The powers-that-be remain on top in the state’s larger classifications, while Class A and AA will undergo change and turnover due to the split of single-A to private and public state championship tournaments and the upheaval of regions and classes caused by reclassification.
McEachern lost some of the best players in the state from last year’s 33-0 state championship squad, but the Cooper sisters return to lead the No. 1 Indians on a quest for back-to-back titles.
Right on the Indians’ heels is Norcross, which won the 2010 and 2011 state championships. Diamond DeShields is back once again along with Shayla Cooper.
Miller Grove will look to repeat last season’s rare accomplishment when it won both the boys and girls state titles. A tough Region 6 slate, however, will test Miler Grove early and often with the likes of Stephenson and Southwest DeKalb. Allatoona could be a force in Class AAAAA after moving up from AAA.
Columbia and Jonesboro look like the top two squads in Class AAAA. Columbia shocked many with its 57-33 domination of defending state champ Washington County in the AAA final last year.
Speaking of Class AAA, Washington County looks to be the best bet to win the state title this season with Columbia now one classification above. However, with one superpower now in AAAA, another elite program moves into the classification in Buford. The Wolves possess multiple future college players and won three of four state titles in AA before moving up for this season.
In Class AA, Region 6 has three of the strongest favorites in defending champion Lovett, defending Class A champ Wesleyan and perennial-power Greater Atlanta Christian. Of the other programs in AA, Laney has the best shot of winning a championship.
In Class A, Region 6 is stacked with private school contenders. Southwest Atlanta Christian, Darlington and St. Francis will battle throughout the season in region play, and could all end up in the private school tournament final four.
Towns County and Gordon Lee appear to be the class of the public schools in Class A.
CLASS AAAAAA
1. McEachern
2. Norcross
3. North Cobb
4. North Gwinnett
5. Mill Creek
6. Alpharetta
7. Parkview
8. Alcovy
9. Woodstock
10. Hillgrove
CLASS AAAAA
1. Miller Grove
2. Stephenson
3. Forest Park
4. Allatoona
5. Southwest DeKalb
6. Cedar Shoals
7. Creekview
8. Kell
9. Salem
10. Rome
CLASS AAAA
1. Columbia
2. Jonesboro
3. Cross Creek
4. Chamblee
5. Carrollton
6. Fayette County
7. Statesboro
8. Troup
9. Westover
10. Dalton
CLASS AAA
1. Washington County
2. Buford
3. East Hall
4. Oconee County
5. Cartersville
6. North Hall
7. Beach
8. St. Pius
9. North Oconee
10. Woodward Academy
CLASS AA
1. Wesleyan
2. Lovett
3. Greater Atlanta Christian
4. Laney
5. Brooks County
6. Westside-Augusta
7. Heard County
8. Model
9. Putnam County
10. Taylor County
Class A (Private)
1. Southwest Atlanta Christian
2. Darlington
3. St. Francis
4. George Walton Academy
5. First Presbyterian
6. Holy Innocents’
7. Paideia
8. Strong Rock Christian
9. Pace Academy
10. Calvary Day
Class A (Public)
1. Towns County
2. Gordon Lee
3. Dooly County
4. Mitchell County
5. Claxton
6. Turner County
7. Greenville
8. Warren County
9. Charlton County
10. Wilcox County
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