Storylines from the Elite 8
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We’re down to 4 teams in each bracket and home-court advantage is no longer a factor as we head to college arenas for the Final 4 games. The journey to get here has looked different for every team, this year…
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Continue ReadingWe’re down to 4 teams in each bracket and home-court advantage is no longer a factor as we head to college arenas for the Final 4 games. The journey to get here has looked different for every team, this year providing a healthy mix of emerging Cinderellas and triumphant blue-bloods. We break down the Elite 8 games and discuss who’s built for Macon.
Karris Bilal Karris Bilal 6'2" | PG Riverwood | 2024 State #243 Nation GA and JR Leonard lead Riverwood into the Final 4
It’s been an up and down year for Riverwood but with their season on the line, the Raiders have rose to the occasion. Vanderbilt commit Karris Bilal Karris Bilal 6'2" | PG Riverwood | 2024 State #243 Nation GA put up 48 points in their first round game then JR Leonard went for 51 in the Sweet 16, the two combined for 49 in Riverwood’s Elite 8 win over Woodstock. We’ve known that Riverwood has the talent and they’re now taking care of business like they should. The Raiders are now two wins away from calling themselves state champions.
Maynard Jackson Maynard Jackson 7'0" | C Overtime Elite (GA) | 2024 #151 Nation GA knocks off Tucker, 77-69
Tucker entered Wednesday night as the favorite but Maynard Jackson Maynard Jackson 7'0" | C Overtime Elite (GA) | 2024 #151 Nation GA had other plans. Cassius Watkins Cassius Watkins 6'0" | PG Maynard Jackson | 2024 State GA and Yusef Bowyer Yusef Bowyer 5'7" | PG Maynard Jackson | 2025 State GA were in control for most of the game and they combined for 33. Despite losing Mekhi Turner Mekhi Turner 6'8" | PF Maynard Jackson | 2024 State #271 Nation GA early in the year, Maynard Jackson Maynard Jackson 7'0" | C Overtime Elite (GA) | 2024 #151 Nation GA has put together quite a season and they’d make for a great story if they go the distance. They’ll play Eagle’s Landing on Friday at 3:00 PM.
North Oconee cruising through 4A
North Oconee went 25-3 in the regular season so it’s no surprise that they’ve been so dominant in the playoffs. It is worthy of headlines, however, as North Oconee isn’t known to be a basketball powerhouse. The Titans have won their first three playoff games by 20 points or more and have made the Final 4 for the first time in school history. Byrd Carter Byrd Carter 6'1" | CG North Oconee | 2024 State GA and Justin Payne Justin Payne 5'10" | PG North Oconee | 2024 State GA are the epitome of a steady backcourt and they’re surrounded by guys like Justin Wise Justin Wise 6'3" | CG North Oconee | 2027 State GA and Khamari Brooks Khamari Brooks 6'4" | PF North Oconee | 2026 State GA that also excel in their roles.
Dougherty takes down Douglass
After losing to Douglass in last year’s Elite 8, Dougherty was out for revenge this year and pulled out a 71-64 win. This Dougherty team has proven to be dangerous. The Jinks brothers make for a strong 1-2 punch in the backcourt while seniors, Jaion Burns and Markelle Jones Markelle Jones 6'5" | PF Dougherty | 2024 State GA , add to the attack. Dougherty now moves on to play Johnson-Savannah in a classic Albany vs. Savannah showdown.
Warren County continues to take down contenders
Warren County has been dismantling 1A-D1 brackets this year, first knocking off Jax Abernathy Jax Abernathy 6'4" | SG Christian Heritage | 2024 State GA and Christian Heritage in the Sweet 16, then taking out Portal who many expected to be playing in Macon. The game with Portal was an absolute nail-biter, ending with a Cosa Pender layup at the buzzer to give Warren County the win. This team full of gutsy, undersized guards is on a mission to shock the state.