GHSA State Playoffs: Groups of Death

Class 7A Top Left   R5 #3 Osborne (16-12)  at R6 #2 Denmark (16-11) R8 #4 Collins Hill (16-12) at R7 #1 Norcross (23-4) R3 #3 Harrison (12-14) at R4 #2 Newton (17-10) R2 #4 Pebblebrook (17-10) at R1 #1 Lowndes (17-10)   Four teams have been ranked throughout the season including the current No. 4 Norcross, No. 5 Newton and No. 10 Pebblebrook. Norcross beat Newton earlier this season 73-71, but Indiana-signee [player_tooltip player_id='1059025' first='Jakai' last='Newton'] has recently returned for the rams, joining McDonald's All-American [player_tooltip player_id='820274' first='Stephon' last='Castle']. Pebblebrook is the state's most dangerous four-seed and holds a 69-57 win over Norcross earlier in the season, a game in which they held the Blue Devils to two made jump shots. Osborne has a High Major prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1383025' first='Akai' last='Fleming'] to pair with [player_tooltip player_id='1300746' first='Justin' last='McCarter'] and newly committed [player_tooltip player_id='1444762' first='Keshawn' last='McPherson']. Denmark has a near 7-footer inside in [player_tooltip player_id='1530985' first='Keinan' last='McFarlande'] and a sharp shooter in [player_tooltip player_id='1447924' first='Stefan' last='Davidov']. Collins Hill has strong guard play with [player_tooltip player_id='820290' first='Keishawn' last='Hampton'], but Norcross has big physical guards in [player_tooltip player_id='1231780' first='Samarion' last='Bond'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1045087' first='Mier' last='Panoam'] that play above the rim along with lightning quick playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='1223230' first='Bilal' last='Abdur-Rahman'] and UGA-bound [player_tooltip player_id='948818' first='Lamariyon' last='Jordan']. Harrison has [player_tooltip player_id='1444772' first='Jordan' last='Howe'], a powerhouse post presence, and 6-foot-9 [player_tooltip player_id='1300674' first='Ryan' last='Bellomy'], a high-academic D-III prospect. Lowndes may be the most over looked. [player_tooltip player_id='1477728' first='Samuel' last='Shoptaw'] already holds D-I offers as a sophomore point guard. [player_tooltip player_id='1809933' first='Marcus' last='Black'] is a bouncy guard, a wiry 6-foot-5 that can cause issues.   Class 6A Bottom Left   R6 #3 Sequoyah (17-11) at R5 #2 South Paulding (21-7) R7 #4 Sprayberry (13-15) at R8 #1 Lanier (23-4) R4 #3 Marist (19-8) at R3 #2 Lovejoy (15-13) R1 #4 Houston County (14-13) at R2 #1 Grovetown (18-8)   The quadrant features No. 1 Grovetown, No. 3 Lanier, No. 7 South Paulding and No. 9 Marist. Sequoyah lost to South Paulding earlier this season at home but played without [player_tooltip player_id='1492775' first='Preston' last='Parker']. [player_tooltip player_id='1444780' first='Brendan' last='Tousignaut'] torched the Spartans for 26 points in the loss. [player_tooltip player_id='1133341' first='Jeremiah' last='Taylor'] is one of the better unsigned guards in the state, South Paulding's bouncy go-to guy is averaging close to 20 points per game and should be on JUCO radars. [player_tooltip player_id='1530149' first='Andrew' last='LaVigne'] set the school record for points in a game by dropping 39 on Villa Rica this season and can catch fire from beyond the arc. Lanier has the state's best front court between [player_tooltip player_id='709232' first='Osmar' last='Garcia Araujo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1131774' first='Jayce' last='Nathaniel']. They are highly skilled, dynamic forwards. Osmar is an elite passer and physical rebounder while Nathaniel has a finesse game on the perimeter with a knockdown three-point shot, but can also go in the post and score with a variety of moves. Amir Rosa and Jacobi Harmon are All-Region picks for Sprayberry.  Marist has seen [player_tooltip player_id='1239889' first='Luke' last='Harpring'] emerge as their leading scorer this year at 13 points per game, but the War Eagles are extremely balanced with a veteran group consisting of [player_tooltip player_id='1239892' first='Jesse' last='Gaynes'], Garrett Ledford and [player_tooltip player_id='1201504' first='Grant' last='Erickson']. Lovejoy is playing some of their best basketball of the season. They move the ball well on the perimeter. [player_tooltip player_id='1653951' first='DeMarco' last='Davis'] is a big shot maker, an athletic and physically strong guard. [player_tooltip player_id='1458249' first='Nicholas' last='Jones-Hill'] is a wiry 6-foot-4 swingman. Malachi Jackson is a quick playmaker in the Houston County backcourt, flanked by underclassmen Kammeron Plummer and [player_tooltip player_id='1696176' first='Malik' last='Gillespie']. They travel to defending state champ Grovetown who has won 14-straight games and hasn't lost since New Year's Eve. [player_tooltip player_id='1492778' first='Vashon' last='Ferguson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1131775' first='Derrion' last='Reid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='957134' first='Frankquon' last='Sherman'] are all D-I players.   Class 5A Top Left   R5 #3 Tri-Cities (18-10) at R6 #2 Cambridge (12-16) R8 #4 Heritage-Conyers (18-8) at R7 #1 Hiram (24-2) R3 #3 Northgate (10-17) at R4 #2 Tucker (19-7) R2 #4 Jones County (16-12) at R1 #1 Bradwell Institute (16-8)   No. 3 Hiram, No. 7 Tri-Cities and No. 9 Tucker are currently ranked, but both Heritage-Conyers and Jones County have spent time in the poll throughout the season. Tri-Cities got off to a slow start playing a difficult schedule, but the backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='948820' first='Kory' last='Mincy'], [player_tooltip player_id='1382011' first='Malique' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1131528' first='Noricco' last='Danner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1239895' first='Kyndon' last='Wilburg'] can score with anyone. Cambridge is a surprise team that upset Centennial and Chattahoochee to make it to the Region 6 finals. Owen Edwards and sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1300696' first='Connor' last='Scott'] pace the Bears. Heritage-Conyers has an athletic group and a high octane backcourt with veteran Gabe Guilford and freshman Bobby Buggs shouldering the load. Hiram's starting five can matchup up with almost anyone in Class 5A, anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='1442610' first='Walter' last='Matthews'] inside with dynamic scorers [player_tooltip player_id='1501793' first='Chase' last='Tyler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1444755' first='Jay' last='Boyd'] surrounding him. Northgate makes their first state appearance in years, riding Paul Walthall, Wayne Griffin, Eli Fitzgerald, Andreas Seegopaul and Dean Wisenbaker. Tucker faltered in the Region 4 championship but can still make a run from the two-seed behind Region Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1131776' first='Josiah' last='Lawson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1458271' first='Khayri' last='Dunn'], [player_tooltip player_id='1612307' first='Christopher' last='Whitmore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1654136' first='Tahmar' last='Mann']. Jones County has some huge wins under their belt early in the year, but has leveled off after injuries. [player_tooltip player_id='820312' first='Jaylen' last='Sanford'] is a three-level scorer that can carry the Greyhounds while [player_tooltip player_id='1131542' first='Daethan' last='Harris'] is a floor general battling through a bum shoulder. [player_tooltip player_id='1359921' first='Judd' last='Anderson'] is a consistent rebounder at 6-foot-6. Bradwell Institute is a dark horse to take a deep run. [player_tooltip player_id='1587027' first='Tahshaun' last='Frasier'] is a sharp guard averaging 11.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='1810013' first='Elyjah' last='Thurmon'] is a wide-body off the football field, a difference maker averaging 16.7 points and 13.7 rebounds while highly touted freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1696174' first='Christopher' last='Perry'] is pitching in 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.   Class 4A Bottom Right   R2 #3 Westside-Macon (20-7) at R1 #2 Bainbridge (25-2) R3 #4 New Hampstead (12-13) at R4 #1 Fayette County (22-5) R8 #3 North Oconee (22-6) at R7 #2 Central-Carrollton (23-4) R5 #4 Woodland-Stockbridge (14-14) at R6 #1 Southwest DeKalb (25-2)   Six out of the eight teams have been ranked at some point in the season. No. 3 Southwest DeKalb, No. 5 Fayette County, No. 7 Bainbridge and No. 10 North Oconee are currently in the poll. Westside-Macon, who just fell out of the rankings, is paced by a high-scoring backcourt led by Region Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1131536' first='Daveon' last='Henderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1131529' first='Shannon' last='Fountain']. Bainbridge was upended by Westover in the Region 1 championship, just their second loss of the year. [player_tooltip player_id='820277' first='KJ' last='Cochran'] is a strong forward that makes an impact on the glass and is a solid defender. Ked Bryant is an explosively athletic guard. New Hampstead has some sneaky good pieces. Rashawn Truell is a lethal three-point shooter off the football field. [player_tooltip player_id='2335810' first='Antoine' last='Youmans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2333088' first='Toland' last='Daughtry'] have wiggle in the backcourt has facilitators while Jonah Coppock, a 6-foot-4 left-handed pitcher, is a rangy swingman. Fayette County has seen [player_tooltip player_id='1049244' first='RJ' last='Kennedy'] raise his game to new heights, a contender for Class 4A Player of the Year averaging 23.7 points and 3.8 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='1383039' first='Sean' last='Van Dorn'] is made a leap in Year 2, posting 14.7 points and 7.6 rebounds a night. North Oconee has a stingy defense but just lost freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1765473' first='Khamari' last='Brooks'] to a knee injury in the Region 8 semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id='1300680' first='Byrd' last='Carter'] has emerged as the team's most consistent player, a crafty driver with a strong all-around floor game. [player_tooltip player_id='1223224' first='Jake' last='Chandler'] can torch the nets from beyond the arc. Central-Carrollton is similar to North Oconee but not quite as big. They rely on disciplined defense and can space the floor on offense with [player_tooltip player_id='1514821' first='Isaiah' last='West'] making plays off the dribble for [player_tooltip player_id='1267165' first='Max' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1589880' first='Khaven' last='Cochran']. Woodland-Stockbridge has an All-Region performer in [player_tooltip player_id='1300734' first='Mason' last='Lewis'], a physical off-guard averaging 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2 assists. Southwest DeKalb has one of the best defenses in the state, allowing just 39.7 points per game. The Panthers have won 13-straight games and have a balanced offense led by Xzaviah Taylor (9.7), Savion Mathis (7.7) and Isaiah Taylor (6.7).   Class 3A Top Right   R1 #3 Crisp County (16-12) at R2 #2 Jackson (12-15) R4 #4 Hephzibah (10-14) at R3 #1 Johnson-Savannah (23-4) R7 #3 Wesleyan (20-7) at R8 #2 Stephens County (14-12) R6 #4 Ringgold (11-16) at R5 #1 Sandy Creek (21-6)   No. 1 Johnson-Savannah and No. 2 Sandy Creek look destined to meet in the Elite Eight. Wesleyan and Stephens County have also spent time in the Top 10. Crisp County is led by All-Region picks Jamarion Chambliss and [player_tooltip player_id='1617669' first='Zakariyya' last='Dwight'], a long and rangy swingman. Jackson has a high-scoring tandem between Caleb Head and Travian Mann. Johnson-Savannah has an impressive resume with big win after big win. [player_tooltip player_id='1020688' first='Antonio' last='Baker'] is one of the state's best unsigned seniors, an elite finisher and holds a Kennesaw State offer. [player_tooltip player_id='1810045' first='Joshua' last='Quarterman'] is a smooth combo-guard while Malachi Robinson is a strong-bodied forward with a knockdown three-point shot. Hephzibah is led by Eric Grant (14 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and four-sport athlete Jalen Patrick. Wesleyan has size in shot blocker [player_tooltip player_id='1711276' first='Derwin' last='Hodge'], [player_tooltip player_id='1045089' first='Thomas' last='Chipman'] and James McGriff. [player_tooltip player_id='1300684' first='Josh' last='Kavel'] is the straw that stirs the drink, a physical guard that has a knack for hitting the big shot. Stephens County doesn't have a ton of size, but they have elite team speed. Cam Lacy is a star wide receiver heading to Middle Tennessee State. [player_tooltip player_id='1223223' first='Corey' last='Richie'] is a relentless guard and an Anderson signee for football. Can lightning strike twice for Ringgold? They were the worst team to make the state playoffs last year but upset one-seed Monroe Area. O'Reilly Matthews and Brevin Massengale return with that big game experience heading to Sandy Creek. [player_tooltip player_id='1050448' first='Micah' last='Smith'] was named Region 5 Player of the Year. Vic Newsom is the elder statesman in the backcourt while lefty [player_tooltip player_id='1204748' first='Amari' last='Brown'] has had a great year scoring, defending and distributing.   Class 2A Top Right   R1 #3 Fitzgerald (12-16) at R2 #2 Central-Macon (11-15) R4 #4 Thomson (16-8) at R3 #1 Windsor Forest (21-6) R7 #3 Murray County (12-13) at R8 #2 Union County (18-9) R6 #4 Drew Charter (20-7) at R5 #1 Columbia (27-1)   Two Top 10 matchups in Round 1 make this quadrant the toughest. No. 8 Thomson travels to No. 6 Windsor Forest for a Final Four rematch while No. 2 Columbia hosts reigning Class A-Public State Champion No. 10 Drew Charter. Elsewhere, Union County is a tough team with a strong 2025 class. Thomson returns nearly everyone from last year's team. [player_tooltip player_id='1235068' first='Jahkiaus' last='Jones'] got poked in the eye and didn't return in last year's loss. He is healthy with [player_tooltip player_id='1146472' first='Lavonta' last='Ivery'], another dynamic playmaker and scorer. Windsor Forest has been carried by the tandem of Quarahn Anderson, who missed the Knights' postseason run, and Larry Pounds. Anderson is a high-flying 6-foot-4 guard averaging over 18 points per game while Pounds is a crafty scorer netting over 12 points at point guard. Drew Charter was upset by South Atlanta and then beat by North Cobb Christian to slip to the four-seed. [player_tooltip player_id='1801877' first='Cedric' last='Taylor'] is a do-everything two-way standout that just picked up an offer from Georgia College. Columbia has athletic guards in Jamarcus Hatcher (11.4 ppg), Jadan Baugh (11.1 ppg), Trevian Callaway (7.3 apg, 3 spg) and [player_tooltip player_id='820293' first='Rashad' last='Headges'] (43% 3PT). 6-foot-8 [player_tooltip player_id='1492780' first='Terrell' last='Wright'] was named Region Player of the Year after averaging 10.6 rebounds and 4.5 blocks.  Union County's quadruplet of sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1611592' first='Jude' last='Ellis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1444783' first='Houston' last='Henry'], Hayden Hughes and Maddox Young give Co-Region Coach of the Year Corey Garrett plenty of trusted options. Cade Dockrey, a freshman, is defensive stopper while Eli Underwood is a physical double-double machine garnering D-III and NAIA looks.   Class A D-I Top Right   R1 #3 Pelham (11-13) at R2 #2 East Laurens (16-10) R4 #4 Lamar County (8-17) at R3 #1 Woodville-Tompkins (18-9) R7 #3 Trion (13-11) at R8 #2 Rabun County (15-11) R6 #4 King's Ridge (18-10) at R5 #1 Social Circle (17-10)   Four teams have been ranked with three current Top 10 squads. All eyes will be on No. 4 King's Ridge at No. 5 Social Circle. The Tigers are an efficient offense with shooters like [player_tooltip player_id='820305' first='Isaac' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='820316' first='Zak' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1426101' first='Jack' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1655579' first='Jaydon' last='Cole'] and 6-foot-10 [player_tooltip player_id='1201627' first='William' last='Jobe'] while [player_tooltip player_id='1201542' first='Micah' last='Hoover'] anchors King's Ridge inside and provides athleticism and toughness. Athleticism and toughness is all over the Social Circle roster. [player_tooltip player_id='1359903' first='Lamarius' last='Jackson'] is a prolific scorer, the lefty transforming into a devastating outside shooter that can score from all over. [player_tooltip player_id='1359904' first='Quindarius' last='Jackson'] is hyper-athletic, a terrific offensive rebounder and valuable defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1045877' first='AJ' last='Vinson'] could play a major factor inside at 6-foot-6 and close to 250-pounds. No. 6 Woodville-Tompkins has a favorable path to the Elite Eight. Alfonzo Ross is a USCB commit that gets to the rim at will. Tyler Grant and Jonathan Pickering were First Team All-Region picks. Wes Walker at 6-foot-6 provides size to protect the rim. Rabun County spent a week in the Top 10. They play fast, press and shoot the three. [player_tooltip player_id='1810109' first='Cooper' last='Welch'] (14.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.3 spg) and freshman Huey Blalock (7 ppg, 5.7 apg) are catalysts while Willie Goodwyn provides athleticism around the rim averaging 12.7 points and 9.8 rebounds. East Laurens has a talented sophomore guard that can cause problems in Rashund Washington. At 6-foot-3, he is averaging 16.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks.   Class A D-II Bottom Right   R2 #3 Clinch County (19-6) at R1 #2 Mitchell County (23-4) R3 #4 Montgomery County (11-17) at R4 #1 Dooly County (14-9) R8 #3 Lincoln County (15-12) at R7 #2 Christian Heritage (22-2) R5 #4 Twiggs County (8-20) at R6 #1 Macon County (25-2)   No. 2 Christian Heritage, No. 5 Macon County and No. 8 Mitchell County are joined by dangerous unranked teams in Clinch County and Dooly County. Christian Heritage will get their first taste of real Class A-Public style basketball. [player_tooltip player_id='1055485' first='Jax' last='Abernathy'] is averaging close to 30 points per game as the Lions routinely sink 10 or more threes a night. [player_tooltip player_id='1558576' first='Isaac' last='Plavich'] spaces the floor while [player_tooltip player_id='1055486' first='Cash' last='Hare'] is a point-forward and Dontae Crowder is a burgeoning sophomore. Jeremy Bell is a big-time wide receiver for Clinch County and a double-double threat for the Panthers with his athleticism. Mitchell County boasts the Co-Offensive Player of the Year out of Region 1 in Landan Quimbley. Jaquavian Williams and Zilon Hawkins help balance the Eagles. Dooly County has a monster of a scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='1062210' first='Jalen' last='Hall'], who puts up over 20 points a night. Macon County has a three-headed monster in 6-foot-3 senior Derrick Lester (20.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 5-foot-9 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2323194' first='Frankie' last='Raines'] (16.5 ppg) and 6-foot-4 junior Dontavious Collier (11 ppg, 7.2 rpg) while senior Montrezious Leggett runs the show dishing out 6.2 assists per game.

Class 7A Top Left