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Previewing the AAAAAA quarterfinals

26, Feb 2014

Previewing the AAAAAA quarterfinals

The action around the Peach State for the quarterfinals of the AAAAAA state tournament will be intense, hard-fought and well attended. Our team of Robert Alfonso, Jr. and Justin Young quickly breaks down the four games on the docket.

Wheeler at North Gwinnett
Some are calling this a state championship level game. Truth be told, it is hard to argue that point. The two teams sat inside the top six of the overall Power Poll all season long. Talent at every position will be on full display and the traditional Cobb County vs. Gwinnett County quarterfinal is as good of a game as we'll see in the Peach State this year. The game also features two of the best student sections in metro Atlanta, too. - JY

Norcross at Berkmar
For the third consecutive year, Norcross and Berkmar are meeting for the third straight time in the Class AAAAAA state playoffs. While that is nothing to find abnormal but the storyline is interesting. Norcross’ Jesse McMillian and Berkmar’s Greg Phillips were colleagues on the Blue Devils staff under then coach Eddie Martin. Both coaches have split in the teams previous meetings. In this matchup, Bekmar is playing with a lot of confidence. The Patriots senior of Kiar Crouch, Tim Rowe and Jonathan Sanks are focused on continuing its final season. Norcross seniors Lorenzo Carter, Khalen Pinkett and Andre Chatfield are trying to get back to the state championship. No introductions needed in this one because everyone more than familiar with its opponent. - RA

Hillgrove at Tift County
Look for this game to have a capacity crowd before the sun goes down. Tift County knows how to fill a gym and Hillgrove should provide an entertaining opponent. Kyle Castlin of HHS is having a monster season but so is Georgia Tech bound Tadric Jackson. This guard pairing is one of the best we'll have in the state tournament. - JY

Pebblebrook at Luella
Regardless of the outcome, a hot team will be making its way to Georgia Tech for the Final Four. Pebblebrook has one of the hottest point guards in the state in Ty Hudson while big man Derek Ogbeide has found his stride inside. The 6-foot-8 junior will be paired against 7-foot junior Doral Moore. That will be a great match-up. Luella has leaned on the production of TeMarcus Blanton all year. That will certainly be the case on Thursday night. - JY


Justin Young
Editor-in-Chief

Justin Young has been the editor-in-chief of HoopSeen.com since 2013. He manages the day-to-day operations on the site and in conjunction with our national and regional events. He was the national basketball editor for Rivals.com and a contributing editor at Yahoo! Sports. Young has been earned numerous awards for his work in sports journalism, including the Georgia Press Association Columnist of the Year. His Justin Young Basketball recruiting service has been in existence since 2002 and worked with over 300 schools from all levels. He is the director of HoopSeen Elite Preview camps and our national Preview camp series. 

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