Top GHSA Final Four Player Matchups: 7A-5A

<p>A look at some of the best individual matchups we will see this weekend in the GHSA Final Four.</p> <h2><strong>Class 7A</strong></h2> <h4><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deivon-smith/">Deivon Smith</a> (Grayson) vs. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sharife-cooper/">Sharife Cooper</a> (McEachern)</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sharife-cooper/">Sharife Cooper</a> and defending state champs McEachern get a second crack at Grayson. It was an ugly first meeting as Cooper scored just one point in the first half before finishing with 17 on 6-23 shooting in an 83-57 blowout. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deivon-smith/">Deivon Smith</a> on the other hand, completely dominated the showdown, going 8-15 for 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Cooper has been a second half player but the Indians, as its already been proven, stand no chance if Cooper can’t score consistently throughout the game.</p> <h4><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bruce-thornton/">Bruce Thornton</a> Jr. (Milton) vs. Ja’hiem Hudson (Wheeler)</strong></h4> <p>Both players control their respective positions as well as anyone in the state. Thornton is an elite point guard that is efficient on both ends while Hudson is a load to handle inside while being one of the state’s best rim protectors. When both players have good games, their teams win. Thornton went for 30 points and 8 assists against Newton while Hudson nearly posted a triple-double against Berkmar’s large frontline.</p> <h2><strong>Class 6A</strong></h2> <h4><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/peyton-daniels/">Peyton Daniels</a> (Tri-Cities) vs. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-white/">AJ White</a> (Chattahoochee)</strong></h4> <p>Two prolific scorers square off in what should be a high-octane battle. Last season Tri-Cities eliminated Chattahoochee in the Sweet 16 75-64 before winning the state title. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-white/">AJ White</a> is coming off a 26-point showing against Sequoyah while Daniels and company slipped past Tucker 67-65 in a state title rematch. Expect both guards to score upwards of 20 points and for three-pointers to be flying. Daniels and White might be the best two scoring guards in Georgia’s 2021 class.</p> <h4><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sion-james/">Sion James</a> (Lanier) vs. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zocko-littleton/">Zocko Littleton</a> Jr. (South Cobb)</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sion-james/">Sion James</a> has proven he can impact games without scoring. The physical lead guard heading to Tulane is a stat sheet stuffer, willing to rebound and facilitate. He will put pressure on South Cobb with his aggressiveness. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zocko-littleton/">Zocko Littleton</a>, is a sharpshooting sophomore that has gotten more creative with the ball in his hands. His bread and butter is his jumper. If he isn’t locked in, he will need to find a way to positively impact the game, but if he is dialed in, especially from deep, he can rack up the points in a hurry.</p> <h2><strong>Class 5A</strong></h2> <h4><strong>Tyler Johnson (Cedar Shoals) vs. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eugene-brown/">Eugene Brown</a> III (Southwest DeKalb)</strong></h4> <p>After two somewhat disappointing seasons at Cedar Shoals, Tyler Johnson and the 2020 class officially turned the corner last night after rallying to knock off Lithonia. Johnson, a future USC-Aiken Pacer, posted 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in their 50-47 win over the Bulldogs. Southwest DeKalb pulled out a win in OT over Clarke Central 52-50 behind Ohio State-signee <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eugene-brown/">Eugene Brown</a>’s 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Johnson’s high motor will be charged up against the Panthers. His energy will have to negate Brown’s lethal three-point stroke and length when attacking the rim.</p> <h4><strong>Scoota Henderson (Kell) vs. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cam-bryant/">Cam Bryant</a> (Dutchtown)</strong></h4> <p>Can anyone slow down <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/scoot-henderson/">Scoot Henderson</a>? Buford held him to 14 points in the Elite Eight but the Longhorn role players stepped up like they have all season to advance to the Final 4. Can Dutchtown repeat Buford’s success? It will be hard but 6-foot-7 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cam-bryant/">Cam Bryant</a> has the length and athleticism to clean up some defensive mistakes at the rim. Bryant hit a running three at the buzzer to save Dutchtown in the Elite 8. He will need to score all over the floor and hit the glass for the Bulldogs to march to Macon.</p>