Favorite Elite 8 Matchups
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We’re now down to 8 teams in each bracket and nearly all of the matchups are heavy-hitters at this point. Here, we break down some of the biggest Sweet 16 games and tell you who will make the difference. Langston…
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Continue ReadingWe’re now down to 8 teams in each bracket and nearly all of the matchups are heavy-hitters at this point. Here, we break down some of the biggest Sweet 16 games and tell you who will make the difference.
Langston Hughes vs. Jonesboro (6A)
Wed 2/28 7:00 PM @ Jonesboro
Langston Hughes and Jonesboro will meet on Wednesday night to battle it out for a spot in the Final 4. Langston Hughes has been solid all year but I don’t think many expected them to contend for a title. They are led by Brentis Schaeffer Brentis Schaeffer 6'2" | CG Langston Hughes | 2024 State GA , one of the best unsigned seniors in the state, and he certainly won’t go down with a fight. If they can beat Jonesboro and advance, it will be a true testament to the leadership of head coach Rory Welsh and his starting point guard, Brentis Schaeffer Brentis Schaeffer 6'2" | CG Langston Hughes | 2024 State GA . Jonesboro has some great athletes that love to play defense and they’ve come on strong late in the year. This one should be a dog fight.
Dutchtown vs. Kell (5A)
Tue 2/27 7:30 PM @ Kell
It’s hard to see anyone taking down Kell right now as they haven’t lost a game since November but Dutchtown could give them a run for their money. Austin Mosby-Weems Austin Mosby-Weems 6'3" | CG Dutchtown | 2025 State GA will be the x-factor for Dutchtown. Not only will he have to handle ball-pressure, he’ll be largely responsible for slowing down CJ Brown CJ Brown 6'2" | PG Kell | 2024 State #150 Nation GA who’s been the most dominant player in 5A this year. However, Dutchtown does have a clear advantage inside and I expect them to get the Hinton-Chappelle duo going early.
Douglass vs. Dougherty (3A)
Wed 2/28 6:00 PM @ Dougherty
Douglass will make the long trip south to play Dougherty on Wednesday night. Both of these teams are well-versed and full of weapons. There will be a collection of next-level guard prospects on the floor but Javonte Floyd Javonte Floyd 6'9" | C Douglass | 2026 State GA could be the difference-maker. The 6’8 sophomore can change a game with his energy and light a fire amongst his teammates when he’s playing well. Penn State offered Floyd after his Sweet 16 game. Dougherty, however, won’t be phased by offers or rankings. They’ll be on a mission to show the state what Albany basketball is all about.
Columbia vs. Southwest-Macon (2A)
Wed 2/28 6:00 PM @ Southwest-Macon
Southwest-Macon is set to host Columbia on Wednesday night in a battle between two of 2A’s best. Columbia is led by Region Player of the Year, Trevian Callaway Trevian Callaway 6'1" | PG Columbia | 2024 State GA , and his backcourt accomplice, Quay Wallace. Tahmar Mann Tahmar Mann 6'7" | SF Columbia | 2024 State GA also provides some outside shooting and size at 6’7 but he’ll have his hands full with Tobias Rice Tobias Rice 6'8" | C Southwest-Macon | 2024 State GA who could very well be the best player left in the 2A bracket. Rice is a 6’8, high-motor athlete that can knock down shots from the perimeter or bang inside. He’ll have the spotlight on Wednesday as he leads Southwest into a high-stakes battle.
Darlington vs. Savannah (1A-D1)
Wed 2/28 6:30 PM @ Savannah
Darlington and Savannah have both sat near the top of the 1A-D1 rankings for most of the season and they now square off for a birth in the Final 4. Maki Joyner Maki Joyner 6'5" | SG Savannah | 2025 State #376 Nation GA will be the best player on the floor and Darlington will need a plan to slow him down. At some point, he will try to take over the game. For Darlington, D’Marion Floyd and Grant Hutton Grant Hutton 6'6" | SF Darlington | 2024 State GA are the go-to guys but sophomore Brent Bell Brent Bell 6'4" | SG Darlington | 2026 State GA put up 26 points in their last game and he should play a major role again. Home court advantage could play a big role in this one as Darlington will have to drive about 5 hours.