GHSA State Playoffs Storylines

Kyle Sandy February 27, 2023 @ 05:05 PM

The first week of the state tournament has come and gone, leaving us with three rounds to play. Now that the Elite 8 is here, it's time to look at some of the more interesting storylines.   Surprises   Three teams from Region 5-7A have made it to the Elite Eight as four-seed Walton upset both Lambert (63-49) and Peachtree Ridge (64-56). [player_tooltip player_id='1131830' first='Luke' last='Flynn'] hasn't been denied, posting 20 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists in Round 1 before pouring in 33 points in the Sweet 16. Entering the Class 4A state playoffs 14-14, Woodland-Stockbridge was an afterthought, but the Wolfpack upset 25-2 Southwest DeKalb 55-45 before blitzing North Oconee 76-52.  [player_tooltip player_id='1300734' first='Mason' last='Lewis'] dominated with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals against the Titans. Class 2A is a surprise and isn't at the same time. It is a little noteworthy however that all eight teams remaining in the field are No. 1 seeds. The vaunted Region 4 out of Augusta was unable to send anyone to the quarterfinals other than defending state champs Westside-Augusta. In Class A D-I, Athens Christian knocking off Mt. Bethel was a surprise albeit the Eagles lost 6-foot-9 gamechanger [player_tooltip player_id='1594184' first='Mo' last='Diao'] just recently.   Dark Horses   It may be a long shot, but in Class A D-II Calhoun County's style of play could make things interesting against juggernaut Greenforest. The Cougars play fast and love to press. The shot clock is hardly ever a factor as they like to push the ball up the floor for open corner threes. If Calhoun County can turn the game into a track meet and therefore neutralize Greenforest's size advantage inside, the Cougars could have a chance behind Co-Region 1 Players of the Year Jasiyah Suber and Quincy Edwards. Jones County has regained their form in Class 5A, coming out of Region 2 which has everyone still alive in the quarterfinals. The Greyhounds secured some major wins early in the season before hitting a rough patch and falling to the four-seed. They will be a tough out for Hiram after just knocking out Tucker 64-50. [player_tooltip player_id='820312' first='Jaylen' last='Sanford'] can score with the best of them on the perimeter. There rarely are dark horses in Class 7A but Cherokee is very good. They play aggressive, physical on-ball defense and are extremely unselfish on offense, passing up good shots for great shots. The Warriors have three-level scorers and big-time perimeter shot makers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1020689' first='Tayden' last='Owens'], [player_tooltip player_id='793816' first='Cameron' last='Pope'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1525609' first='Braylin' last='Giddens'].  [player_tooltip player_id='1565018' first='Mason' last='Bennett'] is a tough-nosed defender, [player_tooltip player_id='1201526' first='Dastin' last='Hart'] is an above-the-rim forward and [player_tooltip player_id='1534489' first='Lawrence' last='Sanford'] is a potential X-Factor with how he can score in bunches.   Individual Standouts   [player_tooltip player_id='1386822' first='Grant' last='Smith'] scored 18 points in Madison County's first round blowout of Northwest Whitfield before hitting a game-winner with two seconds left to knock off Lovett. Through the first two rounds, [player_tooltip player_id='1020688' first='Antonio' last='Baker'] is pumping in 25 points per game for Johnson-Savannah heading into their clash with Sandy Creek. USC-Beaufort commit Alfonzo Ross exploded for 42 points vs. Pelham.

The first week of the state tournament has come and gone, leaving us with three rounds to play. Now that the Elite 8 is here, it's time to look at some of the more interesting storylines.