4A: No. 2 Grady (16-1, 11-0) at No. 5 St. Pius (14-2, 9-2)

The X-Dome hosts this rematch of a Dec. 1 classic in which Grady knocked off St. Pius 51-50 and in the process turned the heads of the entire state as they garnered the No. 1 spot in Class AAAA for three weeks before relinquishing that honor to current top-dog Jonesboro. The Knights hold a two-game lead over St. Pius for first place in Region 6, with No. 3 Lithonia (13-4, 10-1) sandwiched in between. Bucknell-commit Avi Toomer is averaging close to 25 points per game and posted 19 points and 10 rebounds in their first meeting. Senior Christian Bryant is a floor general that scored 17 points at home against the Golden Lions and leads a slew of lightning quick guards that came away with 14 steals. Sophomore DJ Brittian brings more athleticism on the perimeter and Tykwaan Bryant and 6-foot-7 junior and football standout Kemari Averett clean up the glass. St. Pius may not have the athletes Grady has but they do have 6-foot-6 unsigned senior Kerney Lane. The long lefty is as smooth as they come, able to beat his man off the dribble or step away from the basket and drain the deep ball. He had 15 points in the loss and is leading the Golden Lions in scoring at 19 a night. Fellow seniors Christian Merrill and Jakob Spitzer will play key roles as well. Merrill netted 14 from his guard position and Spitzer is a 6-foot-7 post that can cause problems with his size. 

4A: No. 7 Walnut Grove (17-1, 4-0) at No. 6 Eagle’s Landing (16-1, 8-1)

Much like Region 6, Region 4 has transformed into a power plant for talent. Both team’s lone losses have come at the hands of No. 1 Jonesboro (14-3, 7-0). The Cardinals dropped Walnut Grove on Dec. 4, 58-52 on the road and on Dec. 8, traveled to Eagle’s Landing to best the birds 75-61. The Warriors are a veteran cast led by four seniors who lead the team in scoring. Guards AJ Jones and Faizon Jackson power the attack. Jones is the Warriors’ best three-point shooter and is coming off a 21-point performance against Eastside in a 63-55 win. He averages over 14 points per game while Jackson adds over 13 points and three steals per contest. The Eagles counter with senior Jordan Lewis. The 6-foot guard averages 17.3 points, 3.5 assists and 3.8 steals. Sophomore swingman Tarrence Evans is second on the team in scoring at 10.8. Dual-sport star Antonio Gibson chips in 9.9 points and 5.8 rebounds.

 
5A: Shaw (12-3, 4-0) at LaGrange (13-3, 2-1)

LaGrange might not be ranked in AAAAA right now, but the Grangers still have one of the toughest backcourts in the state with senior Rico Smith and junior LaPerion Perry spearheading the attack.  Smith was a Second-Team All-State selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution last year, bringing an aggressive and explosive style of play.  Perry, who was slowed to start the season after suffering a fractured toe as the Grangers’ quarterback, is back healthy. Coming off an 81-78 loss at Carver-Columbus (11-4, 2-1), Smith scored 22 and Perry 14. Alex Dantzler, Mike Hardy and 6-foot-6 junior Kenan Gray round out some of Coach Mark Veal’s most reliable options. Shaw has already surpassed last year’s 8-win total. Seniors Dakeen Diaz, Cam Paulding and Kourtney Shakespeare are big reasons why. Diaz pours in 15.6 points and 6.3 rebounds while Paulding, a 6-foot-6 football receiver, has blossomed into a problem on the low block averaging 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and over a block a game.