It’s state tournament time! Tuesday will see the 2024 March to Macon begin. 

The most exciting time on the Georgia high school basketball calendar is here. Over the course of the next few weeks, teams will be vying for a chance to play for a state championship. 

Now that the brackets have been set, let’s take a look at some of the favorites to make the final four in 7A. 

Wheeler: While this is not the Wheeler of a year ago, the Wildcats are still among the best in Georgia. They have a national reputation and a gym full of banners for a reason. They know how to win this time of year. En route to making a final four, a rematch against Berkmar would be likely. The Patriots bested Wheeler earlier in the season, but betting against the Wildcats this time of year has been proven to be a fool’s errand in the past. 

McEachern: Outside of a season-opening loss to Grayson, the Indians are unscathed against the rest of the Peach State. McEachern has been able to overwhelm teams with talent. 2024 W Ace Bailey is a contender for the No. 1 overall spot in the class, and he’s been nothing short of spectacular during his senior season. While they’re more than a one-man show, Bailey has been transcendent. McEachern is not only favored to make a final four, they will be advanced all the way to Macon in most brackets. 

Grayson: For my money, the Rams are the outright favorite to win 7A. They’ve been the class of the state all season. Grayson has the most talented depth along with a sterling resume to go with their personnel. The Rams are undefeated against teams from Georgia and only have two losses on a schedule that saw them in some of the more regarded national events. 

Milton: Call it recency bias, but the way that Milton’s guards took over in the second half of their region championship game against Lambert still sticks in my head. The combo of Anthony Gause and Josh Dixon is as good as it gets in the 7A tournament. Throw in 2025 F Daniel Ogunyemi, and you have a trio that can help propel the Eagles back to a final four.