Forecasting the AAAAAA quarterfinals
Wednesday night is a big game night in Georgia as the AAAAAA playoffs pin some of the best teams in the biggest classification against each other. We look at the quarterfinal games and encourage you to vote for your winners.
No. 7 Pebblebrook (24-5) at No. 9 Norcross (27-3): Easily, the most intriguing game of the entire Wednesday slate in the entire state across all classifications. Both teams are good enough to win the state championship. Pebblebrook's starting five is as good as any in the state of Georgia. On the flip side, Norcross's bench is as good as any in the state. PHS's Trhae Mitchell vs. NHS's Ricky Madison should be a terrific match-up. Expect this one to go down to the wire. All signs point to this being one of the best games we've seen in the post-season this year.
No. 13 Shiloh (26-3) at Alpharetta (25-5): One of these teams will be in the Final Four and deservingly so. Remember, Shiloh hasn't lost to a Georgia team all season long. Alpharetta's biggest loss was only by six. Three of the team's losses were by a bucket. Both teams empty the effort tank. Both teams have good guards. How will Shiloh maintain Alpharetta's size inside? How will Alpharetta contain Josh Okogie en route to the rim? Both teams have terrific coaches. Like every game in AAAAAA, this one should come down the wire.
Hillgrove (23-5) at No. 15 Tucker (27-2): Two post-season stalwarts are back again in the Elite Eight. The programs have lived at this space of the bracket over the last three years. Both teams know what it takes to get to Macon. Two things to watch: Bryce Brown is quietly having one of the best senior seasons in the state of Georgia. He's on an absolute tear, averaging 28 points a game this season. He's the most impactful guard Hillgrove will face this season. How will the Hawks slow him down in the quarterfinal? Hillgrove has nice scoring balance. Will it be an across the board punch on offense? Or will someone like Antonio Wade, Jordan Julian or Collin Sexton get hot?
Newton (22-8) at No. 1 Wheeler (27-2): David meets Goliath. Newton is riding high after eliminating Top 10 Power Poll team Tift County in the first round, then Dacula in the second round. The team is just that - a team. Now the reward for two playoff wins is a match-up at Wheeler, the state's top team with the country's top player. No one outside of Covington is giving the Rams a chance to win this one. That's perfectly fine with AAAAAA's Cinderella. The us-against-the world mentality has served them well so far. On the flip side, Wheeler is playing very well right now. In his final game at The Doug, Jaylen Brown won't leave his Marietta home court quietly. Don't be surprised to see another epic performance.
