GHSA Preseason Top 25 (#21-25)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#21. Osborne</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1383025' first='Akai' last='Fleming'] remains the centerpiece this year for Osborne as they turn over last year's senior-heavy roster with a slew of new incoming transfers. [player_tooltip player_id='1810737' first='Hakeem' last='Weems'] makes the jump up from WD Mohammad and he'll have to adjust quickly but we've seen the talent and upside at 6'8. [player_tooltip player_id='2106884' first='Jeremiah' last='Waters'] also enters the picture, providing another perimeter scoring option when defenses key on Fleming. Juniors, [player_tooltip player_id='2226204' first='Thomas' last='McBride'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2132947' first='Jayvion' last='Nurse'] will be key role players as well. There's no telling just how good this squad will be together and they could end up much higher or lower on this list depending on how the chemistry plays out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 11th vs. #9 Newton, Nov. 24th vs. #13 Dutchtown, Nov. 25th vs. #7 Pace Academy, Jan. 12th vs. #3 Wheeler, Jan. 15th vs. #11 Holy Innocents, Jan. 30th vs. #3 Wheeler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#22. Tri-Cities</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot that we've yet to learn about Tri-Cities this year, possibly the youngest team in our Top 25. The late transfer addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1696252' first='Jalan' last='Wingfield'] will have a tremendous impact as the 6'7 sophomore can be an absolute force offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='1382011' first='Malique' last='Johnson'] is another dangerous weapon, such a unique combination of savvy skill and athleticism. As an experienced senior, Johnson's leadership will be key in the development of [player_tooltip player_id='2102286' first='Tre' last='Keith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2275459' first='John' last='Morris'] who will both play important minutes as freshman. The amount of youth draws questions but the talent and culture are certainly both in place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 18th vs. #5 Alexander, Nov. 25th vs. The Villages (FL), Dec. 27th vs. Sagemont (FL), Jan. 15th vs. #24 Cedar Grove, Jan. 19th vs. #25 Chapel Hill, Feb. 6th vs. #18 [player_tooltip player_id='2297280' first='Maynard' last='Jackson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#23. McDonough</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While much of last year's squad has come and gone, there's plenty of reasons for McDonough to remain hopeful and confident. They return 2 of the 5 starters, [player_tooltip player_id='1329307' first='Keenan' last='Gray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1810738' first='Nigel' last='Thomas']. Gray's experience and senior leadership will be extremely important. Meanwhile, Thomas has had another year to develop and the 6'7 wing will account for much of the scoring load. Zion and [player_tooltip player_id='1966203' first='Zaiden' last='Greene'] both return as upperclassmen and will play vital roles, Zion more of a bullish, downhill guard while Zaiden can light it up from three. Caden Totten and Thad Fambro will both need to play big minutes inside but they've look ready throughout summer and fall ball. Don't sleep on the Warhawks this year as they've got several capable weapons to attack with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 18th vs. Etowah, Dec. 2nd vs. #24 Cedar Grove, Jan. 19th vs. #7 Pace Academy, Jan 27th. vs. #7 Pace Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#24. Cedar Grove</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Grove surprised a number of people last season and with another year under [player_tooltip player_id='1696170' first='Manny' last='Green']'s belt, they'll likely take another step in the right direction. [player_tooltip player_id='1696241' first='Jayden' last='Scott'] transfers in from Heritage to team up with Green and the pair of talented 2026s will make for a fun couple of years in Ellenwood. Cedar Grove's weakness lies on the interior but they've got the size and athleticism elsewhere to hide their lack of a true big. They'll face a number of Top 25 opponents throughout the regular season including Osborne, Tucker, Sandy Creek, and Tri-Cities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 22nd vs. #21 Osborne, Dec. 2nd vs. #23 McDonough, Dec. 16th vs. #19 Tucker, Jan. 23rd vs. #12 Sandy Creek, Jan. 15th vs. #22 Tri-Cities, Feb. 9th vs. Sandy Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#25. Chapel Hill</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapel Hill rounds out our Top 25 and I believe they'll be better than most expect this year. 6'10 center [player_tooltip player_id='1810844' first='Ramon' last='Soyoye'] is one of the best rim-protectors in the state and he'll be an absolute force on the inside. The Panthers feature a number of skilled athletes on the perimeter such as Kyden Mays, [player_tooltip player_id='1054791' first='Jaiden' last='Glenn'], and CJ Winters. [player_tooltip player_id='2769565' first='Breon' last='Barnett'] also looks like a major breakout candidate, taking over the point as a junior. Chapel Hill's length and athleticism will slow down a lot of offenses this year and if they can produce half-court offense consistently, Chapel Hill has a chance to go deep in 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games: </strong>Nov. 25th vs. #3 Wheeler, Nov. 28th vs. #16 Hiram, Dec. 27th vs. #21 Osborne, Jan. 19th vs. #22 Tri-Cities, Jan. 26th vs. #18 [player_tooltip player_id='2297280' first='Maynard' last='Jackson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->