GHSA Season Preview: Class 4A
Upson-Lee – It couldn’t have gone any better for Upson-Lee as they defeated every opponent on the schedule during the 2016-17 campaign. Now with a year of experience under their belt, the Knights look to go unblemished once more in region 2 and in class 4A for 2017-18. They return approximately 80% of their offensive output from a year ago which includes 4 of their top 5 scorers back for one more crack at a state title. Of the returnees, all eyes will we on combo guard and Middle Tennessee State commit Tye Fagan. Fagan had an impressive spring and summer with Team Georgia Magic and the Middle Georgia Supersonics, weighing offers from UGA, College of Charleston, and South Florida before choosing MTSU. Another running mate and key player for this Upson-Lee squad is Zyrice Scott, a patient but aggressive guard that, like Fagan, averaged double figures a season ago. Glue guys like Travon Walker and Jacorey Smith along with transfers Caleb Henry and Jarrett Adderton and this Knights roster could be even more dangerous than last year’s which bodes trouble for the rest of the state.
Pius – The Golden Lions, under head coach Aaron Parr, surprised a lot of people in the state tournament last year; defeating the likes of Sandy Creek and Carver-Columbus on their way to a state final appearance where they gave Upson-Lee a scare late in that game. St. Pius, like Upson-Lee, returns a lot of contributors (80% of their roster) and will look for another chance at a region and state championship by seasons end. Seniors Everett Lane and Troy Stephens will look to lead this deep bunch with the Gonzalo brothers, Matthew and Bryan, providing the ball handling needed to beat pressure from the opposition. Hard nose full court pressure defense with fundamental play on the offensive end is what defines this team and they will be a tough out when elimination play comes around in February and early March.
Sandy Creek – The Patriots from Tyrone, Georgia come into the year hungry after a final four loss to St. Pius, 87-68. Sandy Creek did make an impressive run in the state tournament after a region runner-up finish behind LaGrange in region 5. Now without leading scorer and Georgia Tech signee Evan Jester as well as guard KJ Wilkins, the Patriots will turn to Jared Godfrey and TJ Bickerstaff for offensive productivity this season. Bickerstaff has been a hot commodity over the summer and fall, picking up recent offers from Mercer and Eastern Michigan with Godfrey pulling in offers from North Georgia and Catawba within the past month. The returning group of Patriots know what it takes to reach the final four, whether they can extend that fortune to the final game is yet to be determined.
TJ BickerstaffWestover – Westover brings back a young core from last year’s sweet 16 squad and will look to further that state run this season. Even though they placed 4th in region 1, they went on the road and knocked off Baldwin, the region 3 champion in a 64-60 battle in in Milledgeville. Now having been through the fire and returning their top two scorers in Jordan “Snow” Brown (12.6ppg) and Kris Gardner (17.8ppg) they will look to take on the region, south Georgia, and the rest of the state for what should be an improved season for this Patriots squad.
Marist – The War Eagles comes into the year looking to build on what was a nice season under 3 year head coach Kevin Moore. Marist took the region runner-up trophy behind Blessed Trinity and were beaten in the sweet 16 round of the state playoff at Carver-Columbus. The War Eagles lose a total of 7 seniors from last year’s roster but return a lot of contributors as well, including two talented juniors in Kyle Hamilton, Matthew Houghton, and sophomore wing John Treanor. With similar principles as St. Pius the War Eagles will rely on depth from younger talent to wear teams down defensively and make a statement in class 4A and region 7.