GHSA State Playoffs Storylines
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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). Luke Flynn Luke Flynn 6'2" | PG Walton | 2024 State GA 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. Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 6'4" | SF Woodland-Stockbridge | 2024 State GA 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 Mo Diao Mo Diao 6'9" | C Mt. Bethel | 2024 GA 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. Jaylen Sanford Jaylen Sanford 6'1" | CG Jones County | 2023 State GA 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 Tayden Owens Tayden Owens 5'9" | PG Cherokee | 2023 State GA , Cameron Pope Cameron Pope 6'0" | SG Cherokee | 2023 State GA and Braylin Giddens Braylin Giddens 6'2" | CG Cherokee | 2023 GA . Mason Bennett Mason Bennett 6'1" | PG Cherokee | 2023 GA is a tough-nosed defender, Dastin Hart Dastin Hart 6'5" | PF Cherokee | 2023 State GA is an above-the-rim forward and Lawrence Sanford Lawrence Sanford 6'2" | CG Cherokee | 2025 #201 Nation AZ is a potential X-Factor with how he can score in bunches.
Individual Standouts
Grant Smith Grant Smith 6'3" | SG Madison County | 2025 State GA 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, Antonio Baker Antonio Baker 6'3" | SG Johnson-Savannah | 2023 State GA 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.