The Greater Atlanta Christian boys basketball team is preparing for a big road matchup against region opponent Lumpkin County, aiming to stay in contention for the top seed in the region tournament. A loss for either side would drop them to third place in the region standings, forcing them to rely on Pickens and the winner of the game losing multiple games for any chance at the top seed.
Additionally with the postseason ranking playing a role a win over a solid opponent can have a major impact on playoff seeding. The Spartans and Indians have already faced off once this season, with Lumpkin County narrowly winning a hard-fought 68-66 game. For GAC, the key to victory lies in their high-powered offense.
When the Spartans score more than 70 points, they are 10-0; however, when they score fewer than 70, their record drops to 2-5. Another critical factor will be building an early lead. GAC has struggled in close games, posting a 1-3 record in contests decided by 10 points or fewer. Conversely, when they establish a lead, they have proven capable of beating top-tier programs, including beating Lovett and Marist earlier this season.
Greater Atlanta Christian boasts plenty of talent, with three players averaging more than 10 points per game. Senior Mario Hill Jr. leads the team with 17.8 points per game, nearly six assists per game. Right behind him is Mikey Carpenter, averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 assists, and nearly three steals per game. The duo’s scoring ability is a significant asset for the Spartans and is a major reason they have been successful. Another advantage GAC will look to exploit is their size. Lumpkin County is a smaller team, with only two players standing taller than 6-foot-3, while GAC has four players at 6-5 or taller and another three standing at 6-3. The Spartans need to use their size advantage to dominate in the paint and create open jump shots for their star guards. This game carries major implications for both teams.
Around the class boys - Holy Innocents’ extended its winning streak to 11 games Tuesday with a commanding 74-43 victory over Therrell, improving to 13-2 and solidifying its position as the top-ranked team in the classification. … Greenforest remained unbeaten in region play, cruising to an 80-42 win over Social Circle. … Darlington delivered a dominant performance against Haralson County, winning 72-20. The victory extended their winning streak to five games and moved them to 14-2 on the season. … Mt. Bethel snapped a three-game losing streak with a hard-fought 73-69 win over Mt. Pisgah. … In a surprising upset, KIPP Atlanta defeated Lovett 61-55, handing the Warriors a significant win. … Walker earned its 13th victory of the season with an emphatic 83-25 win over the Weber School.
Around the class girls - St. Francis remained unbeaten in region play with a decisive 71-27 victory over Wesleyan Friday. … Mt. Paran improved to 16-2 on the season after a dominant 68-30 win over 6A Dacula Tuesday. … Southwest Atlanta Christian continued its undefeated season with a hard-fought 55-43 victory over Putnam County Tuesday. … Holy Innocents extended its winning streak to eight games with an overwhelming 91-14 win over KIPP Atlanta. … Galloway defeated Paideia 78-38, improving to 9-7 overall and 6-1 in region play. … Greater Atlanta Christian cruised past Johnson-Gainesville with an 89-19 victory, moving to 10-6 on the season.
See the boys and girls latest Class 2A basketball rankings schedules below.
Boys Top 10 schedule
1. Holy Innocents’ – Saturday vs. St. Joseph, 10:30 a.m.; Monday vs. KIPP Atlanta, 3:15 p.m.; Jan. 21 at Hapeville Charter, 7:30 p.m.
2. North Cobb Christian – Friday vs. Rockmart, 7 p.m.; Saturday vs. North Murray, 3 p.m.; Jan. 21 at Ringgold, 7:30 p.m.
3. Greenforest Christian – Friday at Putnam County, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday vs. Decatur, 2:30 p.m.; Monday at Liberty Magnet, 1:40 p.m.
4. Darlington – Friday at Model, 8 p.m.; Saturday vs. Mount Vernon, 6 p.m.; Jan. 21 vs Heard County, 7:30 p.m.
5. Mt. Bethel – Wednesday at Whitefield Academy, 7:30 p.m.; Friday at Galloway, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 21 at Wesleyan, 8 p.m.
6. Calvary Day – Friday at Jenkins, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday vs. Buford, 12:05 p.m.; Jan. 24 vs. Islands, 7:30 p.m.
7. Lovett – Friday at Hapeville Charter, 7:30 p.m.; Monday vs. Walker, 9 a.m.; Jan. 21 vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.
8. Greater Atlanta Christian – Friday at Lumpkin County, 7:30 p.m.; Monday at Dawson County, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 24 vs. Chestatee, 7:30 p.m.
9. Paideia – Thursday at The Weber School, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday vs. Midtown, 4 p.m.; Monday vs. Atlanta International, 7:30 p.m.
10. Walker – Friday at Atlanta International, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday vs. Lovett, 9 a.m.; Monday vs. BEST Academy, 7 p.m.
Girls Top 10 schedule
1. Hebron Christian – Friday vs. Prince Avenue, 7 p.m.; Monday vs. Dr. Phillips, TBA.; Jan. 21 vs. Franklin County, 6 p.m.
2. St. Francis – Friday vs. Mt. Paran, 6 p.m.; Monday vs. Langston Hughes, 8 p.m.; Jan. 21 vs. Mt. Pisgah, 6 p.m.
3. Mount Paran – Friday at St. Francis, 6 p.m.; Saturday vs. Andrew Jackson, 3:30 p.m..; Monday vs. Green Forest, TBA
4. Southwest Atlanta Christian – Friday at McNair, 6 p.m.; Saturday vs. Heard County, 1:30 p.m..; Jan. 21 vs. Towers, 6 p.m.
5. Holy Innocents’- Friday vs. North Paulding, 5:30 p.m.; Monday vs. River Ridge, 4:50 p.m.; Jan. 21 at Hapeville Charter, 6 p.m.
6. Greenforest – Friday at Putnam County, 6 p.m.; Monday vs. Mt. Paran, TBA; Jan. 21 vs. McNair, 6 p.m.
7. Galloway – Friday vs. Mt. Bethel, 6 p.m.; Monday vs. Jefferson, 9 a.m.; Jan. 21 vs. Fellowship Christian, 6 p.m.
8. GAC – Friday at Lumpkin County, 6 p.m.; Monday vs. Athens Academy, 3:15 p.m. ; Jan. 21 vs. Dawson County, 6 p.m.
9. Athens Academy – Friday at Providence Christian, 6 p.m.; Monday vs. GAC, 3:15.; Jan. 24 vs. Elbert County, 7 p.m.
10. Whitefield Academy – Wednesday vs. Mt. Bethel, 6 p.m.; Friday vs. Fellowship Christian, 6 p.m.; Monday vs. Newton, 5 p.m.
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