Takeaways from Greater Atlanta Christian at Meadowcreek
Norcross, Georgia – It was a battle of the champions last night with GHSA class 3A defending champions in Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Georgia) against GHSA class 7A defending champions in Meadowcreek High School (Norcross, Georgia). Meadowcreek defeated GAC at a score of 56-43. Both programs came in looking to defend their titles in their respective classes. Meadowcreek has reloaded their roster to help defend their crown and will be playing a tough schedule this season. For GAC, the Spartans returned most of their roster from last seasons championship squad and will also be looking to capture their second consecutive title. Meadowcreek will begin their season this Saturday at the Georgia Elite 8 Tip Off Classic, and as for GAC, their first game will not be until November 17th.
Jalen Benjamin and Damian Dunn make Meadowcreek debut
The two North Carolina natives in 2019 PG Jalen Benjamin and 2019 SG Damian Dunn made their Georgia debuts last night in a Meadowcreek uniform. Benjamin and Dunn had both transferred in from the state of North Carolina this past summer and will be looking to help Meadowcreek bring back another state title in Georgia’s toughest classification in class 7A. UAB committ Jalen Benjamin had a game high 19 points for the Mustangs, while Temple committ Damian Dunn finished with only 11 points. Both senior guards played with Stackhouse Elite (NC) in the Adidas Gauntlet and were one of the best teams in the nation, so chemistry should not be a problem. One thing you need to know about Benjamin is that he is a super tough point guard with Steph Curry type range and will not hesitate to let it go. For Dunn, even though he was in foul trouble in the second half, do not under estimate his skills. Damian is a fantastic shooter, especially in the mid range level. He can knock down his shots off the dribble and off the catch and is a smooth scorer, as I like to call it.
How Good is Hunter McIntosh of Greater Atlanta Christian?
The senior point guard Hunter McIntosh has had a lot of buzz in the state of Georgia over the last few months. He is arguably the most underrated guard or most sleeper prospect in the peach state in the 2019 class. Hunter finished with 18 points for Greater Atlanta Christian who can possibly be the favorites to win Georgia’s class 3A once again this season. McIntosh is a tough point guard who sits at 6-foot-2 and who is able to attack the lane and finish. He can draw defenders in and has the vision to swing the ball to his teammates. Hunter ran with Game Elite Gold in the Adidas Gauntlet this past summer and has expressed interest and received offers from a few mid major level programs.
Can Meadowcreek repeat as Georgia’s class 7A state champions?
We all know by now that Meadowcreek has upgraded their roster from last seasons state championship team after losing two major seniors in Corey Hightower and Amari Kelly. UAB commit 2019 PG Jalen Benjamin, Temple commit 2019 SG Damian Dunn, and North Clayton High School (College Park, Georgia) transfer 2020 F Jaimonnie Watkins-Causey have enrolled at Meadowcreek this past summer and will be the key pieces this season along with returnees in 2021 PG Kedrick Green and South Florida commit 2019 SG Jamir Chaplin. Chaplin finished with 15 points in last night’s win over GAC and could arguably be the most athletic prospect in the state of Georgia. The Mustangs have a much tougher schedule then they had from last season. Besides facing Norcross in a possible three game series due to both programs being in the same region (region 7 class 7A), Meadowcreek is expected to face some very tough competition and not just in state competition. They are expected to play in the Georgia Elite 8 Tip Off Classic against Wheeler, Jared Cook Classic against Dacula, Holiday Hoopsgiving against South Shore (NY) and Wasatch Academy (UT), Tournament of Champions Showcase against Holy Spirit Prep, and Memphis National Hoopfest against Barlett (TN) and Whitney Young (IL). The Mustangs will certainly be battle tested and well prepared for their second state championship run.
Is Greater Atlanta Christian the class 3A favorite this season?
The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans finished last season with an overall 28-3 record and also bought home another state title. The Spartans return most of their scoring from last year’s squad including their big three in 2019 PG Hunter McIntosh, 2019 PG Roy Dixon, and Belmont commit 2019 SG Ben Sheppard. Coach David Eaton and his talented group will not be the only school to look out for in that 3A class. Johnson-Savannah, Cedar Grove, Jenkins, Morgan County, and maybe a few sleepers will have something to say about that. In most people’s minds, GAC could easily repeat as champions and it is very hard to disagree with all the talent they have on their roster. The Spartans are not shying away from the top competition this year either. They are expected to play in the Jared Cook Classic against Peachtree Ridge, Holiday Hoopsgiving against Sandy Creek and Wheeler, a road game at St. Pius Catholic, Blue Collar Basketball Showcase against Lithonia, Tournament of Champions at Wheeler High School, and the Peachtree Corners Invitational against Independence (NC). Greater Atlanta Christian is one Georgia’s top programs and will be eager to make another state title run in their respective class.