GHSA Team Preview: Buford Wolves
The high school season is going to be here before we know it. In anticipation, HoopSeen has decided to start the countdown by previewing some of Georgia’s most anticipated, intriguing teams.
Starting with A and working our way through the alphabet, we’ll highlight some of the Peach State’s teams to know.
We’ve taken a look at Alexander, so now we’re turning our attention to Buford.
The Wolves were one of the best teams in the state last season and their success saw a 25-7 record overall, 12-1 record in regions, and a trip to Macon for the 6A championship game.
Now, Buford will see a jump back up to the juggernaut that is 7A and will look to build off of their success last year.
Players to know
Alahn Sumler and Jaylon Taylor are gone. That duo was lethal for Buford and were the most significant pieces to their success last season, but that doesn’t mean that they were the only important players.
The cupboard was left in great shape, and the Wolves have added some transfers to further bolster their roster. They have a team that’s going to be driven by depth and balance this season. They won’t see much drop off when it comes to substitutions, and they’ll be able to match up with most teams well.
Here are three key players to know.
Malachi Brown is one of the better guards left on the board in Georgia’s 2023 class, and he’ll have a chance to prove that over the winter as he leads Buford at the point guard spot. A tremendous, multi-level scorer, Brown will be able to pack a punch offensively as a scorer, but he’ll also hurt opponents with his ability to find and distribute to open teammates. Look for Brown to boast some impressive numbers as the head of the snake.
At a long 6-foot-6, Kelly is going to be a versatile tool for Buford on both ends of the floor. In addition to his frame, Kelly plays with a high motor and loads of athleticism. Kelly’s a guy who doesn’t need things run for him. He goes out there and makes things happen. He’ll be a strong rebounding presence for the Wolves, and he’ll provide high-quality defense. Kelly is poised for a breakout season.
A bully in the paint, Williams gives the Wolves a physical presence around the basket. He should be a double-double machine. Williams has great foot work around the basket and knows how to use his strength to carve out space. He’s also shown that he can step out and knock down a 3-point shot from time to time. There aren’t many schools that have as reliable a post presence as Buford does with Williams.
Look out for
The Wolves have a lot of depth, but one guy that continually shined throughout June was sophomore Kyle Carpenter. He’s one of the more promising guard prospects I’ve seen in Georgia’s 2025 class. Carpenter uses a blend of craft and physicality to get to the rim where he’s a strong finisher with a bit of creativity to his game. He will have his moments on this Buford squad and will be a star for them in the future.
HoopSeen prediction
While the move back to 7A will provide a tougher test in February and March, the Wolves could be looking at a similar season to last year in terms of record. Looking over the landscape of their region, the Wolves should be preseason favorites with few blemishes during region play.
I don’t know the totality of their non-regions schedule, but I do know that they’re playing Grovetown in November in what will be a rematch of last year’s 6A championship game.
With limited knowledge of their entire schedule, I’m expecting another 20-win season.
