GHSA Preseason Top 25 (#6-10)
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#6. Norcross Norcross enters the 2023-2024 season with a new identity and while they may not have the offensive firepower that they did last year, their defense and athleticism will make them a tough out come February. Toby Ojukwu Toby…
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Continue Reading#6. Norcross
Norcross enters the 2023-2024 season with a new identity and while they may not have the offensive firepower that they did last year, their defense and athleticism will make them a tough out come February. Toby Ojukwu Toby Ojukwu 6'2" | PG Norcross | 2024 State GA could take a major leap this year as he got better and better throughout last season and looks to step into more of a leadership role as a senior. Casey Williams Casey Williams 6'8" | PF Norcross | 2024 State GA and Jaron Saulsberry Jaron Saulsberry 6'6" | SF Norcross | 2026 State GA make for one of the most versatile front courts in the state, both guys able to step out on to the perimeter and play above the rim. Look out for the Blue Devils this year as they could be one of the state’s best defensive teams.
Notable Games: Dec. 8th vs. #4 Berkmar, Dec. 9th vs. #5 Alexander, Dec. 20th vs. Myers Park (NC), Jan. 20th vs. #3 Wheeler, Jan. 26th vs. #4 Berkmar
#7. Pace Academy
Pace Academy brings back a good portion of last year’s championship squad and they enter this season as the frontrunner in 4A. They’ll have one of the best backcourts in the state coming back, KJ Greene and Eric Chatfield Eric Chatfield 5'11" | PG Pace Academy | 2025 State GA . Chandler Bing Chandler Bing 6'5" | SF Pace Academy | 2025 State GA ‘s development has come on fast and he’ll play a key role this year. LJ Moore LJ Moore 6'6" | SF Pace Academy | 2024 State GA , the high-IQ forward, just committed to Chicago and he’ll be looking to add another ring to his finger as well. Expect Pace to be experienced, well-coached, and battle tested as they’ll square off with a number of Top 25 teams throughout the regular season.
Notable Games: Nov. 25th vs. #21 Osborne, Dec. 9th vs. #8 Milton, Jan 13th vs. #20 Riverwood, Jan. 15th vs. #16 Hiram, Jan. 19th vs. #23 McDonough, Jan. 27th vs. #23 McDonough
#8. Milton
There’s a new big three in Milton that’s capable of doing some real damage in 7A. Josh Dixon Josh Dixon 6'0" | PG Milton | 2025 State #185 Nation GA returns for his second full year at Milton, joining him is Anthony Gause Anthony Gause 6'3" | CG Milton | 2024 State GA from St. Louis and Daniel Ogunyemi Daniel Ogunyemi 6'7" | PF Milton | 2025 State GA from nearby Valor Christian. Dixon and Gause are both gifted scorers and their ability to shoot it will allow them to play well off one another. Ogunyemi provides great size and strength at 6’7, a beast on the boards and strong finisher above the rim. You can always count on Coach Whitehart to get the most out of his role players and one guy that we could see flourish in that mold is Braxton Giesler Braxton Giesler 6'7" | SF Milton | 2025 State GA , the 6’7 junior. Milton’s non-region schedule is a gauntlet but they’ll be dangerous come February.
Notable Games: Nov. 21st vs. #12 Sandy Creek, Dec. 8th vs. Kenwood (IL), Dec. 9th vs. #7 Pace Academy, Jan. 20th vs. #1 McEachern,
#9. Newton
The Stephon Castle era is over for Newton but the talent remains ripe in Covington as they’ll post a tough squad again this year. Belmont commit Jabez Jenkins Jabez Jenkins 6'4" | SG Newton | 2024 State GA will be the motor and we can expect a ton of two-way production out of him. 2025 guards, Tim Prather and Zach Harden, are both capable of scoring in different ways, Prather an excellent shooter off the dribble while Harden likes to use his quick first step to get downhill. Tay Jefferies Tay Jefferies 6'1" | PG Newton | 2024 State GA is another skilled ball-handler that can stroke the three and facilitate. The Rams will need some younger bigs to step up inside but they’ve got the perimeter firepower to win a lot of games.
Notable Games: Nov. 18th vs. #3 Wheeler, Nov. 22nd vs. #10 Kell, Nov. 25th vs. #20 Riverwood, Jan. 23rd vs. #2 Grayson, Feb. 8th vs. #2 Grayson
#10. Kell
Kell has been one of Georgia’s most successful programs in recent years and they’ll contend for another 5A State Championship this year. Peyton Marshall Peyton Marshall 7'0" | C Overtime Elite | 2024 State GA ‘s move to Overtime Elite certainly hurts but Cannon Richards Cannon Richards 6'6" | PF Kell | 2024 State GA is more than capable of holding down the inside and may actually contribute to a more lethal, fast-paced attack. CJ Brown CJ Brown 6'2" | PG Kell | 2024 State #150 Nation GA is one of the most electric and talented guards in the state, he’ll provide much of the playmaking. Brown’s right-hand man, Jaylen Colon Jaylen Colon 6'0" | PG Kell | 2024 State GA , will join him in the backcourt once again and we can count on plenty of three-balls coming from Colon. The Longhorns will be one of the more confident and experienced teams we see this year, a tough W for any team in the state.
Notable Games: Nov. 18th vs. #1 McEachern, Nov. 22nd vs. #9 Newton, Dec. 9th vs. #3 Wheeler, Jan. 20th vs. Buckhorn (AL)