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
Defending champ Tift County (26-1) have the 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. Tucker (26-2) has transitioned to 6A smoothly and is a No.1 seed. The top left bracket seemingly will lead to an Elite Eight collision between Norcross (25-3) and Pebblebrook (23-5). The Blue Devils have won 16-straight games. Shiloh (23-3) looks like the favorite to come out of the bottom left.
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) has 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). Defending champion 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. Archer (24-5) headlines the bottom right quadrant.
Class AAAAA
Miller Grove (25-3) is the favorite to win their seventh straight title. If Apalachee (19-8) can meet the Wolverines in the Elite Eight, expect Kamar Baldwin to put on a show. Allatoona (25-2) looks to be the favorite coming out of its quadrant and would likely face Miller Grove in the Final Four. McIntosh (28-0) is the only undefeated left and should make a deep run behind Jordan Lyons. Gainesville (24-4) is an extremely dangerous No. 4 seed in the top left quadrant.
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). 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).
Class AAAA
Reigning champ Jonesboro (27-1) is on a warpath to repeat. A date with Johnson-Gainesville (27-0) would make for an interesting Elite Eight game. Columbia (18-10), last year’s runner up, is one of the rare teams that can match Carrollton (25-2) inside. 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.
Much like the boys team, Jonesboro (27-1) looks like the team to beat. In what could be a state title matchup, the Cardinals would have to face Buford (26-3) who was runner up in AAA last season. 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.
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 Laney (26-1) resides in it. Laney is a favorite to win it all this year. Jenkins (24-3) is someone who might meet the Wildcats in the title. The Warriors fell to Laney by 11 this year.
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. Decatur (27-2) and Kendrick (26-2), last season’s AA champs, look to duke it out for a Final Four spot. Peach County (23-3) is the hottest team in its quadrant.
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 potential meeting with 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.
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), a top ten ranked team. Vidalia (24-4) may have a chance to thwart Holy Innocents’ championship hopes if they meet in the Elite Eight.
Class A
The draws have yet to come out, 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. Athens Christian is undefeated at 27-0. 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.
A loaded girls field 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 and other strong challengers. Taylor County (27-0) leads the public field with Claxton (22-4) and Turner County (25-2) as head contenders.
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