Five Games To Watch: Sweet 16

<p>There is no shortage of intriguing Sweet 16 matchups. Here are five good ones that caught my eye and will be worth the price of admission.</p> <h4><strong>Class 7A: R8 #2 Shiloh at R2 #1 Wheeler</strong></h4> <p>This game will be won and lost in the paint. Wheeler does an exceptional job of punching the ball inside to <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-hines/">Sam Hines</a> (Denver) and Ja’hiem Hudson. The pair do a great job of battling downlow and hitting the glass. Shiloh’s answer is 6-foot-6 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-mitchell/">Jordan Mitchell</a> who has enjoyed a breakout season. The long and agile forward plays with a great motor. Ezra Ausar, a 6-foot-6 junior, also could be useful in the matchup. Comparing guards, Shiloh has to have the slight advantage between veterans <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zawdie-jackson/">Zawdie Jackson</a>, Caleb Golden, Anthony Canada and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-little/">James Little</a>, four seniors that have played at a high level. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nash-kelly/">Nash Kelly</a> has stepped up in the absence of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-collier/">Isaiah Collier</a> and has done an outstanding job for the Wildcats. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/prince-davies/">Prince Davies</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-harris/">Max Harris</a> will need to be locked in on both ends of the floor for Wheeler to advance past Shiloh, an equally physical team.</p> <h4><strong>Class 6A: R6 #2 Allatoona at R4 #1 Tucker</strong></h4> <p>Tucker has the star power between Terrance Edwards and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jermontae-hill/">Jermontae Hill</a> while Allatoona uses a by-committee approach. The Tigers are long and strong as Edwards and Hill are both 6-foot-6 wings.  Allatoona doesn’t have quite the size but they have defensive anchors in 6-foot-3 junior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kevin-taylor/">Kevin Taylor</a> and 6-foot-5 junior Cameron Baldwin, both play bigger than their height. Taylor does a little bit of everything and never takes a play off. Baldwin is an athletic rim protector who can mix it up inside. A good point guard matchup pits speed merchant <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-logan/">Isaiah Logan</a> with Raylon Barrion. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marshall-willingham/">Marshall Willingham</a> and RJ Shaw will need to have strong games for Allatoona to win in a hostile environment.</p> <h4><strong>Class 3A: R8 #4 Hart County at R4 #2 Central-Macon</strong></h4> <p>Central-Macon gets no break as they play “4-seed” Hart County, a team that was in the Top 5 for much of the year. The Chargers will have to establish dominant forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quay-primas/">Quay Primas</a> inside but it might not be as easy as always with the Bulldogs able to deploy 6-foot-7 freshman <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tahj-johnson/">Tahj Johnson</a>, 6-foot-5 Quay Randolph and 6-foot-4 star Shone Webb. The Bulldogs are long enough to give the Chargers fits. Webb will have to be held in check for the Chargers to protect home court. Don’t be surprised if 6-foot-2 senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/antonio-card/">Antonio Card</a> draws the assignment at times. His toughness and scoring on offense will be invaluable. Ne’Kory Bond and Harold Thompkins round out Central’s attack while Hart County has some streaky guards in Demetrius Glenn and JC Curry who can get hot from deep.</p> <h4><strong>Class 2A: R6 #2 Douglass at R4 #1 Glenn Hills</strong></h4> <p>Region 6 vs. Region 4 will go a long way in deciding who will make it to the Final Four. Glenn Hills entered the postseason ranked No. 3 while Douglass came in at No. 5. The Spartans are anchored by All-State forwards Emanuel Jones (17.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-whitehead/">John Whitehead</a> (17 ppg, 6.9 rpg). Douglass has a defensive ace however in 6-foot-6 junior JaMichael Stillwell. He can guard nearly every position on the floor with his length and is a tremendous rebounder that will be able to keep Glenn Hills at bay. If guard play is the difference maker, Douglass might have the advantage behind Jamarious Pledger (19 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg, 2 spg) and blossoming 6-foot-3 sophomore Gaddis Heath.</p> <h4><strong>Class 2A: R4 #2 Laney at R6 #1 Therrell</strong></h4> <p>Home court advantage and how the game will be officiated will be important to keep an eye on. Laney’s aggressive defense wilts the majority of their opponents but the defending state champs are paced by fearless senior point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/roman-son/">Roman Son</a>. Son will have to handle immense ball pressure and get the Panthers into their offense. Without <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robbie-armbrester/">Robbie Armbrester</a>, Cam Fortson and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rasean-frederick/">Ra’Sean Frederick</a> will be asked to pound the glass. Frederick at 6-foot-4, is a physical downhill wing that has opened up his game with the three-point shot. Both teams are tough defensively. A game in the 50s could be likely. Seniors <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jonathan-taylor/">Jonathan Taylor</a> (13.4 ppg 5.9 rpg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dykese-king/">Dykese King</a> (10 ppg, 2.7 spg) lead a balanced Laney attack. A wildcard will be 6-foot-7 senior Matt Jones. If he is able to impact the game for the Wildcats, they could steal a win on the road.</p>