State playoff predictions: Expect more metro ATL domination
Metro Atlanta teams won all 10 state basketball championships in 2010. Don’t expect another sweep, but most of the champions in this year’s tournament – which begins Friday – should be from the metro area again.
Below are my predictions for the semifinals and the eventual champion.
Milton (AAAAA), Miller Grove (AAAA), Columbia (AAA) and Greater Atlanta Christian (AA) are clear favorites in the boys draws, although SWD’s win over Miller Grove in the 6-AAAA final opens the door in AAAA. The hardest to pick in Class A, where defending champion Wesleyan, runner-up Whitefield Academy, No. 1-ranked Wilkinson County and No. 2 Greenville are top contenders along with my pick, Wilcox County, led by Nick Marshall.
With the girls, Wesleyan (A) is a virtual lock.
The others are much harder to establish a team to beat. Norcross is the defending champion but had to avenge two losses to North Gwinnett to win Region 7-AAAAA.
In AAA, Columbia is No. 1 but lost to St. Pius in its region final.
In AA, a Buford-Kendrick final would be pretty special.
The AAAA girls draw is the most unpredictable. With No. 1 Chamblee falling in the region, it’s open to many contenders.
BOYS
AAAAA: Harrison vs. Norcross, McEachern vs. Milton
Winner – Milton
AAAA: Jonesboro vs. Miller Grove, Fayette County vs. SW DeKalb
Winner – Miller Grove
AAA: Eagle’s Landing vs. Columbia, Monroe vs. Carrollton
Winner – Columbia
AA: Laney vs. South Atlanta, Thomasville vs. Greater Atlanta Christian
Winner – Greater Atlanta Christian
A: Wilcox County vs. Wilkinson County, Terrell County vs. Whitefield Academy
Winner – Wilcox County
GIRLS
AAAAA: Campbell vs. Norcross, Westlake vs. North Gwinnett
Winner – Norcross
AAAA: Forest Park vs. Douglas County, Fayette County vs. Clarke Central
Winner – Forest Park
AAA: Westover vs. St. Pius, Washington County vs. Columbia
Winner – Columbia
AA: Vidalia vs. Kendrick, Laney vs. Buford
Winner – Buford
A: Savannah Christian vs. Wesleyan, Bryan County vs. St. Francis
Winner – Wesleyan
GHSA PLAYOFF BRACKETS
Boys: AAAAA | AAAA | AAA | AA | A – Prelims
Girls: AAAAA | AAAA | AAA | AA | A
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214 comments Add your comment
SportsFan31313
February 27th, 2011
7:38 pm
RudBuck,
I do belueve that Bradwell Institute Lady Tigers will beat McEachern. No Films have been watched for the Lowndes Game. But the Lady Tigers have a lot of talent. Bradwell Institute have so many weapons that they can beat you with. Atlanta Metro have height. Bradwell have a lot of speed and thy can shoot very well from the perimeter. I don’t know if it’s becasue Bradwell Institute os number one in the state, is the reaosn for the tough challenges by their opponents or they havent been testeed up until now. But Region 3-AAAAA Beach had convincingly won round one as well, and they finished number two in the region. I do believe that Bradwell will br at the Gwinette Center and will be in the Finals…..
rudbuck
February 27th, 2011
7:49 pm
HEY DIDN’T I PICK THEM TO GET TO GWINNETT………YEAH I DID!……………….LOL!
Three Straight
February 27th, 2011
8:05 pm
Sports Fan78745…thanks for the compliments but the Norcross Blue Devilsboys haven’t lost a home regular and tournament game in 9 yrs. We look forward to the possiblity of playing wheeler again on a neutral court.
SportsFan31313
February 27th, 2011
8:11 pm
RudBuck,
Yes you did. So who do you think will beat Bradwell Institute? Surely not Campbell.
Sports Fan78745
February 27th, 2011
8:13 pm
Wheeler v.s Norcross is going to be one hell of a game. all depends on your pg
Just Saying
February 27th, 2011
9:17 pm
You see what, “I’m Just Saying”! Two of the 4 AJC predictions (Opinions, as I said earlier) were defeated last night. Langston Hughes was responsible for the Harrison lost. I guess they will have to pick two more of the teams that are the most talked about. Band Wagon predictions.
I’m Just Saying.
SouthGeorgiaBoy
February 28th, 2011
8:18 am
Good call. McEachern and Harrison out. LOL
Watch for Tift and Valdosta should make Elite 8…in beyond
Just Saying
February 28th, 2011
8:52 am
@ South Georgia Boy…….Obviously you don’t know either? LHHS is coming to Valdosta. Sound the country siren……..A tornado is coming!!! LHHS.
I’m, “Just Saying”,
Just Saying
February 28th, 2011
8:56 am
Oh Yeah…..I just realized. Our brother school will take care of Tift County. We rule this state!!!
2AAAAA STILL HAS ALL FOUR TEAMS PLAYING. Yeah, it’s jus tthe second round, but we are deep!!! Langston Hughes All The Way. This is a new school and we are making noise! Listen to your iPod because the silence in Valdosta gym will be aweful. LHHS
Im, “Just Saying”,
metro ATL
February 28th, 2011
8:58 am
BI needed a last-second shot to get past a 4 seed from a weak region at home. No film review? Did the BI coaches think they had the Lowndes game in the bag? I was expecting a 30 point beatdown out of the “undefeated #1 team” in AAAAA against an opponent like Lowndes.
Hope Bradwell coaches watched film for their next opponent- they have a load of talent, a load of height AND a load of speed.
Just Saying
February 28th, 2011
8:58 am
Hey, Who know when the AJC will update their picks? I think the previous picks were destroyed!
I’m, “Just Saying”,
Just Saying
February 28th, 2011
9:01 am
One last thing AAAAA Final Four predictions……Langston Hughes, Westlake, Norcross, Milton. Mark my word. You’ll see. Then you will say. He’s Just Saying.
Just Saying
February 28th, 2011
9:06 am
Finals Langston Hughes vs. Milton. I’m just saying. I know I know I know….who is Langston Hughes? 2nd year school, 1st year allowed to compete, 2nd in regional regular season, 4th in regional tournament, Lost by 1 pt to be at 2nd (so there’s no difference between a 4th seed and a 2nd or 1st. It’s playoff time and the records start at 0 – 0. Ask around they’ll tell you……they’re not a big team, but they sure are athletic with skill.
SO HUMBLED AND PROUD.
I’m “Just Saying”
Panther Pride
February 28th, 2011
1:30 pm
@ rudbuck, like I said don’t take this second year program light.