Best Teams Outside the Preseason Top 10: Class 2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Windsor Forest (23-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights graduate their top three scorers but add [player_tooltip player_id='1578659' first='Ryheim' last='Manning'] from Dillon Christian, SC where he averaged 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds. Left in the fold are Landon Page (9.7 ppg) and Sean Cabellero (7.5 ppg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ELCA (9-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ELCA is loaded with athletic, quick interchangeable guards. [player_tooltip player_id='1861304' first='Jayden' last='Bone'] is now eligible and could emerge as a go-to guy offensively. Xavier Dotson (12.1 ppg), Kam Warford (9.8 ppg) and Jospeh Raines (7.3 ppg) from an energetic trio. 6-foot-7 forwards Ese Aighokbae and [player_tooltip player_id='1617608' first='Charly' last='Guentio'] will be interesting pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Model (23-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four starters are expected back from last year's Final Four team. Tennessee football-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1378137' first='Jeremias' last='Heard'] will determine just how good the Blue Devils will be if he is back on the hardwood. Chase Allen is a breakout candidate, a rapidly improving 6-foot-5 forward. Stevie Dallas, [player_tooltip player_id='2732993' first='Noah' last='Travis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1810423' first='Jayden' last='Hames'] saw invaluable experience in the backcourt during last year's playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union County (19-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers showcase one of if not the best junior class in North Georgia between [player_tooltip player_id='1611592' first='Jude' last='Ellis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1444783' first='Houston' last='Henry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1986579' first='Hayden' last='Hughes']. The trio controls the action for Union County, taking turns scoring the ball. Ellis is a three-level scorer, Henry a savvy playmaker and Hughes a three-point specialist, the best in school history knocking down 92 last season to set the single-season record. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1986572' first='Cade' last='Dockrey'] provides football toughness as a defensive stopper on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Banks County (19-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region 8 will be a battle all year. Banks County has a ton back from last season's group, highlighted by [player_tooltip player_id='1861303' first='Kolby' last='Watson'] (16 ppg). [player_tooltip player_id='1223236' first='Aaron' last='Scott'] is a jitterbug guard with tremendous athleticism and energy, averaging 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals. &nbsp;Hunter Youngblood and Luke Dale can both put the ball in the basket as well, combining for 17.5 points per game. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2241652' first='Caden' last='Watson'], Kolby's younger brother, is a flamethrowing three-point shooter that will make Banks County even deeper and more dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athens Academy (16-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the pieces are in place for Athens Academy to make a run at the Region 8 title as everyone is back. The Spartans don't shoot the ball nearly as well as other contenders in the region, but [player_tooltip player_id='1145644' first='Kymel' last='Williams'] is a dynamic do-it-all athlete at guard while Westbrook Adams, [player_tooltip player_id='2278607' first='Isaac' last='Rorey'], KJ Whithead and Ben Shar can all put points on the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->