New Year Storylines
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With the new calendar year upon us, let’s talk about what storylines are to unfold in 2024. Grayson or the Field? It has never felt more like Grayson’s year to capture their elusive first state title than it does in…
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Continue ReadingWith the new calendar year upon us, let’s talk about what storylines are to unfold in 2024.
Grayson or the Field?
It has never felt more like Grayson’s year to capture their elusive first state title than it does in 2024. The Rams are nationally ranked and already hold a 79-62 win over No. 2 McEachern. Purdue-signee Gicarri Harris Gicarri Harris 6'4" | CG Grayson | 2024 State #86 Nation GA has been the centerpiece of a devastatingly talented roster which also features Georgia-commit Jacob Wilkins Jacob Wilkins 6'9" | SF Grayson | 2025 State #14 Nation GA , Appalachian State-signee Anthony Alston Anthony Alston 6'2" | SG Grayson | 2024 State GA , Western Carolina-signee CJ Hyland CJ Hyland 6'0" | PG Grayson | 2024 State GA and forwards Ahmad Clark Ahmad Clark 6'6" | SF Grayson | 2024 State GA and Amir Taylor Amir Taylor 6'8" | PF Grayson | 2025 State #198 Nation GA . Class 7A is always the toughest title to win in Georgia but comparatively speaking, it feels like the rest of the field while of course dangerous, isn’t as strong on paper as years past. Rutgers-signee Ace Bailey Ace Bailey 6'9" | SF McEachern | 2024 State #2 Nation GA can win a game by himself in the blink of an eye, but Grayson already has a comfortable win over McEachern. Berkmar is tough, loaded with quick guards and a big guy in Mekhi Ragland Mekhi Ragland 6'10" | C Berkmar | 2025 State #400 Nation GA that is a load to deal with, but Eddie Cooke leaving for AZ Compass over Christmas break is a stunning turn of events. Wheeler is always scary to deal with in March and Larry Thompson is one of the best coaches in the state with multiple state titles to his credit, but the Wildcats aren’t quite what they were the past two seasons with Isaiah Collier and Arrinten Page at USC. Dacula is an upstart team that has surprised many this season while Archer has seen Wofford-signee Kahmare Holmes Kahmare Holmes 6'5" | SG Archer | 2024 State GA and Darrian Joseph Darrian Joseph 6'2" | PG Archer | 2024 State GA take their game to the next level. Could there be a Cherokee-like team to take a magical run to Macon? If there is, it could be Walton. If Wofford-signee Luke Flynn Luke Flynn 6'2" | PG Walton | 2024 State GA is able to return to the lineup, he will add another lethal scorer to a deep, well-coached group that hasn’t missed a beat with him sidelined.
Who’s the Favorite in Class 2A?
After a loss to Central, AL, preseason No. 1 Columbia has finally succumbed to Thomson for the top overall spot. Thomson has been a surprise this year after slipping to the four-seed in Region 4 and falling to Windsor Forest in the opening round of the state playoffs last season, finishing 16-9. Star guard Lavonta Ivery Lavonta Ivery 6'0" | PG Westside-Augusta | 2024 State GA transferred to region rival Westside-Augusta in the offseason but the Bulldogs haven’t missed a beat, winning at Westside last month 71-68 to send a statement. Veteran guard Jahkiaus Jones Jahkiaus Jones 5'11" | PG Thomson | 2024 State GA has run the show but the big breakout star has been DaQuan Young DaQuan Young 6'4" | SF Thomson | 2024 State GA , an explosive swingman averaging 22.9 points, 10 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 5.9 steals per game. I wouldn’t count out Westside-Augusta however. The two-time defending state champs hold a 76-44 win over McDonough and routed Cross Creek 95-62 earlier in the season. DeMarco Middleton has thrived as the go-to-guard, averaging 16.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists. A potential thorn in the side of both contenders in Region 4 could be Butler. The Bulldogs are 11-2 and currently No. 3 in the state riding a 10-game winning streak. Butler holds a 56-49 win over Westside and will travel to Thomson on January 16 after their rematch with the Patriots, which will give the region much more clarity.