The second-annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Basketball Classic features an expanded, two-day schedule Friday and Saturday at Norcross (Friday) and McEachern (Saturday). Across the two-day schedule, there are 10 boys or girls programs ranked in their respective classification’s top 10 and two games – one boys and one girls game – between opponents ranked in the top 5.
Each of the eight matchups will be televised live on the Peachtree Sports Network (available on cable and YouTube TV), and will also stream live on the Atlanta News First app. From home, download the free ANF+ app anywhere you stream — FireTV, AppleTV, Roku and YouTubeTV — simply by searching for “Atlanta News First” on those platforms. If you are on the go, you can download Atlanta News First for free in the app store on your Apple or Android device. You can also watch live here on the WANF – Special Events channel.
Two Class 6A girls’ powers highlight Friday’s schedule at Norcross with the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils hosting No. 5 North Paulding at 5 p.m. The Blue Devil girls are 7-2 and are coming off a 57-32 victory against Brookwood on Monday. North Paulding is undefeated (9-0) and is riding momentum from a 62-52 victory against Class 3A No. 5 Fayette County.
In the nightcap game Friday, the Class 6A No. 6-ranked Norcross boys will welcome Alabama’s Pinson Valley, with tipoff scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Norcross is led by wing Jaron Saulsberry, who is a highflyer and a defensive threat. The Blue Devils also have one of the top sophomores in the country in Naasir ‘Rudy’ Anderson, who has helped Norcross to an 8-3 record this season.
Opening the Friday schedule at 2 p.m. are the Class 1A-3A Private No. 8-ranked Lovett boys taking on King’s Ridge. Lovett is 7-4 after beating Tucker 64-61 on Saturday. Sophomore Cameron Cannon has led the Lions and averages 14.3 points per game ahead of junior Jack Rees (9.4 points) and senior Ryan Cain (9.3 points). King’s Ridge is looking to right the ship after a 68-48 loss to Cleveland (TN) last Saturday. Senior Zeplin Kidd (17 points), senior Alex Lowry (16 points) and senior Charles Bryant (15 points) lead the Knights.
On Saturday at McEachern, the top-ranked girls team from Class 2A (Josey) will face Class 1A-3A Private No. 2 St. Francis to highlight the day.
Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. for the battle of the unbeatens. Josey is 7-0 and moved past Lakeside-Evans 67-27 last Saturday. Junior Kerri Fluellen leads with 15 points per game, senior Shaniya Sanders adds 13 points per game and junior Za’Miyah Jenkins adds 11.2 points per game for Josey. St. Francis is 8-0 and moved past Paideia 90-38 last Saturday. Sophomore Giaunni Rogers is scoring 17 points per game while junior Cam Golston is scoring 14.4 points and senior Desi Taylor adds 11 points per game.
Opening the Saturday schedule at noon, Class 6A No. 4 Newton (7-4) will play West Forsyth. The Rams are coming off a 68-65 loss to North Mecklenburg (NC) last week. West Forsyth has lost four of its past five games to Forsyth Central 55-52, Cherokee 84-82, North Forsyth 54-43 and Cambridge 61-49 last week.
McEachern’s girls will play West Forsyth in the third game of the day and will try to improve upon their 2-7 record. Sophomore Summer Edwards is scoring 12.6 points per game for McEachern. West Forsyth is 2-9 and coming off a 69-25 loss to North Forsyth last Friday.
The Class 6A No. 6-ranked McEachern boys will play host to Class 6A No. 9 Riverwood to close out the event with the tip scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Indians (9-2) are coming off a 90-75 victory against Paulding County on Tuesday. Riverwood is 8-4 and moved past River Ridge 68-66 on Monday. Senior JR Leonard leads the Raiders with 24.3 points per game.
See the full schedule below.
Friday Dec. 20 at Norcross
Class 1A-3A Private No. 8 Lovett vs. King’s Ridge (B) – 2 p.m.
Class 4A No. 4 Jackson-Atlanta vs. Wilson Academy (B) – 3:30 p.m.
Class 6A No. 2 Norcross vs. Class 6A No. 5 North Paulding (G) – 5 p.m.
Class 6A No. 6 Norcross vs. Pinson Valley, Ala. (B) – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21 at McEachern
Class 6A No. 4 Newton vs. West Forsyth (B) – Noon
Class 2A No. 1 Josey vs. Class 1A-3A Private No. 2 St. Francis (G) – 1:30 p.m.
Class 6A McEachern vs. West Forsyth (G) – 3 p.m.
Class 6A No. 5 McEachern vs. Class 5A No. 9 Riverwood (B) – 4:30 p.m.
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