GHSA State Championship Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>March 8-11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macon</strong> <strong>Coliseum</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For full brackets, scores, and more information, visit <a href="https://www.ghsa.net/2022-2023-ghsa-class-aaaaaaa-boys-state-basketball-championship-bracket" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.ghsa.net/2022-2023-ghsa-class-aaaaaaa-boys-state-basketball-championship-bracket</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>7A: Cherokee vs. Wheeler</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='820278' first='Isaiah' last='Collier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1201530' first='Arrinten' last='Page'] look to end their storied careers with a state championship. Their playoff run has included a couple of wins over top teams like McEachern and Grayson and they'll now face region foe Cherokee in the final. Cherokee has been the Cinderella of this year's playoff, taking down top ranked teams like Norcross and Carrollton and now have a shot to bring home the trophy which has never been done in school history. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>6A: Lee County vs. Alexander</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexander has been widely considered the top team in 6A for most of the year but few expected Lee County to be playing in Macon. Sophomore forward, [player_tooltip player_id='1630106' first='Josiah' last='Parker'] has been instrumental in their playoff run and was very impressive in a Final 4 win over Lanier. Alexander's top dog is [player_tooltip player_id='1054789' first='Braedan' last='Lue'], one of the best players in Georgia's 2024 class and he's surrounded by a talented cast. Chattanooga commit [player_tooltip player_id='820306' first='Noah' last='Melson'] shoots the three at a high clip and can score it well from the perimeter. Lee County will need another huge game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5A: Eagles Landing vs. Kell</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eagles Landing and Kell have been the two best teams in 5A all year and this is the matchup many have waited for. We get a great guard matchup between Mercer commit [player_tooltip player_id='598781' first='David' last='Thomas'] and Kell's [player_tooltip player_id='1201630' first='CJ' last='Brown'], both considered top guards in their class. Unsigned senior, Kenneth Brayboy has had a great year for Eagles Landing but he'll have his hands full with [player_tooltip player_id='1201615' first='Peyton' last='Marshall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1223237' first='Cannon' last='Richards']. Many have argued that this is the best Kell team ever, they'll have a chance to write their names in the history books on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>4A: Pace Academy vs. Fayette County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A felt pretty wide open this year, especially after McDonough fell in the Elite 8. Pace Academy and Fayette County took advantage, each with impressive playoff journeys. Sharman White, Pace's Head Coach, is undoubtedly one of the best in the state and will have his guys ready. Pace features one of the best backcourt duos in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='996829' first='Kyle' last='Greene'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1383030' first='Eric' last='Chatfield']. Fayette County has a great guard of their own, [player_tooltip player_id='1049244' first='RJ' last='Kennedy']. He'll need to have a big game to bring the trophy back to Fayetteville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3A: Cedar Grove vs. Sandy Creek</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandy Creek meets Cedar Grove in the 3A State Championship, [player_tooltip player_id='1050448' first='Micah' last='Smith'] and company looking to get it done after falling short the past few years. Their rotation consists of mostly juniors and seniors that have a lot of experience under their belt. Cedar Grove, on the other hand, is led by freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id='1696170' first='Manny' last='Green'] who I believe has emerged as the best 2026 in Georgia. [player_tooltip player_id='1444763' first='Darius' last='Reynolds'] also offers a ton of production around the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2A: Providence Christian vs. Westside-Augusta</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westside-Augusta is the favorite in this one but Providence Christian has been rolling through the left side of the bracket, notching wins over North Cobb Christian, Spencer, and Model. However, none of those teams feature quite the talent that Westside does. [player_tooltip player_id='1359907' first='Jalexs' last='Ewing'] is one of best athletes in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='957139' first='Khalon' last='Hudson'] is a double-double machine, 14 points and 25 rebounds in their Final 4 win over Columbia. Last but not least, [player_tooltip player_id='1131540' first='AuMauri' last='Tillman'] is a bouncy combo guard that can get hot from three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1A-D1: Mt. Pisgah vs. King's Ridge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As many expected, the 1A-D1 Championship features two teams out of Region 6. King's Ridge has a lot of experience, several key seniors and multiple guys that have played in this game before. Backcourt accomplices, [player_tooltip player_id='820305' first='Isaac' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='820316' first='Zak' last='Thomas'], look to go out on top after helping transform this King's Ridge program. On the other side, Mt. Pisgah features one of the top 2025 prospects in Georgia, [player_tooltip player_id='1383019' first='Micah' last='Tucker'], who can go for 30+ on any given night. 6'9 senior, [player_tooltip player_id='1790687' first='Grant' last='Randall'] has gotten better and better as the season progressed and he'll have a big impact on the result of this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1A-D2: Charlton County vs. Wilkinson County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Greenforest was the heavy favorite to win 1A-D2 all year long, Charlton County had different plans and spoiled their fun with a Final 4 upset. My biggest takeaway from that game: [player_tooltip player_id='1414019' first='Elyiss' last='Williams'] is an absolute beast. The 6'9 sophomore is physically dominant, rebounds at a high level, and already has a good feel for the game. [player_tooltip player_id='1414020' first='Jarvis' last='Wright'] is another huge piece for Charlton and hit the game-winning 3 to take down Greenforest. Wilkinson County has had an impressive year of their own, currently 24-6. Athletic 6'5 forward, Kwaveon Hill has posted great production over the past two years and he has a chance to bring a championship back to Wilkinson County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->