GHSA State Championship Preview: Class 3A-2A

<h2><strong>Class 3A</strong></h2> <h4><strong>No. 1 Pace Academy (27-4) vs. No. 6 Jefferson (22-7)</strong></h4> <p>Pace Academy’s destruction of the field has been eye-opening but not unexpected. They have won by an average of 31.5 points, with their closest game being a 65-40 win over Monroe Area in the Elite 8. I guess that gives Jefferson a glimmer of hope considering it was a Region 8 foe that gave Pace the biggest “scare”. Jefferson is hot in their own right albeit not via blow out fashion. The Dragons defeated Central-Macon 66-58 and used balanced scoring to do so getting 16 points from Navy-signee <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jacob-radaker/">Jacob Radaker</a> and 13 from Kam Robinson and 12 from Owen Parker. The Dragons consistently see three or more players crack double figures giving Coach Kevin Morris a great spread out attack. Pace Academy relies on <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matthew-cleveland/">Matthew Cleveland</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cole-middleton/">Cole Middleton</a> to overwhelm opponents. Cleveland put up 26 points and Middleton 18 in their rout of Johnson-Savannah. Jefferson enters as a heavy underdog meaning all the pressure is on Pace Academy to clinch the title. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jacob-radaker/">Jacob Radaker</a> will have to be outstanding in order for the Dragons to win. The 6-foot-9 post is one of Georgia’s most skilled big men but expect Coach Sharman White to have a game plan to slow him down. Malaki Starks’ physicality and athleticism will be important for Jefferson defensively.</p> <h2><strong><br /> Class 2A</strong></h2> <h4><strong>No. 1 Swainsboro (30-2) vs. No. 3 Therrell (25-7)</strong></h4> <p>Swainsboro is on the precipice of their first state title since 1996 after drilling Glenn Hills 79-62. The Tigers are deep, athletic and play extremely hard. Football standout Fred Seabrough posted 21 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks while AJ Kingsbury had 21 points. Therrell, the defending state champion, outclassed an undermanned Chattooga team 54-37 and dominated with their pressure defense.  For once in Class 2A, Therrell won’t be the biggest and fastest team on the court. The loss of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robbie-armbrester/">Robbie Armbrester</a> will hurt them against Swainsboro’s physicality. It should be a fast-pace game with plenty of highlights. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rasean-frederick/">Ra’Sean Frederick</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/roman-son/">Roman Son</a> and Cameron Fortson will have to lean on their prior big game experience to douse the Tigers. Frederick had 20 points against Chattooga while Fortson provided 10 points and Son had 8. Immanuel Hackett will get a chance to showcase his skills on the big stage as an unsigned senior guard while Derrick Jones is an all effort defensive ace for Swainsboro.</p>