Let's meet the No. 1 seeds in the 2023 GHSA A-DI state tournament. Each of these teams won their respective region tournament and secured a number one seed in the bracket. Let's meet 'em. 

 

REGION 1

Irwin County (14-12) 

NOTABLE WINS: Citizens Christian

NOTABLE LOSSES: Citizens Christian, Berrien, Clinch County (x2), Tift County, Brooks County, Pelham, Coffee (x2), Cook, Fitzgerald, Wilcox County

 

REGION 2

Swainsboro (12-9)

NOTABLE WINS: Dublin, East Laurens (x3)

NOTABLE LOSSES: Thomson, Southeast Bulloch (x2), Wilkinson County, Jenkins County, Dublin, Statesboro (x2), Jefferson County 

 

REGION 3

Woodville-Tompkins (18-9) 

NOTABLE WINS: Brunswick, Savannah (x3) 

NOTABLE LOSSES: GAC, Brunswick, Richmond Hill, Hilton Head Prep (SC), Sports Leadership & Management (FL), New Hampstead (x2), Eastside (FL), Bell Creek Academy (FL)

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Alfonzo Ross (USC-Beaufort), Wes Walker (Maryville), Joey Bell (All-Region), Terrence Bush (All-Region), Tyler Grant (All-Region), Jonathan Pickering (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Woodville-Tompkins had its challenges early, but they’ve been better because of it. Those lumps have paid off, and they took care of business in their region tournament. They have some serious momentum going into the state tournament. 

 

REGION 4

Temple (22-5) 

NOTABLE WINS: Rockmart

NOTABLE LOSSES: Haralson County, Central-Carrollton (x3), Heard County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Aman Jackson, Ezekiel Jacobson, Alexander Banks

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Temple seems to be heating up down the stretch. They’re riding a five-game winning streak into the tournament and have won eight of their last 10 games. 

 

REGION 5

Social Circle (17-10)

NOTABLE WINS: Walnut Grove, Eastside (x2)

NOTABLE LOSSES: Morgan County, Monroe Area, Archer, Alcovy, Thomson, Putnam County, Lithonia, Christian Heritage, Wilkinson County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Lamarius Jackson (5-A-DI Player of the Year), Quindarius Jackson (All-Region), Dashon Hyman (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Social Circle has been a powerhouse in recent seasons. They’re always a top team in their classification. This year is no different. After testing itself against some great teams, Social Circle once again sits as a No. 1 seed. They have one of the toughest first games in the state against King’s Ridge, but if they emerge on the other side of that one, a trip to the final four should be in order. 

 

REGION 6

Mount Vernon (20-8)

NOTABLE WINS: Lanier, Houston (TN), Mount Pisgah (x2), Riverwood, King’s Ridge (x2), St. Francis, Mt. Bethel

NOTABLE LOSSES: Denmark, Lausanne Collegiate (TN), King’s Ridge, Kell, Flint Hill (VA), St. Anne’s-Belfield (VA), Parkview, Paideia,

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Keith Williams (Maryville),  AJ Patterson (All-Region), Trey Scott (All-Region), Xavier Shegog (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Mount Vernon emerged from the Region of Doom victorious. 6-A-DI is made up of the best teams in this classification, so winning that region tournament was no easy task. Mount Vernon tested itself outside of their region with national games in addition to games against teams from other classifications. This is one of the deepest, most talented teams in the field. 

 

REGION 7

Darlington (22-3)

NOTABLE WINS: Model, Chattooga (x2), Calhoun

NOTABLE LOSSES: Cherokee, Lipscomb Academy (TN), Paulding County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: D’Marion Floyd (7-A-DI Player of the Year), Jack Bell (All-Region), Braden Bell (All-Region), Szymon Paluch (All-Region), Joe Womack (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Excluding 6-A-DI teams, Darlington has been this classification’s best, most consistent group. The Tigers have won a lot of ball games up in North Georgia. They haven’t been beaten by a team in A-DI and are riding a six-game winning streak into the tournament. 

 

REGION 8 

Athens Christian (15-9)
NOTABLE WINS: Rabun County (x2), Tallulah Falls (x2)

NOTABLE LOSSES: Hart County, Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD), Norfolk Collegiate (VA), Coolidge (DC), Providence Christian, Habersham Central, Oglethorpe County, Stephens County, Rabun County

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Hampton Ford (All-Region), DJ Walker (All-Region), Thrasher Wilkins (All-Region, Awesome Name), Jaden Baksin (All-Region)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Eagles hit a rough stretch in December. They lost seven games in that month alone, but they bounced back nicely by winning 10 of their next 11 games. Their only loss in 2023 was by a single possession on the road against Rabun County. Athens Christian is peaking at the right time.