2A and 5A State Championship Preview

11, Mar 2021

2A and 5A State Championship Preview

Brianna Patton 0 Comments
Pace Academy
Columbia High School

Macon is a good place to be today with two matchups that should be fun to watch. Pace Academy will face Columbia for the 2A title and heavy weights Tri-Cities and Eagles Landing will meet for the 5A title. 

No. 1 Pace Academy vs No. 3 Columbia

Pace Academy, the defending 3A state champions, is looking to repeat, but this time in the 2A classification. The Knights had a spectacular season finishing 27-1 with their sole loss coming in their first game against Sandy Creek. They have some impressive wins including Grayson and North Gwinnett. Led by Florida State signee Matthew Cleveland, the Knights have so many weapons offensively. Available senior Madison Durr, Cleveland State signee Cole Middleton, and junior Josh Reed have been crucial to Pace's success this season. They can attack you in so many ways. Columbia fought their way to the title game as a three seed. Junior Mason Lockhart is a physical forward that earns a lot of attention. Kawasiki Ricks, Julius Lymon, and Rashad Hedges can go out and score double-digits too. The Eagles defeated region rival Lovett to make it to the championship and have a lot of momentum in their favor. These two teams met back in January where Pace won 67-56. This game will come down to if Columbia will have an answer for Pace Academy's forwards.

 

No. 1 Tri-Cities vs No. 1 Eagles Landing

This matchup has the potential to be one of the top games of the year. The 5A state championship features two heavy weights that have been demolishing their opponents. Tri-Cities came into the playoffs ranked as the top team in the state for good reason. Led by the backcourt of Vanderbilt commit Peyton Daniels and Simeon Cottle, the Bulldogs have a dynamic offensive attack. Those two guards can really get into the teeth of a defense and take advantage of opportunities. Available seniors Davon Cottle and Davorian Rudolph hold it down on the inside for Tri-Cities. Eagles Landing has had maybe their best season in their history. Finishing the season with a record of 26-1, the Eagles have not lost a game since December to Tift County. They have wins against Dutchtown, East Coweta, Sandy Creek, and Greenforest. Their dominance has continued throughout their playoff run as they have beat their opponents by a margin of 32.7 points. Yes - you read that correctly. Eagles Landing has absolutely dominated their way through the bracket. Tri-Cities will be their toughest test to date, but the duo of sophomore David Thomas and junior AJ Barnes will be up for the task.