Cobb County After Christmas Polls Pt. 3
It has been a great holiday of hoops and the second half of the 2017-2018 season is about to be in full effect. Here is a look at our 6-10 public school programs below. Walton, Hillgrove, Harrison, and Kell are the 10-13 teams in this week’s Cobb County Ranks (12/31-1/6).
Walton (Marietta, GA) – Record: 6-7 – Good Wins: Arabia Mountain. Bad Losses: None
It has been a decent season for Walton and for first year HC, Coach Abney. The Walton Raiders took two tough losses to Lambert and Collins Hill earlier during the Christmas break as they competed in the Lamber Classic at Lambert High School. The Raiders took the host school Lambert into OT and where 2018 F Blaine McDonough went for 40 points and 10 rebounds. McDonough followed up the next game ending with another double double with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a lost to Collins Hill. Walton then participated in the Campbell Holiday Tournament after the Christmas Holiday but went 1-2 after defeating Hardy Memorial (TN) and taking losses from Campbell and North Cobb. The Raiders are actually better than their record states and are a balanced scoring squad with 5 different players already having at least one 20+ point performance. The Raiders will have a few days off before facing two good decent programs in Roswell and a rematch with Kennesaw Mountain.
Hillgrove (Powder Springs, GA) – Record: 5-6 – Good Wins: Hiram. Bad Losses: None
This season’s Hillgrove sqaud has been led by their junior point guard in 2019 PG Orry Owens. Owens has made our list of Midseason Cobb County POY Nominees with his perfomance so far. Before defeating their region opponent North Paulding, the Hawks participated in the SEBA Showcase during the break where they took a lost to Blessed Trinity. After the Christmas Holiday, Hillgrove competed in the Lake City Classic held at Allatoona High School. The Hawks finished the tournament 1-2. They received losses from powerhouse Warner Robins and Alpharetta, their only win came against Alexander where Orry Owens finished with a team high 17 points. No breaks for Hillgrove as they face Cherokee, Kennesaw Mountain, and Etowah all this week.
Harrison (Kennesaw, GA) – Record: 5-7 – Good Wins: New Creation Academy. Bad Losses: None
Hoyas of Harrison had two games before the Christmas Holiday. Harrison took a region lost to their neighborhood rival in Allatoona. Hoyas then bounce back with a win over North Cobb 64-54. After the Christmas Holiday the Hoyas participated in the Deep South Classic held at Brookwood High School. Unfortunately Harrison took two more losses to Effingham County and South Forsyth. The Hoyas will have two region games this week. Harrison will travel to Sprayberry on Wednesday Jan. 3rd and will travel to Sequoyah Friday Jan. 5th.
Kell (Marietta, GA) – Record: 4-7 – Good Wins: Woodstock. Bad Losses: None
The Kell Longhorns are having a down year so far this season after having a 21-8 season last year. The Longhorns competed in the loaded Tournament of Champions at Wheeler High School in the American Division. They faced Lakewood (SC) in the showcase games but did not come out with a victory as they lost a close one 54-47. Kell then took another tough lost to Greenforest Christian the first day of the tournament 66-58 but followed up with a win against Whitefield Academy. On the last day of the tournament Kell fell to Lambert 80-65. The Longhorns have been led by their senior backcourt of 2018 CG Savvon Delgado and 2018 PG Jahwan Smith. With 2019 CG CJ Henderson out due to injury, Smith and Delgado have been running the show with 2019 WG Justin Perry adding to the table.