Let's meet the No. 1 seeds in the 2023 GHSA 2A state tournament. Each of these teams won their respective region tournament and secured a number one seed in the bracket. Let's meet 'em. 

 

REGION 1

Dodge County (21-3) 

NOTABLE WINS: Sumter County, Dublin, Berrien

NOTABLE LOSSES: Northside, Dublin, Sumter County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Laramie Mitchell, Duke Johnson

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Indians are on a 12-game winning streak and have only lost one game in 2023. 

 

REGION 2

Spencer (23-4)

NOTABLE WINS: Langston Hughes, Cross Creek

NOTABLE LOSSES: Sandy Creek, Dougherty, Northside-Columbus, Central (AL)

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tycen McDaniels (2-2A Player of the Year), Antonio Cochran (2-2A Defensive Player of the Year), Tony Montgomery (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: There are multiple teams in 2A that won championships last season. Region realignment saw Spencer—the reigning 4A champions—move to 2A with most of the players back from the team that cut nets. They’re on a 14-game winning streak, and they went undefeated in region and at home. 

 

REGION 3

Windsor Forest (21-6)

NOTABLE WINS: Statesboro, Sports Leadership & Management (FL), Boyd Anderson (FL), Tattnall County

NOTABLE LOSSES: Andrew Jackson (FL), Potter’s House Christian (FL), Beach, Mainland (FL), Orlando Christian Prep (FL), Toombs County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Qurahn Anderson (3-2A Player of the Year), Larry Pounds (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Windsor Forest is another 2A team that had success in a different tournament last season. In 3A, they made the championship game. While D’Ante Bass has moved on, others have stepped up to lead the Knights to another successful season. 

 

REGION 4

Westside-Augusta (20-7) 

NOTABLE WINS: Cross Creek, Thomson (x3), Mays, Putnam County (x2), Wilkinson County

NOTABLE LOSSES: Grovetown, Eagle’s Landing, Augusta Christian, North Augusta (SC), Lancaster (SC), Putnam County, Butler

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Jalexs Ewing, AuMauri Tillman, Khalon Hudson

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Westside-Augusta is the reigning 2A champion, and the Patriots are in a good position to repeat. They return some of the stars from last season, and they are battle tested against some of the top seeds from other classifications. 

 

REGION 5

Columbia (27-1)

NOTABLE WINS: Brainerd (TN), SW Dekalb, Hewitt-Trussville (AL), Plainsview (AL)

NOTABLE LOSSES: SW Dekalb

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Terrell Wright (5-2A Player of the Year), Jaden Baugh (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Columbia was a powerhouse this season. They lost one game, and it came by one point in a road game against rival SW Dekalb. They’re on a 19-game winning streak. They open with one of the most difficult first games regardless of classification when they meet reigning A-Public champs Drew Charter in the first round. 

 

REGION 6

South Atlanta (21-8)

NOTABLE WINS: North Cobb Christian, Drew Charter, Washington (x2)

NOTABLE LOSSES: Hapeville Charter, Washington, Drew Charter (x2), Greer (SC), Walker (x2), North Cobb Christian

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Diontae Harris (All-Region), Steven Moore (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Hornets were a thorn in the side of their region. Despite finishing fourth, they won their region tournament and picked off some strong teams in doing so. They could ride that momentum into the state tournament. 

 

REGION 7

Model (20-4)

NOTABLE WINS: Chattooga, North Murray (x3) 

NOTABLE LOSSES: Dawson County, Murray County, Darlington, North Murray

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Jeremias and Jakenes Heard (7-2A Co-Players of the Year), Jayden Hames (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Blue Devils took care of business on their home court. They went undefeated at home and picked up some solid road wins on their way to 20 wins. 

 

REGION 8 

Providence Christian (23-4)
NOTABLE WINS: Mill Creek, Banks County (x2), Athens Academy (x2), Wesleyan

NOTABLE LOSSES: Mt. Bethel, Berkmar, Union County, Banks County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Samuel Thacker (8-2A Co-Region Player of the Year), Kameron Carryl (All-Region), Thomas Malcolm (All-Region), Devin McClain (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Providence Christian was as solid as they come this season. They didn’t have any head-scratching losses, and they never got blown out. This is a program that has made it beyond the 20-win marker in three out of the last four seasons, so they’re pretty used to winning.