GHSA TOC Championship: No. 1 Wheeler vs. No. 2 Woodward Academy
There are a lot of items on GHSA basketball fans’ wish lists. One that we may never see is a tournament of champions. All eight classification champs grouped together and seeded or even paired at random to set up a…
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Continue ReadingThere are a lot of items on GHSA basketball fans’ wish lists. One that we may never see is a tournament of champions. All eight classification champs grouped together and seeded or even paired at random to set up a bracket to determine the overall champion of the state. With no basketball being played currently, why not breakdown some hypothetical matchups in this new series and let the fan vote determine who will advance to the next round?
We will provide a preview, a thoughtful prediction and let you – the fans – decide the fate of each game.
No. 1 Wheeler vs. No. 2 Woodward Academy
The seeding stood the test of the people as No. 1 Wheeler advanced to the mythical GHSA Championship after securing a whopping 81 percent of the vote on Twitter over No. 4 Chattahoochee while No. 2 Woodward Academy held off No. 3 St. Francis with a 53-47 percent decision.
Wheeler’s advantage in the paint will likely be nullified as Denver-signee Sam Hines Sam Hines 6'6" | SF Wheeler | 2020 State GA and Ja’Hiem Hudson will have to deal with All-American Walker Kessler Walker Kessler 7'0" | PF Landmark Christian | 2020 State #17 Nation GA inside. The physicality and activity of Hines and Hudson could put pressure on Kessler and potentially draw some fouls. Hines especially, does an outstanding job of using his body and going into the chest of shot blockers.
The perimeter matchup between Nash Kelly Nash Kelly 6'2" | PG Wheeler | 2020 State GA and Lee-commit Michael Whitmore Michael Whitmore 5'9" | PG Woodward Academy | 2020 State GA features two of Georgia’s tougher guards that take pride in their defense and ability to organize an offense. Kelly is stronger physically, but Whitmore’s speed with the ball keeps defenders busy moving side to side.
At wing, Belmont Abbey-commit Prince Davies Prince Davies 6'5" | SF Wheeler | 2020 State GA and Max Harris Max Harris 6'4" | SG Wheeler | 2021 State GA will go toe-to-toe with Will Richard Will Richard 6'5" | SF Woodward Academy | 2021 State GA and Davidson-signee Emory Lanier Emory Lanier 6'3" | PG Woodward Academy | 2020 State #370 Nation GA . Davies and Harris are streaky shooters that give Wheeler a different dynamic when they are on. Lanier and Richard thrive in the open floor and excel at slicing their way into the paint.
Jacorrei Turner Jacorrei Turner 6'3" | SF Woodward | 2020 State GA ‘s athleticism and football mentality could be a big boon for Woodward Academy. His effort on the glass and offense from within 15-feet is always a nice added plus. Off the bench, Wheeler has firepower in the form of AJ Burke AJ Burke 6'1" | SG Wheeler | 2021 State GA while Woodward Academy has a reliable scorer in Logan Stephens.
Both teams scored over 50 percent of their points in the paint in their respective state championships, Woodward scoring 42 of their 75 up close while Wheeler had 32 of their 60 in the paint.
Vote below & on Twitter to decide who wins the GHSA Tournament of Champions Championship.
Voting ends on 4/30