Over 400 games played in the playoffs, leading to this moment, the GHSA Basketball State Championship games. Teams from all over Georgia competed for nearly two weeks and only two teams remain in each of the eight classifications.
The state playoffs were filled with action, controversy, heartbreak, shock and pure joy. Teams left their all on the floor to be on one of the grandest stages a high school basketball player can be.
After a thrilling final four weekend, the matchups are set. Some classes have the top two ranked teams while the others have first-timers looking to bring their school a championship, nonetheless championship week is destined to be one of the most exciting weeks of high schools sports.
Below, I will breakdown the top three boys and girls matchups that I’ll be looking forward over the next four days
Boys
3. Buford vs Grovetown
Hailing out of Class 6A, this matchup features two of the top three ranked teams. Buford is ranked by Maxpreps as the No. 3 team in 6A with a 25-6 record, while easily winning their region, finishing at 12-1 on the season. Buford won their first four games in the playoffs by an average margin of victory of 8.5 points
Grovetown is the number one team in the class, they’ve dominated all season and went undefeated in their region and a commanding 28-3 record on the season. Currently, on a 17-game winning streak and fresh off an elite eight victory against two-time defending state champion Wheeler, Grovetown shows no signs of slowing down.
2. Eagle’s Landing vs Tri-Cities
Just one class under the number three ranked matchup, this matchup places the top two teams in the 5A class against each other. Tri-Cities earned the No. 2 spot in the rankings in the class after concluding their season with a region championship and a 22-5 record. They’re on an 11-game win streak as they await their Mar. 10 matchup at the Macon Centreplex
Unsurprisingly, another No. 1 ranked team finds itself in the state championship game with Eagle’s Landing. The Eagles carry a 27-3 record, with an undefeated record in their region
They haven’t lost a game since early January and don’t plan on it anytime soon. They’ve won their playoffs games by an average of 11 points and look to be a complete team seeking another state championship.
1. Greenforest Christian vs King’s Ridge
The smallest class in the Georgia State playoffs features potentially the best matchup. The 1A Private class features the top two teams that are as evenly matched as they could possibly be. Only one win separates the two teams. Greenforest Christian is 27-4 on the season, on an absolutely amazing 23-game win streak, a region championship and a top-15 ranking in the state of Georgia. After starting the season 1-3, Greenforest put its foot on the gas and took off running. They’ve dominated in their playoff run thus far, winning by an incredible average margin of victory of 36.5.
King’s Ridge packs a punch as well, winning one more game than Greenforest, with a 28-4 record and another region championship. Undefeated while playing at neutral sites and a 16-1 at home led to them garnering the number two ranking in the class. They have won their playoff games by an average of 9.5 points, which sets up a battle of the goliaths in this class, the clear-cut top two teams competing for it all.
Girls
3. Forest Park vs. Woodward Academy
Of course, one of the top three games showcases the top two ranked teams in the 5A class. Defending state champion Woodward has been on a tear all season long, with a 28-2 record and undefeated in region play, they’re on a stampeding 17-game win streak with no holds barred. Oh, and of course, they’ve won each playoff game by at least 26 points.
Forest Park, the number two team in 5A is well equipped for this heavyweight bout. Hailing out of the same region they finished second to Woodward. Currently at 22-6 and winning each of their playoff games by double digits, this game proves to be a barnburner.
2. Elbert Co vs Rabun Co
The top two ranked teams in the 2A division matchup in this state championship game. Rabun is 24-5 on the season and finished their regular season with the region title. In the playoffs, they’ve won games by an average of 21 points a game, as they look to continue their reign of terror in the championship game.
Elbert is 27-4 and finished second in the region after losing the region championship to guess who…Rabun County. Nonetheless, they’ve replicated Rabun’s success during their postseason run, absolutely blowing teams out up to this point for an average margin of victory of 22.5.Ths will be their fourth meeting of the season.
1. Marist vs. Luella
The powerhouse program at Marist takes on a worthy opponent in Luella in the 4A state championship game. A game that looks to be a battle from start to finish as both teams are ranked top three in the class.
Marist finished 12-0 in their region, they’re sitting at 27-3 on the season and not to mention the fortifying 15-game win streak they’re currently on. The name of the game for Marist is defense as they have not allowed an opponent to score over 35 points throughout their entire playoff run.
Luella seems to be identical to Marist record-wise, 12-0 in region play and 27-3 on the season. They’re on a 12-game win streak and have completely dominated on their way to the state championship. Their average margin of victory in the playoffs sits at an outstanding 30.25.
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