The March to Macon is officially upon us and trying to determine how the AAA classification will play out is no easy task. We take a deeper look at the opening round and offer up some thoughts after a busy and competitive season.

Best Game: Laney vs. Southwest Macon. Laney’s backcourt is one of the state’s best. Zep Jasper and Christian Keeling are no strangers to making deep playoff runs. They will take on a Southwest team that is led by senior forward Justin Slocum, who averages over 22 points per game while shooting close to 70% from the field. This is certainly one of the most intriguing matchups across the board.

Best Player Matchup: Trevion Lamar (Jenkins) vs. JaQuavious Hayes (Maynard Jackson). This is a duel of a couple of versatile forwards. Both guys have interior and perimeter abilities. Both guys are also double-double candidates every time they step on the floor. Being so versatile, most teams have trouble matching up with each of them respectively. However, in this one they will both meet their match.

Story Starter Potential: Chapin Rierson, Calhoun. Rierson has been a big piece to Calhoun’s undefeated puzzle. He is a bouncy, athletic wing that can be difficult to match up with. He provides a great complement to Kaelan Riley, Jireh Wilson, and the rest of the Yellow Jackets. He has already earned an invite to the HoopSeen Elite Preview, but his story could get its start here.

1 vs. 4 Upset: I don’t see any of the top seeds losing in the first round. However, the most interesting case is Southwest Macon and Laney. Justin Slocum is a tough matchup for anyone with his athleticism and ability to score around the rim, and Nick Hargrove provides Southwest with a guard to match with Laney’s standout backcourt.

Sleeper Team: This classification is wide open, so any team could be considered a sleeper without AAA having a true favorite. However, I think the Westsides (Macon & Augusta) could potentially make runs. Westside Macon is led by super sophomore Khavon Moore and plays a highly athletic style that could give teams problems. Westside Augusta has a good draw in the bracket, and with a guard that can score like Damontrez Hawes, they could make a run.

Senior To Watch: Zep Jasper, Laney. The College of Charleston commit has been a big time guard for Laney for some time now, and has won a ton of games as the leader of the Wildcats. However, he has not captured a state title despite being a key part to some deep playoff runs. With Christian Keeling, one of AAA’s biggest scorers, joining him in the backcourt, could this be his year to finally get over the hump?

Region That Will Go The Deepest: The two best regions in AAA happened to be matched up against one another in regions two and three. I think that they will split the four total matchups, but I could see region two having two teams in Central Macon and Westside Macon making decent runs in this one. However, I could also see Laney and Westside Augusta making deep runs as well out of region three.

Number One Seeds:
Region 1: Jenkins
Region 2: Central Macon
Region 3: Laney
Region 4: Cedar Grove
Region 5: Callaway
Region 6: Calhoun
Region 7: East Hall
Region 8: Morgan County

Power Poll Teams: Calhoun (No. 15), Laney (No. 16)

Storylines

• Who is the true favorite? This classification is wide open and a number of teams could potentially win it all.
• Calhoun’s undefeated run
• ŸCan Laney finally climb the hump and win it all?

Final Four Picks:

Carter Wilson: Callaway, Laney, Jenkins, Augusta Westside
Justin Young: Central Macon, Morgan County, Calhoun, East Hall