Games to Watch: 1/17

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>7A: No. 4 Wheeler at No. 8 Walton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early lead in Region 5 is up for grabs as Walton hosts Wheeler. The Raiders haven't been at full strength all year, missing either football players or Wofford-signee [player_tooltip player_id='1131830' first='Luke' last='Flynn'] due to injury. [player_tooltip player_id='1688187' first='Caesar' last='Burrows'] has stepped up admirably in his absence and has begun to establish himself as a D-I prospect, securing an offer from Chattanooga. [player_tooltip player_id='2308789' first='Kaeden' last='Gilstrap'] has provided a spark off the gridiron, a big athletic guard with a smooth game. Look for freshman CJ Jordan to play a potentially substantial role in trying to negate Wheeler's height advantage inside with [player_tooltip player_id='1559286' first='Josh' last='Hill'] an Arkansas State-signee that blocks shots, converts dunks and likes to stretch the floor with his jumper. After a 2-4 stretch in the middle of the season, Wheeler has righted the ship, winners of four straight including wins over Top 10 opponents Tri-Cities (67-60) and Langston Hughes (64-59). Kennesaw State-signee [player_tooltip player_id='1201629' first='Ricky' last='McKenzie'] has emerged as the team's go-to scorer and is surrounded by a bevy of talented young guards highlighted by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1696229' first='Kota' last='Suttle'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2075194' first='Kevin' last='Savage'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>7A: Lambert at Milton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Forsyth sits atop the Region 6 standings at 4-0, but Lambert (3-0) and Milton (2-1) aren't far off. Expect a potentially high scoring performance from both teams. Lambert loves to play fast and can bury teams with their three-point shooting. The head-to-head matchup of [player_tooltip player_id='1773562' first='Cameron' last='Bland'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1383022' first='Josh' last='Dixon'] is one of the best you will find, both prolific scorers. Bland, a football star, is explosive to the rim and can open up the floor with his three-point shot. Dixon is a smooth scorer from all levels, primarily attacking with his jumper. [player_tooltip player_id='2048851' first='Anthony' last='Gause'] has emerged as one of 7A's better scorers, moving to Milton in the offseason. At nearly 6-foot-4, his size in the backcourt could cause issues for the Longhorn tandem of 5-foot-8 Brooks Wehman and 5-foot-7 Kenny LaRue. Maybe the most intriguing matchup will be decided in the paint between [player_tooltip player_id='1543514' first='William' last='Dopfer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1559292' first='Daniel' last='Ogunyemi']. Dopfer plays inside and out as a rugged combo-forward with a great nose for the ball and highlight making hops. Ogunyemi is a defensive presence with his wingspan and motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>6A: No. 10 Jonesboro at No. 5 Woodward Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though the Cardinals are off to one of their slowest starts in years, Jonesboro is still the team to beat in Region 3 sitting at 7-0. Woodward Academy is 6-1, losing to the Cardinals eight days ago 67-60. [player_tooltip player_id='1114453' first='Montez' last='Redding'] dumped in 23 points while brother [player_tooltip player_id='1696177' first='Cortez' last='Redding'] had 14 to pace Jonesboro. [player_tooltip player_id='1493429' first='Zachary' last='Foster'] (18), [player_tooltip player_id='1383026' first='Deke' last='Cooper'] (16) and [player_tooltip player_id='1485227' first='Brandon' last='Peters'] (12) led Woodward in scoring. As it always comes down to between these two teams, this game will be decided based on toughness. Jonesboro has won five of their last six matchups. Role players will need to hit shots for both teams. Miles Harvey, [player_tooltip player_id='2426678' first='Payton' last='Waites'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2451130' first='Jarvis' last='Hayes'] are quality options for the War Eagles while [player_tooltip player_id='2301499' first='Chris' last='Jones'] provides explosive athleticism inside for the Cardinals and Jamar Owens and London Wingfield will be asked to open the floor with their three-point shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->