Boys quarterfinal primer: No. 1 Tift vs. No. 2 North Cobb … Columbia-Marist III … GAC-Manchester rematch
Here is a class-by-class look at the boys quarterfinals.
For a rundown on the girls semifinals, go here.
AAAAAA – Tift County had to turn 400 fans away Saturday for its 100-81 victory over Westlake. Expect the same for the quarterfinals against North Cobb unless Tift is able to find a way to squeeze them in. Tift is ranked No. 1, North Cobb No. 2. Tift led by as many as 30 against Westlake, which is ranked eighth. … The other quarterfinal that is between ranked teams matches No. 6 Peachtree Ridge at No. 7 Wheeler. AJC.com’s David Purdum is slated to cover that one from The Lip in Marietta. … Unranked Brunswick is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1982. The Pirates will be at home against fifth-ranked Hillgrove, another second seed. Hillgrove made the quarters in 2010. Neither has made a state semifinal. … No. 3 Norcross plays Berkmar in the other quarter. The two Gwinnett County schools have won some six state titles since 2000, although it’s been a while for Berkmar.
AAAAA – No. 1-ranked and four-time state champion Miller Grove plays No. 6 Tucker on Tuesday as part of a boys-girls double-header. It’s at Miller Grove, which has beaten Tucker by 11 and 19 points in their two Region 6 clashes. … Nice to see Ceekside back in contention in basketall. The Seminoles have advanced as a No. 3 seed and are in the quarters for the first time since 2003. Creekside was a state runner-up in 2002. Creekside plays at second-ranked Effingham County, which will be trying to make the semifinals for the first time in school history. … History is not on the side of several AAAAA quarterfinal teams. New Manchester, which opened in 2011, hadn’t won a playoff game until this year. New Manchester’s opponent, Jenkins, is in the quarters for the first time since 1973 and has never made the semis. Northside-Columbus, which opened in 2002, has never made the semifinals. Northside’s opponent, Gainesville, is used to this stuff. The Red Elephants have made the semis or better 10 times in the last 25 years, although none since 2009.
AAAA – Columbia-Marist III is slated to take place Wednesday at Columbia, which one the previous games 46-45 and 52-50 in overtime. AJC.com’s Jeff Haws will cover that one and bring a photographer. Columbia is ranked No. 3, Marist No. 4. … Since quarterfinals are no longer at neutral sites, No. 1-ranked Eagle’s Landing is forced to travel to Albany to play eighth-ranked Westover. Both are region champions. Since they are No. 1 seeds, the home team is predetermined on the draw. It’s the same for Rutland vs. Statesboro. Rutland is at home, though both are region champions. Second-ranked South Atlanta plays at home against Alexander in the other quarterfinal.
AAA – Chatham County rivals Johnson and Savannah could be headed for an all-Savannah final. Both have home games Wednesday – third-ranked Johnson against unranked Tattnall County and second-ranked Savannah against ninth-ranked Washington County. If the Savannah teams win, they’ll have the home crowd behind them again in the semifinals, which will be played at Savannah’s Armstrong Atlantic State University. Savannah and Johnson are on opposite sides of the draw. … The other two quarterfinals match North Georgia teams – No. 1-ranked Buford vs. No. 6 Woodward Academy and No. 7 North Hall vs. No. 10 St. Pius. None of the four has won a state title.
AA – The 2012 semifinal teams are still in it this year – champion Laney, Manchester, Vidalia and Jordan. … The most intriguing game Wednesday is No. 1 Greater Atlanta Christian vs. Manchester. A year ago, Manchester upset GAC 48-46 in the quarterfinals. GAC was ranked No. 1 then, too. That game was in Dalton. The rematch is on GAC’s home floor. … If you missed it, one of the best round-of-16 games statewide Saturday was No. 7 Bleckley County’s 62-61 victory over No. 3 Westside of Augusta. Westside trailed by 22 and took the lead with second left, but Bleckley’s Rydealous Taylor made two free throws with 2.8 seconds to win it. Taylor scored 25 points. Now Bleckley plays at No. 2 Vidalia. Bleckley is trying to make the semifinals for the first time since 1985.
A – The home teams won 15 of 16 first-round games in both public and private divisions last week. The exception was No. 9 Jenkins County over No. 8 Dooly County on the public side. Top games this week will be fourth-ranked North Cobb Christian, which spent most of the season at No. 1, traveling to ninth-ranked Athens Christian. In a side note, Seth Vining coached his last game in Lakeview Academy’s loss to Aquinas. The retiring coach won more than 700 games, sent 10 teams to the semifinals and won four state championships at East Hall, two boys titles (2001, 2003) and two girls titles (1979, 1980).
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109 comments Add your comment
forealtho
February 26th, 2013
9:46 am
Does anybody remember how that Norcross team from year before last did at the beginning of the season? That team had major chemistry problems. Once they came together, they WON STATE. They beat a loaded Milton team! Well, thats almost identicle to the WHEELER. situation. They had a lot of problems once the 3 kids ( JB, Tim & Jerron love) joined the team in Jan. That threw the Chemistry off real bad. That week they had off before region tourny play begin was all the coaches needed to re program those kids. They are NOT the same team from JAN people. The 4 game winning streak is No luck! That team is loaded with everything you need to win a state title. You guys had better go take a look at WHEELERS roster They have 3 well battle tested players that are 6′6, 6′7 and 6′10. They rotate 9 players! They are extemly deep. At first the gaurd play was suspect because they wasnt making the right passes and being a little selfish but they have that all worked out. I dont know why some of you have P’RIDGE beating Wheeler and then HILLGROVE beating WHEELER! Its no way either of those teams (ESPECIALLY HILLGROVE) can beat Wheeler.. They will be in the finals! So, Tift or Norcross better be prepared for a hell of a long night in Macon. Wheeler matches up with either of those teams PERFECTLY! It should be exciting! Oh, and if North Cobb some how finds a way to win, & end up playing Wheeler. Its gonna be Ugly for N COBB without SAXON STEELE! WHEELER WONT BE STOPPED!
Savannah hoopers
February 26th, 2013
9:59 am
Rod the ref are never on Savannah side. We just play hard nose defence like no other team. We played Tift Co and lost by 10 and felt they had some call and those was the same refs. I respect your kids they are doing there best. The parents were acting a fool for Dodge Co. I mean look at our games we are a defence stop you for 4quarters type team. Our boys take pride in defence. One player cant beat us. We got cheaped out the 5A last year with Milton and Mr. Boyd. Our boys are on a mission. We dont bragg we just play we dont care about what the news predict or what other people say. The best team will win if we lose then it not the refs fault it is ours. I know refs have bias believe me we have several who dont like savannah high. Yall are a good 3A school but we have 6A talent on our team we could compete with all the big ATL school and have the last 3yrs. But I’m getting tired of Dodge Co calming the refs help us. Bottom line it was those Blue Jackects not the refs, and now your people are saying wait to yall play Washington Co. Well they beat our 4place team BEACH by two, and yall first place team THOMSON lost to our 3 place team TATTNALL. Do you really think Washington Co will beat us at home. Come watch they will lose by 10points It wont be close.
Savannah hoopers
February 26th, 2013
10:04 am
One last thing we are the most underated team in the state Mr. Rod last year 3yrs 3Region title 3 holiday classic championship and 1 State-Runner-up. All people talks about is SoL C Johnson and Buford. That is ok because when we hit that hard wood no one work harder than our boys.
Eagle 1
February 26th, 2013
10:09 am
Erase all the games until now. I like Columbia winning at home and two in Macon where our guys have brought the trophy home at several times. It’s 3 games left, I think Columbia can win! Forget about losing to S.Atlanta twice,forget about beating Marist twice. Don’t even start to think about how u beat E.Landing twice in the past. If Coach can stress winning 3games,one at a time I love the Eagles chances. We play one a home(Columbia) and the next 2 at our second home in(Macon).
Columbia Eagles AAAA State Champs 2013 Boys and Girls!!!
Michael Jenkins
February 26th, 2013
10:38 am
Rod you are correct even if you are not a referee, and I am a referee, and yes some of the refs are from the region their are calling at, one or two of them may be from out of town. And yes some of the calls they make on one end they don’t make on the other. There should be some consistancy in their calling. It’s not the qualified/top officials, it’s a friend thing.
Decatur 4 Life
February 26th, 2013
10:54 am
Manny Fresh
Don’t talk too bad about Kiar he does have a state title as a freshman and one as a starting soph, looking for his third in three years this season. He’s a much better player than you give him credit for, he can penetrate and shoot well just don’t have to do them as much with Tahj on the floor with him. We do miss his experience and ball handling though can’t replace that, how many titles does King, Anderson, Range, Byrd and company have? I bet I know the answer, 0! Yall need to be worrying about Alexander and then Eagles Landing, we shouldn’t even be on your radar right now…lol.
Inside Stuff Jam Session
February 26th, 2013
11:29 am
The investigation report on Tift County is now available online. After reading it, it doesn’t sound like they’re so clean after all. It seems that wrongdoing was confessed and then they recanted their confession. What you say, can’t and won’t be used against you I guess.
graphite
February 26th, 2013
11:44 am
Much to do over a sissy game.
Manny fresh
February 26th, 2013
12:10 pm
@decatur4life king does have 1 as a freshman also that’s the year favors won. And to sit here and say he going for 3 like he just the reason for the 3 is ludachris anybody can be on the team and say they got 2 or 3 championships. He’s not the reason dough they did have alot of talent recruits and stuff. We working with players that’s from scratch no recruits or nothing strait from the gutter so to accomplish what we accomplish is real good right now
Alexander fan
February 26th, 2013
12:17 pm
Hey Decatur 4 life, let them keep looking past Alexander or eagle landing. Lol. That’s where the heartbreak come in. See ya Wednesday
BBaller
February 26th, 2013
12:25 pm
@graphite
You mean as compared to a “man’s” game like football that needs a 30 second break after 7 seconds of action?
South Georgia Coach
February 26th, 2013
12:48 pm
@ Inside Stuff Jam Session – What investigation report are you reading? Assuming what you are reading online is the same findings report and letters that I have read. It clearly said that Tift Co superintendent claimed to support Turner County allegations initially but he changed his opinion on the the matter. Which he is free to do. At no where in the report and letters that I read did I see where it indicated Tift Co confessed and then recanted a confession.
Shaunster
February 26th, 2013
12:50 pm
@ forealtho: Wheeler will not make to Hillgrove.
Elijah Giddens is no match for PTR’s Amir Warnock and PTR’s Jordan Capps will own Daniel Staley. PTR’s guards will outplay Austin Smoke also.
THE FAN
February 26th, 2013
1:04 pm
Alexander fan, please who gave you premission to speak? Just be glad you able to even play on the same floor with a winner. Haven’t even heard of your school doing anything but lose.
lsju82
February 26th, 2013
1:11 pm
Hey @Eagles Fans, would you like to buy a period or two?
GHSA Joke
February 26th, 2013
1:12 pm
Why does it seem the GHSA has different rules for all of their sports?
-Football has regions 1-8 all in the same quadrants where as other sports have regions 1-4 in the top of the bracket and regions 5-8 on the bottom.
-Football has a coin flip after the second round when two teams with the same seeding meet in the quarterfinals. Basketball the home court advantage goes to the team on the top of the bracket.
-Volleyball reseeds after the second round to avoid 1 v 1 match ups in the quarterfinals.
If the GHSA is going to force teams to use MaxPrep so they can have a power ranking to seed the A tournaments. Why not use the same power ranking to seed the other classifications as well? Take the teams who finish 1-4 in their region tournaments and bracket them in the tournament according to where they fall in the power rankings.
TRU
February 26th, 2013
2:19 pm
I’m rolling with South Atlanta in AAAA, and yea @Manny Fresh…we gotta stop talking and just keep winning….South Atlanta should have 6 Rings by now but we have that rep for losing the BIG games. We have ONE ring so far…this year is a good chance of making it 2…and #23(King) wasnt on the Derrick STIX Favors championship team…..they all playing for their first ring this year. Lets go Hornets…bring those rings back to Zone 3!!!!
Rod
February 26th, 2013
2:20 pm
Savannah hoopers, on any given night any team can be beat and I think that’s the beauty of basketball in general, so I don’t pay too much attention to the seedings in the GHSA. Some of the lower seeds in the regions might have been good in the regular seaon and lost in the region finals and got lowers seeds. That to me doesn’t really reward the higher seed in the playoffs sometimes because you can get a decent opponent from a lower seed and they will knock you off you you’re not careful. I persnonally are not a big fan of Washington Co. but they do play team ball. Their coach is pretty decent, but he stays in the refs face from warm ups to till the team exits the gym. As I said before, if you guys win it all, congratulations, but if you lose and the zebras had a big part in that, then you’d see my issue with them. Personally I think this will be a good game, but who knows.
.
February 26th, 2013
2:45 pm
Enter your comments here
Inside Stuff Jam Session
February 26th, 2013
2:52 pm
@South Georgia Coach. That would be like me saying my uninhabitable house is flooded from all the rain, then changing my mind and deciding it isn’t flooded.
Savannah hoopers
February 26th, 2013
3:31 pm
Rod I agree with any team on any nite. It just Savannah High alwayz get the bad calls against us when we play teams. I understand the refs are human and if a team lose by 2or 3 a call can make a different. However 29 points are not the refs. You can look at the regions and see the strong one. We are two points away from our 4 teams in the elite 8. Beach lose to Washington by two. Savannah High, Johnson and Tattnal are still in from region 1. I dont like the way the brackets are set up because each region should not meet up again until the final four not elite 8. Not you personally but it has been several Dodge co personal keep saying we cheated. That is not true our kids play there hearts out and have nothing to do with the refs. Ask around we played Tift co and they beat us 65-55. That is the higest score against us. We proud ourself on defence. My son play not going to call his name but he works hard everyday alone with the other bluejackets. I just dont wont people keeps saying the refs won the game for us when it was pressure defences.
Savannah hoopers
February 26th, 2013
3:33 pm
Oh Rod yall have some good kids they played hard when it down to it I wish all these kids the best. Sports come and go. It your moral action that will get them through life.
South Georgia Coach
February 26th, 2013
4:01 pm
@Inside Stuff Jam Session – The point is what you stated was in the report, isnt. It isnt even close to what you stated. If you are going to share information, then be accurate and dont embellish.
To be more accurate, its like you saying the house is flooded because of the raid, then I agree but later someone tells me well there’s a water pipe that burst under the house, okay, so now I no longer agree with your original statement.
Wilt Chamberlain
February 26th, 2013
4:05 pm
Please, Please do not UNDERESTIMATE the North Cobb Boys Coach, regardless of WHERE the game is. This game should be epic!
Inside Stuff Jam Session
February 26th, 2013
4:07 pm
Then we’ll have agree to disagree, because the majority of people I have heard discussing it, comprehend the report’s statements in the same manner as do I. I would suggest everyone go read it and make up their own mind.
VChandler
February 26th, 2013
4:10 pm
@ Wilt Chamberlain, let them keep underestimating the Warriors. lol
forealtho
February 26th, 2013
4:49 pm
@Shaunster Its real obvious that you know nothing about WHEELER BASKETBALL.. Do a little research before you talk reckless on this blog. At least be able to get the players names correct. But im not gonna worry because after tomorrow night you will know all there names. After this old fashoon Trashing we give P’ Ridge. You guys struggled with Shiloh? Or 4th place team had them beat
Rod
February 26th, 2013
6:27 pm
Savannah hoopers, Dodge did ok this season. I am not from Dodge but I had a nephew playing for them. Their coach is a first year head coach and I think he has the program headed in the wrong direction. I will agree that Dodges’ fans can be over the top. Sometimes I sit in a remote area at some of the games just so I can think and actually focus on the game. I actually have warned some of the fans that are extremely rowdy during the games that sometimes that alone can make it worse for the kids. A ref at one of their games was someone I knew and after the game he told me it took everything he had not to eject one of them for rude behavior. Sometimes parents and fans alike forget that’s it’s all about the kids and their ability on the floor and not for people who have been out of school for a long time to try and relive their lives thru those kids.
iknowbasketball
February 26th, 2013
8:28 pm
PEACHTREE RIDGE ALL DAY!! THEY ARE WELL COACHED, PLAY GREAT DEFENSE AND ARE VERY PHYSICAL – ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS #22, #23 AND # 32
A ball
February 26th, 2013
10:29 pm
I wonder if North Cobb Christian recruits players as hard as Athens Christian. ACS is known as the biggest cheaters in NE Ga. They recruit constantly and the GHSA just turns their head.
South Georgia Coach
February 27th, 2013
5:48 am
@ Inside Stuff Jam Session – We’ll also have to agree that the people you have been discussing it with are embellishing as well. What you all comprehend, simply isn’t in there in any form. You cant point out anything that says there was a confession then a recanting of said confession. If there was, I’m sure the GHSA would have clearly stated somewhere in the report, and used the words confession. I would suggest everyone read it also. I found a online version and it is the same as the reports that I previously saw, so again I’m assuming its the same as what you read and not altered. I don’t think anyone is going to find the confession that you speak of. https://www.facebook.com/tiftareanews it’s about halfway down the page.
TIFT COUNTY
February 27th, 2013
7:05 am
Inside stuff jam session, I am with South GA coach. I am not interpreting the letters the way you are. The only violation was the younger brother of a player who started ball in tift county in the eigth grade was at a varsity practice. No violations of recruiting. The letter also goes on to state that state wide GHSA is having issues with kids transferring, but they encourage school administrations to make sure all GHSA rules are followed when the kid transfers in. The letter also states that there is nothing GHSA can do if a parent decides to move their family to another jurisdiction and attend another school. GHSA also stated that most times it is not the coach that draws the kids it is the winning programs that kids prefer. Re-read the letters and report what it says, not your twist on it. The violation in question happened in the fall of 2011 concerning a weekend practice and according to the report if the kid in question was not on the actual playing floor during this time it would not have been interpreted as a violation. So calling the school dirty for this week reach for a violation is bad on your part. Try attending some school practices you will definitely see some of the players younger siblings at those practices shooting on side courts. I know, i have been to other schools practices and you see it all the time. Who is to say that those kids are not from other schools. The one thing Tift had in it’s favor was that when the kids transfered in they ran it by GHSA first and the transfered were approved. The investigation just confirmed their initial approval of the transferes. We in Tift knew this investigation was going nowhere, just the haters needed something to talk about.
Tournament time
February 27th, 2013
7:33 am
@ A ball N Cobb Christian recruits all the time. Very dirty coach, feels like it is college. He’s made in home visits, calls, and texts. Unless a family receiving them wants to turn them in they skate by.
Rossi
February 27th, 2013
8:20 am
Come on Todd and staff. You can do better than this. Gainesville is playing New Manchester. Look at the bracket.
Decatur 4 Life
February 27th, 2013
9:30 am
Manny fresh
C’ mon Manny I’m not feeling your rationale behind that, Kiar started as a sophomore last season and on top of that played good minutes as a freshman even though he didn’t start. Can’t hate on that man, I don’t care how talented the team is a starter is a starter. I’m not saying Kiar’s the only reason we’ve won multiple championships heck Tahj isn’t even the only reason we’ve won, we have team oriented players that have one common goal year in and year out. I guess my point is he’s made valuable contributions every year even as a freshman. Before I forget my bad about King didn’ know he was on that Favors team
Decatur 4 Life
February 27th, 2013
9:42 am
Maany fresh
Almost forgot, we don’t have to recruit over here because they come willingly to play for an excellent program. We don’t have to have recruiting talks the titles speak for themselves…lol
Decatur 4 Life
February 27th, 2013
9:46 am
Good Luck tonite to my Eagles, it’s round 3 of the war with Marist. Congrats to the Lady Eagles for making their 4th state semifinal in a row, good luck in Ft. Valley!
Manny fresh
February 27th, 2013
10:40 am
@decatur4life I was just saying Kiair wouldn’t have made a difference that 2nd game is all I’m saying just like the 1st game y’all probably did better without him because #10 got his shine on that game before that he had to be like 2 for 15 behind the 3pnt line from all the games i had been watching. He killed us on the 3 balls. Kiair cool he’s aight player but y’all hyping him up like he just all world like he would have made a difference. If that was the case he woulda did it the 1st game. That’s all I’m saying. Hopefully we see y’all in Macon. Y’all final 4 game tonight against Marist because y’all should destroy who ever come out of the top of the bracket. So y’all game to go to Macon tonight. Ours against eagles landing. But I’m not counting Alexander out because lately we been playing down to our completion games have been kinda close but we pulling them out. Hopefully we go head and do our thang tonight then beat eagle landing in fort valley then we will see y’all in macon
John
February 27th, 2013
10:45 am
GHSA shouldn’t be holding quarterfinal games in high school gyms that are too small to accommodate the crowd. What was wrong with holding the quarterfinal at places like the Dalton Trade Center or the University of West Georgia or the Albany Convention Center or The Forum in Rome like was done in years past?
Dwayne
February 27th, 2013
11:55 am
Effingham plays Creekside, I know what Effingham has, what does Creekside have? Have they played any common opponites? Effingham beat WR 90-60 and Stars Mill 61-39, what do yall think?
Decatur 4 Life
February 27th, 2013
12:27 pm
Manny fresh
I feel ya, I think we just miss his defensive awareness, leadership, and ball handling right now we’re not really concened about the scoring. I’ve said it from the jump that #10 shoots way too much if he’s hitting then its feast but when he’s off it’s extreme famine the only thing is he doesn’t stop when he’s off. He’ll shoot us out of some games if we’re not careful, good luck to yall tonite and wish us some too because it’s going to be a war.
Love Basketball
February 27th, 2013
12:29 pm
GAME OF THE NIGHT tonight will be Marist vs Columbia. Nothing else before tonight matters. I’m predicting Marist winning this game because it seems as if EVERYBODY has counted them out. They haven’t even played close to their potential as a team. I feel like that’s going to happen tonight. We’ll see!!
WestoverFan
February 27th, 2013
1:06 pm
@southgacoach I took a look at those reports and I see what both of you are saying. I tend to agree more with Inside Jam. “Support” claims before changing his mind is basically agreeing that the allegations were supported by him originally right?
South Georgia Coach
February 27th, 2013
2:43 pm
WestoverFan I didnt say the super didnt think Turner had a case, in fact I clearly stated that in a earlier post that the Super agreed with Turner initially, that is why Tift Co did their own investigation. Then when he was convinced there was nothing to Turner’s allegations the Tift Super changed his opinion. My point was Inside Jame said there was a confession and a taking back of the confession. Do you see it that way? By confession as inside james claims there was then the Tift Coach would have to have confessed, “yeah I did recruit them” then go back and say “nevermind I really didnt”. He can read it anyway he wants but if he was sharing information with the readers of this blog, he didnt accurately do that. Unless you see mention of a confession in there too, which if you do please point it out to me.
Shaunster
February 27th, 2013
3:18 pm
Tift 84 – NC 64
Norcross 70 – Berkmar 49
Brunswick 66 – Hillgrove 60
PTR 66 – Wheeler 51
Eagles Fans
February 27th, 2013
3:54 pm
im done talking its almost gametime here on columbia drive lets go EAGLES
forealtho
February 27th, 2013
4:50 pm
@Shaunster Wheeler 73——– p’ridge 58… If they score 66. We will score in the 80’s
at the game
February 27th, 2013
8:56 pm
Sorry south ga fan but 6a champ will come from metro Atlanta and 5a and 4a
Wheelerparent (Black)
February 27th, 2013
9:31 pm
@Shaunster what happened to P’ridge???????????? Lmaooooo 60—47 Wheeler!!! Who’s soft now homie.. AND…. TIFT CO WHOO? CONGRATS TO MY NORTH COBB HOMIES!!!!!
Mike Steele
February 27th, 2013
10:04 pm
Shaunster, don’t predict anymore games, u don’t know JACK , p tree ridge by 15+ , TIFT by 20+ , ur a JOKE!