Georgia’s Class 7A Elite 8 Matchups
This year’s GHSA state playoffs have not been disappointng so far. With only 8 teams left in Georgia’s highest classification, we have a plethora of elite matchups going down next week in the elite 8. Norcross, Meadowcreek, Wheeler, Newton, McEachern, Campbell, Grayson, and Pebblebrook have all advanced. Four teams out of Cobb County, GA make up this season’s elite 8 as you can see, Pebblebrook, Wheeler, McEachern, and Campbell. We preview the elite 8 matchups below.
Top Left Quadrant – #1 seeds – McEachern (Region 3) and Norcross (Region 7)
The road to the 2018 Geico Dick’s Nationals for McEachern (26-2) is almost half way done. The Indians and Coach Thompson advance to the elite 8 for the 3rd consecutive year. 2019 shooting guard Charles Smith IV has been fantasic for McEachern through the state playoffs averaging about 20 points per game. Smith is coming off a 20 point game as McEachern routed Westlake 87-49 this past Thursday night. They will be facing one of the most powerful teams in the nation in Norcross (26-3) in next week’s elite 8 matchup at Norcross. The Blue Devils also got by their sweet 16 matchup last Thursday as they got by Duluth 88-63. The Blue Devils will be appearing in their 2nd straight elite 8 appearance. All year I belived Norcross was the only team in Georgia that can matchup with powerhouse McEachern offensively. This matchup here will feature a few top ranked players nationally and a bunch of next level college athletes. 2020 point guard Sharife Cooper (McEachern), 2018 point guard Dalvin White (Norcross), 2018 wing Jojo Toppin (Norcross/UGA), 2019 forward Isaac Okoro (McEachern), 2020 wing Brandon Boston (Norcross), 2019 shooting guard Charles Smith (McEachern), 2019 guard Kyle Sturdivant (Norcross), and 2019 center Babatunde Akingbola (McEachern/Auburn) are just a few top prospects we will be spectating in this game. McEachern will travel to Norcross this Wednesday night and the winner will face the Wheeler and Newton winner in the final four.
Bottom Left Quadrant – #1 seeds – Newton (Region 8) and Etowah (Region 4)
The #1 seeded Etowah Eagles (24-3) were defeated in a dog fight against Wheeler (19-10) in double overtime 60-57 this past Thursday night. 2019 forward Jaxon Etter of Etowah finished the game with a team and game high 33 points. Wheeler however, was led by 2018 center EJ Montgomery with 19 points. The Wildcats will advance to the elite 8 for the 2nd straight season and the first time under Coach Thompson. They will have to move on from their victory over Etowah and put their focus on Newton (26-3). The Newton Rams also advanced this past Thursday with a win over Mountain View (22-6) 85-81. The Rams were led by 2019 point guard Ashton Hagans (UGA) who finished with 28 points and 11 assists. Newton will host Wheeler this Wednesday night in a battle of two future McDonald’s All Americans in 2018 center EJ Montgomery, who made this season’s MCDAGG, and 2019 point guard Ashton Hagans, who will most likely be invited in next seasons MCDAGG.
Top Right Quadrant – #1 seeds – Tift County (Region 1) and Lambert (Region 5)
This is the only part of the bracket where BOTH the #1 seeds are no longer playing. As you know Tift County (20-7) was defeated in the first round a couple of weeks ago and Lambert (22-6) were just eliminated by Meadowcreek (22-6) this past Thursday night 56-47. The Mustangs got their revenge after Lambert defeated Meadowcreek in last seasons first round matchup. They will now host Campbell (20-9) in this seasons elite 8 contest. Campbell moves on to the elite 8 for first time since 2016. Senior wing Kiya Randolph has been getting hot at the right time with back to back 20+ point games for Campbell. Randolph led the Spartans last Thursday night with a game high 27 points as they defeated Woodstock (16-14) on the road 79-71. The Campbell and Meadowcreek matchup will be played at Meadowcreek High School this Wednesday night at 7pm. Winner will face the winner of the Grayson and Pebblebrook matchup.
Bottom Right Quadrant – #1 seeds Peachtree Ridge (Region 6) and Pebblebrook (Region 2)
Coach Washington and his Pebblebrook squad are still catching fire as they have now won 24 straight games. Pebblebrook (26-2) defeated Roswell (17-12) 69-44 in last Thursday night’s sweet 16 matchup. 2018 guard DJ Murray finished with 21 points in this contest. The Falcons advance to the elite 8 for the 5th consecutive year and will host Grayson (21-6) in a rematch between both programs. Grayson moves on after defeating Peachtree Ridge 75-66 last week. 2018 guard Travis Anderson (Charleston Southern) led with a team high 27 points. Pebblebrook and Grayson last met at Wheeler High School’s Tournament of Champions and where Pebblebrook took care of Grayson and defeating them 71-52. Pebblebrook is set to host Grayson on Wednesday night at 7:30pm at Pebblebrook High School.