Favorite 1st Round Matchups (3A-1A)
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The brackets are now official and it’s time for playoff basketball in Georgia. This will be the last year that teams will battle it out in predetermined playoff brackets before we transition into a new format next year where classes…
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Continue ReadingThe brackets are now official and it’s time for playoff basketball in Georgia. This will be the last year that teams will battle it out in predetermined playoff brackets before we transition into a new format next year where classes will be realigned and the bracket will be determined solely based on seeding. The current setup, however, provides us with some juicy matchups in the early rounds. Here, we break down our favorite Round 1 matchups.
Monroe Area vs. Douglass (3A)
Wed 2/21 5:30 PM @ Douglass
Douglass has looked like a real contender in 3A lately but a tough draw gives them Monroe Area in the first round. Monroe Area is led by a strong group of seniors that have been in this position before. Vonte Newell Vonte Newell 6'0" | PG Monroe Area | 2024 State GA and KD Dawson KD Dawson 6'0" | SG Monroe Area | 2024 State GA are both capable of creating offense while Trip Griffith Trip Griffith 6'5" | PF Monroe Area | 2025 State GA and Jaiven Todd Jaiven Todd 6'7" | SF Monroe Area | 2024 State GA can wear you down inside. Monroe Area won’t go down with out a fight but they’ll have their hands full with Douglass. This Douglass team features several skilled guards alongside swiss army knife, RJ Winegarner RJ Winegarner 6'6" | SF Douglass | 2024 State GA , and 6’9 forward, Javonte Floyd Javonte Floyd 6'9" | C Douglass | 2026 State GA . They feed off of energy and momentum so if they get on a roll early, Monroe Area could be in trouble. I expect a competitive game nonetheless.
Walker vs. Rockmart (2A)
Wed 2/21 7:00 PM @ Rockmart
This one jumped off the page as soon as I saw the 2A bracket. Walker and Rockmart are both solid teams but very different. For Walker, everything runs through their 6’11 sophomore Moustapha Diop Moustapha Diop 6'10" | C Walker | 2026 State GA . Not only can Diop control the interior, he can hit shots from the mid-range or attack from the perimeter. Rockmart, however, has some star power of their own. Senior guards, Treylin Davis Treylin Davis 6'3" | SG Rockmart | 2024 State GA and Sam Johnson, have been one of the most lethal scoring duos in the state this year. Both guys are rangy shooters that can create their own look on demand. This is a must-see game if you’re following the 2A bracket.
Eagle’s Landing Christian vs. Union County (2A)
Wed 2/21 7:30 PM @ Union County
ELCA will make the trip up to north Georgia on Wednesday night for a first round showdown with Union County. ELCA is having a great year, currently at 21-6. They’ve received a ton of production from 6’7 forwards, Charly Guentio Charly Guentio 6'7" Elca | 2024 GA and Ese Aigbokhae Ese Aigbokhae 6'5" | C ELCA | 2025 State GA , while Jayden Bone Jayden Bone 6'1" | CG ELCA | 2025 State GA is capable of running the show. Union County, on the other hand, has a pair of guards that can light it up. Houston Henry Houston Henry 6'0" | PG Union County | 2025 State GA and Jude Ellis Jude Ellis 6'1" | PG Union County | 2025 State GA have been steadily proving themselves as some of the best prospects coming out of North Georgia. Eagle’s Landing feels like the favorite but if Henry or Ellis heat up, Union County could certainly advance with a win.
St. Francis vs. Darlington (1A-D1)
TBD
The 1A-D1 bracket pits two title contenders against each other in round 1, Darlington and St. Francis. Darlington is led by senior point guard, D’marion Floyd D’marion Floyd 6'0" | PG Darlington | 2024 State GA , who has won back-to-back Region Player of the Year awards. He’s capable of taking over a game and has the defensive ability to contain the St. Francis guards. Grant Hutton Grant Hutton 6'6" | SF Darlington | 2024 State GA could also be an x-factor with his versatility and above-the-rim capabilities. However, St. Francis has more depth and a bit more firepower. Greg Howard Greg Howard 6'1" | CG St. Francis | 2025 State GA and Reynolds Escher Reynolds Escher 6'0" | PG St. Francis | 2025 State GA are both aggressive scoring guards that can fill up the scoresheet. This game could go either way but one thing is certain, there will be one less contender after Wednesday night.
Randolph-Clay vs. Treutlen (1A-D2)
TBD
Treutlen has put together a solid season, totalling 20 wins and bringing home a region championship. Unfortunately for them, they drew one of the best 4-seeds for their first round matchup. Randolph-Clay is a competitive bunch and they’re going to give Treutlen their best shot on Wednesday. Je’Sus Daniels is the guy for Randolph-Clay and he’ll need a big night if they want to pull off the upset.