Let's meet the No. 1 seeds in the 2023 GHSA 3A 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

Dougherty (15-11)

NOTABLE WINS: Westover, Spencer, Monroe (x3), 

NOTABLE LOSSES: Lee County (x2), Johnson-Savannah, Beach, Westover, Calhoun County, Hillgrove, Park Crossing (AL), Newton, Greenforest, Carver-Columbus

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Jai’on Burns (1-3A Offensive Player of the Year), Maurice Davis (All-Region), Jawuan Jinks Jr. (All-Region), Markelle Jones (All-Region), Jacob Stallworth (All-Region)

 

REGION 2

Upton-Lee (20-6) 

NOTABLE WINS: Pine Forest (FL)

NOTABLE LOSSES: Griffin, Oglethorpe County, Washington, McDonough, Taylor County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Kemarion Alston (2-3A Player of the Year), Joshua Atwater (All-Region), Shanderious Fambro (All-Region), Brankevion Scott (All-Region) Quanarious Walker (All-Region), Carmelo Williams (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Knights have played a tough schedule and have still emerged with 20 wins on the season. They went undefeated in 2-3A. 

 

REGION 3

Johnson-Savannah (22-4)

NOTABLE WINS: Dougherty, Hiram, Wilkinson County, Hilton Head Prep (SC), Ponte Vedra (FL), Paxon (FL), Calvary Day, Beach

NOTABLE LOSSES: McDonough, Calvary Day, Beach, Lithonia

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Antonio Baker (3-3A Player of the Year), Joshua Quarterman, Kadin Davis

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Johnson-Savannah has ranked among the best teams in the classification this season. They have wins over some of the top teams from other classifications, so their resume is as solid as anyone’s in 3A. Antonio Baker is the kind of player that can further bolster his reputation with a run in the playoffs. 

 

REGION 4

Cross Creek (17-10)

NOTABLE WINS: Augusta Christian, Butler

NOTABLE LOSSES: Grovetown, Westside-Augusta, Miller Grove, Spencer, North Augusta (SC), James F. Byrnes (SC) (x2), Hiram, Keenan (SC), Dorman (SC)

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Antoine Lorick, Dontrel Smith, Jaden Priester, Quavon Henry

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Cross Creek has won back-to-back 3A titles with wins over prominent high-major players like Jabari Smith. Betting against the Razorbacks during this time of year has proven to be unwise in the recent past. 

 

REGION 5

Sandy Creek (21-6)

NOTABLE WINS: Huntsville (AL), Spencer, McIntosh, Fayette County (x2), St. Anne-Pacelli, Langston Hughes, Cedar Grove (x3)

NOTABLE LOSSES: Norcross, Mountain Brook (AL), Pinson Valley (AL), McDonough, Gray Collegiate (SC), Etowah

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Micah Smith (5-3A Player of the Year), Jaren Alexander (All-Region), Amari Brown (All-Region), PJ Green (All-Region), Vic Newsom (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Pound for pound, this is the most talented team in 3A yet again. The Patriots have toppled some talented teams en route to another 20-plus win season. Sandy Creek went through region play undefeated. 

 

REGION 6

Adairsville (19-8)

NOTABLE WINS: Sonoraville, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, LaFayette (x2)

NOTABLE LOSSES: Wesleyan, Oconee County, Stephenson, Oglethorpe County, Murray County, Sonoraville, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (x2)

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tre Winters (All-Region), Zach Postell (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Adrairsville is in the midst of its best season in the last decade. The Tigers haven’t had this many wins—in the MaxPreps era at least—and they could reach 20 wins for the first time in that stretch with a win in the first round. 

 

REGION 7

White County (17-11)

NOTABLE WINS: Gilmer (x2), Wesleyan

NOTABLE LOSSES: North Oconee, Habersham Central (x2), Cherokee, Tallulah Falls, North Hall, James Madison (VA), Wesleyan, Gilmer, Pickens

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Jadon Yeh (7-3A Player of the Year)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Warriors have one of the best players in the field in senior guard Jadon Yeh, the back-to-back region POY is one of the best available seniors in the state, and if he gets hot, he could help propel White County to some tournament wins. 

 

REGION 8 

Monroe Area (23-4)
NOTABLE WINS: Winder Barrow, Social Circle, Seckinger

NOTABLE LOSSES: Winder Barrow, West Forsyth, Rabun Gap, Stephens County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Jeremy Anderson (All-Region), Jakyri Jones (All-Region), Vonte Newell (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Monroe Area is undefeated at home, so winning three isn’t going to be an easy task for any of their early opponents. Additionally, the Purple Hurricanes have a great nickname. As someone who’s partial to the color, I’m rockin’ with them on that.