GHSA State Playoffs: Groups of Death
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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…
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Continue ReadingClass 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 Jakai Newton Jakai Newton 6'4" | PG Newton | 2023 State #88 Nation GA has recently returned for the rams, joining McDonald’s All-American Stephon Castle Stephon Castle 6'6" | CG Newton | 2023 State #29 Nation GA . 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 Akai Fleming Akai Fleming 6'4" | SG Osborne | 2025 State #44 Nation GA to pair with Justin Mccarter Justin Mccarter 6'4" | SF Osborne | 2023 State GA and newly committed Keshawn McPherson Keshawn McPherson 6'5" | PF Osborne | 2023 State GA . Denmark has a near 7-footer inside in Keinan McFarlande Keinan McFarlande 6'10" | C Denmark | 2023 State GA and a sharp shooter in Stefan Davidov Stefan Davidov 6'4" | SF Denmark | 2023 State GA . Collins Hill has strong guard play with Keishawn Hampton Keishawn Hampton 6'1" | PG Collins Hill | 2023 State GA , but Norcross has big physical guards in Samarion Bond Samarion Bond 6'4" | SG Norcross | 2023 State GA and Mier Panoam Mier Panoam 6'2" | CG Norcross | 2023 State GA that play above the rim along with lightning quick playmaker Bilal Abdur-Rahman Bilal Abdur-Rahman 5'11" | PG Norcross | 2023 State GA and UGA-bound Lamariyon Jordan Lamariyon Jordan 6'6" | SF Norcross | 2023 State #140 Nation GA . Harrison has Jordan Howe Jordan Howe 6'4" | PF Harrison | 2024 State GA , a powerhouse post presence, and 6-foot-9 Ryan Bellomy Ryan Bellomy 6'9" | C Harrison | 2023 State GA , a high-academic D-III prospect. Lowndes may be the most over looked. Samuel Shoptaw Samuel Shoptaw 6'2" | PG Windermere Prep | 2025 State FL already holds D-I offers as a sophomore point guard. Marcus Black Marcus Black 6'5" | SG Lowndes | 2023 State GA 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 Preston Parker Preston Parker 6'3" | SG Sequoyah | 2023 State GA . Brendan Tousignaut Brendan Tousignaut 6'6" | SF Sequoyah | 2025 State GA torched the Spartans for 26 points in the loss. Jeremiah Taylor Jeremiah Taylor 6'2" | CG South Paulding | 2023 State GA 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. Andrew Lavigne Andrew Lavigne 6'2" | SG South Paulding | 2024 State GA 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 Osmar Garcia Araujo Osmar Garcia Araujo 6'7" | PF Lanier | 2023 State GA and Jayce Nathaniel Jayce Nathaniel 6'7" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State AZ . 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 Luke Harpring Luke Harpring 6'2" | SG Marist | 2024 State GA 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 Jesse Gaynes Jesse Gaynes 5'10" | PG Marist | 2023 State GA , Garrett Ledford and Grant Erickson Grant Erickson 6'5" | PF Marist | 2023 State GA . Lovejoy is playing some of their best basketball of the season. They move the ball well on the perimeter. DeMarco Davis DeMarco Davis 6'0" | CG Lovejoy | 2024 State GA is a big shot maker, an athletic and physically strong guard. Nicholas Jones-Hill Nicholas Jones-Hill 6'3" | SF Lovejoy | 2023 State GA is a wiry 6-foot-4 swingman. Malachi Jackson is a quick playmaker in the Houston County backcourt, flanked by underclassmen Kammeron Plummer and Malik Gillespie Malik Gillespie 6'1" | SG Houston County | 2026 State GA . They travel to defending state champ Grovetown who has won 14-straight games and hasn’t lost since New Year’s Eve. Vashon Ferguson Vashon Ferguson 6'4" | SG Grovetown | 2023 State GA , Derrion Reid Derrion Reid 6'7" | SF Prolific Prep (CA) | 2024 #26 Nation CA-N and Frankquon Sherman Frankquon Sherman 6'7" | SF Grovetown | 2023 State #271 Nation GA 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 Kory Mincy Kory Mincy 6'1" | PG Tri-Cities | 2023 State GA , Malique Johnson Malique Johnson 6'0" | PG Tri-Cities | 2024 State GA , Noricco Danner Noricco Danner 6'1" | SG Tri-Cities | 2023 State GA and Kyndon Wilburg Kyndon Wilburg 6'1" | PG Tri-Cities | 2023 State GA 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 Connor Scott Connor Scott 6'2" Cambridge | 2024 GA 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 Walter Matthews Walter Matthews 6'7" | C Hiram | 2024 State GA inside with dynamic scorers Chase Tyler Chase Tyler 6'4" | SG Hiram | 2024 State GA and Jay Boyd Jay Boyd 6'2" | SG Hiram | 2023 State GA 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 Josiah Lawson Josiah Lawson 6'7" | SF Tucker | 2024 State GA , Khayri Dunn Khayri Dunn 6'1" | CG Tucker | 2024 State GA , Christopher Whitmore Christopher Whitmore 6'4" | CG Tucker | 2023 State GA and Tahmar Mann Tahmar Mann 6'7" | SF Columbia | 2024 State GA . Jones County has some huge wins under their belt early in the year, but has leveled off after injuries. Jaylen Sanford Jaylen Sanford 6'1" | CG Jones County | 2023 State GA is a three-level scorer that can carry the Greyhounds while Daethan Harris Daethan Harris 5'9" | PG Jones County | 2023 State GA is a floor general battling through a bum shoulder. Judd Anderson Judd Anderson 6'6" | PF Warner Robins | 2024 GA is a consistent rebounder at 6-foot-6. Bradwell Institute is a dark horse to take a deep run. Tahshaun Frasier Tahshaun Frasier 5'10" | PG Bradwell Institute | 2024 State GA is a sharp guard averaging 11.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals. Elyjah Thurmon Elyjah Thurmon 6'5" | C Bradwell Institute | 2024 GA is a wide-body off the football field, a difference maker averaging 16.7 points and 13.7 rebounds while highly touted freshman Christopher Perry Christopher Perry 6'6" | SF Bradwell Institute | 2026 State GA 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 Daveon Henderson Daveon Henderson 6'0" | CG Westside-Macon | 2023 State GA and Shannon Fountain Shannon Fountain 5'10" | PG Westside-Macon | 2023 State GA . Bainbridge was upended by Westover in the Region 1 championship, just their second loss of the year. KJ Cochran KJ Cochran 6'5" | PF Bainbridge | 2023 State GA 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. Antoine Youmans Antoine Youmans 5'8" | PG New Hampstead | 2025 GA and Toland Daughtry Toland Daughtry 5'9" | PG New Hampstead | 2024 State GA 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 RJ Kennedy RJ Kennedy 6'1" | CG Fayette County | 2023 State GA raise his game to new heights, a contender for Class 4A Player of the Year averaging 23.7 points and 3.8 assists. Sean Van Dorn Sean Van Dorn 6'5" | SF Fayette County | 2025 MD 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 Khamari Brooks Khamari Brooks 6'4" | PF North Oconee | 2026 State GA to a knee injury in the Region 8 semifinals. Byrd Carter Byrd Carter 6'1" | CG North Oconee | 2024 State GA has emerged as the team’s most consistent player, a crafty driver with a strong all-around floor game. Jake Chandler Jake Chandler 6'3" | SG North Oconee | 2023 State GA 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 Isaiah West Isaiah West 6'3" | CG Central | 2024 State GA making plays off the dribble for Max Young Max Young 6'1" | SG Central-Carrollton | 2024 State GA and Khaven Cochran Khaven Cochran 6'2" | CG Central-Carrollton | 2025 State GA . Woodland-Stockbridge has an All-Region performer in Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 6'4" | SF Woodland-Stockbridge | 2024 State GA , 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 Zakariyya Dwight Zakariyya Dwight 6'5" | SF Crisp County | 2025 State GA , 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. Antonio Baker Antonio Baker 6'3" | SG Johnson-Savannah | 2023 State GA is one of the state’s best unsigned seniors, an elite finisher and holds a Kennesaw State offer. Joshua Quarterman Joshua Quarterman 6'2" | CG Johnson-Savannah | 2024 State GA 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 Derwin Hodge Derwin Hodge 6'7" | PF Peachtree Ridge | 2025 State GA , Thomas Chipman Thomas Chipman 6'6" | PF Wesleyan | 2023 State GA and James McGriff. Josh Kavel Josh Kavel 6'2" | CG Wesleyan | 2024 State GA 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. Corey Richie Corey Richie 5'11" | CG Stephens County | 2023 State GA 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. Micah Smith Micah Smith 6'7" | SF Sandy Creek | 2024 State #144 Nation GA was named Region 5 Player of the Year. Vic Newsom is the elder statesman in the backcourt while lefty Amari Brown Amari Brown 6'3" | PG Sandy Creek | 2024 State GA 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. Jahkiaus Jones Jahkiaus Jones 5'11" | PG Thomson | 2024 State GA got poked in the eye and didn’t return in last year’s loss. He is healthy with Lavonta Ivery Lavonta Ivery 6'0" | PG Westside-Augusta | 2024 State GA , 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. Cedric Taylor Cedric Taylor 6'10" | PF Creekside Christian | 2025 State GA 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 Rashad Headges Rashad Headges 6'1" | CG Columbia | 2023 State GA (43% 3PT). 6-foot-8 Terrell Wright Terrell Wright 6'9" | C Columbia | 2023 State GA was named Region Player of the Year after averaging 10.6 rebounds and 4.5 blocks. Union County’s quadruplet of sophomores Jude Ellis Jude Ellis 6'0" | PG Union County | 2025 State GA , Houston Henry Houston Henry 6'0" | PG Union County | 2025 State GA , 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 Isaac Martin Isaac Martin 6'1" | PG King's Ridge Christian School | 2023 State GA , Zak Thomas Zak Thomas 6'0" | PG King's Ridge | 2023 State GA , Jack Thomas Jack Thomas 6'6" | SF King's Ridge | 2023 State GA , Jaydon Cole Jaydon Cole 6'2" | SG King's Ridge | 2025 State GA and 6-foot-10 William Jobe William Jobe 6'10" | PF Frederica Academy | 2024 State GA while Micah Hoover Micah Hoover 6'5" | PF King's Ridge | 2023 State GA anchors King’s Ridge inside and provides athleticism and toughness. Athleticism and toughness is all over the Social Circle roster. Lamarius Jackson Lamarius Jackson 6'0" | CG Social Circle | 2023 State GA is a prolific scorer, the lefty transforming into a devastating outside shooter that can score from all over. Quindarius Jackson Quindarius Jackson 6'0" | CG Social Circle Redskins | 2023 State GA is hyper-athletic, a terrific offensive rebounder and valuable defender. AJ Vinson AJ Vinson 6'6" | C Social Circle | 2023 State GA 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. Cooper Welch Cooper Welch 6'3" | SG Rabun County | 2024 State GA (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. Jax Abernathy Jax Abernathy 6'4" | SG Christian Heritage | 2024 State GA is averaging close to 30 points per game as the Lions routinely sink 10 or more threes a night. Isaac Plavich Isaac Plavich 5'10" | PG Christian Heritage | 2025 State GA spaces the floor while Cash Hare Cash Hare 6'4" | PF Christian Heritage | 2024 State GA 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 Jalen Hall Jalen Hall 6'0" | CG Dooly County | 2024 State GA , 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 Frankie Raines Frankie Raines 5'10" | PG Macon County | 2025 GA (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.