GHSA TOC Semifinal #1: No. 1 Wheeler vs. No. 4 Chattahoochee
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. 4 Chattahoochee
Semifinal number one features Wheeler, who was a unanimous winner over Hancock Central as chosen by the fans, vs. Chattahoochee who edged Dutchtown by one vote.
Differing styles will try to win out as Wheeler’s pound-the-paint mentality will try to outmuscle Chattahoochee’s perimeter orientated offense.
Wheeler’s defense will be challenged by AJ White AJ White 5'11" | PG Chattahoochee | 2021 State GA and Cam Sheffield Cam Sheffield 6'6" | SG Chattahoochee | 2020 State GA . The matchups will be interesting to watch. Will Coach Larry Thompson use size and length to defend White with Prince Davies Prince Davies 6'5" | SF Wheeler | 2020 State GA and Max Harris Max Harris 6'4" | SG Wheeler | 2021 State GA ? Or will he save them to defend Sheffield and instead put the smaller yet still bigger-than-White Nash Kelly Nash Kelly 6'2" | PG Wheeler | 2020 State GA on the electric scorer?
While the Wildcats have options defensively to choose from on the perimeter, Chattahoochee’s lack of depth inside will be on display as the Cougars will need to find a way to account for both Sam Hines Sam Hines 6'6" | SF Wheeler | 2020 State GA and Ja’Hiem Hudson. David McDaniel’s length could alter some shots at the rim but if he goes to block a shot, Chattahoochee must be ready to rotate down and block out for the rebound.
Needless to say, if Franklin Bailey Franklin Bailey 6'1" | SG Chattachoochee | 2020 State GA is on from deep, it will change the complexion of the game. His three-point shooting can space out Wheeler a little bit more and keep the focus from squarely being set on White and Sheffield. If Bailey and the supporting cast is off, it will be tough for the dynamic duo to carry the Cougars against such a strong defensive group.
Vote below to decide who advances to the GHSA Tournament of Champions Championship.
Voting ends on 4/19