Region Tournaments to Watch: Class 4A
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Region 4 TEAMS: Fayette County, Starr’s Mill, LaGrange, Riverdale, Whitewater, Trinity Christian, Troup County, North ClaytonFAVORITE: Fayette CountyDARK HORSE: Starr’s Mill No. 9 Fayette County is the only team to have been ranked this season. Keith Gillespie Keith Gillespie 6'1"…
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Continue ReadingRegion 4
TEAMS: Fayette County, Starr’s Mill, LaGrange, Riverdale, Whitewater, Trinity Christian, Troup County, North Clayton
FAVORITE: Fayette County
DARK HORSE: Starr’s Mill
No. 9 Fayette County is the only team to have been ranked this season. Keith Gillespie Keith Gillespie 6'1" | PG Fayette County | 2025 State GA (16.9 ppg) and Christian McAllister (16.6 ppg) have formed a potent one-two punch to keep the Tigers in contention after the loss of a big senior class and talent via transfer. The only region opponent that has beaten Fayette County is Starr’s Mill in their first meeting, 70-59. The trio of guard Scott Stevens Scott Stevens 6'3" | CG Starr's Mill | 2025 State GA along with big men Steven Barros and William Robinson William Robinson 6'8" | C Starr's Mill | 2025 State GA give the Panthers size, strength and length to anchor the defense. Trinity Christian took Fayette County to overtime in their lone game to date, falling 54-53. Young Harris-signee Ernesto Almonte Ernesto Almonte 6'4" | SF Trinity Christian | 2024 State GA is averaging 17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. Whitewater has a balanced backcourt between Ashtain Preston Ashtain Preston 6'1" | PG Whitewater | 2026 State GA , Kaden Thomas Kaden Thomas 6'5" | SF Whitewater | 2024 State GA and Kamiron Jones and have Seyi Daramola Seyi Daramola 6'5" | PF Whitewater | 2025 State GA lurking inside to block shots. Masiah Jones Masiah Jones 6'7" | SF Riverdale | 2024 State GA is good enough to lead Riverdale past anyone, averaging 20.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2 blocks. LaGrange always pieces together a strong record in the non-region schedule and is a threat for a top three finish.
Region 5
TEAMS: Pace Academy, McDonough, Lovett, Woodland-Stockbridge, Luella, Hampton, Mt. Zion-Jonesboro, Stockbridge
FAVORITE: Pace Academy
DARK HORSE: Lovett
No. 1 Pace Academy and No. 2 McDonough have been running neck and neck for the entirety of the season, both teams in the Top 5 all year. McDonough fired the opening salvo with a 63-59 win, but Pace Academy returned fire and won at McDonough 79-57 in the rematch. Similar to last year when the two teams split, maybe this year we will have a rubber match. Lovett upended McDonough in the region tournament last year, preventing a Round 3. Eric Chatfield Eric Chatfield 5'11" | PG Pace Academy | 2025 State GA (23), Chandler Bing Chandler Bing 6'5" | SF Pace Academy | 2025 State GA (22) and Kyle Greene Kyle Greene 6'3" | PG Pace Academy | 2024 State #155 Nation GA (17) combined for 62 points in their win over the Warhawks. Keenan Gray Keenan Gray 6'2" | SG McDonough | 2024 State GA averaged 20 points while Zion Greene Zion Greene 6'3" | SG McDonough | 2025 State GA netted 16 points per game in the two games. No one else in the region has beaten either team but Lovett is a young shot-making team that is getting better and better, their top four scorers three sophomores and a freshman. Kingston Whitty Kingston Whitty 6'1" | PG Lovett | 2026 State GA (15.4 ppg) and Cameron Cannon Cameron Cannon 5'10" | PG Lovett | 2027 State GA (15.2 ppg) can fill it up from the perimeter, forming one of the best young duos in the state. Woodland made a surprise trip to the Elite Eight last year and are in a somewhat similar position this year, sitting at 13-10 overall. Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 6'4" | SF Woodland-Stockbridge | 2024 State GA powers the Wolfpack at 21.3 points and 6 rebounds per game. A mid-season addition of Tylon Redmond Tylon Redmond 6'2" | SG Woodland-Stockbridge | 2024 State GA has paid dividends, the Eagle’s Landing transfer second in scoring at 13 points per game.
Region 8
TEAMS: North Oconee, Seckinger, Madison County, Cherokee Bluff, East Hall, North Hall, Cedar Shoals, East Forsyth, Walnut Grove, Chestatee, Johnson-Gainesville
FAVORITE: North Oconee
DARK HORSE: Cherokee Bluff
The classification’s biggest most competitive region has seen five teams ranked during the season. No. 3 North Oconee, No. 7 Seckinger and No. 8 Madison County hold the distinction heading into the final week of the regular season. Aside from an early 63-61 loss at Seckinger, North Oconee has blown everyone out of the water, but did only win at Cedar Shoals 57-54. The Titans beat Madison County by 34 and 28, Seckinger by 32 and Cherokee Bluff by 12. North Oconee is an explosive offense with shooters and size to control the backboards. Justin Payne Justin Payne 5'10" | PG North Oconee | 2024 State GA , Byrd Carter Byrd Carter 6'1" | CG North Oconee | 2024 State GA and Justin Wise Justin Wise 6'3" | CG North Oconee | 2027 State GA do damage on the perimeter while Khamari Brooks Khamari Brooks 6'4" | PF North Oconee | 2026 State GA and Evan Montgomery Evan Montgomery 6'7" | PF North Oconee | 2024 State GA dictate what happens in the paint. Seckinger is a deep team that can score the ball and has seen improvements defensively as the season has worn on. Carter Watkins Carter Watkins 6'3" | SG Seckinger | 2024 State GA has emerged as the team’s most consistent scorer with Keith Banks Keith Banks 5'10" | PG Seckinger | 2025 State GA not far behind. Caleb Wells Caleb Wells 6'5" | SG Seckinger | 2027 State GA holds great long-term promise as a big wing while Braxton Miller Braxton Miller 6'1" | PG Seckinger | 2024 GA is the unsung hero that rarely turns the ball over. Madison County has never quite hit their stride and may be due to finally peak. Piedmont-signee Mason Smith Mason Smith 6'4" | CG Madison County | 2024 State GA is a two-way standout, a tough-nosed guard that does everything for the Red Raiders. Reigning Region Player of the Year Jay Carruth Jay Carruth 5'8" | PG Madison County | 2024 State GA can’t be forgotten about. If Grant Smith Grant Smith 6'3" | SG Madison County | 2025 State GA can find his stroke, Madison County could take a deep run in state. Cherokee Bluff has enjoyed their best season in school history, highlighted by a Lanierland title. The Bears are 16-2 over their last 18 games, losing to North Oconee 56-44 and upset at Cedar Shoals 63-50. Boston Kersh Boston Kersh 6'3" | SG Cherokee Bluff | 2025 State GA has been a workhorse as a nightly double-double threat. East Hall presses and has fresh legs with Braydon Langston Braydon Langston 6'5" | SF East Hall | 2027 State GA and breakout standout Jamarcus Harrison Jamarcus Harrison 6'4" | SG East Hall | 2026 State GA . Walnut Grove has a rock-solid trio of Marcus Smith Marcus Smith 6'0" | PG Walnut Grove | 2025 State GA , Tyler Jewell Tyler Jewell 5'10" | PG Walnut Grove | 2024 State GA and Chase Roux Chase Roux 6'3" | SF Walnut Grove | 2024 State GA , but will need some late season magic to make the tournament, losers of nine of 10. Chestatee has the state’s leading scorer and ultimate double-double machine in Colton Wilbanks Colton Wilbanks 6'6" | PF Chestatee | 2024 State GA . Don’t sleep on Cedar Shoals, a dangerous group that has pushed the best teams in the region to the brink.