2025-26 GHSA Boys Basketball Storylines

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Can anybody stop Wheeler?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the hunt for an 11^th state title, the Wildcats not only have stars back from last year's title team, but have even more aligned now via transfer. Joining reigning Class 6A Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1958491' first='Colben' last='Landrew'], a UConn-commit, is four-star point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2075194' first='Kevin' last='Savage']. The Blue Devils have [player_tooltip player_id='2380956' first='Amare' last='James'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2380955' first='Lamarrion' last='Lewis'] in the backcourt but see Ole Miss-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1696247' first='Jaron' last='Saulsberry'] (Norcross) and [player_tooltip player_id='2891386' first='Shamar' last='Madden'] (Langston Hughes) move in. The Wildcats are littered with D-I prospects and open the season as the clearcut best team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who can beat the Wildcats? If the answer isn't nobody, maybe Grayson, Pebblebrook or McEachern. The Rams have a completely new-look roster with MJ Curry (Grovetown) playing a starring role alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2328883' first='Donaven' last='Thomas'] (Maynard Jackson) and [player_tooltip player_id='1696173' first='Malik' last='Rideout'] (Peachtree Ridge). Pebblebrook made it to the Final Four last year and has experienced guards in [player_tooltip player_id='2245699' first='Zyree' last='Brown'] and Jaylen Humphery with [player_tooltip player_id='2262493' first='Anthony' last='Moon'] providing length and versatility in the frontcourt. The additions of [player_tooltip player_id='2850804' first='DJ' last='McMillan'] (South Cobb) and Alex Jones (Westlake) give the Falcons more length and shot-making on the perimeter as the two both averaged 13 points per game at their respective homes last season. McEachern has a star in [player_tooltip player_id='2746184' first='Chase' last='Lumpkin'] who has takeover potential. If he gets hot from beyond the arc with Mason McMillian, the Indians can score in bunches quickly. Kell transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2275439' first='Zach' last='Graves'] will play a huge role at point guard. [player_tooltip player_id='2879782' first='Ogo' last='Ekweozor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2444510' first='Emmanuel' last='Alofe'] are two-way impact makers with their athleticism and length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bradwell or Bust</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only team to crack the Class 5A Preseason Top 10 from outside of the Metro Atlanta area and surrounding areas is Bradwell Institute. Last year's team didn't quite reach expectations, going 21-7 with a First Round loss but the Tigers bring back their core of 6-foot-7 North Florida-commit Chris Perry (14.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.1 bpg), 6-foot-6 West Georgia-commit [player_tooltip player_id='2471150' first='Jaylin' last='Sweat'] (12.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.1 bpg) and 6-foot-4 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2524007' first='Zi'on' last='Thomas'] who posted 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Can Bradwell cement themselves as the best team in Coastal Georgia and more importantly, break through their glass ceiling of the Sweet 16 for the first time in over 50 years?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Three-Peat? Four-Peat?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Oconee will try to make it three-straight titles in Class 4A while Sandy Creek shoots for number four in Class 3A. North Oconee has a strong nucleus back but will be without habitual winner [player_tooltip player_id='1765473' first='Khamari' last='Brooks'] due to football and a fractured hip. The classification's best player and brightest star when the stage is biggest still has the Titans in pole position with [player_tooltip player_id='2046364' first='Justin' last='Wise'] who scored 27 points vs. Pace Academy last year in the title game and is coming off a season in which he averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.&nbsp;6-foot-8 Stetson-commit [player_tooltip player_id='2301427' first='Banks' last='Pourchier'] anchors the 30-2 group along with 6-foot-8 senior [player_tooltip player_id='2880582' first='Luke' last='Lawson']. 5-foot-10 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1543564' first='Blake' last='Bracco'] is a steady floor general who shoots it well from deep and makes excellent decisions. As for Sandy Creek, the Patriots don't have as much individual star power but have a group of tough-nosed athletes that defend as well as anyone and don't know how to lose. Championship hero 6-foot-6 senior [player_tooltip player_id='2421254' first='Avohn' last='Florence'] returns after posting 18 points and 12 rebounds in the biggest game of his life. 5-foot-9 senior Antonio Rivers has patiently waited his time to lead the Patriots, the physical playmaker a surefire bet to raise his stock. Defensive ace Amari Latimer is a Wisconsin running back-commit. If he returns to the hardwood for his senior season, he's a physical defender who can guard all five positions. 5-foot-9 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2419527' first='Quentin' last='Clopton'] could see important playing time in Year 3. 6-foot-4 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2875388' first='Trey' last='Carmichael'] (McIntosh) and 5-foot-10 senior Turtle Arzuaga (9.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.2 apg – Drew) transfer in.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->