GHSA Preseason Top 25 (#6-10)

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654193aa4fbc8"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#6. Norcross</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norcross enters the 2023-2024 season with a new identity and while they may not have the offensive firepower that they did last year, their defense and athleticism will make them a tough out come February. [player_tooltip player_id='1477719' first='Toby' last='Ojukwu'] could take a major leap this year as he got better and better throughout last season and looks to step into more of a leadership role as a senior. [player_tooltip player_id='1140747' first='Casey' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1696247' first='Jaron' last='Saulsberry'] make for one of the most versatile front courts in the state, both guys able to step out on to the perimeter and play above the rim. Look out for the Blue Devils this year as they could be one of the state's best defensive teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Dec. 8th vs. #4 Berkmar, Dec. 9th vs. #5 Alexander, Dec. 20th vs. Myers Park (NC), Jan. 20th vs. #3 Wheeler, Jan. 26th vs. #4 Berkmar</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7. Pace Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pace Academy brings back a good portion of last year's championship squad and they enter this season as the frontrunner in 4A. They'll have one of the best backcourts in the state coming back, KJ Greene and [player_tooltip player_id='1383030' first='Eric' last='Chatfield']. [player_tooltip player_id='1762523' first='Chandler' last='Bing']'s development has come on fast and he'll play a key role this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1054788' first='LJ' last='Moore'], the high-IQ forward, just committed to Chicago and he'll be looking to add another ring to his finger as well. Expect Pace to be experienced, well-coached, and battle tested as they'll square off with a number of Top 25 teams throughout the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 25th vs. #21 Osborne, Dec. 9th vs. #8 Milton, Jan 13th vs. #20 Riverwood, Jan. 15th vs. #16 Hiram, Jan. 19th vs. #23 McDonough, Jan. 27th vs. #23 McDonough</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8. Milton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a new big three in Milton that's capable of doing some real damage in 7A. [player_tooltip player_id='1383022' first='Josh' last='Dixon'] returns for his second full year at Milton, joining him is [player_tooltip player_id='2048851' first='Anthony' last='Gause'] from St. Louis and [player_tooltip player_id='1559292' first='Daniel' last='Ogunyemi'] from nearby Valor Christian. Dixon and Gause are both gifted scorers and their ability to shoot it will allow them to play well off one another. Ogunyemi provides great size and strength at 6'7, a beast on the boards and strong finisher above the rim. You can always count on Coach Whitehart to get the most out of his role players and one guy that we could see flourish in that mold is [player_tooltip player_id='2245618' first='Braxton' last='Giesler'], the 6'7 junior. Milton's non-region schedule is a gauntlet but they'll be dangerous come February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 21st vs. #12 Sandy Creek, Dec. 8th vs. Kenwood (IL), Dec. 9th vs. #7 Pace Academy, Jan. 20th vs. #1 McEachern, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#9. Newton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Stephon Castle era is over for Newton but the talent remains ripe in Covington as they'll post a tough squad again this year. Belmont commit [player_tooltip player_id='1235069' first='Jabez' last='Jenkins'] will be the motor and we can expect a ton of two-way production out of him. 2025 guards, [player_tooltip player_id='2633651' first='Tim' last='Prather'] and Zach Harden, are both capable of scoring in different ways, Prather an excellent shooter off the dribble while Harden likes to use his quick first step to get downhill. [player_tooltip player_id='1501754' first='Tay' last='Jefferies'] is another skilled ball-handler that can stroke the three and facilitate. The Rams will need some younger bigs to step up inside but they've got the perimeter firepower to win a lot of games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 18th vs. #3 Wheeler, Nov. 22nd vs. #10 Kell, Nov. 25th vs. #20 Riverwood, Jan. 23rd vs. #2 Grayson, Feb. 8th vs. #2 Grayson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10. Kell</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kell has been one of Georgia's most successful programs in recent years and they'll contend for another 5A State Championship this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1201615' first='Peyton' last='Marshall']'s move to Overtime Elite certainly hurts but [player_tooltip player_id='1223237' first='Cannon' last='Richards'] is more than capable of holding down the inside and may actually contribute to a more lethal, fast-paced attack. [player_tooltip player_id='1201630' first='CJ' last='Brown'] is one of the most electric and talented guards in the state, he'll provide much of the playmaking. Brown's right-hand man, [player_tooltip player_id='1215446' first='Jaylen' last='Colon'], will join him in the backcourt once again and we can count on plenty of three-balls coming from Colon. The Longhorns will be one of the more confident and experienced teams we see this year, a tough W for any team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Games:</strong> Nov. 18th vs. #1 McEachern, Nov. 22nd vs. #9 Newton, Dec. 9th vs. #3 Wheeler, Jan. 20th vs. Buckhorn (AL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->