GHSA State Championship Preview

<p>We're down to our last week of the 2023-2024 high school season and there's history on the line in Macon for many programs. While some schools have the opportunity to repeat, others will be looking to bring home their first state championship in school history. We break down each game and tell you what needs to happen for each team to bring home the trophy.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McEachern vs. Grayson (7A)</h2>   <p>Georgia high school basketball fans have been looking forward to this all season. Grayson and McEachern have been #1 and #2 in the rankings since the start of the season. Grayson's first five features D1 guys across the board and they don't have many weaknesses. [player_tooltip player_id='1122508' first='Ace' last='Bailey'] will need a legendary performance if he wants to bring the trophy back to Powder Springs. He's certainly capable though.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alexander vs. Riverwood (6A)</h2>   <p>While many have expected Alexander to repeat as champions, a team like Riverwood could pose a real threat. Riverwood has had their ups and downs this year but they're led by two of the state's deadliest scorers, [player_tooltip player_id='1145563' first='Karris' last='Bilal'] and JR Leonard. Alexander protects the rim well inside but they'll need their perimeter defenders like [player_tooltip player_id='1978521' first='Jermaine' last='Freeman'] to really step up and make things tough for the opposing guards. [player_tooltip player_id='1054789' first='Braedan' last='Lue'] should be the focal point for Alexander as Riverwood will have to get creative in defending him. Alexander comes in as the favorite but if Bilal or Leonard are feeling it, Riverwood could pull it off.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kell vs. Eagles Landing (5A)</h2>   <p>Kell has been on a historic run over the past few months and another win in Macon would really cement the legacy of this senior group. [player_tooltip player_id='1201630' first='CJ' last='Brown'] is playing at an extremely high level right now while Chris McLavish has emerged as a major piece throughout their playoff run. That being said, Eagles Landing will be no easy opponent. They've found their groove at the right time and will certainly be looking for revenge after losing to Kell in Macon last year.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holy Innocents vs. North Oconee (4A)</h2>   <p>Holy Innocents and North Oconee will meet on Wednesday for the 4A championship, a battle between two very different teams. While Holy Innocents is led by big name prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='1383017' first='Caleb' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1696172' first='Devin' last='Hutcherson'], North Oconee is full of guys that have flown under the radar and play with a chip on their shoulder. [player_tooltip player_id='1765473' first='Khamari' last='Brooks'] was the x-factor in their final 4 game, going for 28 points and hitting the game-winner. He'll need to step up and limit [player_tooltip player_id='1383017' first='Caleb' last='Wilson'] who's averaging 20.6 PPG and 14.5 RPG.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sandy Creek vs. Johnson-Savannah (3A)</h2>   <p>Sandy Creek is looking to repeat in 3A after finally getting over the hump last year. They've clearly been the best team in 3A this year, led by two excellent seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='1050448' first='Micah' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1204748' first='Amari' last='Brown']. Johnson-Savannah comes from the other side of the bracket and they've beat a number of solid teams throughout their playoff run. Sandy Creek should keep the hardware in Tyrone but if Johnson-Savannah can win one more, they'd shock the state.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westside-Augusta vs. Toombs County (2A)</h2>   <p>Westside-Augusta returns to Macon this year with quite a different group. [player_tooltip player_id='1834126' first='Demarco' last='Middleton'] and Lavonta Ivory lead the charge, both senior guards that'll end up playing at the next level. They're 28-4 right now and have been the favorite to win 2A for most of the year. Toombs County, on the other hand, went overlooked through much of the regular season despite only losing two games. Now, [player_tooltip player_id='2259585' first='Dominic' last='Eason'] and company will try to show the rest of the state what Toombs County is all about.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mt. Vernon vs. Paideia (1A-D1)</h2>   <p>Region 6 has ruled 1A-D1 for as long as it's existed so it's only right we get two of those teams squaring off in Macon. Paideia and Mt. Vernon will meet for the 3rd time this year after splitting the first two games. I'll have my eye on the battle between [player_tooltip player_id='1696232' first='CJ' last='Harper'] and KJ Garris, both D1 guard prospects. Mt. Vernon will have the size advantage inside and I'm expecting a big game from [player_tooltip player_id='1125607' first='Xavier' last='Shegog']. Both teams will be fighting for their first state championship since joining the GHSA.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Greenforest vs. Manchester (1A-D2)</h2>   <p>Greenforest has been one of the hottest teams in the state since January and they'll be hungry to bring the trophy back to Decatur this year. They're led by a strong group of seniors, all of which are playing well right now. For Manchester, it's an opportunity to take down Goliath as Greenforest has been a perennial powerhouse over the last decade. A win on Wednesday would be monumental for Manchester.</p>

We're down to our last week of the 2023-2024 high school season and there's history on the line in Macon for many programs. While some schools have the opportunity to repeat, others will be looking to bring home their first state championship in school history. We break down each game and tell you what needs to happen for each team to bring home the trophy.