The private schools in Atlanta have proved to be a powerhouse group while the rural county schools have star power and intrigue. How the Class AA bracket plays out in the GHSA basketball tournament is anyone's guess. We preview.

BEST FIRST ROUND GAME

Dublin at Crawford County: Two of Middle Georgia's best fan bases will pack the famed Crawford County gym and be treated to an offensive show. Dublin averages 79 points a game this season and has scored over 100 points seven times. Crawford County has scored over 75 a game 11 times this year. Expect that first round match-up to be a track meet.

STAR POWER

Wendell Carter, Pace Academy: Get ready to read a lot about the 6-foot-10 center a lot over the next three years in Georgia high school basketball. He's one of the state's true stars and similar to some of the great posts we've had in the Peach State like Derrick Favors, JJ Hickson and Randolph Morris. Carter has been a double-double machine all season long.

Jordan Harris, Seminole County - The Georgia bound guard does a lot of everything in the state's deepest corner of talent. Tucked away in Southwest Georgia, Harris torched opponents all season long. The lefty wing is a nice mix of scoring, passing, rebounding and athleticism.  

Reggie Reid, Harlem - One of the most reclusive players in the state, Reid let's his game do all of the talking. The Florida Gulf Coast bound guard returned home after a year in South Florida at Elev8 Academy. He's the most decorated athlete in Harlem High School history and has set basketball records in nearly every category. Reid is truly a one-man wrecking ball.

Will Jerrell, Crawford County - The star of The Fall Preview has continued his tear in the high school season with a monster junior campaign. He's averaging 25 points a game, gets to the foul line as good as anyone in Georgia and is a major match-up problem.

Tre Scott, McIntosh Academy - One of the best players in Georgia, the 6-foot-7 future Cincinnati-bound forward is as versatile as any player in the South. He'll have his hands full with Thomasville in the first round though.

TEAM MOST LIKELY TO PLAY CINDERELLA

GAC - No, seriously. They could. "But it is G-A-C.! How can they be considered a Cinderella?" I know that's what you're thinking. Sure, this is the defending state champs. Sure, this is the program that was nationally ranked. Sure, I get all of that. That's why they are in this space actually. Coach Eddie Martin is one of the very best in Georgia when it comes to bracket play. To that point, the Spartans are 10-3 against Georgia teams in the 2015 part of the season. The only three losses are to region foes - two to Pace and one to Holy Innocents'. GAC could win their respective quadrant and, at least, get to Columbus State on Feb. 27.

STORYLINES OF NOTE

• Every game in the first round has a team with double digit losses on the year. That's a fascinating stat.
• There are 10 programs in the AA bracket that have records below .500. Seven of the eight No. 4 seeds are part of this group. Only Temple sits above .500 at 15-11.
• While the balance of team talent isn't ideal here, there are a number of star power players worth watching in this bracket.
• Keep an eye on teams like Manchester, Harlem, Coosa, Bryan County, Model and Thomasville that could make a run for at least Columbus State for the semifinals.

POWER POLL TEAM IN THE BRACKET

18. Pace Academy 25-2

JUSTIN YOUNG'S PROJECTED FINAL FOUR: Holy Innocents', GAC, Pace Academy, Seminole County
CARTER WILSON'S PROJECTED FINAL FOUR: Holy Innocents', Crawford County, Pace Academy, Seminole County