10 must-see match-ups in the 1st round of state
The March to Macon is officially on as the first round of the GHSA state tournament tips off this weekend. We roll out our 10 best must-see match-ups across all classifications.
1. Tucker at Clarke Central (AAAAA): The two Top 20 overall Power Poll teams are good enough to play in the Final Four so to open the tournament like this is something else. Tucker is 6-4 over the last 10 games while Clarke Central is 9-1 in the same stretch. The gym will be packed for this one and should be one of the most electric gyms in all of Georgia on Saturday.
2. Westlake at Brunswick (AAAAAA): The crowd for this game will be so loud that hoop heads in Atlanta may even be able to hear the roar. The match-ups are fantastic for this one and a Top 20 Power Poll will end their season after this game on Saturday. What a match-up this is.
3. Milton at Norcross (AAAAAA): From a basketball brand name, this is as good as it gets in Georgia high school basketball. The game will be competitive, no doubt, and match-ups across the board are intriguing.
4. Hillgrove at Newton (AAAAAA): What a game this should be as last year's runner-up goes east on I-20 to play a 21-win team in the Rams.
5. St. Pius X at Elbert County (AAA): The Inferno will be burning on Saturday night in a pairing of two teams that both won over 20 games this year. The style of Pius's slowed down and methodical offense vs. Elbert County's breakneck speed is a great contrast.
6. Woodward Academy at Morgan County (AAA): There are, at a minimum, six college prospects in this match-up. Good size, good athleticism and good players make for a good game.
7. Tri-Cities at Tift County (AAAAAA): Any time an Atlanta teams goes south to Tifton, the games are usually down to the wire. Tri-Cities racked up wins against Westlake and Newnan to close out the year. Tift County, on the other hand, has only lost to a Georgia team once this year.
8. Cook at Laney (AA): The athleticism of Cook meets the great guards of Laney. The result should be the best game in the first round in AA.
9. Crawford County at McIntosh Academy (AA): Not too far off for best game in AA status is this one. Will Jerrell and John Corbin of Crawford County anchor the always-talented CCHS bunch while Tre Scott leads MCA.
10. Valdosta at Douglas County (AAAAA): This game could reach the 160 total points combined mark. The contest will be fast, up-tempo and filled with points. Valdosta's Brooklyn Lewis is one of the most fun players there is in the AAAAAA bracket. DC is riding high after winning the ultracompetitive Region 3 tournament.