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Previewing Georgia's 6A Elite Eight

Jamari Smith
26, Feb 2018

Previewing Georgia's 6A Elite Eight

The Elite Eight match-ups in the AAAAAA classification are fantastic. We look at the four games, offer up some thoughts, player battles to watch and we pick our picks.

Heritage Conyers (16-8) at North Atlanta (21-9)
Both teams won their respective regions. Both teams won tough second-round games. Both teams are balanced. Both teams can spread the floor. See a trend here? This Elite Eight game should be a back-and-forth battle that goes to the fourth quarter as a one or two-possession game. 
Match-up to watch: Heritage junior guard Trelan Scott (14.8 points per game) vs. North Atlanta's junior guard Messiah Thompson (16.6 points per game). Both guys are quick. Both guys can fill it up in a hurry. 
Justin Young’s pick: North Atlanta 
Tai Young’s pick: North Atlanta
Your pick

Coffee (20-7) at Langston Hughes (24-5)
This is one of the best games of the Elite Eight, across the classifications. Offensively, the teams are wildly similar. Both teams like to let it fly and both teams have size at the right places. There is no secret that this game will be about Sanchez Nolley and his 30 points a game. The future Virginia Tech wing is a perimeter threat. Can Coffee stop the defending state champs? 
Match-up to watch: Jayce Moore is the best player you probably haven't heard of from Georgia. The 6-foot-2 junior is averaging nearly 20 points a game. Langston Hughes has the length on the wings with junior Tyrel Morgan and Patrick Carter. Beating Coffee is slowing down Moore. 
Justin Young’s pick: Langston Hughes 
Tai Young’s pick: Langston Hughes
Your pick

Lakeside Evans (15-12) at Gainesville (22-6) 
Gainesville has not had a game decided by single-digit points since the 20th of January. They have ripped through the competition with strong veteran play, and look to continue against a Lakeside team that has enough to keep them honest. Junior guard Kalen Williams will need to continue reaching his mark of 22 points per game to offset the tremendous play of Gainesville seniors KJ Buffen and Jabo Bledson. 
Match-up to watch: Freshman guard Rickey McGhee will need to stand strong against Gainesville senior Jabo Bledson in order for Lakeside to have a chance. Both are intriguing matchups, having the ability to take guys off the bounce and make plays for others. Jabo is a triple-double threat which allows his to impact the game in ways that make him unique. Rickey will have to shake off some of his freshman mistakes and make some of the production of his counterpart. 
Justin Young’s pick: Gainesville 
Tai Young’s pick: Gainesville
Your pick:

Tri-Cities (21-9) at Jonesboro (22-8)
This should be an exciting game for those that like to see a dogfight. Two of the hardest working teams in 6A go head to head in a game that features Jonesboro forward Jamari Smith and Tri-Cities wing Eli Lawrence. In the first matchup, Tri-Cities won handily with a final score of 83-67 but expect things to be closer this time around. Both teams have developed over the season while maintaining their aggressive edge. This one could come down to the wire. 
Match-up to watch: Miles Black and John Young have been two productive players for their respective teams all year.Both players have a knack for getting 50/50 balls, a rare quality for players that have such talents and skill. John has excelled both on and off the ball this season and has provided some senior leadership for head coach Omari Forts.  
Justin Young’s pick: Jonesboro 
Tai Young’s pick: Tri-Cities
Your pick

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