State Finals Preview: Part 2

<p>We discussed our championship game previews and predictions for the smaller classes on Tuesday. Today, we will break down the big schools championship games. One thing we do know, 3 trophies will be headed to the Atlanta metro area .While one trophy will be headed to southwest Georgia. Lets take a look at the championship games for classes 4A-7A. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>4A</p> <p>FRIDAY 1PM</p> <p>AMERICUS 26-4 VS CARVER-COLUMBUS 25-5</p> <p><strong>Top players Americus  Josh Lusane, Joshua Moore, Treyvon Brown</strong></p> <p><strong>Top players Carver  AJ Watts, Jalen King, Devin Flowers</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This will be the 5th time these two teams have played this season , with Carver holding the advantage 3-1. Both of these teams knocked off some giants on there way to the state championship game. Americus , knocked off back to back state champion Upson-Lee in the 2nd round. They also defeated 3rd ranked St.Pius X and 2nd ranked Sandy Creek. The top 3 teams in the state were all defeated by Americus. Carver defeated Walker Kessler and the 4th ranked Woodward Academy squad. Remember the name AJ Watts. The University of Akron football signee is a game changer for Carver. I think Treyvon Brown for Americus may have something to say about that. It is hard enough to beat a team twice in a season, but 4 times? I think Americus will pull it off. If they win this game, they would have beaten the No.1,2,3, and 5 team in the state.</p> <p><strong>PREDICTION  AMERICUS 67 CARVER-COLUMBUS 65</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>5A</p> <p>FRIDAY 8PM</p> <p>BUFORD 28-2 VS FAYETTE CO 26-5</p> <p><strong>Top players Buford Donnell Nixon Marcus Watson</strong></p> <p><strong>Top players  Fayette CO Ricky Knight Will Richards J.Ekobr Coleman</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Buford is led by the one of the top players in the state in Marcus Watson. The Oklahoma State signee,has been on  a mission since the season began in November. Donell Nixon for the wolves, makes a nice 1-2 punch. Fayette Co is led by Ricky Knight. He has made big shots in the last 2 rounds against Lithonia and Kell. Both teams have rich traditions in basketball. However, I think Buford wins this in a landslide.</p> <p><strong>PREDICTION: BUFORD 76 FAYETTE CO 55</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>6A</p> <p>SATURDAY 3PM</p> <p>TRI-CITIES 25-6 VS TUCKER 28-4</p> <p><strong>Top players Tri-Cities Titus Hunter Damarcus Johnson</strong></p> <p><strong>Top players Tucker Braelon Seals, Nate Ogbu, Jermontae Hill, Nick Watson</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This will be a big time matchup with a lot of LM and MM prospects. The best player on the floor might be Region 5 player of the year for Tri-Cities, Titus Hunter. He scores at every level on the floor and he can guard your 1-5 also. Damarcus Johnson is a nice compliment to Titus. Tri-Cities will definitely get up and down the floor. Tucker is led by Nate Ogbu, Nick Watson, and Jermontae Hill. This trio carried Tucker in its OT win against cinderella team Heritage-Conyers. Tri-Cities has been number 1 most of the season in 6A. I think Tucker will finish number 1 and end their 23 year championship drought.</p> <p><strong>PREDICTION: TUCKER 67 TRI-CITIES 64</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>7A</p> <p>SATURDAY 7PM</p> <p>MCEACHERN 30-0 VS MEADOWCREEK 24-5</p> <p><strong>Top players MCEACHERN  Shariff Cooper, Issac Okoro, Jared Jones</strong></p> <p><strong>Top players MEADOWCREEK Jamir Chaplin, Jalen Benjamin, Darius Dunn</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Can it get any bigger than this? The defending state champs, Meadowcreek, go up against the number 1 team in America. If McEachern pulls this off Saturday night, they could go do as one of the best teams from the state of Georgia all time.  The Indians has an impressive resume this season. On the way to playing for the state championship, they have defeated Holy Spirit Prep, Mountain Brook, AL, Imhotep Charter ,PA, Findlay Prep, NV, Sunrise Christian, KS, and Rancho Christian, CA. They won two prestigious national tounrnaments , the City of Palms Classic and Bass Pro TOC in January. Shariff Cooper is one of the best guards in America. He should be getting a 5 star ranking real soon. Issac Okoro is the glue that keeps it together for the Indians. The Auburn commit, guards the other teams best player. Jared Jones, hit some big shots in their overtime win over Norcross. Not to be out done, Meadowcreek has some big time d-1 prospects as well. Jamir Chaplin the USF commit is the key to this squad possibly going back to back. Chaplin can score at well and on all three levels. Jalen Benjamin  ,UAB commit and Darrius Dunn the Temple commit round out the big 3 for Meadowcreek. McEachern has been like a rock group wherever they have played this season. Meadowcreek are the defending state champs, but they feel disrespected without this McEachern talk. It will be a close game, but I think McEachern will finish the drill Saturday night in Macon. <strong>PREDICTION: MCEACHERN 64 MEADOWCREEK 60</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_634241" align="alignnone" width="244"] Oklahoma State signee 2019 F Marcus Watson at the 2018 Arby's Classic.[/caption]