Move over March Madness, the GHSA State Basketball Tournament has begun and with it brings the new phrase, “February Frenzy”. No ice storm can prevent some of the best players in the state from taking the court and putting on a show for all in attendance. A few Tuesday games have been pushed back to Wednesday due to the weather, but the action has already begun. It’s time to break down the brackets and see how things might pan out.

Class AAAAAA

            There is no shortage of dangerous teams in the tournament this year. Defending champ  Tift County (26-1) have to potential to set up a rematch of last year’s state title with Wheeler (25-2) if the two schools are able to advance to the Elite Eight in the bottom right side of the bracket. A potential dark horse is No. 3 seed, North Gwinnett (14-13). After a slow start, the Bulldogs have won eight of their last ten games and are led by the explosive Kam Calhoun. They first will have to get past Dacula (19-8) who is loaded Kevon Tucker, Keshawn Gibbs, and Derek St. Hilaire. The top right bracket features an interesting first round matchup between Langston Hughes (21-7) and Hillgrove (21-5). The youthful Panthers are led by sophomores Chuma Okeke and Khalil Cuffee. Cuffee however has been sidelined with an ankle and is questionable to play. Coach Ed Morris has built Hillgrove into a perennial power and guards Collin Sexton and Jourdan Julian make them a tough out. Tucker (26-2) has transitioned to 6A smoothly after dropping to rival Miller Grove a year ago in the 5A Elite Eight. Auburn-signee Bryce Brown leads the Tigers along with running mates Avinde Russell and Jonathon Stephens. No. 2 Duluth (20-8) is another battle tested team coming out of Region 7. Anthony Showell, Joseph Gordon, Khair Jefferies are all lethal surrounding AJ Cheeseman and Obinna Ofodile inside. The top left bracket seemingly will lead to a crash course between Norcross (25-3) and Pebblebrook (23-5). The Blue Devils have won 16-straight games and would meet the Falcons in the Elite Eight. High Point-bound Ricky Madison and Rayshaun Hammonds fuel the Norcross front court. A tussle with Pebblebrook’s Derek Ogbeide (UGA) and guards Ty Hudson (Clemson) and Jared Harper would make for one of the best games in the tournament. Shiloh (23-3) looks like the favorite to come out of the bottom left. Kareem Brewton and Josh Okogie give the Generals a dynamic duo that can challenge any tandem. Prediction: Tift, Tucker, Pebblebrook, Shiloh

The girl’s field may be the strongest in all of the state. The lower left side of the bracket is loaded with North Forsyth (23-4), Parkview (24-3), and Osborne (24-2). On the top side, Westlake (27-2) already survived a scare from Hillgrove, but things won’t get any easier as they play the winner of Woodstock (26-1) and West Forsyth (21-5). It will be a tough matchup for Woodstock who is coming off their first loss of the season in the Region 5 championship against Pope. The Wolverines are not very big, but use their great guard play to get past opponents. Sophomore Devyn Lowe is the next in a long line of great guards, as she was named Region Player of the Year. West Forsyth will feed Maryland-signee Jenna Staiti the ball inside. The six-foot-five versatile post is no stranger to big games as she already has a 42 point 17 rebound game under her belt this season. Defending champions McEachern (18-5) is grouped with the likes of Mountain View (22-5) and South Forsyth (24-4) who they would likely meet in the second round. South Forsyth was ranked No. 1 in the state for a majority of the season before tough back-to-back losses to West and North Forsyth to end the season. The War Eagles look to be back on track however as they revenged their loss to North Forsyth by beating them by three to win the Region 6 title. Sarah Myers averages over 20 points per game and is heading to Maryland. Archer (24-5) headlines the bottom right quadrant but Harrison (19-7) and Pope (24-4) should not be slept on. Prediction: Osborne, Norcross, Mountain View, Archer

Class AAAAA

Miller Grove (25-3) is the favorite to win their seventh straight title. Alterique Gilbert is one of the best floor generals in the state and has the hands of a thief. Lamont West gives the Wolverines an inside presence both offensively and defensively.  If Apalachee (19-8) can meet the Wolverines in the Elite Eight, expect Kamar Baldwin to put on a show. The do everything guard averages 27 points and 10 rebounds per game. Allatoona (25-2) looks to be the favorite coming out of its quadrant and would likely face Miller Grove in the Final Four. Bradley Brevet, Ephraim Tshimanga, and Rodney Brown are all dangerous for the ‘Bucs. McIntosh (28-0) is the only undefeated left and should make a deep run behind Jordan Lyons, Will Washington, and Dishon Lowery. Gainesville (24-4) is an extremely dangerous No. 4 seed in the top left quadrant. The Red Elephants feature a balanced attack which is led by Mississippi State-commit D’Marcus Simonds. Along with Simonds, freshman Xavier Bledson, Luke Maddox, and Messiah Dorsey are all dangerous. Freshman forward Bailey Minor is also an x-factor. Prediction: Miller Grove, Allatoona, McIntosh, Gainesville

The field is wide open in the girls bracket. Brunswick (27-0) is a favorite, but they are in a loaded bracket which features Sequoyah (25-3), Stephenson (24-5), and Grovetown (22-5). The Sequoyah Chiefs feature an intimidating frontline anchored by sisters Kelley and Lauren Hartman. Megan Garcia is a three-point specialist that needs to be watched from deep. Greenbrier (25-3) and Mays (24-2) should meet in the Elite Eight. The lower right quadrant seems like the weakest out of the four as No. 1 Hiram has already been disposed of by Miller Grove (15-11). Prediction: Brunswick, Forest Park, Northside, Greenbrier

Class AAAA

Reigning champs Jonesboro (27-1) is on a warpath to repeat. A date with Johnson-Gainesville (27-0) would make for an interesting Elite Eight game. Ty Cockfield averages 28.4 points while running mate Rod English pours in 19.5 a night. The Knights have had some close calls as of late, but Jeff Steele’s team does not know what it’s like to lose. Columbia (18-10), last year’s runner up, is one of the rare teams that can match Carrollton (25-2) inside. Micaiah Henry will go chest-to-chest with Carrollton big man and Georgia Southern-signee Montae Glenn. Avi Toomer and Grady (14-14) could be a surprise No. 3 seed to come out of the upper left quadrant. Lithonia (25-2) is a favorite to make it to the final four. Prediction: Liberty County, Jonesboro, Lithonia, Columbia

Much like the boys team, Jonesboro (27-1) looks like the team to beat. In what could be a state title matchup, the Cardinal would have to face Buford (26-3) who was runner up in AAA last season. St. Pius (26-4) is also in the loaded quadrant. Louisville-signee Asia Durr has been a one woman wrecking crew averaging 31.8 points per game, but her lack of help will be too much to compete with more balanced teams. Veterans (28-1) is dangerous and should battle Marist (22-4) to come out of their side of the bracket. Last year’s champion, Redan (19-7), will have an uphill battle as the No. 4 seed. Carrollton (21-7) meets the Raiders in the first round, and Americus-Sumter (27-1) still looms in their quadrant. Prediction: Burke County, Jonesboro, Americus-Sumter, Veterans

Class AAA

Tookie Brown of Morgan County (20-7) stole the show last year and will look to do so again this season. South Atlanta (25-4) would make for a formidable foe if the two schools met in the Elite Eight. At 7-21, Jefferson snuck into the postseason and is the ultimate Cinderella story. Its bracket is not a kind one as both Laney (26-1) and East Hall (22-5) reside in it. Laney is the likely favorite to win it all this year. The Wildcats’ offense features five players averaging over eight points per game led by JaShawn Brooks’ 13.1. Laney will host No. 4 seed North Clayton (16-12). The Eagles are paced by Reginald Scurry and Taiyon Hector. Jenkins (24-3) is someone who might meet Laney in the title. Malik Benlevi, a Georgia State-signee, is back healthy after a lengthy absence and should give Jenkins a go-to scoring threat. The Warriors fell to Laney by 11 this year. Prediction: Laney, South Atlanta, Cedar Grove, Jenkins

Dawson County (27-0) is the only undefeated team after South Atlanta (27-2) lost in the region title game and then was upset by Washington County (23-6) by three on Tuesday. Dawson County has the strongest low post game in the state headed by Sheyenne Seabolt (15.6 & 7.8) and Ashley Parker (13.4 & 9.3). Karlie Bearden is a defensive stalwart and also averages 8.4 rebounds to go along with 11.5 points and 2.6 blocks. Decatur (27-2) and Kendrick (26-2), last season’s AA champs, look to duke it out for a Final Four spot. Jefferson (21-6) and Beach (23-5) are likely second round foes. The winner should be a front runner to make the Final Four. Peach County (23-3) is the hottest team in their quadrant. The Trojans are anchored by guard Nausia Woolfolk who pours in 25 points, 7.7 rebounds and an absurd 7.1 steals per game. Prediction: Dawson County, Decatur, Beach, Peach County

Class AA

Holy Innocents’ (23-5) is the most dangerous No. 3 seed in the tournament. Crawford County (23-3) could pose problems for defending champ GAC (18-9) in the second round. Pace Academy (25-2) is the favorite to win it all, but a meeting with potentially Vidalia (26-2) in the Elite Eight could cause mismatches. If Reggie Reid can get hot, Harlem (23-4) could creep into the Final Four. Reid, a FGCU-signee, flirts with a triple-double on average going for 22.6 points, 9 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game. Lovett (13-14) is a battle tested four seed that will get a chance to upend No. 1 Manchester (19-8). Prediction: Holy Innocents’, GAC, Pace Academy, Seminole County

Pelham (27-1) and Holy Innocents’ (27-0) have stood out as the teams to beat this year. The two are favorites to meet in the Final Four. Manchester (24-2) has won 22-straight and could meet the Hornets in the Elite Eight. Last year’s runner up, Wesleyan (21-7) faces a tough quadrant that holds Putnam County (23-5), No. 4 Dade County (17-9), and McIntosh County Academy (17-10) all teams with quality wins this season. Vidalia (24-4) may have a chance to thwart Holy Innocents’ championship hopes if they meet in the Elite Eight. Prediction: Thomasville, Wesleyan, Holy Innocents’, Pelham

Class A

The draws come out soon, but even without them there are some heavy favorites. In the Private bracket, St. Francis (25-3) will look to defend its title, but Greenforest (24-1) is a long talented team who could steal the show. FSU-bound Malik Beasley teams up with Xavier-signee Kaiser Gates and 5-star junior Kobi Simmons to give St. Francis one of the most talented teams in the state. Greenforest is no slouch either. Justin Ravenel, Precious Ayah, Justin Forrest, and John Ogwuche should all play at the next level. And don’t forget 7-foot-1 center Ikey Obiagu who anchors the paint inside for the Eagles. Athens Christian (27-0) point guard ‘Turtle’ Jackson is signed at UGA. The public side features Calhoun County (26-2) and Hancock Central (23-2) who will attempt to knock off Wilkinson County (24-4) from its perch. Prediction: St. Francis & Hancock Central

A loaded girls friend features St. Francis (24-3) as the favorites to take the Private crown, but defending champion SW Atlanta Christian (25-3) will look to hold off the Knights other strong challengers. Taylor County (27-0) leads the public field with Claxton (22-4) and Turner County (25-2) as head contenders. Prediction: SWAC & Turner County