Region Tournaments to Watch: Class 7A

Kyle Sandy February 5, 2024 @ 01:42 PM

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 4</h2>   TEAMS: Archer, Brookwood, Grayson, Newton, Parkview, South Gwinnett FAVORITE: Grayson DARK HORSE: Newton   The Region features three Top 10 teams in No. 1 Grayson, No. 5 Newton and No. 7 Archer. Georgia's top-ranked team, Grayson, is undefeated in-state but did have a close call against Newton, winning 76-70 in overtime. The Rams have a star-studded lineup highlighted by [player_tooltip player_id='1131773' first='Gicarri' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1444779' first='Jacob' last='Wilkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1383021' first='Amir' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235067' first='Anthony' last='Alston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1131772' first='CJ' last='Hyland'] with talent coming off the bench. Newton has an athletic backcourt headline by [player_tooltip player_id='1235069' first='Jabez' last='Jenkins'] and inside-out threat [player_tooltip player_id='2046352' first='Ted' last='Neal']. Archer's tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1155729' first='Kahmare' last='Holmes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617612' first='Darrian' last='Joseph'] has risen their game to another level this season. South Gwinnett is well-coached, tough as nails and has a sharpshooter in [player_tooltip player_id='2790103' first='Marc' last='Chavenet']. Parkview only has five wins but has played strong non-region teams tough while Brookwood got off to a 10-3 start, has cooled off since but still can't be taken lightly with their balanced offense.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 7</h2>   TEAMS: Berkmar, Discovery, Duluth, Meadowcreek, Norcross, North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge FAVORITE: Berkmar/Peachtree Ridge DARK HORSE: Norcross   Region 7 sees No. 8 Berkmar and No. 9 Peachtree Ridge represented in the latest state rankings. The loss of Eddie Cooke midseason hurts the Patriots transferring near Christmas when the Patriots were 12-2, now 18-6. [player_tooltip player_id='1411622' first='Mekhi' last='Ragland'] is a load to deal with inside while [player_tooltip player_id='1383027' first='David' last='Culbreath-Martin'], Corey Gatlin and Mike White compose a highly skilled backcourt. Peachtree Ridge beat Berkmar 68-51 after losing to the Patriots 66-62 On December 1. [player_tooltip player_id='1300718' first='Connor' last='Teasley'] has cemented himself as one of the best guards in Georgia's 2025 class while [player_tooltip player_id='1711276' first='Derwin' last='Hodge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2245649' first='Gideon' last='Kamuelyu'] do their damage in the paint. The inside-out tandem out [player_tooltip player_id='2056122' first='Miles' last='Clanton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1685280' first='Caleb' last='Jones-Dicks'] makes North Gwinnett extremely dangerous. Norcross has trudged through their worst season in over a decade but still find themselves capable of stealing the one-seed behind [player_tooltip player_id='1477719' first='Toby' last='Ojukwu'], [player_tooltip player_id='1140747' first='Casey' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1696247' first='Jaron' last='Saulsberry'].   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 8</h2>   TEAMS: Buford, Central Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Dacula, Mill Creek, Mountain View FAVORITE: Buford DARK HORSE: Mountain View   No. 6 Buford has gone unscathed through nine region games, but battle Dacula on Tuesday. The Wolves ride a 10-game winning streak into the season finale, leading the pack in Region 8 which might be top to bottom the classification's most competitive region although not necessarily the strongest on paper. Buford has started multiple lineups throughout the season, getting contributions up and down the roster. [player_tooltip player_id='1059568' first='Chase' last='James-Robinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1722042' first='Torre' last='Costin'] fill it up from beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='1810441' first='Brennan' last='Wansley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2046332' first='Asa' last='Williams'] are off-guards that can do the same but also provide offense downhill. [player_tooltip player_id='2046331' first='Jackson' last='Houston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2241644' first='Paul' last='Peterson'] are super athletes. Dacula has spent significant time in the Top 10 this year and is one of the state's most improved teams. Breakout stars [player_tooltip player_id='2295938' first='Jaden' last='Mattison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2295941' first='Elahi' last='Akida'] have shined their senior seasons, Mattison a do-everything guard and Akida, Gwinnett County's most consistent double-double threat. Mountain View isn't necessarily a lock to even make it to the state tournament, but they have Dark Horse upside to win the region with their quick guards and ability to drive and kick for threes. [player_tooltip player_id='1464263' first='Bronson' last='Blair'] is the head of the snake for the hard-playing group that lacks size. Central Gwinnett has had players in and out of the lineup throughout the season, but [player_tooltip player_id='1742122' first='Timothy' last='Smith'] is a constant and one of the best scorers in the region. Mill Creek only had football star [player_tooltip player_id='1350894' first='Trajen' last='Greco'] for a split second this year and have turned to lanky guards [player_tooltip player_id='1350896' first='Stephen' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2308806' first='Nick' last='Lolli'] to score on the perimeter while [player_tooltip player_id='2308801' first='Braxton' last='Rembert'] has stamped himself as an emerging high-energy forward. Collins Hill has been up and down this year, currently 14-10 but riding a three-game losing streak heading into the season finale against Mill Creek. The Eagles swept Dacula this year as senior [player_tooltip player_id='1709995' first='Javyn' last='Smith'] has been a force.