astros have another All-State pick, part of their impactful transfer class with 6-foot-6 senior RJ Winegarner coming over from Fulton Leadership Academy where he averaged 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds, parlayed into a Cal State Northridge offer. Also in the mix is Washington transfer 6-foot-4 senior Noah Treadwell, an All-Region 6-2A pick that averaged 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game and holds a Georgia State offer. No. 3 Cedar Grove quickly emerged as a contender opening the year 8-1 with a handful of impressive non-region wins. The Saints would go 20-10, losing for the fourth time to Sandy Creek in the state championship 66-37. Three starters graduate but Class 3A Freshman of the Year 6-foot-6 Manny Green is back after posting 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. 6-foot junior EJ Colson (11.9 ppg) is a Central Florida quarterback-commit that will make an immediate impact whenever football season ends for the Saints. 6-foot-3 senior Nathaniel Loyd (4 ppg) played big minutes off the bench. 6-foot-3 sophomore Harlim Perine (5.9 ppg) transferred to Southwest DeKalb in the offseason but the Saints have plenty coming in to replace him. 6-foot sophomore Jayden Scott (9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.5 spg) moves in from Heritage-Conyers along with 6-foot-4 senior Okil Freeman. 6-foot-5 sophomore Dontavius Stringfield (4.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.7 spg, 1.1 bpg) transfers in from Arabia Mountain and has caught eyes this offseason. Outside of Region 5, No. 4 Cross Creek is still dangerous even after seeing their three-peat thwarted, eliminated in the Final Four by Sandy Creek 61-44 to close a 20-11 campaign. 6-foot-7 junior Jaden Priester was a First Team All-Region 4 pick and a Preseason All-State selection. 6-foot-1 senior Quavon Henry was also a First Teamer while 6-foot-2 senior Kylen Clark earned Second Team honors. 6-foot-6 junior Braylon Maddox has begun to draw college attention. 5-foot-8 freshman Derrick Shine has a bright future and should see minutes early on in his career. No. 5 Dougherty always seems to peak at the right time. After a 3-7 start to the season playing a rugged non-region schedule, the Trojans caught their stride after the New Year recording a 13-4 mark finishing the season 17-12 overall with a 78-73 loss to Douglass in the Elite Eight. The Trojans are set to return five of their top six players including leading scorers seniors 6-foot Jai’on Burns (12.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.0 spg) a Preseason All-State selection and 6-foot-4 defensive anchor Markelle Jones (10.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 spg, 2.9 bpg). 6-foot juniors Kaleke Singletary-Jinks (8.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.5 spg) and Jawuan Jinks (7.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg) bring back big-game experience. 6-foot-4 senior Maurice Davis is a useful interior presence that averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds. No. 6 Johnson-Savannah ripped off a 25-5 record but lost at home to state champ Sandy Creek in the Elite Eight, 56-50. Graduating Antonio Baker (20.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3 spg – Chipola) and Malachi Robinson (10.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg – East Georgia State) is a big blow for the Atomsmashers but Preseason All-State selection 6-foot-3 senior Joshua Quarterman (16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.7 spg) is more than good enough to carry Johnson-Savannah to another strong season. The development of 6-foot-2 junior Favion Kirkwood (9.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg), 6-foot senior Cormari Jones (5.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.5 apg) and 5-foot-7 junior Kadin Davis (4.1 ppg) will likely determine just how good the scrappy Smashers can be in a difficult Region 3. No. 7 Calvary Day is becoming a contender in Savannah. The Cavaliers started hot last year at 8-2 with signature wins over Johnson-Savannah and Benedictine, but flamed out finishing the season 15-10 and missing the state tournament after losing to Long County 56-41. Scepter Brownlee takes over as Head Coach, returning from the college ranks where he most recently was a Mississippi State Women’s Assistant. The talent is in place for the Cavs to make a run, especially if they can keep their football players on the hardwood which could prove difficult. 6-foot-4 245-pound Michael Smith is a load to deal with, the four-star South Carolina tight end-commit averaging 11.1 points, 8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks when on the floor last season in limited action. 5-foot-9 senior CJ Gaines (10.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.7 apg) and 6-foot-3 senior Jake Merklinger (9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 2.3 spg), a four-star quarterback committed to Tennessee, were both Second Team All-Region. 6-foot-1 senior Josh Habersham has experience after averaging 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds. Where Calvary Day holds the most intrigue is with the promise of their young players. 6-foot-8 sophomore Chol Kiir averaged 4.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while 6-foot-11 sophomore Kuol Deng is set to make his GHSA debut. In the backcourt, 5-foot-10 sophomore Demetrius Brown and freshmen 6-foot-4 Blayne Gunter, a sharpshooter and 6-foot-2 Marlon Knight should see important minutes throughout the season. No. 8 Long County is the third consecutive team from Region 3 to open in the Top 10. The Blue Tide were a surprise after middling around .500 for most of the season sitting at 9-9 before making their move going 11-3 with their only losses coming to Johnson-Savannah twice and at Cedar Grove in double overtime 94-91 in the Elite Eight to close the year 20-12. 6-foot-1 senior Roderick Randall was named First Team All-Region while fellow seniors 5-foot-10 guards Kaleel Anderson and Keshawn Smith were Honorable Mention. 6-foot-3 junior Chris Hatfield and 6-foot-1 sophomore Zyi’Air Holt are good athletes that play bigger than their size. No. 9 Hebron Christian fell to the four-seed in Region 8 but still overwhelmed White County on the road 74-55 to make it to the Sweet 16 where their season ended at 13-17, pummeled by Douglass 74-43 as the Lions struggled to get the ball past halfcourt. Year 2 of Coach Derrick Mason brings even more promise especially considering Preseason All-State forward 6-foot-5 senior Blake Wilson will be on the roster from Day 1 after moving in mid-season from Dacula last year. The workhorse has support around him with 6-foot-1 senior Ma’Taj Glover, a lethal three-point shooter that can go on scoring binges. 6-foot-4 junior Gerritt Kemp is bouncy, 5-foot-9 sophomore Devon McField can stretch the floor with his left-handed stroke and 6-foot-2 senior Jelani Smith-Mason can help out in a variety of ways. 6-foot-4 freshman Lukas Romine has a smooth inside-out game that could pay dividends quickly. No. 10 Adairsville took advantage of a weak region, handling their business by beating Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in the Region 6 championship 55-54 then clobbered winless Carver-Atlanta 80-56 in the first round before falling 68-60 to Hart County in the Sweet 16. Only three players graduate for the Tigers, a team starting to learn what it takes to play top competition. 6-foot-4 junior Tre Winters is a Preseason All-State wing with the potential to carry Adairsville to a perfect region record. 5-foot-10 senior Zach Postell is a steady guard that burns opponents from beyond the arc. 6-foot-2 junior Xavious Nalls and 6-foot senior Tayshaun Jackson provide some quickness in the backcourt while 6-foot-4 junior Ben Abernathy is a steady forward.

Class 2A

No. 1 Columbia gets first crack atop Class 2A after posting a 30-2 season which ended 55-52 against eventual state champion Westside-Augusta in the Final Four. The Eagles graduate their elite size with 6-foot-9 rim protector Terrell Wright gone, an All-Stater, but the backcourt returns largely intact minus two starters. The senior-laden Eagles are led by three Preseason All-State selections, two that have come in via transfer. 6-foot point guard Trevian Callaway is a speedy playmaker that averaged 7 assists and 2.9 steals. 6-footer Jadan Baugh is a three-star Arkansas football-commit that averaged 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals. 6-foot-4 senior JaMarcus Hatcher is a physical lefty that produced 11.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. The aforementioned All-State transfers are seniors 6-foot-4 Quay Wallace, an All-Region 4-5A selection while at Decatur and 6-foot-5 Tahmar Mann, who made the same list while at Tucker. While the Eagles aren’t as big as last year, they do have positional versatility and athleticism across the board. No. 2 Westside-Augusta repeated as state champs finishing 25-7 surviving Region 4 with the one-seed and beating Providence Christian in an overtime thriller 89-81, a game which saw 10 lead changes and the Storm shoot 17-34 from beyond the arc. The Patriots graduate their top three scorers headlined by title game hero Khalon Hudson (19.1 ppg, 10.5 rpg – Spartanburg Methodist). 6-foot-2 senior Demarco Middleton (10.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.4 spg) is a Preseason All-State pick while 6-foot-3 senior Xavier Goss (6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.6 apg) has plenty of experience as a glue-guy asked to do the dirty work. 6-foot-2 sophomore Dontrell Jackson (4.2 ppg) will see big minutes in Year 2. His steal late in overtime with Westside-Augusta up three helped seal the title. 6-foot-1 junior Jarius Adkinson (4.1 ppg) and 6-foot-3 junior Aldiron Jones (2.3 ppg) stepped up in their new roles over the spring, averaging 7.3 and 10.8 points, respectively at GBCA Live. 6-foot-6 senior Bobby Blackwell (2.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg) has important length while 6-foot-4 sophomore Javan Webb (2.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg) is an explosive leaper. The late addition of 6-foot-2 senior Lavonta Ivery, an All-State guard while at Thomson is an enormous pickup. Ivery initially was pegged to transfer to Augusta Christian before finding his way back to the GHSA. No. 3 Butler is team number two from Region 4. The Bulldogs went 18-10, clawing their way to the three-seed and losing in the Sweet 16 at Spencer 58-51. Coach Chaz Clark takes over the program after serving as an assistant. Butler has a lot back even with their second and fifth top scorers gone. 6-foot-3 senior Roosevelt Brown (12.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.1 bpg) heads up the attack with 6-foot junior Jayden Bell (7.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg) and 6-foot-2 senior Willie Taylor (7.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) not far behind. 6-foot junior Marcus Scurry (6.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.7 spg), 6-foot-2 sophomore Kwamane Bridges (4.7 ppg) and 5-foot-11 junior Zyion Smith played well over the spring. There will high expectations placed on No. 4 Southwest-Macon, a program starting to attract talent under reigning Region 2 Coach of the Year Monquencio Hardnett. Now in Year 3, it looks like the Patriots should have enough talent to make the state playoffs and vie for a region title coming off a season in which they finished 11-16. Why the optimism? Sophomores 5-foot-6 Caron Howard (11.5 ppg) and 6-foot-2 Chase Dupree (8.9 ppg) both picked up D-I offers this offseason, Howard from Mercer and Dupree from Mercer and North Carolina A&T. Two transfers bolster the firepower as well with 6-foot junior Brandon Ashley, who holds a North Carolina A&T offer, moving in from region rival Central-Macon where he was First Team All-Region. 6-foot-8 senior Tobias Rice finds himself back in Macon after bouncing around Atlanta playing last season at Washington averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds. Senior returnees 6-foot Quinton Hardnett (7.3 ppg) and 6-foot-6 255-pound Daniel Bennett (6.9 ppg) are reliable options. No. 5 Dodge County came out of nowhere under first-year Head Coach Cedric Jordan, improving from 14-14 to 23-4 with a trip to the Elite Eight, upsetting Putnam County 85-82 before falling at Model 62-60. The Indians graduate just three of their top nine players and have a heavy senior class led by 6-foot-2 Heaven Carson, a Preseason All-State selection that is known for filling it up from beyond the arc. 6-foot senior Jaedon McClendon was named Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year for his crafty southpaw approach while 6-foot-3 junior Duke Johnson, a four-star football recruit, was named Region 1 Defensive Player of the Year. Seniors 6-foot-4 William Jordan, 6-foot-2 My’Sean Williams and 6-foot-5 Jaboree Graham round out Dodge County’s balanced attack. No. 6 Thomson marks the third team out of Region 4 in the opening rankings. The Bulldogs fumbled to the four-seed and were ousted in the first round at Windsor Forest 72-68, finishing the year 16-9. Thomson was in prime position to make a deep run this year, but All-State guard Lavonta Ivery transferred to Augusta Christian – bad – but then ended up at region rival and two-time defending state champ Westside-Augusta – even worse. The Bulldogs lose three of their top four performers but welcome back floor general Jahkiaus Jones, a Preseason All-State selection for his senior season. A veteran group of fellow seniors surround Jones in the backcourt in breakout candidate 6-foot-4 DaQuan Young, 6-foot-1 Tramon D’Antignac and 6-foot Tyrickus Jones. Stability at head coach hasn’t been a thing at No. 7 Spencer, seeing multiple names sit in the first chair. The Greenwave have gone back to a familiar face in Quantavias Allen who was on the bench for Spencer’s title run two years ago, coming back over from Brookstone. The Greenwave had an interesting year with players leaving the team mid-season, but still managed to go 25-5 with an Elite Eight exit at Providence Christian, 84-70. The roster isn’t nearly as loaded as when transfers were pouring in non-stop, but Spencer will still be tough even if they aren’t quite as big or as deep. The Greenwave lose their top four scorers but have veterans in place between seniors 5-foot-11 Gary Gaither (9.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.2 spg), a Region 2 Honorable Mention selection, 6-foot-1 Dray Duncan (5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 spg) and 5-foot-9 Key’Shaun Sampton (4.7 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg). The addition of 5-foot-11 senior Joe Dozier could pay major dividends. He averaged 17.3 points and 7.7 rebounds while at Central-Talbotton, earning Region 6 A D-II First Team. Junior Kevin Brown, 6-foot-1 junior DeMarcus Horne and 6-foot-5 freshman Izael Brownlee will have chances to play substantial minutes. No. 8 North Cobb Christian will look totally different from last year’s 21-7 group that lost 78-74 at Providence Christian in the Sweet 16. 6-foot-1 senior Gabe Bolden (13.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2 spg) is by far the most experienced player back on the roster followed by 6-foot-3 senior Holden Cardon (2.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and 6-foot-1 junior Turner Davis (2.2 ppg). 6-foot-3 sophomore Wyatt Thomason had a busy offseason and is starting to blossom into an intriguing long-term prospect, but what really puts North Cobb Christian on the map is their incoming freshman class. 6-foot-6 Brock Bass-Bonner is a physical inside-out lefty with offers from St. Louis and Butler while 6-foot-3 Isaiah Chandler is a smooth and versatile guard that does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. 5-foot-8 Grant Robich can’t be forgotten about either. He’s a slick playmaker that provides a spark when the ball is in his hands. No. 9 Walker follows North Cobb Christian in Region 6, coming off a 15-11 season in which they missed the playoffs by one game, losing 54-52 to Washington. The Wolverines are set to return their top three players anchored by 6-foot-10 sophomore Moustapha Diop, a four-star prospect and reigning Class 2A Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks, good enough to land him on Preseason First Team All-State. 6-foot-4 senior Noah Pederson (10.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and 6-foot junior Xavier Berry (9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 spg) are crucial ancillary scoring options. No. 10 Vidalia gets the nod due to their cohesion, returning their entire roster from last year’s 18-10 group that fell to the four-seed and lost 77-32 to Westside-Augusta in the first round. 6-foot-1 senior Cori Mincey averaged 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.7 blocks per game as the Indians’ star. 6-foot senior Jacaree Washington (11 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2 apg, 2.1 spg) is second in command while 5-foot-9 junior Jayon Coleman (9.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg) is third. Keep an eye on the development of sophomores 5-foot-7 Rashad Brown (5.7 ppg), 5-foot-8 Lyric McKinney (4 ppg) and 6-footer DJ Wallace (3.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 spg).

Class A D-I

Private schools unsurprisingly dominated the classification last season, seeing Region 6 put three teams in the Final Four. Change is coming, but for now small public schools are up against it again as six private schools take the top seven spots – a whopping five from Region 6 meaning at least one preseason Top 10 team is guaranteed to not make the postseason. Region 6 also places 10 out of a possible 15 players as Preseason All-State selections. No. 1 Mt. Vernon might not be as big as last year, but they sure look like they have the most talent again, coming off a season in which the Mustangs finished 23-9 but were eliminated in the Final Four by Region 6 foe King’s Ridge 55-48. Mt. Vernon has four Preseason All-State honorees led by seniors 6-foot-6 West Georgia-commit Xavier Shegog (14.6 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.2 apg), 6-foot-10 stretch-forward Dennis Scott III (13.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.4 apg) and 6-foot-4 Sha’Yah Goba (6.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) who exploded this offseason as a high energy defender with a rapidly blossoming offensive game. The addition of 6-foot-3 junior Kiwane Garris from Centennial puts the Mustangs over the top, the Region 6-5A First Teamer picking up offers from Georgia State, Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Southern Illinois this offseason after averaging 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 40% from three. Look for 6-foot-4 junior Pace Bottoms (6.3 ppg) to benefit with more open three-point looks with Garris and 5-foot-8 sophomore Gabe Alterman distributing. No. 2 Darlington debuts high and is a bit of a dark horse coming out of Rome, but the Tigers graduate just four seniors from a deep team that went 24-4 and ran out of gas in the fourth quarter against Mt. Pisgah in the Sweet 16, losing at home 78-66. The Tigers will likely steamroll to an undefeated mark in Region 7 once again after their closest game was decided by 12 points in the region championship against Chattooga, who undergoes a coaching change and will searching for a new identity. Reigning Region 7 Player of the Year 6-foot senior D’Marion Floyd (15 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3 apg) is a Preseason All-State selection, an electric athlete that makes plays on both sides of the ball. Once Floyd gets off the football field, he will be joined by fellow seniors 6-foot-3 Jack Bell (10 ppg, 4 rpg), 6-foot-3 Asa Shepard, 6-foot-2 Joe Womack and 6-foot-3 Mackay Rush. 6-foot-4 sophomore Brent Bell has made strides over the offseason emerging as possibly the Tigers’ best shooter on a team full of guards that can knock down shots. 6-foot-1 junior Trustin Mercer brings a change of pace with his hustle and 6-foot freshman Desmond Hall should fight to see minutes in a crowded backcourt. Darlington has state championship aspirations with the move-in of 6-foot-6 senior Grant Hutton from Itawamba Agricultural, MS. The Preseason All-State inside-out combo-forward is an X-Factor, blessed with length and a 43-inch vertical that allows him to matchup with anyone across the state once the Tigers reach the tournament. The lefty has gotten more and more comfortable in his new home and is a high-upside player that has been linked to D-I programs in the past and holds a handful of JUCO offers. No. 3 Paideia is the second team from Region 6 in the Top 10 and was last year’s biggest enigma in Georgia, a true wildcard team. The Pythons missed the postseason at just 9-14 but played a brutal non-region schedule and actually scored wins over the top three seeds out of Region 6 who were all ranked within the top three in the state throughout the season, beating Mt. Pisgah (66-58 OT), Mt. Bethel (46-43) and Mt. Vernon (53-52). Mt. Pisgah eliminated the Pythons however 61-41 in the region tournament. All-State 6-foot-7 wing Kenan Orlovic graduates but the Pythons arguably might have the most talented young backcourt in Class A D-I with their sophomore trio. Paideia has two Preseason All-State selections in 6-foot-3 Frank Jackson who holds offers from Erskine and Florida Gulf Coast and 6-foot-2 CJ Harper, a bouncy guard with offers from Georgia Tech, Columbia State and George Mason. 6-foot-3 David Smith is the third prong of the attack, a standout baseball player who brings a well-rounded floor game to the table. 6-foot senior Sharif Kemp is the elder statesman, a Region 6 Honorable Mention selection while 5-foot-7 freshman Tristan Mitchell is a promising rookie. No. 4 Savannah is under new direction as legendary Head Coach Tim Jordan steps down after nearly four decades, starting as an assistant in 1983-84 and promoted to head coach in 1994 amassing a 555-251 record, leading the Blue Jackets to four Final Four appearances and a 1998 state title. Assistant George Brown takes over the program and inherits a team that went 21-8 with a 57-54 loss to Swainsboro in the Sweet 16. The Blue Jackets graduate just two seniors that were in the rotation and have star guard 6-foot-4 junior Maki Joyner (14.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.2 bpg) to turn to, a Preseason All-State pick that earned offers from East Carolina and Kennesaw State in June. 6-foot-5 senior Jermaine Edwards (9.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.1 bpg) and reigning Class A D-I Best Shot Blocker 6-foot-8 junior Deshawn Davis (2.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 5.9 bpg) anchor the interior. Junior guards 5-foot-11 Jermontae Brown (6.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg), 6-foot-1 Chance Hendricks (6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.5 spg, 1.2 bpg) and 6-foot-1 Shone Ruth (4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3 spg) will have to hit outside shots to prevent defenses from collapsing in the lane. No. 5 St. Francis represents the third team from Region 6 in the Top 10. The Knights finished just 11-14 but went 6-3 in region play. St. Francis missed out on the state tournament, closing the regular season with a 66-62 win over King’s Ridge, but eliminated by the eventual state champs in the region tournament 48-47, highlighting just how razor thin the margin for error was last season in the gauntlet. The Knights graduate three of their top six producers and lose Cameron Robinson to Norcross but return their top two scorers in Preseason All-State pick 6-foot junior Reynolds Escher (16.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.6 spg) and 6-foot-2 junior Greg Howard (13 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2 apg, 1.3 spg). 6-foot-1 senior Javon Holt (4.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.6 apg) has valuable experience in the system. Four transfers shore up the Knights’ rotation in 5-foot-8 sophomore Dyson Beaty (Valor Christian), 6-foot-3 junior Bryce Browne (Buford), 6-foot-3 sophomore Deniz Ozbek (Chattahoochee) and 6-foot-8 junior Ethan Easterling (Woodward Academy). No. 6 Mt. Pisgah, the fourth team out of Region 6, finished 23-9 losing in the state championship to King’s Ridge 68-58. State title winning Head Coach Matt Hixenbaugh left for the Westminster job while Class A D-I Player of the Year Micah Tucker bolted for Huntington Prep, WV and Cedric Haynes bounced around but won’t be in the GHSA this year either. Jay Slone hit the ground running as new head coach, coming in from TSF Prep and quickly seeing new pieces join the Patriots to compose a competitive roster with 6-foot senior Isaac Bealer (15.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.7 spg – Horizon Christian), 5-foot-8 sophomore Bra’Meer Long (5.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.4 apg – Sterling, NJ) and 6-foot-6 senior O’Neill Connolly (2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg – Holy Innocents’) entering the program. In place already are Region 6 Honorable Mention seniors 5-foot-10 Tyson Pittman and 6-foot-4 Max Tucker. Sophomores 6-foot-2 Jackson Williams and 6-foot-3 Tomy Smith showed flashes of their upside throughout the offseason. No. 7 King’s Ridge captured their first-ever state title, emerging as the four-seed from Region 6 to go 23-10 and beat Mt. Pisgah 68-58 in Macon. Coach Bob Martin took over the Pickens job as five of the Tigers’ top six players left, giving way to former state title winning head coach while at Pace Academy Demetrius Smith to take over, his latest stop at Savannah Country Day. The Tigers struggled this spring but a retooled roster sees an entire new cast of characters expected to slide in and start Day 1 next to lone returning starter 6-foot-2 junior Jaydon Cole (9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1 spg, 63 3PTM 39%), a Preseason All-State pick who snatched an offer from Radford this summer. The Tigers won’t nearly be as prolific of a three-point shooting team as they were last year (258-707; 36%) but will be dangerous in different ways with three key transfers. 5-foot-11 sophomore Avery White was All-Region 6-7A while at Milton, 6-foot-3 senior Cameron Jenkins comes from Valor Christian and 6-foot-6 junior Zeplin Kidd moves over from Blessed Trinity. Don’t sleep on No. 8 Oglethorpe County. The Patriots finished 14-14 but saw tough non-region competition throughout the season before falling to Mt. Bethel 61-56 in the first round of state. Only three seniors graduate and Preseason All-State selection 6-foot-5 senior Javaun Pittard is back after breaking out with 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Seniors 6-foot Cole Appling (10.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 spg) and 6-foot Jaelin Lumpkin (4.5 ppg) will be relied upon heavily. 6-foot-3 junior Ty Burgess could take a leap in Year 3 after averaging 5.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals. No. 9 Swainsboro has athletes aplenty. The Tigers were a Cinderella story, fishing 15-10 and making it to the Final Four where a furious rally fell short against Mt. Pisgah, 53-49. The Tigers opened the year 1-6 as their football players slowly rounded into basketball form. Region 2 Coach of the Year Brice Hobbs should return his top three scorers led by First Team All-Region selections 6-foot-1 senior Demello Jones (11.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1.3 bpg), a four-star Georgia football-commit who could be a threat to enroll early and 5-foot-9 junior Carmelo Lewis (10.1 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.3 spg). Second Teamer 6-foot senior Ty Adams (6.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 spg) has experience as does Honorable Mention pick 6-foot-1 sophomore LJ Morgan (6.4 ppg) and 6-foot-1 junior Ka’voyea Williams (2.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg); both stepped up big-time against Mt. Pisgah in the Final Four contributing 15 and 11 points, respectively. No. 10 Temple handled their business coming out of a weak four-team Region 4 which held no other teams with more than nine wins, going 24-6 making an impressive trip to the Elite Eight where they led Mt. Vernon 26-25 at the half but were steamrolled in the second half losing 68-38. The Tigers are undersized, scrappy, athletic and well-coached, led by highly esteemed leader David Cottrell. Two First Team All-Region selections graduate but an integral junior class is anchored by Region 4 Player of the Year 6-foot-2 Alexander Banks (15 ppg, 7 rpg). 5-foot-5 Darren Drayton was a First Teamer while 6-foot Abraham Kight and 6-foot Josiah Williams were Second Team members.

Class A D-II

No. 1 Christian Heritage debuts atop the poll in what should be a wide-open race for the state title. The Lions graduate just one senior that saw heavy playing time from last year’s 23-3 group that fell at Macon County in the Sweet 16, 66-61. Coach Tyler Watkins has loaded up his non-region schedule this year with as many trips to South Georgia as possible to prepare for any potential road games in the postseason. Reigning Class A D-II Player of the Year 6-foot-4 Trevecca Nazarene-commit Jax Abernathy is back to rewrite the record books even more after averaging 29.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.6 steals while shooting 48% from three. Abernathy’s supporting cast is a year older and a year better. 6-foot-4 senior Cash Hare is a reliable point-forward that rebounds exceptionally well. Juniors 6-foot-4 Dontae Crowder and 5-foot-11 Isaac Plavich are breakout candidates, especially Plavich who was lights-out in the Sandy’s Spiel Fall League, earning Second Team All-League honors after averaging 16.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals and hitting 21 threes over seven games. 5-foot-9 freshman Nigel Broome could earn playing time as the season wears on providing a jolt of athleticism to the backcourt. In the blink of an eye, No. 2 Portal is down to their last chance to win a state title behind their outstanding 2024 class. After sweeping Wilkinson County in the regular season, the Panthers were eliminated for the second-straight year by the Warriors, this time at home in the Elite Eight 46-42 closing the year 28-2. Portal returns their top four scorers – all seniors, three of which are Preseason All-State First Teamers. 6-foot-2 Joseph Thomas had a breakout season leading the team in scoring at 16.1 points per game to go along with his 3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals, netting 76 threes (39%) in the process. 5-foot-11 Elijah Coleman (13.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.7 spg) took a dip in scoring but improved his assist and three-pointers made (44) numbers. 6-foot-5 Amir Jackson is a Florida tight end-commit but is likely to suit up his final season after playing all summer with the Panthers. The double-double machine averaged 13 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game, bringing his career totals to 1,109 points and 884 rebounds. Wiry 6-foot guard Marion Tremble emerged as the Panthers’ much appreciated fourth scoring option posting 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game. No. 3 Calhoun County recorded a 25-5 mark, putting a scare into Greenforest in the Elite Eight but losing 67-60. Other than Region 1 Co-Player of the Year Quincy Edwards, the Cougars have nearly all their other top performers back headlined by Preseason All-State 6-foot-2 senior Jasiyah Suber, the other Region Co-Player of the Year. 6-foot-3 junior Zechariah Canidate is a human jumping jack while 5-foot-9 junior Darnell Enocher is a crafty scorer, both players named First Team All-Region last year. Second Teamer 6-foot-8 junior Amajion Figgins provides size and an intimidating post presence while Honorable Mention selection 6-foot-1 junior Zion Suber rounds out the backcourt for a team that loves to play fast and press full court. No. 4 Greenforest was supposed to sleepwalk their way to an easy state title, the heaviest favorite out of all the classifications, but were shocked by Charlton County in the Final Four on a banked in buzzer-beating three by Jarvis Wright, 50-49, ending a 20-8 season. The Eagles graduate their twin towers in 7-footer Gai Chol (12 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.7 bpg – Mississippi State) and 6-foot-11 DK Manyiel (12.3 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 4.6 bpg – Georgia State) along with guard Isaiah Lloyd (9.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.5 apg) leaving holes to fill and temporarily eliminating their unmatchable size advantage. 6-foot senior Elijah Lewis opens as a Preseason All-State selection after averaging 11.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals. 6-foot-5 senior Caleb Kawela (6.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) will emerge as a top option while 6-foot-8 junior Daniel Daramola (5.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg) is a serious breakout candidate. 5-foot-8 senior Michael Robinson (5.1 ppg) will see major minutes in the backcourt. The addition of 6-foot-3 senior Russ White from Cardinal Newman, SC will be a major boon, coming in after averaging 6.7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.4 steals. No. 5 Mitchell County went 24-5 but were upset in the Sweet 16 at Dooly County, 60-56. The Eagles return their top four players led by Preseason All-State pick Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year 5-foot-10 senior Landen Quimbley, Defensive Player of the Year 5-foot-8 senior Andrew Haynes and All-Region First Teamers 6-foot-4 senior Jaquavian Williams and 5-foot-11 senior Zilon Hawkins. No. 6 Macon County improved from 17-12 to 28-3, racing to the Final Four before getting blown out by eventual state champ Wilkinson County 85-63. The Bulldogs graduate their first (Derrick Lester – 20.3 ppg) and fourth (Montrezious Leggett – 8.1 ppg) leading scorers but have a pair of Preseason All-State selections in 5-foot-9 junior Frankie Raines (16.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.6 spg) and 6-foot-5 senior Dontavious Collier (11.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.7 bpg). 5-foot-10 senior Kelan Harpe could provide a lift after football season if he sticks with basketball while 5-foot-6 junior Eric Rice (6.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.7 spg) is a sparkplug guard. No. 7 Charlton County doesn’t have the same ceiling as last year’s 29-3 state runner-up team that lost 40-36 to Wilkinson County now that 6-foot-8 Elyiss Williams (16.9 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 3.8 bpg) transferred to Camden County along with Coach David Bailey, but new Head Coach Marcus Hawkins steps in from McIntosh County Academy and will have talent to compete. Preseason All-State 6-foot junior Jarvis Wright (19.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 spg) is the definition of a three-point specialist, 487 of his 563 attempts coming from behind the arc, cashing in on 170 long-balls at a 35% clip. Set to return alongside Wright is 5-foot-11 senior Ja’mari Hamilton (7.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.8 spg) and 5-foot-10 junior Jordan Toliver (7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.6 spg). No. 8 Clinch County will hotly contest Charlton County throughout the season in Region 2. The Panthers finished 19-7, eliminated in the first round at Mitchell County 65-60 after losing to Turner County in the region tournament, forcing them to clinch the three-seed against Atkinson County. The Panthers split with Charlton County in the regular season and are scheduled to return five of their top six players if football doesn’t prohibit. Three-star Indiana wide receiver-commit 6-foot-1 Jeremy Bell was named Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year while 6-foot-2 250-pound Alvin Green earned Freshman of the Year. 5-foot-9 senior Keegan Clayton was All-Region First Team while 5-foot-9 junior Aaron Bryant was Second Team and 5-foot-10 senior Jashaun Raymond was Honorable Mention. No. 9 Randolph-Clay follows No. 3 Calhoun County and No. 5 Mitchell County into the Top 10 from Region 1. The Red Devils went 18-13 in Year 1 under Keeyon Battle, improving from 7-13 and making it to the Sweet 16 where they lost at Portal 62-44. The Red Devils competed well with the top of the region albeit going a combined 0-5 against Calhoun County and Mitchell County with four of the games decided by single digits. Only two seniors graduate. First Team All-Region selections 6-foot junior Jaleen Gibson (13.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.1 spg) and 6-foot-3 senior Keonte Nunnally (8.6 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.1 apg) lead the way. 6-foot-2 junior Jes’us Daniels (8.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg) was a Second Teamer while 6-foot-2 junior Adrain Price (4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1 apg) was Honorable Mention. 5-foot-11 junior Nehemiah Prince appeared in 17 games down the stretch and was effective averaging 5.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals. No. 10 Jenkins County posted a 21-7 record, losing in the first round to Telfair County 64-57. The War Eagles are scheduled to return three of their top four players headlined by juniors 6-foot-4 James Allen (15.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.6 spg) and 6-foot-1 Tyler Williams (8.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg). 5-foot-10 senior ZZ Wilson averaged 8.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals over 16 games.